CLEVELAND (Sept. 14, 2022) – Celebrated from Sept. 15- Oct. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month honors the history and contributions of Hispanic culture in the U.S. There are many options to celebrate the Hispanic culture rooted in Cleveland throughout the coming month and year-round, including special events, performances, restaurants and visits to La Villa Hispana, the heart of the city’s Hispanic community in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood.
HEALTH & SAFETY ALERT: Safety protocols vary by venue and, in some cases, by event at venues. Residents are encouraged to review both venue and event-specific protocols before arriving at an event.
SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS & EVENTS
A variety of events, performances and celebrations are scheduled throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, giving Clevelanders a chance to celebrate and experience the rich culture.
¡Celebrando! 2022 Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month Event
Clevelanders looking for a family-friendly way to celebrate should head to Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center’s ¡Celebrando! event on September 17. Attendees will enjoy food, dancing and live performances while celebrating Latino heritage, history and art. Clevelanders of Hispanic descent are invited to wear their country’s traditional clothing or flag to join the celebration.
- Saturday, Sept. 17; 4-8 p.m.
- Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center: 2800 Archwood Ave., Cleveland
La Siempreviva at LatinUS Theater
The Pivot Center in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood is home to LatinUs Theater Company, Ohio’s first independent Latino theater company. LatinUs’ mission is to promote and produce artistic and theatrical works in Spanish, honoring the cultural heritage and traditions of Northeast Ohio’s Latinx population. Beginning Sept. 16, the theater will perform “La Siempreviva,” recounting the November 1985 takeover of Colombia’s justice palace by the terrorist group M-19. The performance is in Spanish with English subtitles.
- Sept. 16-Oct. 9; full schedule of show times available online
- LatinUs Theater Blackbox: 2937 W. 25th St., Cleveland
- Tickets ($25) available online
American Mariachi
Cleveland Play House will open its 2022-23 season with the regional premiere of “American Mariachi,” beginning Sept. 17 at Allen Theater. The musical, which is presented in English with songs in Spanish, is set in the 1970s and tells the story of one woman’s quest to form an all-female mariachi band. The play is a celebration of Latin culture and features a live mariachi band.
- Sept. 17-Oct. 9; full schedule of show times available online
- Allen Theater: 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
- Tickets ($25-$75) available online
¡Celebremos Juntos! at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will host ¡Celebremos Juntos!, a free community celebration on Saturday, Sept. 24. The event will highlight the music, dance, art and food of the Hispanic community and include performances from Latin bands, DJs and dancers as well as hands-on art projects, chalk murals and food for purchase.
- Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- 1100 E. 9th St., Cleveland
City of Cleveland Events
The City of Cleveland will celebrate and recognize the achievements and contributions of the Hispanic community with a number of events at City Hall, beginning with an opening ceremony featuring food, music and dance on Friday, Sept. 16. A closing gala on Wednesday, Oct. 12 will honor members of Cleveland’s Hispanic community and include music and dancing.
Latin Culinary Competition
Clevelanders can get a taste of authentic flavors at the inaugural Latin Culinary Competition, hosted by the City of Cleveland’s Department of Community Relations Board. Chefs will have two hours to prepare traditional Hispanic dishes, and attendees will vote on their favorites.
ABREPASO Flamenco
Clevelanders can immerse themselves in the world of flamenco music and dance, thanks to ABREPASO flamenco. On October 13, the dance company will be joined by internationally recognized flamenco artists to perform “Tablao Flamenco” at Music Box Supper Club. For those feeling inspired by the performance, ABREPASO also offers classes at various venues in Northeast Ohio.
- Tablao Flamenco: Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022, 7 p.m. at Music Box Concert Hall (1148 Main Ave., Cleveland); tickets ($25 advance/$30 at the door) available online
- ABREPASO fall class schedule & details available online
Sabor! A Latin Burlesque & Drag Revue
An all-Latin lineup will take the stage at Symposium Nightclub on the border of Cleveland and Lakewood for Sabor!, a special show celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. The performance is billed as a celebration of Latin culture, traditions and life and will include appearances from a variety of Ohio-based performers, including Cleveland’s own Bella Sin.
- Thursday, Oct. 13, 7:30-11 p.m.
- Symposium Nightclub: 11794 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
- Tickets ($15) available online
Cleveland Public Library events
Clevelanders of all ages are invited to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the city’s library branches with a variety of programming, including crafts for children, classes and discussions. A list of the month’s events can be found on the library website.
CULTURAL FLAVORS
With Ohio’s first Latin-owned brewery, visits to authentic eateries and grocery stores to bring a taste of the cuisine home, there are plenty of ways for Clevelanders to experience the delicious flavors of Hispanic cuisine.
