Library Hosting Hispanic Heritage Events

The Newark Public Library will host a series of events beginning Wednesday to celebrate Hispanic heritage.

On Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. in the Main Library’s Centennial Hall there will be a talk by Dr. Samuel Cruz, Associate Professor of Religion and Society at the Union Theological Seminary, titled "Africa in the Americas: Doing Justice to the Black South Atlantic." The evening's festivities will include a performance of traditional Afro–Peruvian music and dance.

The exhibit Invisible History: The African Spirit in Latin America explores the history and influence of Africa’s people in Central and South America and Mexico, areas of Latin America not commonly associated with a strong African presence. This exhibit, curated by Ingrid Betancourt, will be on view Dec. 15 in the Main Library’s Second Floor Gallery.

Other events include:

Saturday, September 29, 2 p.m., Centennial Hall
Dance performance: ¡Festejo! Afro-Peruvian Dance

Afro-Peruvian music incorporates a wide variety of Spanish, African and indigenous elements, rhythms, dances and instruments. The Centro Académico de Expresión Afro-Peruana (CADEAP) presents a lively performance of this little–known genre of Peruvian music and dance.

Saturday, October 13, 2 p.m., Centennial Hall
Concert/Lecture demonstration: The History of Salsa: 350 Years of African Influence

José Obando traces the development of this unique Latin American rhythm from its African roots through the slave trade to the Latin American colonies and into contemporary American ethno–musical culture. José Obando is one of the incorporators of the Salsa Museum in Spanish Harlem. The program includes a lecture demonstration and musical performances.

Saturday, October 20, 2 p.m., Auditorium
Lecture: Afro–Mexico: The Untold Story

Herman Bennett, renowned scholar on the history of the African diaspora in Latin America, will examine the role that African slaves and freedmen played in Mexican society during the colonial period using narratives and real-life accounts. This talk, based on Dr. Bennett's essay "Sex, Lies, and Incest: The Afro-Mexican Experience," explores the interaction between Native American, Europeans and Africans in colonial Mexico and will discuss the effects on the identity of present–day Mexico.

Saturday, October 27, 2 p.m., Auditorium
Lecture: Roots, Ritual & Rhythm: African Belief Systems in Latin America

Dr. Samuel Cruz, Associate Professor of Religion and Society at the Union Theological Seminary, will discuss how traditional African belief systems and practices have influenced religion and culture in Latin America.

All programs are free. Call 973–733–7772 (Sala Hispanoamericana) or email ibetancourt@npl.org for more information.