Join San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) this September and October for its ¡VIVA!: Latinx Heritage celebration! SF’s rich Latinx heritage is highlighted in a diverse array of exciting free programs for all ages, from crafts and music performances for children to author talks, film screenings and more. 

This year, the Library is excited to showcase the work of Antonio and Geny Mejia. Geny Mejia, featured in the ¡VIVA! art, proudly displays tattoos created by her husband, tattoo pioneer Antonio Mejia. Antonio’s work is a part of the Library’s new exhibition that opens on October 2, Living Tattoo Traditions: American Irezumi and Beyond, which celebrates the rich artistry and cultural significance of tattooing through photographs, interviews and original artwork.  

On October 15, SFPL welcomes local author Caro De Robertis to the Main Library for a conversation with writer and activist Kate Schatz. Together they will discuss Cantoras, De Robertis’ novel and the Library’s On the Same Page selection for September and October. The historical novel follows five queer women in 1970s Uruguay as they build a secret sanctuary of love and resistance under a military dictatorship, forging a lifelong bond through decades of political and personal transformation. 

As part of the ¡VIVA! celebrations, explore a vibrant collection of themed booklists honoring Latinx heritage. From movies, music and children’s books to works by Bay Area Latinx authors and Spanish-language titles, there’s something for everyone.  

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

YOUTH PROGRAMS 

Painting Big Feelings — Learn acrylic painting basics and image-making techniques to release emotions through a painting with Sendy Santamaria, featured 2024 Summer Stride illustrator-author. Sept. 13, 11 a.m. Richmond Branch; Oct. 4, 2 p.m., Potrero Branch 

Musical Heritage with Francisco Herrera — Celebrate the joy of Latinx heritage with the music of Francisco Herrera, bilingual songs for children with regionally inspired music from Mexico and the U.S. Sept. 20, 11 a.m., Noe Valley Branch 

Mariela’s Music Time — Listen to an exciting, energetic and interactive bilingual performance in Spanish and English filled with rhythms and multicultural sounds. Oct.7, 3 p.m., Presidio Branch 

Cuentos Cantados/ Storytime Performance with Cascada de Flores — Cascada de Flores performs “El Brujo y L a Sirena” (“The Wizard and the Mermaid”), a story about the sea from Latin America and the Caribbean, in Spanish, English, Mayan K’iche’ and Portuguese. Oct. 9, 3 p.m., Marina Branch 

Create Your Character Design with Robert Liu-Trujillo — Bring characters to life in this interactive workshop on character design for comics, animation and gaming. Oct. 19, 2 p.m., Main Library, The Mix, 2nd Floor 

ALL-AGES PROGRAMS 

Mexican Papel Picado— Learn traditional papel picado, paper-cut design, to celebrate ¡VIVA! Supplies limited. Reservations required. Sept. 17, 6 p.m., Bernal Heights Branch  

The History of African Drumming with John Santos — Seven-time Grammy nominee John Santos will give a presentation on the history of African drumming and its connection to Latinx musical genres such as salsa and Latin jazz. Sept. 20, 3 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium, Lower Level  

Filmmaker Theo Rigby and Florencia Krochik — Meet Theo Rigby and watch his film Si Pudiera Quedarme / If I Could Stay, an intimate portrait of two undocumented Latinx mothers who go to dramatic lengths to fend off deportation and separation from their families in the United States. Sept. 21, 3 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium, Lower Level  

Celebrate Indigeneity with Danza Azteca — Danza Azteca Xitlalli-Xolotl performs indigenous dance as practiced throughout Mexico—a living, evolving, all-encompassing way of life and cultural practice. Sept. 20, 2 p.m., Visitacion Valley Branch  

Son Jarocho Music with DíaPaSón — The music ensemble DíaPaSón specializes in Mexican music traditions, especially son jarocho, a living contemporary art form. Learn the basic rhythms of son jarocho and how to play them on traditional instruments. Sept. 28, 2 p.m., Ortega Branch  

Patio Concert with La Familia Peña-Govea— La Familia Peña-Govea plays original and traditional bilingual Spanish/English children’s music: cumbia, ranchera and sones. La Familia Peña-Govea brings the party wherever it goes! Oct. 5, 2 p.m., Eureka Valley Branch  

Salvadoran Women-Owned Businesses & Central American Foodways — Hear stories of migration, perseverance and the family recipes passed down through generations—right in the heart of San Francisco’s pupusa corridor. Featuring women owners of Salvadoran food businesses from the Excelsior District. Oct. 18, 3 p.m., Excelsior Branch 

Film, The Unbroken Sky — Based on Dr. Francisco Jiménez’s beloved memoir The Circuit and Breaking Through, the award-winning film The Unbroken Sky dramatizes the true story of a Mexican family’s journey—one of faith, hope, backbreaking work and an unrelenting determination to realize the universal dream of a better life. Oct. 19, 3 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium, Lower Level  

Dia de los Muertos Community Ofrenda — Colorful and overflowing with offerings, the Día de los Muertos ofrenda (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 using materials provided. The ofrenda will be on display until November 5. Oct. 30, 4:30 p.m., Western Addition 

ADULT PROGRAMS 

Read Newspapers in Spanish on PressReader — In this online tutorial, SFPL staff highlight a selection of their favorite Spanish-language newspapers and magazines and teach you how to access these and others on PressReader, a library app available on your computer, tablet or phone. Sept. 17, 12 p.m., Virtual Library  

Opera in the Latin World with SF Opera — Explore the rich history and tradition of zarzuela—a well-loved style of musical storytelling in Spanish-speaking communities all over the world—and celebrate the voices of Latinx and Latin American superstars on the opera stage with Cole Thomason-Redus from the San Francisco Opera’s Department of Engagement and Connectivity. Oct. 28, 6 p.m., Ruth’s Table, 3160 21st St. 

Author Talk: Caro De Robertis in Conversation with Kate Schatz  — Discover the story behind On The Same Page book selection, Cantoras, as author Caro De Robertis sits down with writer and activist Kate Schatz. Sunday, Oct. 5, 3 p.m. Koret Auditorium, Main Library