Springfield Museums is excited to announce a free, public event: Salsa at the Museums, Thursday, September 15, 5-8 pm on the Quadrangle Green. Dancing, entertainment, activities, cash bar, and food trucks plus LIVE MUSIC and DJs will make this an evening to remember.
“Music brings us together and salsa dancing unites the diverse communities,” said State Representative Carlos González, who will MC the celebration. “Springfield is rich with diversity and together we celebrate the kickoff of Hispanic Heritage Month at the Museums, the Arts district of Western Massachusetts.”
Together with the Springfield Legislative Delegation—Senators Adam Gomez, Eric Lesser, John Velis, and Representatives Bud Williams, Orlando Ramos, Angelo Puppolo, Jake Olivera, Brian Ashe—Rep. González partnered with the Museums to present Salsa at the Museums.
“We love bringing families and communities together,” said Kay Simpson, President and CEO of the Springfield Museums. “How wonderful that this gathering will include dance and play! We are grateful to Rep. González, Senator Gomez and the Springfield Legislative Delegation for partnering with us for this special event.”
“I am excited to celebrate Latino heritage at the Springfield Museums,” said Senator Adam Gomez. “I hope the many wonderful communities of our city will join in the celebration.”
Salsa at the Museums is a preview of what the Museums hopes will be an annual fall Latinos Arts Festival. This is made possible by a generous $100,000 State Earmark, sponsored by Rep. González and the Springfield Legislative Delegation, in support of the 2023 Latino Arts Festival and a permanent exhibit on Latinos culture.
“We have assembled a community advisory group led by Lydia E. Martinez-Alvarez and Maddie Landrau to work together with our staff to make these important projects real and relevant,” Simpson said. “The lived experience of Latinos is not well-represented in the Museums: This partnership will help fix that.”
“It is important that the Museums becomes a space of expression for all cultures who call Springfield home. I’m thrilled to be a part of this and all other celebrations of diversity,” said Vanessa Otero, Executive Director of the Healing Racism Institute, who helped to organize this event. Otero is also a member of the Springfield Museums Board of Trustees.
More about Salsa at the Museums
Thursday, September 15 from 4pm to 8 pm, DJ Cowboy will fill the Museums campus with Salsa music. Visitors are encouraged to bring Congas, Timbales, Bongos, Guiras, Maracas other musical instruments. They are also encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
- Music by The Choco Band
- Dance Demonstration by Salsa Sensation
- Fencing Demonstration Juan Carlos Changanaqui, Peruvian Fencing Champion and member of the New England Fencing Club
- Arts activities presented by the Museums with help from Baypath University students
Food Trucks include El Chichorro De Esther y Susa, Moctezuma’s Mexican Restaurant, and Tropical Ice, with tables set up for a wonderful meal.
Cash Bar with beer, wine, and Rum & Cokes available. Catering provided by Palazzo Cafe. Must be 21 to purchase alcohol.
For more information click here to read about Salsa at the Museums.
This event is sponsored in part by: The Healing Racism Institute, A project of the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation and the MassMutual Foundation.