Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage…

Aug. 26, 2024

CHANDLER, Ariz. - The city's "Chandler Contigo" program returns with a month-long series of educational events and cultural activities for all ages that honor and celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month held Sept. 15-Oct. 15. These programs are supported in partnership by the city's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Division, Chandler Public Library, Chandler Center for the Arts, Chandler Museum and the Vision Gallery.

Events will be held at various locations in Chandler with something for all age groups to attend and enjoy. Mark your calendar for the following events:

• Chandler Contigo ¡Día de Fiesta! Kickoff Event
  Saturday, Sept. 21 | 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Downtown Chandler Library, 22 S. Delaware St.
  Kick off the Chandler Contigo celebration at the Downtown Library! Enjoy Mariachi Nueva Fusion, crafts and face painting for kids, and a special poetry presentation from award-winning author Alberto Ríos, who is Arizona's poet laureate. Meet local Lucha Libre masked wrestlers and learn some moves from noon - 2 p.m. Experience different forms of Latin dance including Chilenos Sin Fronteras and Los Waukis Andinos.
  
  The Chandler Museum will have a booth where the public can step into Chandler's rich Hispanic and Latino heritage by exploring historic photos from the museum's collection and helping to identify members of the community who are pictured. Connect with Chandler's past and help bring history to life.
  
  Outside of the library at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park Stage Plaza, ¡Día de Fiesta! activities kick off with a youth soccer clinic hosted by the Arizona Monsoon Football Club from 8 a.m. to noon. Youth ages 4 to 15 can participate in free skills clinics led by professional soccer players. In addition, the atmosphere outside the library will be lively with food trucks, vendors selling traditional Mexican artifacts and a DJ playing music. Free admission.
  
• 25th annual Chandler Mariachi and Folklórico Festival
  Saturday, Oct. 5 | 6 p.m. | Chandler Center for the Arts (CCA), 250 N. Arizona Ave.
  The CCA's 25th annual Mariachi and Folklórico Festival, presented in partnership with C.A.L.L.E. de Arizona and Maestra Vanessa Ramirez, creates a rich, vibrant music and dance experience for attendees. Leyendas del Mariachi (Mariachi Legends) brings together musical icons from some of the most famous and distinguished mariachi from the past 30 years. This is a rare gathering of legendary musicians who exemplify the mastery of mariachi from Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, Mariachi Los Camperos, Mariachi Cobre, and Mariachi América de Jesús Rodríguez de Hijar. Folklórico dancers from Ballet Folklórico Quetzalli-AZ will accompany these distinguished musicians on the stage. Tickets may be purchased online at Chandler Center for the Arts.
  
• Contigo Movie Night: "Spare Parts"
  Sunday, Sept. 22 | 1 p.m. Red Carpet event; 2, 3 and 4 p.m. movie screenings | LOOK Dine-In Cinemas Chandler, 1 W. Chandler Blvd.
  "Spare Parts", which stars George Lopez and Marisa Tomei, tells the story of the Valley's Carl Hayden High School Robotics Team, a group of underdog Hispanic students who triumphed over MIT and other top universities in a national robotics competition. Tickets are $12 and may be purchased online at Contigo Movie Night. Each screening will be followed by a Q&A panel with special guests, including Spare Parts Writer Elissa Matsueda.
  
• Deities of the South: Marco Albarrán
  Saturday, Sept. 28 | 6 - 8 p.m. Opening Reception
  Exhibit open from Sept. 28 - Nov. 30 | The Gallery at Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave.
  Multi-media artist Marco Albarrán has been creating work in the Phoenix Valley for more than 30 years. The Deities of the South exhibit examines the roles of ancient sacred deities in a modern world and encourages viewers to consider indigenous perspectives, modular spirituality and sacred environments. The Gallery at the CCA is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday, and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Admission to the Gallery is free.
  
• Chandler A to Z
  Open thru Oct. 13 | Chandler Museum, 300 S. Chandler Village Drive
  Visit Chandler Museum's signature exhibition, "Chandler A to Z," and look for the letters that highlight Hispanic/Latino people and places that have shaped Chandler. Attendees also will have an opportunity to access the Museum's collection of oral histories online at ChandlerpediA to hear what Chandler was like from the people who've made it home across generations. The Chandler Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays - Saturdays and 1 - 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is free.

