Thursday, September 13, 2007

Celebrations mark beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15. Local celebrations include Conexion Americas' invitation-only event at Cheekwood this Friday night, an invitation-only SunTrust Affinity Group Cocktail Reception on September 25, and the open-to-the-public Fiesta at Vol State on September 29 (details below).

Two other events are tonight's Beats Beyond Borders concert and "Eternal Beauties," an art exhibition at the Williamson County Public Library featuring nature photographs of Javier Arrieta. A reception will be held tonight from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, and the exhibition runs through October 13.

More activities are planned around town and will be announced here when possible.

Fiesta details:
“Fiesta de Otoño en Vol State” is the Spanish name for a new fall festival coming up on September 29 in Gallatin. It means Autumn Festival at Volunteer State Community College, and it’s designed to be a celebration of Hispanic culture for the entire community.

“It’s really all about music, food and fun,” said Dr. Monique Robinson-Wright, one of the Vol State organizers of the event. “We’ll have a soccer contest, games for the kids, a variety of music, and community information booths. We’re hoping Hispanic families across the area come for the day, but the Fiesta is open to everyone in the community. Best of all it’s free.”

The Fiesta is a collaborative effort with local businesses and community groups.

“We’re excited about the idea of having a Hispanic festival here in Sumner County,” said Moisés Caballero, Assistant Vice President at Regions Bank in Gallatin. “The Hispanic community is growing so quickly here, it only makes sense to have a fun day for folks to get together.”

Highlights of the Fiesta include Tango and Bossa Nova music from the critically acclaimed Nashville Latin band: Serenatta Romantic Latin Ensemble. The soccer shootout contest will give local players a chance to show off ball handling skills and take shots on goal. It features prizes for the winners. Food will include Fajitas, chips, rice and beans. There will be a DJ spinning modern Latino tunes and games for the kids. There will also be an emphasis on community resources available to the Hispanic community.

“The response has been tremendous,” said Dr. Robinson-Wright. “We have groups coming in from Nashville, like Conexion Americas, Books from Birth, and the YMCA Hispanic Achievers and a number of organizations from Sumner County. We’ll also have health screenings from the Vol State Allied Health Division, and a live radio broadcast by La Sabrosita radio 810 AM.”

“Fiesta de Otoño en Vol State” will be held on Saturday, September 29 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on the Volunteer State Community College Campus, 1480 Nashville Pike in Gallatin. It is free and open to the public. For more information in English call 615-230-3570 and in Spanish call 615-230-3398.

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