For Immediate Release: September 22, 2023 

Media Contact:
Jaime Wong
Jaime.Wong@sfpl.org I 415-557-4295

iVIVA! Latinx Heritage Month 2023 at the Library: Fun and Free Festivities Abound  

San Francisco has a rich Latinx heritage that is highlighted in a diverse array of exciting programs for all ages, from crafts and music performances for children, to author talks, to art and cultural presentations. Come enjoy our iVIVA! Latinx Heritage Celebration with us. ¡Bienvenidos! 

For more information about our programs and recommended reads, visit sfpl.org/viva.

iVIVA! ADULT PROGRAMS

Author Talk – Sept. 30, 3 p.m., Bernal Heights Branch 

Jaime Cortez, reading from Gordo and Norman Zelaya, reading from Gente, Folks, team up to bring an afternoon of laughter and camaraderie.

Film: Dispatches from Resistant Mexico, Screening and Filmmaker Discussion with Caitlin Manning – Oct. 4, 4 p.m., Excelsior Branch

Dispatches from Resistant Mexico is a series of short documentaries from southern Mexico, each depicting one of the thousands of pockets of resistance throughout Latin America that are in struggle against the corporate looting of resources and land from indigenous communities.   

Film: Cuban Food Stories + Discussion – Oct. 12, 3 p.m., Golden Gate Valley Branch

After a decade living in the United States, Asori Soto returns to his homeland of Cuba to search for the missing flavors of his childhood — a journey to discover culinary traditions long thought lost due to the hardship that Cuba survived after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Discussion to follow film screening.

Film: Strawberry Picker with Juan Fuentes – Oct. 15, 2 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium

From a little boy growing up in labor camps and attending Watsonville schools, to a world-class artist, this documentary short looks at generations of struggle and resilience in the Chicano art community through the experiences of Juan R. Fuentes. The film screening will be followed by a panel with Fuentes and a few of his fellow artist friends.

El Bohemio on Microfilm – Oct. 20, 12 p.m., Main Library, Magazines and Newspapers Center, 5th Floor

A Magazines & Newspapers Center librarian demonstrates how to load, scan and save articles from San Francisco-based El Bohemio, a Spanish-language newspaper, now available on microfilm. The library's holdings include the years 1971—1998 and 2001—2004.  

Performance: ¡Viva 16th Street! – Oct. 26, 5:30 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium

San Francisco's 16th Street was known as a mecca for Latinx queerness during the 1980s and 90s. With bars like Esta Noche and La InDía Bonita, it was a hub for trans and queer Latinos to party and connect. We honor and celebrate the legendary 16th Street strip with a screening of the acclaimed documentary, ¡Viva 16!, as well as live performances and a star panel. Featuring the legendary and iconic: Mitzy Lee, Adela Holiday, Mahogany Sánchez, Persia, Tina Valentín Aguirre and Augie Robles. Hosted by local writer and historian Julián Delgado Lopera. Plus, get your dance on at the after party at Mother (formerly Esta Noche)!

Author Javier Zamora in Conversation – Oct. 26, 7 p.m., Virtual Library

Javier Zamora discusses his powerful memoir, Solito, the Library’s Sept./Oct. On the Same Page book club selection. He will be in conversation Hernan Acevedo. Watch on YouTube.   

POSTPONED: History and Tradition of Afro-Peruvian Cajón – Oct. 28, 11 a.m., Main Library, Latino Hispanic Room

Learn all about the history and tradition of the Afro-Peruvian Cajon drum from Juan de Dios Soto, Peruvian dancer, musician and founder of Tradicion Peruana Cultural Center.

iVIVA! YOUTH PROGRAMS

Dance and Music 

Performance: Mariela’s Music Time – September 28, 11 a.m., Presidio Branch; Nov. 15, 3:30 p.m., Chinatown Branch

Mariela's Music Time is an exciting, energetic and interactive bilingual performance in Spanish and English filled with rhythms and multicultural sounds, along with the rich traditions of the Bay Area. For children 5 and younger and their families. 

Workshop: Afro-Peruvian Family Dance Class with Cunamacué – Oct. 7, 11 a.m., Golden Gate Valley Branch; Oct. 14, 11 a.m., Glen Park Branch; Oct. 14, 2 p.m., Portola Branch; Oct. 28, 2 p.m., Potrero Branch

This intergenerational dance class is an introduction to Afro-Peruvian culture. Participants will be introduced to Afro-Peruvian instruments with live music, and learn a dance routine for the Festejo, the most popular Afro-Peruvian rhythm. 

