Don’t be fooled by the name. National Hispanic Heritage Month actually spans two months—from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15—so there’s not one, but two opportunities for families to celebrate.
This month, M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, is hosting a series of events including the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebración at Prince George’s Publick Playhouse in Hyattsville from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 13.
The free family-friendly event includes an art exhibit, live music, dancing, arts and crafts, children’s activities and light refreshments, with a full list of the month’s festivities at pgparks.com
“Prince George’s County is home to a thriving Latino population, and this year’s celebrations reflect the Department’s commitment to inclusivity, diversity and cultural appreciation,” says Bill Tyler, director of the county’s parks department, in a news release.
In Washington, D.C., the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery is holding free events, tours and programs for all ages to illuminate Hispanic culture, history and stories, including a new exhibition, “Felix Gonzalez-Torres: Always to Return,” Oct. 18, presented by the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art. It will be the first major showing of the late artist’s work in D.C. in 30 years, according to the museum.
Some celebrations will continue beyond Hispanic Heritage Month.
Families can enjoy Spanish-language walking tours on Oct. 6 and Nov. 3 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and learn through conversation circles Oct. 25 and Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to noon. All of these programs will take place in the G Street lobby.
To close out the festivities, the Portrait Gallery is holding its annual Día de los Muertos celebration Nov. 2 in the Kogod Courtyard. The event includes live music, Mexican folk-dance performances and handmade crafts—such as hand-painted calaveras (sugar skulls) and papel picado (colorful cut-out paper banners) to decorate the community altar.
Next at the National Portrait Gallery: Students ages 13 to 17 who live in the United States and its territories can submit original digital photography to be considered for a national competition.
Contestants in two age categories will have work judged by the gallery’s Teen Museum Council, with winning works displayed in the gallery in May. Email work to [email protected] by Dec. 23 to enter.
