NORMAN — The Norman Public Library continues its tradition of bringing Hispanic culture from around the world inside its walls during its eighth annual Hispanic Heritage Festival Sept. 10 and 12 at the library, 225 N. Webster Ave.
The event will be divided into a two-day presentation, with an opening Gala Friday evening and the Festival itself Sunday afternoon. Both events are free and open to the public.
The weekend begins with the Hispanic Heritage Gala, 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 10. The Gala will be part of September’s edition of the Norman Arts Council’s Second Friday Circuit of Art Series.
Returning for the Gala will be Colombian pianist Jose Luis Tono, who will perform on a Steinway baby grand piano set up in the center of the library.
Tono specializes in a variety of musical styles, including classical, America, Latin and Caribbean music. Now a Norman resident, Tono originally is from Cartagena, Colombia. He studied music and piano at Escuela de Bellas Artes from Cartegena de Indias in Colombia and also studied under the pianist Mercedes Vazquez and Adolfo Mejia, a famous Colombian composer.
Elizabeth Stowe will offer her Venezuelan-inspired cuisine for guests at the gala. The food will be served during breaks in Tono’s performance.
Sunday’s Hispanic Heritage Festival will transform the library with a little something for guests of all ages.
The Lowry Room will be filled with music from around the world. Before several musical acts take the stage, a Zumba demonstration will be given from 1:15 to 1:45 p.m.
Returning performers include Latin jazz group Raices, the mariachi band Mariachi Orgullo de America and the salsa and meringue sounds of Son del Barrio. New to the lineup of performers this year is Skinfonia, whose Afro-Cuban and African music is inspired by African, Spanish and other world influences.
Performance times are Skinfonia, 2 p.m.; Raices, 3 p.m.; Mariachi Orgullo de America, 4 p.m.; and Son del Barrio, 5 p.m.
The children’s department will feature dancers from Ballet Flamenco Espanol Folclorico Co., who will give performances and a dance workshop. Performances will be at 3 and 4 p.m., with instruction on Spanish dance steps for the audience at 3:30 and 4:30.
The children’s area also will feature crafts, Spanish Bingo and a visit from clowns Tito and Campanita. They will be in the library from 4 to 6 p.m. and give a special performance from 4:45 to 5:15 p.m.
The South American Mercado, a Market Place featuring art and craft items from many South American and Hispanic countries, will be set up throughout the day in the main part of the library.
Next door in the Campbell Gallery Room, artwork will be displayed Friday evening and throughout Sunday’s activities. It includes paintings from Michael Lombardo, a recent Norman North High School graduate who said his work is driven by his Hispanic roots, with his father being from Venezuela and his mother from Panama. The exhibit also includes work from local Gaelic artist Amelia ‘Melyta’ Rodriguez Tadefa and Katherine Gallaher.
And guests will smell the festival upon walking in the library’s doors Sunday, as the Hispanic community from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Norman will offer authentic food for sale in the library’s AB Room. Proceeds from the meal will benefit the church.
More food will be available in the library’s magazine area, with chips and salsa and desserts offered free of charge while they last. Also, the University of Oklahoma’s Colombian Student Organization will have soft drinks for sale in the library lobby throughout the event.
For more information on this or other activities at the Norman Public Library, call 701-2600 or go online to www.justsoyouknow.us/norman.
