‘Fiesta Latina’ to celebrate music, dance, and culture of Latin America

The Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, in conjunction with Junta for Progressive Action, Inc., will host “Fiesta Latina,” its 16^th annual celebration of Latin American cultures, on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Music and dance performances will begin with Alisa’s House of Salsa at 11 a.m., followed by Eduardo Rocha Mariachi at noon, Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Yale at 1 p.m., and Movimiento Cultural at 2 p.m.  

A live painting event in the Hall of Human Origins will feature the Peabody’s Alana Ladson, who will create a painting titled “Still Dominicana.”

From 1 to 4 p.m., Curious Creatures will present live animals from Latin America, including some exotic ones, that visitors are invited to get up close to and touch. Their program has an emphasis on teaching respect and appreciation for living creatures.

Yale student organizations are offering activities. The Yale Latino Networking Group, an event sponsor, will facilitate a flag coloring activity. The Yale Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science will host a “Meet a Latinx Scientist” station where visitors can meet with Yale Latinx graduate science students and learn about their research. Similarly, the Fair Haven Clinic is offering a “Meet a Latinx Doctor” station. Arte, Inc. will facilitate a hands-on arts activity that represents Latinx culture.

Representing Junta, Celina Fernandez will staff a Nahuatl language station to explain the fundamentals of this Mesoamerican language of the Uto-Aztecan language family. Junta will also host a table where visitors can get information about its services and resources. 

There will be Latin American games and crafts and an artifact dig where children can dig through a sand pit to find archaeological treasures. The Ecuadorian Consulate will hand out coloring books and share information on Ecuadorian culture. The New Haven Free Public Library will offer children’s activities and assistance accessing Spanish language resources.

Students in the Peabody’s EVOlutions after-school program will engage visitors with exhibit-related activities using interpretive Sci.CARTS. Specimens and artifacts from Latin America and around the world will be on display. Additional activities and awareness booths will be hosted by visiting organizations throughout the day.

Fiesta Latina is sponsored by AVANGRID Foundation and UNIVISION with additional support from the Yale Latino Networking Group (YLNG).