Hispanic Heritage Month was created to celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. 

As the nation reflects on Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to spotlight an amazing Hispanic musical group that you can see at Walton Arts Center this December. The historic tradition of mariachi music has origin in cities such as Guadalajara and Mexico City. As the ever-evolving genre's influence spread, it reached Chicago and birthed the Mariachi Herencia de México.  

Cesar Maldonado had a passion for Hispanic culture, community and music so he founded Mariachi Heritage Foundation in 2013. The foundation seeks to create opportunities for individuals and communities to celebrate, share and sustain the vitality of Mexico’s mariachi music tradition. Their work promotes the importance of cultural heritage for strengthening ethnic identity and community. The Mariachi Heritage Foundation implements mariachi music education programs in Chicago Public Schools with predominantly low-income Latino students.  

What started as a school program serving about 2,100 students and eight schools across Chicago, helped to spread an appreciation and knowledge of mariachi. A year and half into the program, the foundation decided to hold an audition for a new mariachi band. The group accepted 90 students and about 20 of those were placed at the advanced performance level, and Mariachi Herencia de México was born. They began performing in multiple venues across the Chicago area and then began touring.  

The energetic, virtuosic Latin Grammy®-nominated group now has multiple chart-topping albums and has performed across North America. Nuestra Herencia, their 2017 debut album, topped the Latin streaming charts. 2018's Herencia de la Tierra Mía was produced by celebrated industry veteran Javier Limón and charted atop all major streaming services. 2019's Esencia topped industry charts, while a second volume, issued in 2020 performed similarly. In 2022, Herederos appeared as the group were performing a wildly successful North American tour.  

Mariachi Herencia de México is performing A Very Mariachi Christmas on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 7 pm and tickets are only $10! Experience this energetic group blend Mexican and American Christmas songs favorites and reimagined holiday hits all night long.  

Did you know: 

• Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.  

• In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, October 12, also falls within this 30-day period. 

Experience More Hispanic Culture This Month 

• Take a virtual tour of both La Casa Azul and the Smithsonian’s Museum of the American Latino. La Casa Azul is Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s former home, and the name translates to blue house. It is now a museum dedicated to her work and life. The Smithsonian’s Museum of the American Latino shines a light on the large legacy of U.S. Latinos and Latinas. 

• View and honor art by Hispanic artists including Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dali, Diego Velazquez and Francisco Goya.  

• Enjoy books written by Hispanic authors such as Saraciea Fennell, Claire Jiménez and Cristina García.