See September's List Of Hispanic Heritage Month Events Around DFW

DALLAS, TX —Today's the day National Hispanic Heritage Month launches, and the Lone Star State is peerless when it comes to celebrating all things Latino. Of course, as the Hispanic number of Americans swell, so too do the number and variety of observances. (The last census found that 62.1 million of US residents identify as Latino, and their population has grown 23 percent over the last ten years.)

Those festivities — large, small, rural and urban, indoors and out —run through Oct. 15.

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The original intent of Hispanic Heritage Month was to engender an understanding and appreciation for Hispanic cultural contributions and history. Various celebrations have taken place throughout September since 1968 without an official declaration, but it was President Ronald Reagan who codified the observance into the middle weeks of September in 1988.

Things you'll want to keep an eye out for include:

Texas LatinX Pride Fest

This particular festival brings together the LGBTQ+ members and the Latinx community and features an array of well-known performers from reality TV, as well as the steady thrum of music for dancing. Also on the bill: artwork, retail and food vendors. The fest runs Sept. 25 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Reverchon Park.

For tickets, click here.

Mexican Rodeo

Why not check out a genuine Mexican Rodeo celebration? You can compare and contrast rodeo traditions from Mexico and the United States when rodeo riders pit their skills against each other at the arena in a day-long rodeo Sunday, Sep 26 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the fairgrounds at The State Fair of Texas.

For tickets, click here.

Klyde Warren Park

Klyde Warren Park is the place where Dallas kicks off National Hispanic Heritage Month. Join Fiesta Latina with Social Joy from 7 - 7:45 p.m, followed by Yoga with Stefanie from 8 - 8:45 p.m.

Mexican Independence Day

You can commemorate Mexico's Independence Day Sept. 16 with a combination of folk dancing set to mariachi music — and collect a free candy bag in the bargain. The parking is free at AT&T Discovery (at 308 S Akard St.), with merchant validation after 5 p.m. at their parking garage located at 1212 Jackson St.

Photography Exhibit in Oak Cliff

Admission is free to a month-long photography exhibit dubbed "Nuestro Oak Cliff." Curated in conjunction with the Latino Cultural Center. It's a collection presented by the Dallas Mexican American Historical League to illustrate the neighborhood's historic transformation. The show runs Sept. 23 - Oct. 16, and viewing hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibit is on display at 2600 Live Oak St.

Ballet Folklorico

The Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico is promoting a series of remote/virtual events this week. One, set for tonight (Wednesday, Sept. 15) revolves around retelling a Mexican folk tale: https://www.facebook.com/anmbf. Another features an introduction to dances from Mexico, dubbed "El Son de La Negra, and is set for 2 p.m. Sept. 18. For more information, check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/anmbf

Latinx Theatre Festival

Take a look behind the scenes as the Cara Mia Theatre offers up "Latinidades: A festival of Latinx Theatre," which explores Cara Mía Theatre’s 25-year residency at the Latino Cultural Center. The presentation is scheduled for Sept. 22, at 7:30 p.m. at the Cara Mía Theatre, located at 3630 Harry Hines Blvd. Although admission is free, RSVPs are required. For more information, visit their website.

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