VIVA Latinx Heritage Celebration 2022

For Immediate Release: August 18, 2022

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

Images here

Viva! Latinx Heritage

Head Back to the Future with Artist Fernando Martí

San Francisco-based artist centerpiece of San Francisco Public Library's iVIVA! A Celebration of Latinx Cultures and Traditions

San Francisco, CA — As a Latinx immigrant and a science fiction fan, artist Fernando Martí knows intimately what it’s like to look to the past in order to create art that envisions the future. His mixed-media series Futuros Fugaces (2021) was a way to explore themes and relationships that had concerned him for a long time: what it means to reclaim ancestral knowledge, how to re-imagine the future and what this looks like in the particular Mission/Excelsior Latinx community he has worked with for the last 30 years.

This September, Martí’s artwork, Futuros Fugaces: Mission – Aztlan, is the centerpiece of San Francisco Public Library’s yearlong “iVIVA! A Celebration of Latinx Cultures and Traditions” campaign. Formerly a recognition of Latinx Heritage Month during the months of September and October, iVIVA! at the Library now seeks to raise awareness of Latinx history, culture and traditions all year long.

Martí’s approach to his art uniquely positions him at the crossroads of San Francisco's history and future. About his series Futuros Fugaces, Martí states, “In imagining a Latinx futurism, the project took me in unexpected directions, beyond a more literal extrapolation of futurism, to a more mythical layering of Mesoamerican imagery as a way to connect past and future cosmic time…Mesoamerican time gave me a layering of myth and history and contemporary cultures and utopian visions. Utopia has to coexist with the present, accessible through our cultural practices and our arts, to inform our actions. Glimpses or shadows of that utopia found their way into these images.”

Along with a prominent billboard-sized installation of “Futuros Fugaces: Mission – Aztlan” outside the Main Library’s Grove Street entrance in Civic Center, Martí’s work is featured on posters promoting iVIVA! around the City this fall and in a capsule exhibit on the lower level of the Main Library. Additionally, Martí presents an artist spotlight discussing his artistic journey and work on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 7 p.m., in a Zoom program.

See all of our Latinx cultural programs, along with staff book recommendations and other resources.

While !VIVA! is now a year-long celebration at the Library, here are some programs for all ages taking place during Latinx History Month (September 15-October 15). Bonus, programs in Spanish also on the menu.

iVIVA! Youth Programs: Festivities Abound

Visit your local library for performances, music and craft workshops celebrating ¡VIVA! for youth and their families.  

Family

Workshop: Recycled Maracas  Make music with colorful maracas, a percussion instrument used in Caribbean and Latin music, crafted from recycled toilet paper rolls. Sept. 15, 2 p.m., Portola  

Performance: History and Tradition of Afro-Peruvian Cajon in partnership with Tradición Peruana Cultural Center A celebration of Afro-Peruvian music and dance presented by Jaranon y Bochinche Dance Performance Company led by Juan de Dios Soto. Sept. 16, 5 p.m., Mission Temporary Branch

Performance: Classical Guitar with Josh DiChiacchio Classical guitarist performs a repertoire of works by Albeniz, Barrios and other great composers of Latinx heritage.Sept. 17, 11 a.m., Ocean View  

Performance: Danza Azteca Xitlalli-Xolotl Experience the beautiful tradition and dance form with roots in Pre-Columbian culture. 

Sept. 17, 11 a.m., Western Addition  

Sept. 17, 2 p.m., Main Library, Children’s Creative Center 

Sept. 24, 11 a.m., West Portal  

Sept. 24, 2 p.m., Parkside  

Celebration: Pan Dulce Party  Enjoy pan dulce, a sweet bread of Mexican heritage that is also shared across other Latin American countries. Sept. 18, 12 p.m., Main Library, Children’s Creative Center  

Early Childhood

Performance: Canta Conmigo  Sing and sign along with Donna in English and Spanish while Jazmin accompanies on guitar. Sept. 29, 11 a.m., Mission Bay  

Teen

Workshop: Crafts with SophieWorld Make a colorful and fun personalized piñata and fill it with yummy treats. Then create beautiful, decorative paper flowers. For ages 13–18. Sept. 14, 3:30 p.m., North Beach

Workshop: Llamas, Looms and Weaving with Peopleologie  Learn about traditional indigenous weaving with raw cotton, fleece, handmade spindles, looms and insect-sourced dye. For ages 10–18.  

