Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Family Programs, Author Visits and a Quinceañera

   Tulsa City-County Library’s Hispanic Resource Center will celebrate its quinceañera in grand style with a series of free family events honoring the colorful traditions of the Hispanic culture.

   “Since its founding in 1999, the Hispanic Resource Center has become an integral part of the Latino community in Tulsa.  For 15 years it has served as a vital cultural and educational resource for Spanish-speaking families and for the greater Tulsa community seeking a better understanding of the Hispanic community.” said Sara Martinez, Hispanic Resource Center coordinator.  “Just as the 15th birthday or quinceañera marks a young woman’s coming of age in many Latin American cultures, so does the Hispanic Resource Center celebrate our ‘growing up.’”

   Enjoy these free family programs during Hispanic Heritage Month at your Tulsa City-County libraries:

  • “Noche Mexicana” Sept. 12, 7 p.m., Kendall-Whittier Library, 21 S. Lewis.  Bring a lawn chair and celebrate with mariachi music and fun for the whole family.  Take a swing at a piñata?  Refreshments are provided.
  • “A Visit with Pulitzer Prize-Winning Photographer Jose Galvez,” Sept. 13, 3 p.m., Martin Regional Library, 2601 S. Garnett Road. Galvez, a Pulitzer-Prize winning photographer, will discuss his more than 40 years of photographing major events in Hispanic communities throughout the United States.
  • “Day of the Dead Celebration @ Collinsville” Sept. 18, 2:30 p.m.
  • “Argentine Tango” Sept. 27, 1 p.m., Hardesty Regional Library, 8316 E. 93rd St.  A partner dance based on lead and follow.  Argentine tango is enjoyed throughout the world by young and old.  Join us for the introductory class followed by Milonga, Argentine tango social dance.  “Taxi dancers” will be “on loan” to those trying Argentine tango for the first time: so no need to bring a partner.  For teens and adults.  Sponsored by Tulsa Library Trust, Hispanic Resource Center and Hispanic American Foundation.
  • “An Evening with Roberto Suro” Oct. 2, Martin Regional Library, 7 p.m.  Roberto Suro, director at Tomas Rivera Policy Institute at University of Southern California, will discuss issues pertaining to Hispanic communities throughout the United States.  Suro has written for Time Magazine, The New York Times and The Washington Post.
  • “Family Festival Storytime” Oct. 8, 10:15 a.m., Helmerich Library, 5131 E. 91st. St. Hear stories about family and tradition.
  • “Tierra Mestiza Baile Folklorico” Oct. 8, 5 p.m., Rudisill Regional Library, 1520 N. Hartford.  Enjoy dazzling dances with a flair for cultural expression.
  • “Zumba Glo” Oct. 17, 4:30 p.m., Martin Regional Library.  Bring your workout clothes and enjoy an active lesson in exercise, fun and color.
  • “Latino Reads” Oct. 22, 2 p.m., Bixby Library, 20 E. Breckenridge. Discuss some of the most important Hispanic authors.
  • Papel Picado Workshop with Carmen Lomas Garza, Nov. 5, 7 p.m.
  • "An Evening with Carmen Lomas Garza" Nov. 6, 7 p.m., Martin Regional LIbrary.  Garza will share her secrets as a successful author/illustrator.
  • "Quinceañera Fiesta" Nov. 15, 7 p.m., Martin Regional Library.  Learn the importance of this traditional right-of-passage.

   Tulsa City-County Library’s Hispanic Heritage Month is sponsored by Tulsa Library Trust, Tulsa City-County Library Staff Association, Arvest Bank, Tulsa Intercultural Association, Hispanic Resource Center and Hispanic American Foundation.

   For more information on Tulsa City-County Library’s Hispanic Heritage Month activities, call the AskUs Hotline, 918-549-7323, or visit the library website, www.tulsalibrary.org.

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