Hispanic Heritage Month begins on Friday, September 15 and runs through Saturday, October 15. We’re celebrating all month long with fun events and activities for adults, teens and children! Join us as we celebrate this rich culture!
For Adults:
Salsa at the Library
Monday, September 18, 7–8 p.m.
Learn the basics of salsa dancing. Drop in.
A Walk through Cusco (Zoom)
Wednesday, September 20, 7 p.m.
The Peruvian capital of Cusco has withstood centuries of turmoil and change. Now it acts as Peru’s cultural hub. See the wonders of the city from someone who calls it home. Registration required.
Magical Realism: Latin American Absurdity & Imagination
Thursday, September 21, 5 p.m.
Learn about the genre’s origins in Latin America and the authors who shaped it. Registration required.
Hispanic Heritage Month Genealogy (YouTube)
Monday, September 25
In this video, we will show you how to use our genealogy eResources.
Sample This! Hispanic Heritage Month Edition
Wednesday, September 27, 7 p.m.
We will analyze Latin music compositions and the techniques used to turn them into hip-hop classics. Registration required.
Huichol Yarn Painting
Thursday, September 28, 7 p.m.
Inspired by the Huichol people of Mexico, learn how to turn yarn into a painting-like art piece! Registration required.
STEAMworks: Decorate Chanclas
Wednesday, October 4, 7 p.m.
Join us as we decorate an iconic Hispanic symbol— the chancla (slide shoe). If time permits, we will have a toss game to crown the chancla champion. Registration required.
Café Juan Ana: Relationship Coffee in Latin America
Thursday, October 5, 10 a.m.
Enjoy a coffee tasting while Matthew Krystal, Professor of Anthropology at North Central College, discusses Café Juan Ana, an association of small-plot coffee farmers based in Guatemala. Registration required.
Las Cholitas
Thursday, October 5, 4 p.m.
Make a paper craft bowler hat and learn about las Cholitas, a counter-culture in Bolivia that celebrates feminism and indigenous culture. Registration required.
The Best Andes Songs in Chicago with Sol Andino
Thursday, October 5, 7–8 p.m.
Join Huguito Gutierrez and his band, Sol Andino, for a night of traditional music from Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Argentina! Drop in.
Leyendas Urbanas: La Lechuza
Thursday, October 5, 7 p.m.
Join in as we listen to Hispanic urban legends and create a craft inspired by La Lechuza. Registration required.
Leyendas Urbanas: El Sombreron
Thursday, October 12, 7 p.m.
Join in as we listen to Hispanic urban legends and create a craft inspired by El Sombreron. Registration required.
For Teens:
Board Game Cafe
Saturday, September 23, 2 p.m.
Join us to play board games inspired by and from Latin countries to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! Registration required.
Alebrije Shadow Boxes
Tuesday, September 26, 6 p.m.
Paint a shadow box to house your very own alebrije, a brightly colored Mexican folk art sculpture of a fantastical creature. Registration required.
Tacos on a Tuesday
Tuesday, October 3, 6 p.m.
Make a taco of your own design, both real and crafty, with as many or little toppings as you like. Enjoy the taco craft but mostly the tacos. Registration required.
Paper Molas
Monday, October 9, 6 p.m.
Layer paper to create an art piece similar in style to molas made by the Kuna Indians of Panama. Registration required.
For Children & Families:
Art Exploration: Viva Frida
Tuesday, September 12, 11 a.m.
Grades K–5
Calling Bolingbrook homeschool families! Learn about the artist Frida Kahlo. We will create peg dolls of Frida inspired by the art in Viva Frida by Yuyi Morales. Registration required.
Become a Naturalist
Monday, September 18, 4:30–5:30 p.m.
Grades K–5
Explore nature in a new way with your handy, dandy nature journal! Use special tools and your senses to write down and illustrate your nature discoveries in this Spanish bilingual program. Drop in.
Coquí Frog Craft
Tuesday, September 19, 4:30 p.m.
Grades K–5
Celebrate a symbol of Puerto Rico, the coquí frog! Make origami frogs that really jump as you learn about this big-voiced amphibian. Registration required.
The Art of Olga Albizu
Thursday, September 28, 4:30 p.m.
Grades K–5
Known for her colorful painting palettes, Olga Albizu was a pioneer of abstract art in Puerto Rico. Learn about Albizu’s life, and try your hand at creating art in her style. Registration required.
Being Bilingual Rocks! Family Concert
Wednesday, October 4, 6 p.m.
Babies–Grade 5 with an adult
Families, sing, dance, learn Spanish/English and play musical games with this one-of-a-kind music experience created by Parents Choice Award Winners Alina Celeste and Mi Amigo Hamlet! Registration required.
Ghost Squad Scavenger Hunt
Monday, October 9
Have you always wanted to be a ghost hunter? Get in the spirit of Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega by searching Children’s Services for spooky and not-so-spooky items. Drop in.
Cute Cucuy
Monday, October 9, 2 p.m.
Grades PreK–5 with an adult
Not all monsters need to be bad guys! Work as a family to make a special sock Cucuy to bring home with you. Registration required.
The Illustrations of Erika Meza
Thursday, October 12, 4:30 p.m.
Grades K–5
Discover the illustrations of Erika Meza, author of To the Other Side and As Brave as a Lion. Learn about Meza’s bold illustration techniques, and create your own art in her style. Registration required.
Sounds & Stories with Gustavo the Shy Ghost
Wednesday, October 18, 4:30 p.m.
Grades K–5
Inspired by the book Gustavo the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago, kids will create spooky sounds just like Gustavo using a synthesizer and theremin during this Spanish bilingual STEM program. Registration required.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month on the Bookmobile
We’re featuring our Mango Languages eResource as well as children’s picture books and graphic novels in Spanish. While on the Bookmobile, listen to some fun music in Spanish, and look for a few surprises!