BOCA RATON, FL (September 14, 2011) – Florida Atlantic University will commemorate Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month with a series of events beginning Wednesday, September 14 through Thursday, October 14 at its Boca Raton, Broward, Jupiter and Treasure Coast campuses.  All events are open to the general public.

The following events will take place at FAU's Boca Raton campus, 777 Glades Road:

Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month Celebration Kick-Off

Wednesday, September 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Tradition's Plaza

This event serves as a celebration to kick-off Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month. It will feature Latin music and Hispanic food . For more information, contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs at 561-297-3959.

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Movie Night: 'Pan's Labyrinth'

Thursday, September 15, at 8:30 p.m.

Senate Chambers, Student Union

"Pan's Labryinth" is a 2006 Mexican Spanish-language dark fantasy film, written and directed by Mexican film-maker Guillermo del Toro. The movie takes place in Spain in the spring of 1944, five years after the Spanish Civil War, during the early Francoist period. It is about a fantasy world centered around an overgrown abandoned labyrinth and a mystery faun creature. It is described as a fairytale of such potency and awesome beauty that it reconnects the adult imagination to the primal thrill and horror of the stories that held us spellbound as children. For more information, contact Jeanie Dumas at 561-297-4037.

 

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Mexican Independence Day

Friday, September 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tradition's Plaza

FAU's Multicultural Programming will celebrate Mexico's Independence by ringing the bell, listening to music of a traditional mariachi band, enjoying authentic Mexican cuisine and decorating maracas and sombreros. For more information, contact Dorothy Daniel at 561-297-4037.

 

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Spitfires, Latin Lovers and Banditos

Monday, September 19, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Majestic Palm Room A, Student Union

This will be a discussion of how Latinos and Latinas are portrayed in film and within the mainstream media. For more information, contact Carlton O'Neal at 561-297-4037.

 

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Oye Mi Canto

Friday, September 23, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Coyote Jack's, Student Union

 

FAU's Multicultural Programming hosts a night of Spanish music. For more information, contact Jeanie Dumas at 561-297-4037.

 

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Influential Latinos and Latinas

Monday, September 26, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Majestic Palm Room A, Student Union

 

Stories of influential persons of Latin descent will be presented, specifically noting how they impacted the Latin image throughout the world. For more information, contact Carlton O'Neal at 561-297-4037.

 

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Zumba Fitness Event

Wednesday, September 28, at 7 p.m.

Live Oak Pavilion C and D, Student Union

 

Participants are invited to join in the Latin-inspired, easy-to-follow, calorie burning fitness and exercise-style routine called Zumba. For more information, contact Elieth Carrillo at 561-674-7672.

 

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'Not this time? – Latinos and President Obama in 2012'

Wednesday, September 28, at 5 p.m.

Queen Palm Room, Student Union

 

There will be a presentation on the Obama administration's immigration policy, including discussion regarding new deportation rules, pushback against the "Arizona Law," failing to pass the DREAM Act and more.  The question will be explored, "Should Latino voters abandon President Obama in 2012?" For more information, contact Boris Bastidas at 954-529-3182.

 

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'Walk in my Shoes' Forum

Monday, October 3, at 5:30 p.m.

Sugar Palm Room, Student Union

 

Felix Padilla, Ph.D., a professor of Latin studies, will speak about issues concerning Latino students on campuses such as FAU, and offer insight on what it is like to "walk in my shoes." For more information, contact Marcelle Aquino at 954-592-2238.

 

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Hispanic Poetry Night

Tuesday, October 4, at 7:30 p.m.

Coyote Jack's, Student Union

 

Share in a relaxing environment dedicated to poems and spoken word of Latin flavor and descent shared by local poets and others. For more information, contact Marcelle Aquino at 954-592-2238.

 

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2011 Miss Latina Pageant

Wednesday, October 5, at 7 p.m.