Sept. 24, 12 p.m., Richmond   

Sept. 24, 2 p.m., Excelsior  

Author: Lucky Diaz

Enjoy a delightful read-aloud by Latin Grammy-winning musician Diaz followed by a concert and book giveaway of Paletero Man, a vibrant picture book celebrating the strength of community and the tastes of summer.

Oct. 1, 1 p.m., Excelsior Branch

Oct. 1, 3 p.m., The New Farm, 10 Cargo Way, San Francisco

Performance: Danza Azteca Xitlalli-Xolotl Experience the beautiful tradition and dance form with roots in Pre-Columbian culture. Danza Azteca Xitlalli-Xolotl preserves cultural and ancestral customs that incorporate movement and spiritual philosophy of Mexico's Azteca/Mexica tradition.

Oct. 1, 11 a.m., Presidio Branch

Oct. 1, 2 p.m., Golden Gate Valley Branch

Oct. 8, 1 p.m., Excelsior Branch

Oct. 8, 4 p.m., Portola Branch

Social: La Loteria Play this traditional Mexican game in both Spanish and English, and try your luck at winning prizes. Oct. 2, 1 p.m., Main Children's Center, 2nd Floor

iVIVA! Adult Programs

Nothing says ¡VIVA! like books, creative arts and Latinx vintage rock-n-roll. 

Book Club: World Literature, Garcia Marquez’s Love in the Time of Cholera – Sept. 1, 6 p.m., Virtual Library  

Book Club: Somewhere in Time Historical Fiction, Isabelle Allende's Daughter of Fortune – Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m., Virtual Library  

Book Club: Eureka Valley Reads Michael Nava's Lies with Man – Oct. 2, 3:30 p.m. 

Book Club: Mysteries at Milk Memorial, Raquel Reyes’ Mango, Mamba, & Murder – Oct. 16, 3 p.m., Virtual Library  

Workshop: Screen Printing and Collage  Create your own screen-printed papel picado collage with Mission District artist Calixto Robles. 

Space limited. Reservations required. Call or visit the branch.  

Excelsior Branch Library, Sept. 11, 2 p.m., (415) 355-2868 

Golden Gate Valley Branch Library, Sept. 17, 2 p.m., (415) 355-5666 

Ocean View Branch Library, Oct. 1, 2 p.m., (415) 355-5615 

Anza Branch Library, Oct. 16, 2 p.m., (415) 355-5717 

We have two special events held at one of our new favorite bookstores, Medicine for Nightmares Bookstore & Gallery, 3036 24th St San Francisco, CA 94110 

Autora: Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Celebra el nuevo libro de Ingrid Rojas Contreras, El Hombre Que Movía Las Nubes  – Sept. 9, 7 p.m. 

Performance: History and Tradition of Afro-Peruvian Cajón – A celebration of Afro-Peruvian music and dance presented by Jaranon y Bochinche Dance Performance Company led by Juan de Dios Soto.  Sept. 16, 5 p.m.

Workshop: Mini Mixed Media Altar  In this bilingual event, decorate a miniature shadow box reflecting a loved one, pet, memory, dream or aspirations. Bring a special image that is 4x4 inches or smaller. Sept. 21, 6 p.m., Mission Branch Library 


Presentation: La Bamba: Latinx Vintage Rock  Rock music historian and author Richie Unterberger presents Latinx vintage rock from the 1950s through the 1980s. Sept. 24, 3 p.m., Virtual Library  

 

Workshop: Salsa Making  Learn how to make salsa and experiment with various ingredients. Space limited. Reservations required: (415) 355-5660. Sept. 25, 2 p.m., Portola Branch  


Presentation: Artist Spotlight featuring Fernando Martí  SFPL 2022 ¡VIVA!  featured artist Martí discusses his artistic journey and shows his work. Oct. 5, 7 p.m., Virtual Library 

Orientación: Poner su Negocio en Marcha  Aprende los pasos a seguir para poder conseguir el negocio que has soñado. Presentada por Isla Covarrubias, Renaissance Women's Business Center. Oct. 11, 3 p.m., Virtual Library  

Screen Printing and Collage Create your own screen-printed papel picado collage with Mission District artist Calixto Robles. Reservations required, visit or call the branch. Ocean View – Oct. 1, 2 p.m. and Anza – Oct. 16, 2 p.m.

Poner su Negocio en Marcha Aprende los pasos a seguir para poder conseguir el negocio que has soñado. Presentada por Isla Covarrubias, Renaissance Women's Business Center. Oct. 11, 3 p.m., Virtual Library

Find out more about our programs.

August 19, 2022