September 15th marks the beginning of Latinx Heritage Month (LHM) throughout the country and CULTURA Ithaca is ramping up for its busiest celebration yet. This year's theme "Aquí Estamos..." (We are Here)...," is both a nod to the well-known immigrant activist chant "Aquí estamos y no nos vamos" ("We are here and we are not leaving") and a celebration of Latinx histories in Ithaca and Tompkins County. The celebrations will kickoff with its annual "Ithaca has Latin Roots" Kickoff Party on Friday September 15 featuring music with a special live art installation by community member Jen Ospina. This year's kickoff party will be a fundraiser for the local DREAM Team, a student group that supports work for DACA students. LHM will continue with the annual Cine con CULTURA Film Festival and the Balcón Criollo Art Exhibit at the Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) from October 6 through November 17. Find out more at https://www.facebook.com/groups/CULTURA.Ithaca/ CULTURA's Latinx Heritage Month features two main and ongoing events: the popular Cine con CULTURA Latinx American Film Festival and the Balcón Criollo art installation. This year Cine con CULTURA will feature films every Tuesday and Thursday as well as some Wednesdays between September 19 and October 15 at Cinemapolis, Cornell Cinema, as well as GIAC and Ithaca College campus. Featuring modern films created mostly in Latin America, Cine con CULTURA is also continuing its Cine al Instante short film competition. The film festival kicks off on Tuesday September 19 with a screening of Land and Shade (2016, Colombia) with a special live performance by the music group PALONEGRO. Balcón Criollo Ithaca is an art exhibit in collaboration with Syracuse's La Casita cultural center. The show will feature artifacts from the homes of community members that connect to their Latinx histories, stories, and connections. The show will be on display at the CSMA with an Opening Reception during the First Friday Gallery Night on Friday October 6 and will remain on display through mid-November. Find out more about CULTURA LHM on Facebook: CULTURA Ithaca or https://www.facebook.com/groups/CULTURA.Ithaca/ In addition to its own LHM programming, CULTURA helps to promote several other local cultural events. No Mas Lágrimas/No More Tears is holding its annual Latino Multicultural Festival as a two day event this year: Saturday September 16 from 12-6pm on the Ithaca Commons, and Sunday September 17 1-5pm at Southside Community Center as part of the Streets Alive!, where it will hold its annual parade. Pa'lante Ithaca is featuring salsa dance parties on Saturdays from 9pm-1am at The Range (119 E. MLK St.) on the Commons and will feature a live band Salsa Libre on Saturday October 14. The Multicultural Resource Center will hold its annual First Peoples Festival on Sunday October 1 from 11am-5:30pm at Dewitt Park, 102 E. Court St. in downtown Ithaca. Calls for participation:
- Cine al Instante: Submit a 2-minute film related to Latinx issues, social justice, sustainability, etc. to be featured during the Cine con CULTURA Film Festival and enter to win prizes!
- Balcon Criollo Ithaca: We are collecting small items of sentimental value from community members to share their Latinx culture. You don't need to be Latinx to participate - anyone is invited to share an item and a story to be displaced at the Balcon Criollo art exhibit.
For information about Engaged Latina/o Studies at Cornell initiative please contact Carolina Osorio Gil, Latina/o Studies Engagement Coordinator at co27@cornell.edu.
