The celebration from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 is organized by Elon's El Centro de Español and focuses on the histories, cultures and contributions of the Hispanic and Latinx communities to the United States.
From Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, Elon is celebrating the contributions of the Hispanic and Latinx communities to this country with a wide range of events and gatherings across campus and in the community.
The mission of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is organized at Elon by El Centro de Español, is to provide students, faculty, staff and community members the opportunity to experience and become immersed in these cultures. The lineup of events includes cultural discussions, musical performances, religious gatherings and sports contests.
Hispanic Heritage Month this year coincides with a visit to campus on Sept. 14 and 15 by Jennine Capót Crucet, the author of the novel “Make Your Home Among Strangers,” which is this year’s Common Reading and is a story about a Cuban-American family set in the the backdrop of the Elián Gonzalez affair in Miami. Along with delivering a keynote speech on Sept. 14 in Alumni Gym, Crucet will meet with students in El Centro at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 15.
Perspectives Presentation Series III on Sept. 26 and 27 will feature presentations related to the Hispanic and Latinx community at Elon by faculty, staff and students. Other events include a Hispanic College Coffee on Sept. 19, Latin Night in Soccer on Sept. 21 when Elon takes on UNC-Wilmington and a musical performance by the hip-hop jazz quartet Sweet Plantain on Oct. 11.
Here’s the full line-up of events for Hispanic Heritage Month, with more information available on El Centro’s website:
Friday, Sept. 15
Fiesta de Independencia
Patio area outside Lakeside Dining Hall, 3 p.m.
Join us in the celebration of the Independence of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Sample food from Spanish-speaking countries, dance and have fun.
Sponsored by: El Centro and Latinx-Hispanic Union
Tuesday, Sept. 19
Hispanic College Coffee
Phi Beta Kappa Plaza (Rain location – McKinnon Hall), 9:40-10:20 a.m.
Join us for College Coffee and enjoy Hispanic treats.
Tuesday, Sept. 19
Latinx/Hispanic Identities: Who am I?
Isabella Cannon Room (Center for the Arts), 5:30 p.m.
Join us for an evening to learn about the complexity of Latinx/Hispanic identities. There will be a panel formed by Elon students, faculty and staff that identify as Latinx/Hispanic.
Sponsored by: El Centro and Latinx-Hispanic Union
Thursday, Sept. 21
Latin Night in Soccer
Rudd Field, 7 p.m.
Join us for an evening of fun, music, delicious Hispanic food and soccer as we cheer the Women’s Soccer Team as they play against UNC Wilmington.
Sponsored by: El Centro and the Elon Women’s Soccer Team
Tuesday, Sept. 26 and 27
Perspectivas Presentation Series III
Upstairs Lakeside, 5:30 p.m. each night
Join us for a series of faculty, staff, students, alumni and guest speaker’s presentations on issues related to the Latinx/Hispanic community at Elon and beyond.
Sponsored by: El Centro and Latinx-Hispanic Union
Friday, Sept. 29
La Habana Night III
Tap House, 10 p.m.
Wear your dancing shoes and enjoy Latin music, food, drinks and dances! Everyone welcome. Entrance is free!
Sponsored by: El Centro, LHU and Chi Upsilon Sigma
Tuesday, Oct. 3
Oratorical Contest – Latinx/Hispanic students share their voices: “Who am I and why I
matter?”
The Oak House, 5:30 p.m.
Enjoy an engaging and fun Oratorical Contest as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage month. Latinx/Hispanic students will share their voices with original speeches, poetry, songs and much more.
Sponsored by: El Centro, Latinx-Hispanic Union and Chi Upsilon Sigma
Thursday, Oct. 5
Special Numen Lumen: Speaker Sary Martínez, music by Lucía Jervis.
Numen Lumen Pavilion, 9:50 a.m.
Come and hear Sary Martínez ’19, share pieces of her own story and enjoy live music by Lucía Jervis ’19, followed it with coffee and refreshments. Numen Lumen is an Elon moment to take a break, breathe, relax, and enjoy the community around us.
Sponsor by: El Centro and the Truitt Center for Religious & Spiritual Life
Wednesday, Oct. 11
Sweet Plantain Music Performance
Whitley Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
Artfully fusing the western classical traditions in which they were trained with the hip-hop, jazz improv, and Latin rhythms on which they were raised, their unique repertoire and live shows educate and entertain. Through original compositions and arrangements, and with their use of extended percussive techniques, Sweet Plantain awakens audiences to new possibilities in chamber music.
Sponsored by: The Office of Cultural and Special Programs
Saturday, Nov. 4
Hispanic Tailgate – Homecoming Weekend
Bank of America Drive, 12:30 p.m.
Sponsored by: El Centro and Latinx-Hispanic Union