SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO– To commemorate Latinx Heritage Month and Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), the San Juan Capistrano Library will offer a series of bilingual cultural programs to welcome immigrants, promote empathy, and foster a more inclusive community. Highlighting the importance of preserving family history and traditions, the project will enable participants of all backgrounds to deepen their understanding and appreciation of Latinx culture.
All events take place at:
San Juan Capistrano Library
31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
OC Memory Lab Demonstration and Craft
Thursday, October 5, 2023, 5:30 pm
A bilingual (English and Spanish) demonstration of the OC Memory Lab mobile unit will be presented where participants will learn to digitize images. The OC Memory Lab mobile unit offers DIY digitization of photos, documents, audiovisual records, and other formats. Participant can bring a photograph and staff will scan it and save it on a flash drive while they decorate a picture frame.
Local Author Spotlight: Marytza K. Rubio
Tuesday, October 10, 2023, 5:30 pm
A local author spotlight with Marytza K. Rubio, a writer from Santa Ana, California. She was a 2008 PEN America Emerging Voice Fellow and a 2010 Bread Loaf-Rona Jaffe Foundation Scholar in Fiction. Her debut story collection, Maria, Maria & Other Stories, was long listed for the 2022 National Book Award. Marytza currently serves as the Vice President of Community & Culture at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Complimentary books available, while supplies last. No registration required. Early arrival suggested.
Modesta Avila Historical Discussion with author Sarah Rafael García
Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 5:30 pm
A bilingual (English and Spanish) discussion on Modesta Avila, the Mexican American folk heroine known for her resistance against the Southern Pacific Railroad during the 1800s and her historical significance in San Juan Capistrano. The presentation will be provided by Sarah Rafael García (Author, Community Educator, and Performance Ethnographer) who will discuss the “Modesta Avila: Obstructing Development since 1889” (#MAOD1889) multimedia digital archives project. No registration required.
Café de Olla and Pan de Muerto Tasting with a Charlie Cart Demonstration
Thursday, October 12, 2023, 5:30 pm
A bilingual (English and Spanish) Charlie Cart demonstration of how to make Café de Olla, a traditional Mexican sweet coffee. Enjoy a Pan de Muerto (Mexican sweet bread) tasting as we explore recipe sharing through different generations. Participants can bring a recipe that they would like to share with the group (Optional). Registration is required. Register at the service desk.
Bilingual Alebrijes Storytime
Thursday, October 19, 2023, 5:30 pm
A special family bilingual (English and Spanish) Storytime and craft on Alebrijes. We will explore the significance of the vibrant colorful Mexican folk art of Alebrijes. Complimentary books are available, while supplies last. No registration is required. Early arrival is suggested.
Day of the Dead Musical Performance
Thursday, October 26, 2023, 5:30 pm
A bilingual (English and Spanish), interactive, and educational family music program featuring Mexican Indigenous percussion and songs performed by Martin Espino. No registration is required.
Día de Los Muertos Nichos and Other Crafts
Thursday, November 2, 2023, 3:30 pm
In celebration of the Day of the Dead, participants will make paper Nicho’s, a type of folk art popular throughout Central and South America, and paint a skull made of air-dry clay.
Family Cultural Literacy Day
Saturday, November 4, 2023, 3:30 pm
In celebration of the Day of the Dead the library will host a Family Cultural Literacy Day with a reading and signing by Mariana Galvez, Lil’ Libros author of Little Astrology Catrina’s and Where is? / ¿Dónde está? Mi Ofrenda. Participants will enjoy performances by the local Blas Aguilar Adobe Ballet Folklorico group, a mariachi performance, crafts such as sugar skull decorating, and more. Complimentary books are available, while supplies last. No registration is required. Early arrival is suggested.
For more information, contact Saidy Valdez, 949- 493-1752, saidy.valdez@occr.ocgov.com
This project is supported by the Library Innovation Lab.
Image via Unsplash
