September 4, 2002

National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations

People of Hispanic heritage are a fast-growing segment of our nation's population, and they play an integral role in the country's success in science, business, government and the arts as well as myriad other disciplines.

From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 California State University, Sacramento will join the countrywide celebration of Hispanic achievements.

CSUS is sponsoring a series of free and ticketed events including an RCAF exhibition featuring Sacramento's poet laureate Jose Montoya, lectures, slide presentations, photo exhibits, music concerts and dance concerts. They will take place on campus and in the community.

The month-long celebration concludes with a lecture by 1992 Nobel Prize recipient Rigoberta Menchu Tum entitled "When Mountains Tremble," at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 14 in the University Union Ballroom. A leading advocate of Indian rights and ethno-cultural reconciliation in Guatemala and throughout the Western Hemisphere, Tum is the recipient of numerous international awards.

National Hispanic Heritage Month evolved from a Congressional declaration of Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968. Originally, it was celebrated during the week of Sept. 15 and 16 to cover a wide number of independence days for Latin American countries including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Mexico.

In 1988, Congress officially extended the Hispanic Heritage holiday to 31 days. Now the celebration includes the independence of Chile on Sept. 18 and Dia de la Raza - a holiday that recognizes the first immigration of Hispanics from Europe, Africa and Asia to the Americas - on Oct. 12.

For more information call (916) 278-6101 or see attached schedule of events. Media assistance is available by contacting the CSUS public affairs office at (916) 278-6156.

National Hispanic Heritage Month CSUS Events

Monday, Sept. 16
"A RCAF Exhibition," featuring works by Jose Montoya, Esteban Villa, Ricardo Favella, Juanishi Orosco, Stan Padilla, Louie the Foot, Juan Cervantez, Olivia Castellano, Jose Lott, Rudy Cuellar, Armando Cid, Larry Ortiz and many students, National Hispanic Heritage Month, noon - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday, Else Gallery. (916) 278-6166. Continues to Oct. 15. Artist reception, 6 - 9 p.m., Friday, Sept. 20.

"Celebrating Raza Unity: 16 de Septiembre," cultural performances, art and food, National Hispanic Heritage Month, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Serna Plaza adjacent to the University Union. (916) 278-6997.

Photo exhibit featuring Xico Gonzalez, Victoria Lemus, Consuelo Hernandez, Cesar Ramos and Dominick Porras, National Hispanic Heritage Month, various hours, Monday - Friday, Java City Coffee House University Union. (916) 278-6997. Continues to Oct. 18.

“Gold Mines in The Fields (Las Minas de oro en los campos): The Working and Living Conditions of Agricultural Workers en el Valle de San Joaquin, an exhibit featuring the photographs of Reuben Serna and Steven A. Montalvo, National Hispanic Heritage Month, various times, Monday - Sunday, University Library, first and second floors. (916) 278-6101. Continues to Oct. 30.

Tuesday, Sept.17
"MEChA de CSUS' 8th Annual Raza Bienvenida," National Hispanic Heritage Month, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., University Union Redwood Room. (916) 278-6101.

Saturday, Sept. 21
"A RCAF Raza Concert," entertainment by Jose Montoya's Trio Casindio, Rondalla de Guadalupe, Revoltosos, Rudos and Phil Goldvarg, National Hispanic Heritage Month, 8 p.m., Guadalupe Church, 8thand T streets. (916) 278-6101.

Thursday, Sept. 26
“Women and Immigration: the California/Mexico Border,” lecture and slide presentation by Martha Castaneda, National Hispanic Heritage Month, noon, University Union Lobby Suite. (916) 278-6101.

Saturday, Oct. 5
Mexican Film Festival, National Hispanic Heritage Month, 6 - 9 p.m., Riverside 1015. (916) 278-6101. Continues Oct. 6.

Sunday, Oct. 6
Mexican Film Festival, National Hispanic Heritage Month, 1 - 7 p.m., University Union Hinde Auditorium. (916) 278-6101.

Monday, Oct. 14
"When Mountains Tremble," lecture by 1992 Nobel Prize recipient Rigoberta Menchu Tum, National Hispanic Heritage month, 7:30 p.m., University Union Ballroom, Tickets $20 general/$10 CSUS students. Tickets at CSUS Ticket Office at (916) 278-4323 or at Tickets.com at (916) 766-2277.

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