Hispanic Heritage Month holds variety of events

BOWLING GREEN, O. — Bowling Green State University will dedicate the month of October to celebrating Hispanic heritage, from the Diamante Awards to Ballet Hispanico and concluding with Latinopalooza.

BGSU will kick off Hispanic Heritage Month by hosting the 2003 Diamante Awards at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, in the Lenhart Grand Ballroom of the Bowen-Thompson Student Union. Co-sponsored by the University of Toledo and Owens Community College, the awards recognize individuals and organizations for outstanding achievements and service in the Latino community in northwest Ohio. Funds raised at the awards dinner and dance will go toward providing scholarships for Latino students at BGSU, Owens and the University of Toledo.

Jason Martinez of WTVG-TV News in Toledo will serve as emcee of the awards program. This year’s four honorees are Irene Mineoi, a 2003 graduate of Toledo Central Catholic High School and a freshman at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn.; Anita Lopez, director of affirmation action/contract compliance for the City of Toledo; Robert Rodriguez, a United Auto Workers Local 12 steward at the Toledo Jeep plant; and Rural Opportunities Inc., a private, non-profit agency serving Ohio farm worker adults and youth with operations in six states and Puerto Rico. For ticket information, call 419-372-2424.

Before the Diamante Awards ceremony, at 5 p.m., the Emmanuel Enriquez sculpture, “Metamorphosis,” will be dedicated. The sculpture commemorates the 30th anniversary of BGSU’s Latino Student Union, which Enriquez helped found while a student at the University. Other examples of his work are displayed elsewhere on campus and at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, the Toledo Botanical Gardens and the Schedel Arboretum in Elmore.

BGSU’s kickoff luncheon for Hispanic Heritage Month will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 1 in 101B Olscamp Hall. Those in attendance will enjoy food, music and presentations from guest speakers. Dr. Josué Cruz, dean of the College of Education and Human Development, will discuss the importance of leadership and remembering Hispanic cultural heritage while influencing the community positively. Also, Bowling Green Mayor John Quinn will officially declare October as Hispanic Heritage Month in the city.

Opening BGSU’s Festival Series, Ballet Hispanico will perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 4 in Kobacker Hall of the Moore Musical Arts Center. Known for its fusion of ballet, modern and Latin dance, the company has appeared in such venues as the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Houston’s Wortham Center since its founding in 1970. For tickets, call the box office at 419-372-8171 or 1-800-589-2224.

Attorney David Lamb, author of “Do Plantanos Go Wit’ Collard Greens?,” will speak at 6 p.m. Oct. 6 in the Dimling Lounge on the third floor of the Bowen-Thompson Student Union. Lamb’s book explores relations between Latinos and African Americans, and how music reflects the historical link between the two. He will also lecture about society and the hip-hop culture.

Author Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez will make a presentation and sign copies of her New York Times bestseller, “Dirty Girls Social Club,” at 1 p.m. Oct. 17, also in the Dimling Lounge. Her novel portrays six upwardly mobile Latino friends in their late twenties who go through the pressures of everyday life and experience how rich, complex and universal their heritage can be.

Hispanic Heritage Month will conclude with Latinopalooza, from 5 p.m.-midnight Oct. 31 in the Lenhart Grand Ballroom. The sixth annual event will include live bands, folkloric dancers and Latino food. Cultural merchandise will also be available, along with a children’s corner, piñatas, raffles, a grito contest and a jalapeno-eating contest. Proceeds will go to a charity to be announced that night.

Other events will be held throughout October. To learn more about them, visit the Latino Student Union Web site at www.bgsu.edu/studentlife/organizations/lsu.
It is important to note that events are subject to change.

(Posted September 22, 2003 )