Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at DPPL!

"In 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim a week in September as National Hispanic Heritage Week. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a monthlong celebration (Sept. 15-Oct. 15). During this month, America celebrates the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries — Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively." (Information from the U.S. Census Bureau.)

Ready to kick up your heels and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? The Des Plaines Public Library has the perfect event for you, a live performance by Ballet Folklorico Mexico! These flamboyant, colorful and authentic performers will be at the library on Sunday, September 30 for a special family performance at 2 p.m. Continuing our theme of the value of libraries and library cards, this performance is FREE and open to all. You don't even have to register, just come to the library on Sunday, September 30 and enjoy (come early - seating is first come, first served). Bring the family, bring a friend. Ballet Folklorico Mexico's performances incorporate gorgeous costumes, folklore and traditions from many regions of Mexico. To learn more about this exciting dance troupe, visit their Web site right here.

Before or after the show, why not stop at one of our partner businesses for lunch or dinner? Don't forget, if you show your library card at one of these participating restaurants, you'll get a discount on your meal. In Library Plaza, show your library card at The Depot ($3.00 discount on any large or extra large pizza - yum!) and Quizno's (20% discount on your food order - hooray!). For an authentic taste of Mexico, to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and the performance by Ballet Folklorico Mexico, just walk across Lee Street to Mexico Restaurant - show your library card and you'll receive a 15% discount on your food order - muy bueno! (If you haven't already, watch our "Show Us Your Library Card" videos, right here in this blog, and learn more about this promotion. But hurry - Library Card Sign-Up Month ends September 30th.)

Want to learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month? Visit this terrific Web site developed by the Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/topics/hispanicheritage/about

A great site for kids to learn about Hispanic Heritage Month can be found at: http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/hispanic

See you this Sunday, September 30 at 2 p.m. for Ballet Folklorico Mexico. Have more questions? Call the Youth Services Desk at 847-376-2839. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!