You can't tell the story of Denver or Colorado without the stories of the Latinos who have called this land home for centuries.
Hispanic Heritage Month, which lasts from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, brings with it opportunities to celebrate that history and learn more about the culture, and we've rounded up concerts, exhibits, plays and other events that do just that.
"Saber Acomodar"
What: "Saber Acomodar," "an investigation of the work carried out in studios and artisanal workshops in Jalisco, Mexico," features collaborations between artists and artisans in western Mexico over the last 100 years.
When: Sept. 13 to Jan. 1
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art, 1485 Delgany St.
How much: Museum admission is free-$8
"Dia de Independencia"
What: Mexican Independence celebration with a 30-minute exhibit tour and molé-making demonstration.
When: 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15
Where Museo de las Americas, 861 Santa Fe Drive
How much: Free-$5
Westwood Chile Fest
What: Seventh annual celebration of Hispanic culture featuring local artists, community organizations and businesses, plus performances from six bands, food trucks, a chile eating contest, bounce houses, a climbing wall, face painting, live mural painting, a metal sculpture invitational and youth bike repair shop.
When: 2-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16
Where: 3738 Morrison Rd.
How much: Free
Mexican Independence Day Celebration
What: Concert featuring Ceci Bastida and Roka Hueka.
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16
Where: Levitt Pavilion, 1380 W. Florida Ave.
How much: Free
Salsa and bachata lessons and dance party
What: Lessons begin at 7 p.m. Beginner lessons are free. Intermediate lessons will have a fee. Community dance begins at 8:30 p.m. All ages are welcome.
When: 7-11 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20
Where: Denver Turnverein, 1570 Clarkson St.
How much: $5-10
CineLatino Film Festival
What: Thirteen feature and documentary films reflecting and celebrating the contributions of Latinos to cinema. Highlights include "Ceviche's DNA" on opening night and "Elián" on closing night.
When: Sept. 21-24
Where: Sie Film Center, 2510 E. Colfax Ave.
How much: $70-85 for festival passes, $10-25 for individual screenings
Vaquero performance
What: Performances demonstrating how Spanish cowboys, known as vaqueros, whip up attention.
When: 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23
Where: History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway
How much: Free with museum admission (free-$12)
"El Movimiento: The Chicano Movement in Colorado"
What: Reception for the one annual, now permanent exhibit about Colorado’s Chicano Movement in the 1960s and '70s. Former lieutenant governor Joseph Garcia will speak, followed by music and refreshments.
When: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27
Where: History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway
How much: Free, RSVP required
"Latin Beats: Sonidos de las Americas"
What: The Mexican Cultural Center and the Colorado Symphony present a concert celebrating Latin culture's influence on music in the Americas, featuring traditional, classical and contemporary music and guest artists Diana Gameros, Conjun
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28
Where: Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St.
How much: Free
La Carpa Aztlan presents: "I Don’t Speak English Only"
What: A play based on the Mexican "tent show" tradition "imagines a future world where all diversity is prohibited and any expression of the other has been forced underground."
When: Opens Thursday, Oct. 12; runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 28
Where: Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, 721 Santa Fe Drive
How much: $17-20
"Las (H)adas"
What: Opening reception for an exhibit featuring artists Judy Miranda, Ana Maria Hernando, Jessica Luna, Arlette Lucero and Meggan De Anza. The title plays on the Spanish word for fairies and the suffix signifying gender in an action verb, and the artists involved are "local fairy godmothers of Latino art and culture" and "also __adas."
When: 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12
Where: Museo de las Americas, 861 Santa Fe Drive
How much: Free
Conversación Contracto: Meet Las Adas
What: Meet the artists featured in the "Las (H)adas" exhibit.
When: 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13
Where: Museo de las Americas, 861 Santa Fe Drive
How much: Free
"Latin America: Endless Transformation"
What: RedLine, Contemporary Expressions of Art, the Latino Community Foundation of Colorado and Building Bridges Art Exchange present an exhibit in which "artists are investigating the ways in which communities reshape their own collective identity and reveal a continuous transformation that is visible in the artistic movements taking place throughout the Americas."
When: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays through Oct. 29
Where: RedLine, 2350 Arapahoe St.
How much: Free
What did we miss? Let us know by emailing [email protected].