In addition to the Chandler Contigo Kickoff, all four branches of the Chandler Public Library (CPL) will host a variety of free programs and events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Registration is required for some programs. The four CPL branches are:

• Basha Library, 5990 S. Val Vista Drive;
• Downtown Library, 22 S. Delaware St.;
• Hamilton Library, 3700 S. Arizona Ave.; and
• Sunset Library, 4930 W. Ray Road.

For more information, or to register online, visit Chandler Contigo or Chandler Library.

• Chandler Contigo: Quinceañera Fashion Show Fiesta
  Saturday, Sept. 14 | 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Hamilton Library
  In collaboration with Hamilton High's MEChA Club & Hamilton Library's Teen Advisory Group, teens will showcase their quinceañera dresses and explain the importance of the quinceañera. Then, enjoy a special screening of Encanto Sing-Along, bringing together teens and younger audience members in a joyful celebration of family and community.
  
• Chandler Contigo: Lowrider Storytime @ the Makery
  Monday, Sept. 16 | 11-11:45 a.m. | Downtown Library
  Experience storytime in a brand new way through Storytime @ the Makery! Children of all ages can enjoy storytelling and fun that features the library's do-it-yourself space, the Makery. This month, feature Enjoy a story about lowriders and color your very own, made with theGlowforge laser cutter. Materials available while supplies last.
  
• Chandler Contigo: Bilingual Storytime
  Wednesday, Sept. 18 | 11 - 11:30 a.m. | Downtown Library
  Broaden your child's horizons through Bilingual Storytime/Cuentos Bilingues for families! This special Chandler Contigo-themed storytime celebrates Hispanic heritage through activities and storytelling while learning early literacy skills. Bilingual Storytime is a 30-minute program that uses the elements of Sing, Read, Talk, Write, and Play to build literacy skills.
  
• Chandler Contigo: A.R.T. Now: Hispanic Art Around the World
  Wednesday, Sept. 25 | 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Downtown Library
  Art (in) Real Time! Discover in depth, the long lost ""A"" in S.T.E.A.M. Learn about Hispanic Art forms and artists from Mexico, Peru and Chile.
  
• Our Stories: Arizona's Mexican Heritage
  Saturday, Sept. 28 | 10:30 to noon | Sunset Library
  Dr. Pete Dimas will share the important story of Arizona's creation through the labor and love of Mexican pioneers. Using the documentary series, "Arizona's Mexican Heritage," Dimas will explore the period of the 1800s and the movement north from Mexico to Sonora (southern Arizona). He will touch on the parts they played in ranching, mining, farming, commerce and the development of the major cities in the state, and much more.
  
• Chandler Contigo: Sunset Fiesta
  Saturday, Oct. 5 | 10 a.m. to noon | Sunset Library
  Enjoy a free fiesta celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, including music, crafts, face painting, horchata, games, and a photo booth. Decorate sugar skulls and cookies! While supplies last.
  
• Chandler Contigo: Hispanic Heritage Craft Night
  Monday, Oct. 7 | 5 -6 p.m. | Basha Library
  Spend time with your family creating crafts inspired by Hispanic culture and traditions. The library will provide the supplies and instruction, while you provide your creative touch.
  
• Chandler Contigo: The Wisdom of Ancient Healing Arts
  Saturday, Oct. 12 | 11 a.m. to noon | Basha Library
  This enlightening session features Patricia Federico, a gifted intuitive and empath, who serves as a stress-management consultant and alternative healer. In her presentation, "The Wisdom of the Ancient Healing Arts," Patricia will share timeless techniques and the history behind ancient Latino healing traditions.

• Chandler Contigo: Shoebox Ofrenda for Families
  Wednesday, Oct. 16 | 6 - 7 p.m. | Sunset Library
  Invite your loved ones to "be with you" by creating a personalized ofrenda (altar). Be sure to bring a photo of the person you want to remember and honor. Celebrate a loved one and experience a part of Hispanic culture and traditions. All ages welcome.

For more information about Chandler Contigo (including updated times for events at Chandler Public Library), visit Chandler Contigo. The public also may contact Adrianna Erickson with Chandler's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Division at 480-782-2224.

Media contact:
Stephanie Romero
Public Information Officer, City of Chandler
480-782-2231