Hispanic Heritage: More Than Just a Month-Long Celebration
Each year during Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, communities gather to honor the beauty, legacy and contributions of Hispanic culture around the world. Here at Walton Arts Center, we are excited to celebrate Hispanic and Latin-American artists this season through our Mosaix program initiative.
Aida Cuevas, the Queen of Mariachi, is celebrating 45 years on tour with her new tour Yo Creo Que Es Tiempo, featuring the Mariachi Aztlan.
Mosiax programs are a collection of concerts and arts experiences curated to celebrate the cultural “tiles” that come together to make up Northwest Arkansas. Mosaix was first launched in 2020 as a stand-alone festival highlighting a single culture through art and performances. Since then, Mosaix has transitioned to a year-round celebration with performances spread throughout the season that represent the many diverse cultures present in NWA. This year, we are showcasing performances from Latin American cultures.
Walton Arts Center is bringing “the very best of Mexico’s music” to Northwest Arkansas - perfect timing as a finale for Hispanic Heritage Month. We are thrilled to welcome Aida Cuevas on Thursday, Oct. 20. With a 46-year career that spans both traditional mariachi and Latin genres, and more than 40 albums, she is considered one of Mexico’s most prolific and important female voices.
Among her many accolades, Cuevas was the first female singer in the mariachi category to win a Grammy®. She also has a Latin Grammy®, as well as 11 nominations for the best mariachi/ranchero album category. She masterfully encapsulates the voice of her beautiful country and honors its history and traditions, while breaking barriers and forging a path forward.
Cuevas’ performance is also a part of the 10x10 Arts series, a collection of 10 performances chosen to encourage and expand awareness of diverse cultures. All shows in this series are just $10.
The Edward Simon Trio is honoring female Latin songwriters in Femeninas: The Songs of Latin American Women.
Your exploration of Hispanic and Latin American art can continue throughout the Walton Arts Center season.
On Friday, Dec. 16, the Edward Simon Trio will present Femeninas: The Songs of Latin American Women. The show highlights female songwriters from Chile, Cuba, Argentina and Brazil. The group will be joined by award-winning Mexican vocalist Magos Herrera and percussionist Luis Quintero. Music starts at 7:30 pm, and tickets range from $33-53.
Rarely can you see films made by independent filmmakers locally, and it’s even more rare to see works by independent filmmakers of Hispanic origin. Now you can. Join us for a mini film festival at Walton Arts Center on Friday, Jan. 13, featuring films by Central and South American independent filmmakers. Titles are selected by the Fayetteville Film Fest and will be announced soon. Tickets are just $15.
Chick Corea Afro-Caribbean Experience with Elio Villafranca & Friends will bring a distinctly Latin flavor to their jazz performance on Friday, Jan. 27 at 7:30 pm. Jazz icon Chick Corea passed away in 2020, but his inspired music lives on through Villafranca and the international and intergenerational artists coming to Starr Theater for this show. Tickets are $33-53.
Experience LADAMA, an international collective of women building community through sound, when they perform on Thursday, March 30. Patrons can expect to hear original pop music in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The show starts at 7 pm and tickets are $10. LADAMA is also a part of the 10x10 Arts Series.
These artists have left incredible impact on Hispanic music and culture. Similarly, Hispanic culture has left an undeniably rich and meaningful impact on Northwest Arkansas. Through the Mosaix initiative and the annual celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we hope to encourage a deeper cultural richness within our community that comes from understanding and welcoming diversity.