September 15 is the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month in the States. Arte Mexicano en Indiana recognizes the importance of having a month to reflect on our vast and rich arts and cultures within Latin America that we practice right here in Indiana.
Let this month also be an opportunity for Hoosiers of all backgrounds to feel invited to see and experience the rich arts and culture from a variety of Latin American countries living in a diverse Indianapolis. We’ve curated a calendar of free and moderately-priced events happening across Indianapolis for Hispanic Heritage Month in partnership with our sister organization, Nopal Cultural, supported by Indy Arts Council.
Identidad, Dreams y Marches!
September 10 – November 3
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm daily
Indianapolis Artsgarden
110 W. Washington St.
Cost: Free
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Arte Mexicano en Indiana and Red Global MX Crossroads present “Identitad, Dreams y Marchas” (“Identity, Dreams, Marches”), an art exhibition featuring works by established, emerging, and young Mexican and Mexican-American and Latina/o/e/x artists, in collaboration with the Indy Arts Council.
El Grito de Independencia 2023
September 15
4:00 pm – 9:30 pm
MacAllister Amphitheater at Garfield Park
2425 Conservatory Dr.
Cost: Free
Celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day at Garfield Park with food, crafts, and music. Enjoy a traditional celebration, including the glorious “Grito” (shout) Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla once used to garner support of the people to rise and take arms against their oppressors, which signaled the beginning of Mexico’s war for independence
Cassandro
September 15 – 27
Various times
Kan-Kan Cinema & Brasserie
1258 Windsor St.
Cost: $11
This film follows the true story of Cassandro, the ”exotico” character created by Saúl Armendáriz, a gay amateur wrestler from El Paso, Texas, as he rose to international stardom. The film explores the radical impact it had on his life and the wrestling world.
Heritage Days and Nights
September 16 – 30
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Indiana Historical Society
450 W. Ohio St.
Cost: Free
Celebrate Latino history and culture through music, art, food and scholarship. Visitors can make their own piñata art, inspired by artist Justin Favela, a mixed-media artist known for large-scale installations and sculptures that explore the intersections of space, identity, and notions of authenticity.
Family day: Hispanic Heritage month
September 16
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Newfields
4000 N. Michigan Rd.
Cost: Free
At this family event, celebrate the many contributions and cultures of the Americano Hispanic community through music, dance and art, in partnership with the Mexican Cultural Arts Center of Indianapolis (MeCACI).
Fiesta Indianapolis
September 16
12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Lugar Plaza
200 E. Washington St.
Cost: Free
Since 1980, thousands of Hoosiers come every year to an entire day of music, dancing, food, children’s activities, a health and wellness fair, and community service booths. Celebrate and share Hispanic culture with the community!
Ballet Folklórico
September 16
3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Newfields
4000 N. Michigan Rd.
Cost: $24 (members) $30 (public)
The Mexican Cultural Arts Center of Indianapolis presents Ensemble Folklórico Indianapolis, who will take you on a journey through its history, culture, and traditions of the different states of the Mexican Republic and delight you with dances from the north, center and south where historic events took place during the war of independence.
Tomorrow Talks: Héctor Tobar
September 16
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
IndyFringe Theatre
719 E. St. Clair St.
Cost: $10-$40
Join Tomorrow Bookstore and the Immigrant Welcome Center for a talk and book signing with Héctor Tobar.
Tobar, will discuss Our Migrant Souls, the latest book by the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer that explores Latino experiences and identities in the 21st century.
Mexican Colors Light Up the State Museum
September 16
7:00 pm
Indiana State Museum
650 W. Washington St.
Cost: Free
In a gesture of friendship and collaboration, the Indiana State Museum will illuminate its facilities with the colors of the Mexican flag, in recognition of another anniversary of Mexico’s independence.
Mexican Contemporary Film Festival
September 17
12:00 pm and 2:30 pm
Newfields
4000 N. Michigan Rd.
Cost: Free
Join the Consulado de México en Indianápolis to celebarate 200 years of U.S. – Mexican diplomatic relations through two films: La Frontera Infinita (2007) and Un Exilio: Película Familiar (2017). Both will be screened in Spanish with English subtitles.
SADCO 3rd annual Latino Heritage Celebration
September 17
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Holliday Park Ruins
6363 Spring Mill Rd.
Cost: Free
The 3rd annual celebration of SADCO, the Society and Friends of Colombia, offers a chance to engage in diverse and traditional Latino cultural activities and enjoy food, music, and entertainment.
Lunch Break Live: Alejandro Reyna
September 19
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Monument Circle
Indianapolis
Cost: Free
Alejandro Reyna is an Indiana-based teaching artist who teaches private voice lessons at Butler Community Arts School and is a tenor staff singer for El Coro Latino at Christ Church Cathedral. The melodies you will hear during SPARK on the Circle are some of Alejandro’s most cherished ones.
