Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15, is meant to recognize and celebrate the contributions that Americans whose roots trace back to Mexico, Central America, South America, Spain and the spanish-speaking countries of the Caribbean have made to American culture and society. The month kicks off on September 15 because it’s the day Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala mark the anniversary of their independence. It’s also meant to encompass September 16 and September 18, which is when Mexico and Chile, respectively, celebrate their independence as well. While some of the bigger celebrations may not be possible this year, there are still a number of ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Tarrytown and the surrounding area and the team at 914 Smiles is sharing.
1. Learn Flamenco Virtually
Local Flamenco artist Rebeca Tomás and dancers and musicians from her A Palo Seco Flamenco Company will be hosting ¡Viva Flamenco!, a free, family-friendly virtual workshop on Tuesdays, September 15, 22, 29 and October 6 at 4:30pm. The four classes will teach families Flamenco dance and movement, including footwork (zapateo) and rhythmic hand-clapping (palmas). After the dancing, the workshop will highlight a specific area of Flamenco. ¡Viva Flamenco! is sponsored by Warner Library and Arts Westchester as a way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 2020 in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow. For more details and information on how to sign up, see here.
2. Participate in a Bilingual Storytime
Warner Library offers virtual bilingual storytimes on Facebook Live on Tuesdays at 11am, starting the week of September 21. Children of all ages can take part in stories, songs and more in both Spanish and English. Attending bilingual storytimes is a great way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Tarrytown because little ones will either see their own language and heritage being represented or, if they don’t speak Spanish, it’s a small introduction to the Spanish language and other cultures.
3. Attend a Virtual Children’s Day Concert
Enjoy the sounds of Ecuador at a Día de los Niños (Children’s Day) celebration hosted by Warner Library in Tarrytown. The event was rescheduled and will now be held virtually on Monday, October 5 at 6:30pm, falling right in the midst of Hispanic Heritage Month. Children’s Day is an annual holiday meant to honor children. Los Reyes del Austro, a local family band that started in the attic of a home on Depeyster Street, will put on a lively concert. Stay tuned here for more details.
4. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month Through Food
Enjoy different Latin-American dishes from local Tarrytown restaurants. It’s an excellent way to learn about the flavors of different cultures while supporting area businesses. Some amazing options in the area include: The Cube Inn, The Taco Project, Tijuana Mexican Grill, Fiesta Mexico Restaurant, La Chinita Poblana and Maura’s Kitchen.
5. Take Part in Virtual Events at Hudson River Museum
Hudson River Museum will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month 2020 with online programs, including a free, virtual, bilingual planetarium show titled “Stars Over the Americas” on Sunday, September 30 at 5pm on Zoom and FB Live. Register here to take part. They’ll also be hosting a free virtual storytime for ages five and up on Wednesday, September 23 at 11:30am featuring El Pájaro Arcoíris by Ramón Caride, illustrated by Raga Garcia. The book will be read in Spanish with a summary in English at the end. Register here. Or, for older kids, a Teen Art Project Live event will be held on Wednesday, September 30 via Zoom and FB Live at 5pm. Attendees will learn about contemporary Dominican artist Julia Santos Solomon. The event is free but registration is required.
We hope you enjoy our ideas for celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month 2020 in the Tarrytown area. If you’re also looking for a Tarrytown pediatric dentist or orthodontist, schedule a visit at 914 Smiles today!