Live Oak Pavilion A-D, Student Union

 

The Association of Latin America Students will host this annual pageant and select the ideal woman who portrays what it means to be Latina at FAU. For more information, contact Marcelle Aquino at 954-592-2238.

 

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Latin Comedy Night

Wednesday, October 5, at 7 p.m.

Coyote Jack's, Student Union

 

Hispanic/Latino comedians will perform their stand-up routines and the crowd will choose the winner who will receive a grand prize. For more information, contact Elieth Carrillo at 561-674-7672.

 

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Opening Concert of the FAU Symphony Orchestra's 2011-12 Season: Spanish Spectacular!

Sunday, October 9, at 7 p.m.

University Theatre

 

This concert will feature a variety of musical pieces composed by artists of Hispanic/Latino-descent, as well as works inspired by Hispanic/Latino culture and landscape.  For more information, contact Laura Joella at 561-297-2262 or joella@fau.edu.

 

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Ritmo Latino

Wednesday, October 12, at 7:30 p.m.

Live Oak Pavilion A and B, Student Union

 

This event will be a celebration of Latin music, food and festivities commemorating the close of Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month. For more information, contact Marcelle Aquino at 954-592-2238.

 

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Childhood Obesity in the Hispanic Population

Thursday, October 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

College of Biomedical Science Center, Room 126

 

Mario Jacomino, Ph.D., an assistant professor of clinical biomedical science in FAU's College of Medicine, will present general information regarding childhood obesity and how this medical issue is affecting the Hispanic population in Palm Beach County. For more information, contact Jacomino at 561-297-0723.

 

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The following events will take place at FAU's Broward campuses:

Hispanic Heritage Celebration

Tuesday, September 27, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

College Plaza, 111 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale campus

 

This celebration will kick-off the Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month for FAU's Downtown/Fort Lauderdale campus, and will be Mexican-themed with live entertainment. For more information, contact the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership at 954-236-1219.

 

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Hispanic Heritage Celebration

Wednesday, September 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

College Plaza, 3200 College Ave., Davie campus

 

The "Fiesta de Mediodia," or mid-day party, is a celebration to kick-off the Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month for FAU's Davie campus. It will include music, food, entertainment and give-aways. For more information, contact the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership at 954-236-1219.

 

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Hispanic Heritage Celebration

Thursday, September 29, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Patio, 101 North Beach Road, Dania Beach Campus

 

This celebration will kick-off the Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month for FAU's Sea Tech campus, and will be Mexican-themed with live entertainment. For more information, contact the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership at 954-236-1219.

 

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Family Carnival – Celebracion Hispano

Friday, October 14, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

College Plaza, 3200 College Ave., Davie campus

 

This will be a celebration of Hispanic heritage with an interactive day of family fun, including games, free food, face painting, snow cones and more entertainment. For more information, contact the Broward Program Board at 954-236-1251.

 

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The following events will take place at FAU's MacArthur campus, 5353 Parkside Drive, Jupiter:

Campus Art Exhibition: 'Detour' by Josafat Miranda

Now through October 14 - Mondays through Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m; and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

John D. MacArthur Campus Library

 

Miami artist Josafat Miranda creates art on canvas, wood, aluminum, cardboard or paper with excellent precision.  Miranda's collection employs encaustic, ancient technique that involves adding pigments to heated wax and applying the resulting paste to a surface. For more information, contact Diane Arrieta at 561-799-8530.

 

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The following will take place at FAU's Treasure Coast campus, 500 NW California Blvd., Port St. Lucie:

Movie Night: '90 Miles'

Tuesday, October 11, from 4 to 6 p.m.

MP 101

"90 Miles" is a film that follows the story of Juan Carlos Zaldivar from 1980 as a 13-year-old loyalist of the Cuban Revolution jeering at the thousands of "Marielitos" leaving the island by boat for the United States, to finding himself a "Marielito" within weeks as he and the rest of his family travel more than 90 miles of treacherous ocean to Miami. For more information, contact Farley Leiriao at 772-873-3382.