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September 14, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Andrea Castillo
(301) 699-3500 x6158
Andrea.castillo@pgcmls.info
Largo, Maryland – Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) is proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage all year round, and to coincide with National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, PGCMLS is offering programming for all ages countywide. This fall’s lineup includes performances from musicians representing Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico; a cooking demonstration of Mexican dish frijoles charros with University of Maryland Extension; a bilingual play with Teatro La Bolsa; a conversation with the editor and a contributor for the anthology “Daughters of Latin America” co-hosted with the Prince George’s County Office of Human Rights; book discussions; crafts; storytimes; STEM activities; and the Library’s third annual Festival of Cultures featuring performers from all over the world, including Latin America.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of Latinidad, showcasing the different communities from Latin America, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, those who were born and raised here, and those who were born outside of the U.S.,” said Maribel Rodriguez, bilingual program and outreach associate for PGCMLS. “This is an opportunity for families to connect to their roots or learn about another culture.”
Festival of Cultures
PGCMLS will host its third annual Festival of Cultures on Saturday, Sept. 30, from 10:30 am-2 pm at the Laurel Branch Library, featuring a variety of storytime, dance, and musical performances from around the world, including Latin America. Registration is encouraged but not required.
Events Co-presented with the Prince George’s County Office of Human Rights (PGCOHR)
In “The Elephant We Don’t See: A Diversity Dialogue,” the Sept. 26 virtual discussion, which takes place at 7 pm, centers on “The Man Who Can Move Clouds,” a memoir written by Ingrid Rojas Contreras, who grew up in Colombia in the ’80s and ’90s and sets out to reclaim her family’s otherworldly legacy.
The Oct. 10 virtual event “Daughters of Latin America,” at 7 pm, is a conversation with “Daughters of Latin America” editor Sandra Guzmán and contributor Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa about their anthology featuring the intergenerational voices of Latina women.
The Oct. 11 meeting of the Rock Banned Book Club at the Laurel Branch Library, scheduled for 6:30 pm, will include a discussion about Jonathan Evison’s “Lawn Boy,” which follows Mike Muñoz, who is several years out of high school and trying to find his way in the world after getting fired from his landscaping job.
Featured Musical Performances
DeSanguashington, a Washington, DC-based Colombian-American band that combines traditional Colombian folk music with popular genres, performs at the Spauldings Branch Library on Sept. 30 at 1 pm.
In “¡Mucha Música!: An Interactive Musical Journey to Latin America,” Cantaré performs songs in Spanish and Portuguese, delving into the cultural heritage of the Caribbean, and Central and South America. In this performance, the whole family is invited to sing, play percussion, and dance to Latin rhythms like salsa and merengue. The show will be performed at the Accokeek Branch Library on Sept. 26 at 6 pm, at the Baden Branch Library on Sept. 27 at 6 pm, and at the Greenbelt Branch Library on Oct. 3 at 6 pm.
La Marvela, performing Afro-Indigenous music from the coast of Colombia and Puerto Rico, is an all-woman music band showcasing the heritage of the Colombian Caribbean region, with influences rooted in African, Indigenous, and European traditions. Their performances, taking place at the Bowie Branch Library on Oct. 7 at 1 pm and the New Carrollton Branch Library on Oct. 14 at 1 pm, pay tribute to the untold stories and remarkable talent of women in music.
Dominican-American singer Liah Perez blends pop, Latin rock, and ballads to perform songs exploring themes of love, loss, the search for home, and the quest for meaning. She will play at the Laurel Branch Library on Oct. 7 at 1 pm and the Glenarden Branch Library on Oct. 14 at 1 pm.
Other Events
The Encanto Dance Team hosts a salsa workshop for dancers of all skill levels at the Beltsville Branch Library on Sept. 20 at 6 pm, at Largo-Kettering Branch Library on Oct. 4 at 6 pm, and at the Hyattsville Branch Library on Oct. 11 at 6 pm.
In the “Frijoles Charros Cooking Demonstration” led by the University of Maryland Extension, attendees will have the opportunity to learn how to prepare the traditional Mexican dish frijoles charros, as well as the cultural significance behind it. The demonstration takes place at the South Bowie Branch Library on Sept. 20 at 6 pm, and at the Upper Marlboro Branch Library on Oct. 10 at 6 pm.
Teatro La Bolsa’s bilingual children’s play “Travel Buddies: Dancing Through Latin America” incorporates thrilling adventures across different countries and immersion in vibrant cultures, music and dances. The show will be performed at the Oxon Hill Branch Library on Sept. 23 at 1 pm.
The National Museum of Language’s multilingual program “An Exploration of Puerto Rico!” will take attendees on a virtual cruise to Puerto Rico, discussing the island’s resources, food, and Spanish-speaking culture. Light refreshments will be provided. The event for children and teens takes place at the Upper Marlboro Branch Library on Oct. 14 at 2 pm.
All-ages programs
Programs for Children
Programs for Teens
Programs for Adults
In addition to attending programs, library customers are encouraged to visit PGCMLS’ Hispanic Heritage Hub for information in English and Spanish about all upcoming events, online resources, information from local and national organizations, videos, and book recommendations.
About the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System
The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) helps customers discover and define opportunities that shape their lives. The Library serves the 967,000+ residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland through 19 branch libraries, a 24/7 online library, and pop-up services throughout the community. PGCMLS is a responsive and trusted community-driven organization. Programs, services, and outreach activities serve book lovers, immigrants and refugees, job seekers, children, young professionals, seniors, and families alike. PGCMLS is the recipient of the 2021 Urban Libraries Council Top Innovator Award for Workforce and Economic Development. Learn more at pgcmls.info/about-us.