Performance: Cuban Salsa – Oct. 14, 2 p.m., Western Addition Branch

Founded in San Francisco in 2007, Rueda Con Ritmo is a community of Cuban Salsa dancers offering classes, events and performances throughout the Bay Area and beyond. They will be performing their dynamic choreography routines, talking a bit about the rich Cuban dance traditions and offering a short introductory lesson so that everyone can experience moving to the vibrant rhythm of Cuban music.

Performance: Danza Azteca Xitlalli de San Francisco – Oct. 21, 11 a.m., Marina Branch; Nov. 4, 3 p.m., Ortega Branch

Experience a beautiful expression of cultural pride and traditional spiritual roots. Ancient Aztec ceremonies and dances are part of the Danza movement, which dates back to pre-Colombian times, and has been growing throughout the United States for the last twenty years.

Performance: Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble – Oct. 21, 1 p.m., Western Addition Branch

In honor of Latinx Heritage Month, the Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble of San Francisco will present a performance and lecture on the roots of Latin jazz and Cuban music.

Performance: René y Familia – Nov. 15, 3 p.m., Sunset Branch

Listen to the sounds of René y Familia, a three-generation strong family band that performs original bilingual children's music in Spanish and English as well as traditional and contemporary Latin music. For children and their families.

Performance: Cascada de Flores – Nov. 18, 3 p.m., Richmond Branch

Presents "Aquí-les Va Un Cuento/The Treasure of Aquiles"

Listen, dance and participate in a bilingual Spanish/English original story told with music by the Cascada de Flores music ensemble. For children and their families. Escucha, baila y participa en un cuento original bilingüe español/inglés contado con música del conjunto musical Cascada de Flores. Para niños y sus familias.

Crafts 

Workshop: Biblio Bistro – Oct. 11, 4 p.m., Main Library, The Mix

Learn to make delicious food using our portable kitchen. This month we will be making a taco bar to celebrate ¡VIVA!. For ages 12–18.

Workshop: Sugar Skull – Oct. 13, 4 p.m., Bayview Branch

Decorate a sugar skull in memory of a loved one as a part of a tradition for Día de los Muertos. Sugar skulls will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. For ages 5–17. Decora una calavera de azúcar en memoria de un ser querido como parte de una tradición del Día de los Muertos.

Activity: Guatemalan Worry Dolls – Oct. 14, 2:30 p.m., Ortega Branch

Learn about traditional worry dolls, and create one of your own. Each participant will also receive their own hand-made worry doll from Guatemala to take home. For ages 5 and older. 

Workshop: Día de los Muertos Clay Skulls – Oct. 18, 5 p.m., Main Library, The Mix

Celebrate Día de los Muertos by creating colorful skulls to place on your altar using air dry clay. For ages 12-18.

Activity: Cempasúchil Flowers – Oct. 20, 4 p.m., Merced Branch

Learn the significance of the cempasúchil (marigold) in Día de los Muertos celebrations and create your own paper flowers. For children ages 5 and older. 

Workshop: Día de los Muertos Altar – Oct. 22, 2 p.m., Park Branch

Create a community altar with your neighbors, and learn how to make your own at home. Colorful and overflowing with offerings, the Día de los Muertos altar is a celebration of those who have passed on. Bring a special item or photo to contribute to the altar, or create a drawing of a loved one. For children and their families.

Día de los Muertos Community Gathering – Oct. 28, 3 p.m., Bayview Branch

Calixto Robles, San Francisco artist and activist, leads a community altar creation, and Ali Blum will lead all ages-friendly printmaking craft. Celebrate those who have passed by contributing an ofrenda (offering) to the altar. Bring flowers, incense, photos, letters/notes.

Activity: Día de los Muertos Altar – Oct. 31, 4 p.m., Main Library, The Mix

Join us in creating a community Day of the Dead altar to celebrate loved ones who have passed on. For ages 12-18.

Workshop: Día de los Muertos Wreaths – Nov. 1, 3 p.m., Marina Branch

Create and decorate a wreath to celebrate Day of the Dead. For children ages 5 and up.

Workshop: Quipu, knot, nudo – Nov. 16, 4 p.m., Mission Branch

Make a basic Inca quipu, where knots represent numbers, from 0 to 9. Quipus, or talking knots, were record-keeping devices for ancient Andean civilizations. The Inca Empire developed the system of knots to use them as storage and communication devices for matters such as tax registration and censuses. 

About San Francisco Public Library:

San Francisco Public Library is dedicated to free and equal access to information, knowledge, independent learning and the joys of reading for our diverse community. The library system is made up of 27 neighborhood branches, the San Francisco Main Library at Civic Center and four bookmobiles.

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Jaime Wong

Public Relations Officer

San Francisco Public Library

415-214-2279| Jaime.Wong@sfpl.org