By Jovana Sanchez-Melendez
This past weekend, Target sponsored the “Arts and Wonder: Free Family Event” that offered free or reduced price to arts and cultural events nationwide. The Latino Cultural Center hosted a weekend of free family friendly activities that included live music. Other “Arts and Wonder: Free Family Event” locations in Dallas were, Dallas Children’s Theater, Nasher Sculpture Center, and Shakespeare Dallas at Samuell-Grand Amphitheater.
Bilingual Story Telling at Latino Cultural Center
The sound of trumpets from the Mariachi Jalisciense filled the plaza as the festivities began. The heat chased families to the shade and away from the stage but it did not keep Ms. Zerafina Najera and her friend from dancing to the music. Ms. Najera said she was most excited to see the mariachi.
Participants enjoyed tacos, hot dogs, and nachos offered by Taqueria La Paloma from Carrolton and Mexican paletas (ice cream) from Paleteria La Mexicana, as they traded stories of Mexican cuisine and childhood memories
Inside the art gallery, where it was much cooler, the LCC had various activities like a bilingual storytelling and a guided tour of the exhibition El Viaje: The Journey: Latin American Jewish Artists and Poets. While in the theater lobby, various arts and crafts workshops were offered like mosaic art projects, marble painting, and a Huichol (a native Mexican tribe) Story Workshop.
Target employees were on site to answer questions regarding the workshops. Latin American shows and movies were screened in the performance hall with a special screening of Under the Same Moon (Bajo La Misma Luna.)
Lopez Family family works on art project together
The Lopez family traveled from Mesquite to attend the event. “Girl Scouts can earn their art patch at this event,” said Mrs. Lopez, which was a great inventive for parents to bring their children. The Lopez children were working on the mosaic art project but were eagerly waiting for the face painting to begin.
This was the first year an “Arts and Wonder” event was held at the Latino Cultural Center, and the LCC chose to focus on Latino culture, art and offer an array of workshops for kids.Target also sponsors other events at the venue every second Saturday. Irasema Romero, the Media and Development Coordinator at the Latino Cultural Center explained that through Target Second Saturdays, families can experience art and Latino culture throughout the year.
Many programs are geared towards family, including theater presentations and dance workshops. Families may not be aware of all the family friendly activities available through the LCC. Many Latino families rely on word of mouth to attend new events. The LCC wants families to know, “this space is for them and dedicated to them,” Ms. Romero said.
Though Dallas has seen a week of high temperatures, the heat could not keep families from enjoying the activities offered at the first “Arts and Wonder” event held at the Latino Cultural Center.
Jovana Sanchez-Melendez grew up in Pleasant Grove. She studies journalism at DCCCD and has a passion for photography.
/