Celebrating La Familia Hispana with UCPAC’s Hispanic Heritage Month Programming
Hispanic Heritage Month is fast approaching, silently tiptoeing into the room as it begins not at the start of the month but smack dab in the middle. Most Hispanics and Latinos will quip that they celebrate their heritage every day, but why is it that the national month of remembrance and commemoration does not begin until half of September has passed us by?
Spanning from September 15th through October 15th, the observation was first acknowledged in 1968 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. At the time, the observation spanned seven days only and was recognized as Hispanic Heritage Week. The date was chosen as it reflects the anniversary of independence for over half of Central America with the Latin countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua celebrating. Mere days later are the independence anniversaries of Mexico and Chile, September 16th and 18th respectively. Twenty years later, under President Ronald Reagan in 1988, Hispanic Heritage Week was expanded to one full month. Sound reasoning, but every Hispanic I know is representing and honoring their cultura daily. However, the government acknowledgement does serve to remind others of the contributions of the Hispanic community to the U.S. American society.
The term “Hispanic” encompasses anyone who comes from a country where Spanish is spoken, and the term “Latino” refers to individuals from Latin America (Mexico, Central, and South America) and often, the Caribbean. However, the term is often incorrectly used interchangeably by those in and out the diaspora. Consider it a personal bias, but this author, a hispanic latina, often thinks of the diaspora as a family. Families may be distant, they may argue and compete - whose food is better, who’s got the better accent, who exports the best music - but at the end of the day, family will celebrate with and protect one another. And share food with one another.
It is family at the heart of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations taking place at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway over the next month. Beginning on September 18th with a screening of “La Bamba,” a film focused on the family life and meteoric rise to stardom of musician Ritchie Valens, the UCPAC kicks off celebrations with the film screening followed by a Latin pop/rock dance party. If you’re not family at the start, you will be by the end!
On Friday, September 26th, there will be a sensory friendly film screening of “Encanto,” the musical story of a magical family in Colombia whose mystical gifts are in danger of disappearing and destroying a community if not for the one family member whose gift is not quite so overt. The soundtrack, with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, reached number one on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart. Suffice it to say, the film has been a Disney fan-favorite.
One day later on September 27th, the UCPAC will welcome mambo musician Tito Puente Jr. and New Jersey’s own David Cedeño and his orchestra as special guests. Keeping it in the family once again, Puente Jr. is the son of the esteemed Tito Puente Sr. (Ernest Anthony Puente) also known as “El Rey de los Timbales” which translates to “The King of the Timbales.”
In speaking about how his father’s legacy influenced his own career, Puente Jr. says “my father was the king of Latin music but I could never be the prince of Latin music. I’ve blossomed into something that is beyond myself and is now about the music. When people come to my concerts, they’re listening to the nostalgic music of an icon and a pioneer, my father. However, I’m now channeling that energy and that spirit throughout my performance.”
He speaks with energy and zest as he explains the honor that is keeping his father’s spirit alive. His love for his dad is in every word. Every gesture. “Puente means bridge in Spanish, and that’s what I’ve been doing for twenty-five years. [Acting as a bridge]. Connecting the younger generation with the music [of old].”
There is a lot to look forward to at this performance including the chronological musical journey of Tito Puente Sr.’s discography from 1949 through 2000, stunning mambo dancers, David Cedeño’s orchestra, and a sneak peak at some of the Puente family’s home movies. The Puente Estate is currently in pre-production for a documentary on Puente Sr.’s home life and successful career alongside greats like Celia Cruz, among others. Puente Jr. radiates joy as he shares the news. “I’m gonna show you guys some really cool family videos where you can see Dad at home. You’ll get to see that part of our heritage, and our family.”
When asked how he sees the broader notion of Hispanic heritage, he shares, "for me, it’s all about the essence of our culture, the culture of being Hispanic. "Orgullo Hispanos," as we say. [That translates to "proud Hispanics" in English]. We are proud to be Latinos in this country and abroad. My father, the late, great Tito Puente, always celebrated Hispanic culture through his concerts and music, and I do that consistently throughout my tenure performing in my career. Hispanic heritage is one of my favorite times of the year."
Closing out the month of September, will be Noche Flamenca on September 28th. Noche Flamenca is an award-winning company of dancers, singers, and musicians led by artistic director Martín Santangelo who choreographed the show, “Searching for Goya,” with principal dancer Soledad Barrio. The two happen to be a married couple of thirty-plus years.
“Soledad and I understand each other deeply. There is the luxury of closeness and time that neither of us could create if not for the other. The development of the work is extraordinary and I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Santangelo boasts of the merits of working with family.
The production they’ve crafted together, “Searching for Goya” consists of 10-12 vignettes inspired by painter Francisco de Goya’s paintings and features original music, wardrobe and lighting design, and original mask design by world-renowned artist Mary Frank. The artistic consultant for the show is Mark MacDonalde, curator at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Goya expert.
Santangelo briefly speaks to the conflation of the identities of Hispanics and Latinos. The idea that the two words are synonymous has resulted in the frequent erasure of Spaniards from the heritage celebrations. “We [Noche Flamenca] haven’t been asked to perform in honor of Hispanic Heritage much in the past. Perhaps because flamenco is the more European part of the hispanic diaspora. Regardless, it is a gigantic part of South America, and Central America too. It has a lot of influences [from Central and South America]. They’re called canciones de ida y vuelta, the songs of round trips, and that [phrase] originates from the Spaniards who would travel to Central and South America, come back and adapt what they had experienced, and heard, to then put it into the flamenco.”
Spaniards are not Latino, but they are Hispanic and therefore mustn’t be left out of the conversation. As Santangelo, an Argentinian New Yorker himself explains, “it is necessary to be aware of what our heritage is and to celebrate it.”
Located in a proudly diverse community, the Union County Performing Arts Center encourages attendees of all backgrounds to join in the celebration. Perhaps even enjoy the Latin restaurants surrounding the theater before or after a show.
“Our Hispanic Heritage Month programming is a celebration of Hispanic artists, whose talents and stories entertain and move us all,” says UCPAC Executive Director, Danni Newbury. “UCPAC is committed to advancing our mission of enriching the arts in our diverse communities, and we welcome everyone to come together to enjoy these noteworthy films and incredible performances.”
