Seminole State celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with community events

Photo: Flamenco del Sol performs “Carmen” at Seminole State College of Florida’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts during the Spring 2019 arts season. Photo by Seminole State Professor of Theatre Richard Harmon. 

The Center for Fine and Performing Arts at Seminole State College of Florida is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with its first Latinx Festival. With over 8,000 Hispanic students, Seminole State aims to celebrate their diverse cultures through gallery exhibits, interactive art displays, music and dance. Through partnerships with Flamenco del Sol, the Orlando Symphony Orchestra, Tertulia4Gatos and more, Seminole State will offer lively events that are open and free for everyone from Oct. 3 through Oct. 5. 

José Betancourt – “Cuba: Reconstructing Memories”

Sanford/Lake Mary Campus, building J (J-109)

Oct. 3 – Nov. 4

Monday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Opening reception: Oct. 3, 7 p.m.

Photographer José Betancourt’s gallery exhibit “Cuba: Reconstructing Memories” pulls inspiration from when he was 5-years-old and his family escaped Cuba on the Freedom Flights. They left everything behind besides what they could carry and Betancourt’s photographs focus on capturing the feelings the memories invoke rather than the actual happenings. As a result, the photos often include surreal and missing elements.

Alma Latina/Latin Soul

Latin Music Concert featuring Seminole State Music and the Orlando Symphony Orchestra 

Sanford/Lake Mary Campus, building C (C-108)

Oct. 4, 7:30 – 9 p.m.

 Orlando Symphony Orchestra’s program will celebrate the music and culture of Spain and Latin America and feature dancers from Flamenco del Sol in the performance. The program will include music from Cuba, Chile, Argentina, Venezuela and Mexico led by conductor David Handel. 

Tertulia4Gatos – Arte Bajo La Sombrilla

Sanford/Lake Mary Campus, Student Center (SC-100)

Oct. 5, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Tertulia4Gatos has promoted Hispanic art and culture in Central Florida for over a decade and will host an interactive exhibit called “Arte bajo la Sombrilla” or “Art under the Umbrella.” Guests are invited to bring painted umbrellas that will be exhibited as a background during a day of celebrations of Hispanic art, music, poetry, dance and readings. No art background is needed to paint the umbrellas. 

Renowned musicians and poets representing Latin America will perform, and a production of Mexican play “Censo” will be presented. The festival will also feature dances by troupes including Flamenco Del Sol who will perform a flamenco walk to Betancourt’s photography exhibit. The day will conclude with a parade of Hispanic folk dresses. Food truck service will be available on campus for patrons’ enjoyment.