At The Family Center/La Familia, we are proud to support Latinx families in our northern Colorado community. So, we always get excited for National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs nationally from September 15 – October 15. 

While celebrations are still looking different this year, a number of exhibitions and screenings celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month are being showcased starting this month.

We’ve put together a list of events for you and your family to enjoy in honor of Latinx history and heritage in Colorado.

FORT COLLINS

Colorado State University’s El Centro celebrates Latinx Heritage Month

What: CSU’s El Centro student organization will celebrate Latinx Heritage Month with a celebratory kick-off event and a series of discussions, networking events, and speaker engagements through October 14.

When: September 15 – October 14

Where: CSU campus and virtual

More info: Visit El Centro’s website for detailed information about each event

DENVER

Biennial of the Americas: Americas COVID-19 Memorial

What: Biennial of the Americas presents the Americas COVID-19 Memorial, an artist-driven exhibit acknowledging the disproportionate impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the Americas.

When: September 3 – September 25, 2021

Where:

Museo de las Americas 

861 Santa Fe Drive

Denver, CO 80204

More info: Visit the Museo de las Americas website for details and contact information

The Gonzalo Teppa Quintet

What: Venezuelan bassist Gonzalo Teppa presents his quintet at Nocturne every Friday in September, performing a collection of his compositions that draw from the musical wells of contemporary jazz, Latin American music (Venezuelan, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban), blues, free jazz and more. Reservations required. 

When: September 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2021

Where:

Nocturne

1330 27th Street

Denver, CO 80205

More info: Make reservations online here

Fervor: Ana Maria Hernando

What: Interdisciplinary artist Ana María Hernando harnesses the power of painting, poetry and installation to honor and alter traditional feminine craft and community in this exhibition at Denver Botanic Gardens. Her love of plants, flowers and the spirit of nature permeates her work. Fervor features her installation Écoutons | Escuchemos | Let’s Listen, created in response to bird sounds submitted from more than 200 people across the globe.

When: September 11, 2021 – January 2, 2022

Where:

Denver Botanic Gardens

1007 York Street

Denver, CO 80206

More info: Hours and details at the Denver Botanic Gardens exhibit website

Knockout de Risas via Ticketmaster

Knockout de Risas

What: Don’t miss this opportunity to spend an evening with the most recognized comedians in Mexico. With more than 15 years of experience, Edson Zúñiga (known as El Norteño), Javier Carranza (El Costeño), and Gustavo Munguía (Paúl Yester) put on a two-hour comedy event at the Paramount Theatre that’s fun for the whole family.

When: September 19, 2021

Where:

Paramount Theatre

1621 Glenarm Place

Denver, CO 80202

More info: Tickets available online

Latin Fashion Week Colorado

What: Created to honor the rich diversity in the Latino creative community, Latin Fashion Week Colorado aims to create tomorrow’s new wave of talented fashion designers and artists with recognition on a national and international level. 

When: September 24 – September 30, 2021

Where:

Denver County Courthouse

1437 Bannock Street

Denver, CO 80202

More info: Tickets available here

Preludes

What: The William Havu Gallery is honored to present the first solo exhibition by Cuban-born artist Carlos Estévez in Colorado, which will include more than 20 paintings. Estévez uses his work to reveal the invisible realm to the spirit that lies hidden beneath the visible world, a process that he refers to as an alchemical, metaphysical transformation of mystery into knowledge.

When: September 24 – November 6, 2021

Where:

William Havu Gallery

1040 Cherokee Street

Denver, CO 80204

More info: View details about the exhibit and samples of Estévez’s work on the William Havu Gallery website

Alebrije: Xólotl

What: In partnership with the Mexican Cultural Center, Denver Botanic Gardens hosts a monumental sculpture by contemporary Mexican artist Óscar Becerra Mora. Standing nearly 15 feet tall, the sculpture depicts an alebrije — a fantastical hybrid creature from Mexican folklore.

When: October 2 – November 7, 2021

Where:

Denver Botanic Gardens

1007 York Street

Denver, CO 80206

More info: Read about the artist’s history and listen to interviews on the Denver Botanic Gardens exhibit page

SMOKING MIRRORS: A Reflection on Identity in Mexico and the USA, 1821-2021

What: This visual arts exhibit curated by the Chicano/a Murals of Colorado Project honors the Colorado Chicano/a mural tradition of using public art in service to the people and communities that are historically dehumanized and oppressed in US society. See it at Museo de las Americas. 

When: October 14, 2021 – February 26, 2022

Where:

Museo de las Americas

861 Santa Fe Drive

Denver, CO 80204

More info: Details and a list of featured artists available on the Museo de las Americas website

COLORADO SPRINGS

Still from “Guadalupe in the Guest Room” via the New York Times

“Guadalupe in the Guest Room”

What: Guadalupe is living in the guest room of her son-in-law, Steve, while she translates the children’s books her deceased daughter has written from English to Spanish. Overcome with grief and separated by a language barrier, the unlikely housemates struggle to communicate, but as Guadalupe and Steve begin watching a telenovela together, they bond in unexpected ways, leading them to learn that understanding doesn’t always require speaking the same language. See it at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College

When: September 30 – October 24, 2021

Where:

Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College

30 West Dale Street

Colorado Springs, CO 80903

More info: Reviews, cast list, and tickets available online

We hope you and your family will enjoy exploring what Colorado’s National Hispanic Heritage Month has to offer. Follow La Familia/The Family Center on Facebook and Instagram for more family-friendly ideas and activities.