Pedrito Martinez-IJF Sunset Series + Midwest Expo
September 21
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
The Jazz Kitchen
5377 N. College Ave.
Cost: $25-40 | $3.50 fees
A master of Afro-Cuban folkloric music and the batá drum, Martinez is also the world’s first-call rumbero—playing, singing, and dancing with dozens of Cuban rumba groups.
Indiana Latino Expo
September 23
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Indiana St. Fairgrounds & Event Center
1202 E. 38th St.
Cost: Free
Bring friends and family and take advantage of all the resources this expo has to offer, including consular services, a health fair, education fair, job fair, a variety of entertainment options , panels, raffle prizes, and so much more.
Latino Heritage Festival at Global Village Welcome Center
September 23
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Global Village Welcome Center
4233 Lafayette Rd.
Cost: Free
The Latino Heritage Festival celebrates the shared history of more than 20 countries and their cultures.
Fiesta de la Familia: A Celebration of Latin American Cultures
September 24
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
3000 N. Meridian St.
Cost: Free
Fiesta de la Familia honors children and celebrates Latin American cultures. Free programming is available throughout the museum.
Lunch Break Live: Rodrigo Hernandez
September 26
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Monument Circle, 1 Monument Circle Indianapolis , IN 46204
Cost: Free
Rodrigo was born in the city of Villavicencio, Colombia and began playing the harp at the age of 12. It is one of the main instruments in the musical genre of llanero folklore (llanera music), comprising the harp, bandola, maracas, the cuatro, and the bass. Llanera music transcends and covers the vast Venezuelan geography and parts of the Colombian plains.
Dia Latino de Lawrence
September 30
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Arts For Lawrence-Fort Ben Cultural Campus, 8920 Otis Avenue, Lawrence, IN 46216
Cost: Free
Enjoy cultural food, dancing, art, crafts, community vendors, and local organizations.
IDENTIDAD, DREAMS Y MARCHAS! (Cultural Reception)
October 1
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Indianapolis Artsgarden
110 W. Washington St.
Cost: Free
Arte Mexicano en Indiana and Red Global MX Crossroads invite you to join them at a free cultural reception for this art exhibition. It will be an afternoon filled with entertainment, music, and art that you won’t want to miss.
GOLDEN MYST: Tarot Art Show by Daniela Martín del Campo & Gloomy Zauros
October 6
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tube Factory Artspace
1125 Cruft St.
Cost: Free
Arte Mexicano en Indiana and Big Car Collaborative partner to present the works by Mexican Daniela Martín del Campo & and Colombian Artist Gloomy Zauros. GOLDEN MYST represents a unique visual and spiritual experience, where chromatic limitation becomes a window to reflection and contemplation: the deep black of the ink, the shimmering gold and the immaculate white of the paper.
Fernando Lozano: We Remember / Nosotros Recordamos
October 14 – November 19
10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Mon-Sat)
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm (Sun)
Eiteljorg Museum
500 W Washington St.
Cost: Free with general museum admission
Explore Fernando Lozano’s beautiful installation that honors all who lost their lives to COVID-19 in the United States. Join the artist for a gallery talk 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 14. Free with general museum admission.
Magos Herrera
October 14
8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
The Cabaret
924 N Pennsylvania St.
Cost: $25 – $75
Born in Mexico City and based out of New York City, Magos Herrera is a dazzling jazz singer-songwriter, producer, and educator. The Latin Jazz Network called him “one of the greatest contemporary interpreters of song.”
Dia de Muertos Community Celebration
October 21
10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Eiteljorg Museum
500 W Washington St.
Cost: Free
Experience Día de Muertos/Day of the Dead at the Eiteljorg with partners Arte Mexicano en Indiana and Nopal Cultural. Learn the history behind the holiday, watch performances and demonstrations, meet artists, and create art.
Gabriel Garcia Roman: Queer Icons
September 20 – October 25
11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Eskenazi Hall (Marsh Gallery)
735 W. New York St.
Cost: Free >
From the queer Latina fighting for immigration rights to the non-binary disabled Trans Filipino, the subjects in this series give visibility to a population that is generally under-represented in the art world. Artist Gabriel Garcia Roman perceives these figures as heroes in their own right. Join Roman for a talk from 6 to 7 p.m. on October 25.
An Evening with the Mexican Consulate
October 25
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
1230 N. Delaware St.
Cost: Free
Don’t miss this evening discussing 200 years of United States/Mexico diplomatic relations.
Dia de Muertos Celebration at Global Village Welcome Center
October 28
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Global Village Welcome Center
4233 Lafayette Rd.
Cost: Free
Ofrendas, catrinas, pan de muerto, and a mercado are among the highlights of this free event for the whole family to enjoy!
