HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated nationwide and begins on September 15, 2009, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico achieved independence on September 16th and Chile on September 18th. Hispanic Heritage Month has been celebrated in the United States since 1974, when President Gerald Ford issued a Presidential Proclamation extending Hispanic Heritage Week into a month-long observation. Hispanic Heritage Month Events Celebrating Latino Arts & Culture Reception Thursday October 1, 2009 - 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM The Arts Company Representatives from the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will gather to honor Latino Art and culture, and to celebrate the creation and promotion of new works by the talented Latino artists living in our city and state. For more information visit: www.nashvillehispanicchamber.com Hispanic Heritage Celebration Friday October 2, 2009 - 7 P.M. Historic Cannery Ballroom Latin American food, the hip-swaying rhythms of live Latin music by Kazique, original art work by J.A Yances and photography by son Javier Arrieta, fair-trade hand crafts from Latin America by Ten Thousand Villages, Salsa lessons, cash bar and Mariachis! For more information visit: www.conamericas.com 5th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Business Awards Wednesday October 7th, 2009 - 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM Nashville Public Television (NPT) Music, food, art, live performances and more! For more information visit: www.nashvillehispanicchamber.com Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan Saturday October 17, 2009 - 8:00pm Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Andrew Jackson Hall Founded in 1897, the rich history of the 13-piece ensemble (featured on Grammy Award-winning recordings by Linda Ronstadt and Luis Miguel) includes 70 albums recorded from1937 to 2008 and appearances in 200 Mexican films. The world-famous, multi-generational band has toured extensively throughout Latin America and the United States. For tickets or more information visit: www.tpac.com El Dia de los Muertos Saturday October 24, 2009 - 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Cheekwood Arts and Gardens The popular Latin American family celebration will include live performances, a Mexican marketplace, and interactive art activities for everyone. The day-long celebration is a premiere community event for Nashville’s Hispanic population as well as for families throughout the area. For more information visit: www.cheekwood.com