Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with us from Sunday, September 15 through Tuesday, October 15. We have an exciting lineup of fun events and activities for adults, teens and children! Join us as we celebrate this rich culture!
For Adults:
Piñata Lanterns
Monday, September 16, 6:30 p.m.
Create your very own piñata lantern. Learn about the history of piñatas, and then decorate your own using tissue paper and a variety of accessories. Register beginning Monday, August 26.
Love Lit Book Club
Monday, September 16, 7–8 p.m.
Join our newest book club as we talk about fun romance titles. This month, we’re reading The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa. Drop in.
Coffee & Conversation Book Club
Tuesday, September 17, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Looking for something to wake you up in the morning? Join us for a stimulating morning book discussion of The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez. Drop in.
Chicago’s Latine Arts and Music Scene
Tuesday, September 24, 7 p.m.
Get to know nuestras artes and nuestra historia in this area with deep, insider knowledge from Catalina Maria Johnson, a music journalist and host of the Beat Latino radio show and podcast. Register now.
Great Reads Book Club
Wednesday, September 25, 7–8 p.m.
Join us every month as we discuss the latest book chosen by the group. This month, we’re reading One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez. Drop in.
Latin Social Dance
Thursday, September 26, 7 p.m.
Join Zorana Botha of I Just Wanna Dance to learn about popular Latin social dances. Register beginning Thursday, September 5.
Mariachi Sirenas
Sunday, September 29, 2–3 p.m.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a performance by the Mariachi Sirenas, Chicago’s first all-women mariachi band. Drop in.
Peruvian Retablo
Tuesday, October 15, 5 p.m.
Paint a small retablo, and learn about the Peruvian folk art movement that started in the ‘40s by artist Joaquin Lopez Antay that changed religious symbols to portray historical and everyday life events. Register beginning Tuesday, September 24.
For Teens:
Taco Tuesday
Tuesday, September 17, 6 p.m.
Celebrate the best part of any Tuesday–tacos! Enjoy delicious tacos, good company, music and board games at this celebration. Register beginning Tuesday, August 27.
Teen Paint Party
Saturday, September 21, 2 p.m.
Want to try your hand at painting a beautiful work of art? Join us for an afternoon of fun and creativity as we paint a cactus-themed art piece. All experience levels are welcome. Register beginning Saturday, August 31.
Celebrating Latine Artists: Take-It Make-It Kits
Friday, September 27
Stop by the Vortex to pick up one of our Take-It Make-It kits, while supplies last! We’re highlighting three contemporary Latine artists. Each kit contains materials, instructions and a list of supplies needed to complete your projects. No registration required.
Taíno Petroglyph-Inspired Clay Necklaces
Monday, September 30, 4–5 p.m.
Drop in to create a clay necklace based on Taíno petroglyphs. Drop in.
Alebrije Masks
Thursday, October 3, 6 p.m.
Paint a captivating cardboard Alebrije mask using vibrant neon colors. Watch as your creation comes to life under blacklight, producing a stunning and mesmerizing effect. Register beginning Thursday, September 12.
Urban Legends: La Lechuza
Tuesday, October 15, 4:30 p.m.
Listen to Hispanic urban legends and paint a ceramic owl inspired by La Lechuza. This urban legend contains horror themes. Register beginning Tuesday, September 24.
For Kids & Families:
Mini Llama Piñata
Thursday, September 5, 4:30 p.m.
Grades K–5
Oh my llama, it’s time for piñatas! Decorate a mini llama piñata and have it displayed in the library for Hispanic Heritage Month. We’ll give you candy to place inside when you pick up your llama after October 15. Register beginning Thursday, August 15.
DIY Papel Picado
Tuesday, September 17, 4:30 p.m.
Grades 3–5
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by designing your own papel picado to decorate your home! Register beginning Tuesday, August 27.
Hooray for Grandparents
Wednesday, September 18, 4:30–5:30 p.m.
Grades K–5 with an adult
Show appreciation for grandparents by making a special craft inspired by the book A Maleta Full of Treasures by Natalia Sylvester. Drop in.
Family Lotería Night
Tuesday, September 24, 6–7 p.m.
Grades K–5 with an adult
Celebrate Mexican history and culture as you play Lotería as a family. Enjoy crafts and coloring while playing for prizes. Drop in.
Art of Amelia Peláez del Casal
Wednesday, September 25, 4:30 p.m.
Grades K–5
Create your own version of the bold modern art of Cuban painter Amelia Peláez del Casal. Register beginning Wednesday, September 4.
The Magical Birds of Fernando Llort
Thursday, September 26, 4:30 p.m.
Grades K–5
Create a colorful masterpiece inspired by Salvadoran artist Fernando Llort. Register beginning Thursday, September 5.
DIY Aztec Codex
Monday, September 30, 4:30 p.m.
Grades 3–5
Create a codex just like the Aztecs made in this book-making workshop inspired by A Land of Books by Duncan Tonatiuh. Register beginning Monday, September 9.
Make an Arpillera
Wednesday, October 2, 4:30 p.m.
Grades K–5
Make beautiful patchwork art based on the works of Chilean arpilleristas. Register beginning Wednesday, September 11.
Jovita Wore Pants
Thursday, October 3, 4:30 p.m.
Grades K–5
Learn about Jovita Valdovinos, a brave Mexican woman who refused to wear skirts. Be inspired to design a pair of doll pants to use when you borrow one of our American Girl dolls! Register beginning Thursday, September 12.
Build Like Gego
Monday, October 7, 4:30–5:30 p.m.
Grades K–5
Build amazing structures in the style of Venezuelan artist Gego! Drop in.
Hispanic Heritage Month on the Bookmobile
Thursday, October 10, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Annerino Community Center, 201 Recreation Drive
Join us on the Bookmobile for a storytime, Take-It Make-It crafts, snacks and a scavenger hunt. It will be fun for the whole family! Drop in.
Ballet Folklórico Infinity
Thursday, October 10, 6–7 p.m.
Enjoy a special performance of traditional Mexican dances by a local youth dance group! Drop in.
Bidi Bidi Bom Bom!
Monday, October 14, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Babies–Grade 5 with an adult
Uno, dos, très! Come Bidi Bidi Bom Bom the night away with us as we celebrate the one and only Selena! There will be crafts, music and dancing! Drop in.