Chandler Contigo is a monthlong program of educational events and cultural activities designed to honor and celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15-Oct. 16, 2023.
The events will take place at various locations throughout the city, starting Saturday, Sept. 16, with a Chandler Contigo Kickoff celebration at the downtown library. This daytime event will feature strolling mariachis, family crafts and lucha libre wrestling.
Other highlights include the 24th annual Chandler Mariachi and Folklórico Festival at Chandler Center for the Arts on Saturday, Oct. 7, and Hasta La Muerte: A Day of the Dead Musical Experience on Friday, Oct. 20.
Here’s a full list of Chandler Contigo events to enjoy.
Hispanic Heritage Month 2023 events in Chandler
Chandler Contigo Kickoff: There will be strolling mariachis, family crafts, face painting, readings from local authors and more. Take a cultures of the Americas tour with interactive presentations, learn moves from local lucha libre wrestlers, and experience different forms of Latin dance from salsa to ballet folklórico. A barrio storytelling presentation, screen-printing class and art book workshop with Diana Calderon also are on tap.
Details: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. Downtown Library, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. 480-782-2800, www.chandleraz.gov/events/chandler-contigo-kickoff.
Chandler Mariachi and Folklórico Festival: This annual tradition features the music of Alan Ponce, Deyra Barrera, Herencia Mexicana Arizona, the energetic ensemble of Mariachi Sonido de México, and the passionate and charismatic all-female group Mariachi Lindas Mexicanas. These mariachi groups will be accompanied by folklórico dancers from Ballet Folklórico Quetzalli-AZ.
Details: 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave. $48-$88. chandlercenter.org.
Contigo Movie Night: “Stand and Deliver”: This event celebrates the 35th anniversary of the iconic film “Stand and Deliver.” Edward James Olmos earned a Best Actor nomination at the 61st Academy Awards for his role in this film, which also stars Lou Diamond Phillips. It won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Feature in 1988 and was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant." Walk the red carpet and enjoy a screening followed by a panel of Latino film industry experts, cast and crew. Participants include Tom Musca, writer and producer; Daniel Villarreal, who stars as Chuco; Ingrid Oliu, who stars as Lupe; Will Gotay, who stars as Pancho; and casting director Patrick Baca.
Details: 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, red carpet event followed by screenings at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Look Dine-In Cinemas Chandler, 1 W. Chandler Blvd. $10. eventbrite.com.Hasta La Muerte: A Day of the Dead Musical Experience: Celebrate life and death with this Día de los Muertos musical production created by Angeleno band Las Cafeteras. Traditional folk songs, an altar and songs of memory will honor the ancestors. Then move forward with modern music that celebrates life now and life after death. Mesmerizing folklórico dance and colorful sets accentuate the vibrant sound that is Las Cafeteras.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave. $38-$58; $15 for youths. chandlercenter.org.
Ongoing Chandler Contigo 2023 exhibitions
Creations from Within, Vol. 2: Taking inspiration from his albums, hip-hop artist Edgar Fernandez showcases 10 years of artistic growth since his first solo exhibition in 2013. Fernandez invited a group of artists with diverse talents to collaborate on the exhibited pieces, adding new perspectives and context to his artworks.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; noon-5 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 21. The Gallery at Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave. Free. chandlercenter.org.
Querencia: Place and Belonging in Chandler: This exhibition presents the oral histories of long-term Hispanic/Latino residents in Chandler’s historic barrios alongside recent migrant communities. Querencia explores the process in which community creates a sense of place and belonging. A variety of voices share experiences from the city’s founding days to its current growth and development. Residents speak about struggle and segregation, but also love for their neighborhood, which was founded on community and connection.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 1-5 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 15. Chandler Museum, 300 S. Chandler Village Drive. chandleraz.gov/explore.
Aliento a Tequila: Aliento a Tequila (The Spirit of Tequila) celebrates the landscape, culture and traditions that gave birth to tequila, Mexico’s mestizo national drink. The series of photographs by Joel Salcido includes the original distilleries that founded the industry, as well as several artisanal tequilascommitted to the ancestral ways of tequila-making, from harvest to bottle.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 1-5 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 22. Chandler Museum, 300 S. Chandler Village Drive. Free. chandleraz.gov/explore.