Unique brews
Local beer lovers can celebrate with a visit to Ohio’s first ever Latin-owned brewery, located right in the Cleveland area. Pulpo Beer Company started with a brewing facility in Willoughby and recently opened its second taproom at Crocker Park in Westlake. The tropical-inspired space features two dozen craft beer options, including Latin-inspired brews like Pulpo Libre Mexican lager, Mexican Oktoberfest and Churro Dreams Christmas Ale.
Authentic favorites
The city’s food scene features savory and sweet selections celebrating a wide array of Hispanic cultures.
- At Twisted Taino, Chefs Cristina and Jose Melendez combine their Puerto Rican roots with flavor influences from Mexico and Colombia as well as the Caribbean. The restaurant in Parma promises to deliver a unique experience, giving diners a taste of Latin flavor while transporting them to the Tropics.
- Diners can travel throughout Latin America with just one stop at Barroco in Lakewood, Crocker Park or Willoughby. From Colombian arepas to Salvadorean pupusas, plus delicious tacos, guacamole and meats, there’s something for every taste.
- Whether craving savory or sweet, Las Villas Deli & Pastries in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood is one-stop shopping for authentic Puerto Rican fare. Clevelanders shouldn’t miss the popular Cubano sandwich or homemade empanadillas and should save room for a sweet treat to finish the meal.
- Located inside the Las Tienditas Del Mercado business incubator, Cha’Firo specializes in vegan and vegetarian versions of Puerto Rican favorites, while also offering traditional options for carnivores. Locals looking for larger portions can also take advantage of Chef Peggi Cruz’s catering services.
- Latino Taste to Go, located in the heart of Midtown, offers freshly made tacos, burritos, empanadas and sandwiches and much more in a takeout-style setting. The family-owned and operated restaurant is also one of the stops on Destination Cleveland’s International Restaurant Passport.
Latin flavors at home
Clevelanders looking to bring home the flavors of the city’s Hispanic culture have several options. La Borincana Foods on Fulton Road in the Ohio City neighborhood offers all the ingredients needed to prepare a Latin-inspired feast, including a diverse selection of spices, herbs and even freshly butchered meats. At Tienda Central Hispana in the Cudell neighborhood, locals will find a selection of Hispanic ingredients and snacks as well as homemade tamales. And, a visit to La Plaza Supermarket on the Cleveland-Lakewood border offers one-stop shopping between the grocery store and the attached taqueria serving up authentic Mexican fare.
YEAR-ROUND EDUCATION
Locals are encouraged to gain a greater understanding of the local Hispanic community and celebrate the culture all year long.
Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center
Part of the community since 1989, the Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center is dedicated to preserving, educating and promoting Latinx heritage through the arts and offers several initiatives to the public as part of that effort. Residents can learn the art of flamenco or ballet through the center’s dance classes or take part in one of several other programs, workshops, classes or special events.
Clark-Fulton driving tour
Locals and visitors alike can take a deep dive into the history of Cleveland’s Hispanic community through the Cleveland History Center’s driving tour of the Clark-Fulton neighborhood, which boasts the densest Hispanic and Latinx population in Ohio. The self-guided tour is the perfect way to learn something new and celebrate the culture that’s rooted in the neighborhood.
Inspirational street art
So realistic that locals taking a quick look might mistake it for a real streetscape, the “It’s Up To Us” mural at the corner of West 25th Street and Clark Avenue reflects the Hispanic community’s experiences and the changing dynamics of the Clark-Fulton neighborhood. The mural was painted by Puerto Rican native John Rivera-Resto and showcases the diversity of the community through merging social, political and economic stories.
DON’T FORGET: Destination Cleveland’s concierge team is available to help residents and their visiting family and friends explore the region. Contact the team via email (cleconcierge@destinationcle.org), live chat at thisiscleveland.com, or stop at the Cleveland Visitors Center (334 Euclid Ave., Cleveland) Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. for planning assistance.
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ABOUT DESTINATION CLEVELAND: Destination Cleveland is Cleveland’s destination marketing and management organization. This private, non-profit organization’s mission is to drive economic impact and stimulate community vitality for Greater Cleveland through leisure and business travel. In 2020, the COVID-19 global pandemic reduced visitation by 30 percent, with 13.8 million visits occurring. Prior to the pandemic, Cleveland hosted 19.6 million visits annually, with the County experiencing annual visitation increases that surpassed the domestic travel growth rate for nine consecutive years. For more information, visit www.thisiscleveland.com.