More free programs at Chandler libraries
In addition to the Chandler Contigo Kickoff, all four Chandler Public Library branches will host free programs and events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Registration is required for some programs. For information or to register, visit Chandler Contigo or Chandler Public Library.
Hispanic Heritage Craft Day: Create Contigo-themed crafts at Basha Library. All ages welcome. The library will provide supplies and instruction.
Details: 11 a.m.-noon Friday, Sept. 15. Basha Library, 5990 S. Val Vista Drive.
Lil' Chefs: Kids ages 6-9 will prepare a delicious Mexican dish from start to finish. Registration is required.
Details: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18. Hamilton Library, 3700 S. Arizona Ave. STEAM Club Goes to NASA: This event celebrates Ellen Ochoa as the first Hispanic woman in space. Ochoa was aboard the Discovery shuttle for nine days while conducting research into the Earth’s ozone layer. Learn about space with hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering and math.
Details: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19. Basha Library, 5990 S. Val Vista Drive.Make Your Own Maraca!: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by making and decorating a maraca to take home. Supplies will be provided while they last. All ages welcome.
Details: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20. Sunset Library, 4930 W. Ray Road.
Family Lotería: Come play this spooky version of Loteria with cards inspired by the fall holidays. Small prizes will be given to winners. All ages welcome.
Details: 5-7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25. Downtown Library, 22 S. Delaware St.
Teen Salsa Taste Test: Savor the flavor with chips and salsa and vote for the most mouth-watering. Choose from Arizona’s finest salsa makers and see who reigns supreme. There will be games and prizes too. For ages 13-17.
Details: 2:15-4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26. Basha Library, 5990 S. Val Vista Drive.
¡Baila! Dance Party & Sing Along: Learn traditional dance moves, have a dance party, do crafts and join a singalong with a special guest from “Encanto.” All ages welcome.
Details: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29. Hamilton Library, 3700 S. Arizona Ave.
Día de Juegos/Game Day: This family event will feature traditional Latino games, board games and video game classics for all ages.
Details: 2:30-4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3. Downtown Library, 22 S. Delaware St.
Amate Painting: Explore the traditional art of amate bark painting and create your own piece of folk art. Supplies are provided. For ages 6-12. Registration is required and opens at midnight Sept. 21.
Details: 2-3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5. Hamilton Library, 3700 S. Arizona Ave.
¡Sunset Fiesta!: This fiesta will feature music, crafts, face painting and a photo booth. Attendees can decorate sugar skulls. All ages welcome.
Details: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 7. Sunset Library, 4930 W. Ray Road. .Stories @ the Market: Enjoy bilingual stories, songs and more.
Details: 9:30-10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7. Chandler Farmers Market, Dr. A.J. Chandler Park West, 3 S. Arizona Ave. chandler.bibliocommons.com/events.
Día de los Muertos-Inspired Memory Boxes: Make a Día de los Muertos-inspired memory box decorated with flameless tealight candles and craft materials (provided). Bring photos and any small personal items you want to include for the person you are honoring. For ages 18 and older.
Details: 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11. Downtown Library, 22 S. Delaware St.Chandler Contigo Paint Night: Paint a Hispanic heritage-themed masterpiece. For ages 18 and older.
Details: 6-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13. Basha Library, 5990 S. Val Vista Drive.
StoryWalk: Families can enjoy the outdoors and three different StoryWalk displays. Bring the kids to the park any day of the week to explore a picture book display that will bring together the joy of reading, the importance of reading together and the benefits of outdoor activity.
Details: StoryWalk Call Me Tree at Sunset Park, 4700 W. Ray Road. StoryWalk Bright Star at Desert Breeze Park, 660 N. Desert Breeze Blvd. East. StoryWalk My Voice Is a Trumpet, San Marcos Park, 712 W. Fairview St. chandlerlibrary.org/storywalk.
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