Ballet Hispánico Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month With Dance: A La Calle Block Party

Ballet Hispánico will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with "A la Calle" Block Party on Sunday, October 1 from 2-6 pm. This celebration of Latino dance, music, art, food and community will take place on West 89th Street, NYC, between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues.

This free, four-hour event will include:

• Performances by the internationally renowned Ballet Hispánico Company
• Performances by the students of the Ballet Hispánico School of Dance students
• Outdoor dancing with live music by the acclaimed Latin music group Los Hacheros
• Free half-hour dance classes for adults and children with instructors from the Ballet Hispánico School of Dance
• Food and beverages with a distinctive Latino flair
• Fun activities for children and families.
• A special free raffle including items donated by neighborhood vendors

"No other Latino organization can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month like Ballet Hispánico, because we will do it with dance!" said Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director and CEO of Ballet Hispánico. "We've been bringing individuals and communities together to celebrate and explore Latino cultures and the shared human experience through dance for more than 45 years. Our "A la Calle" Block Party will bring the celebration to the Upper West Side neighborhood which has been our home from the very beginning of Ballet Hispánico."

Mr. Vilaro believes that the moment of silence and solidarity at the beginning of the "A la Calle" Block Party honors the strong bonds which exists within the Latino community.

"It is a traumatic and difficult time for our sisters and brothers in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Caribbean," Mr. Vilaro said. "The destruction of families, homes, and communities by these natural disasters has affected all of us. There are no words for the loss or damage these events have brought to our families and our communities. They need us now more than ever. We will support them as best we can with the work we do at Ballet Hispánico."

"Ballet Hispánico has always been a refuge for the spirit of our culture and access to the arts. We will continue to be our community's beacon."

Upcoming Ballet Hispánico Hispanic Heritage Month activities include:

• This year's Instituto Coreográfico on October 5 at 7 pm will feature the work of acclaimed Spanish choreographer Carlos Pons Guerra. Moderated by Ballet Hispánico Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro, the program will include a showing by Guerra, as well as a lively discussion with the choreographer and the dancers. https://fs18.formsite.com/BalletHispanico/HHMfree/index.html

• On Saturday, October 14 from 8-10 pm, Ballet Hispánico will offer the inaugural performance of the Ballet Hispánico Tablao series. Headlined by internationally celebrated dancer Nelida Tirado, thistwo-hour intimate performance will bring the Flamenco nightclub scene to the intimate Penthouse Studio of Ballet Hispánico. Tickets are $20 and there will be refreshments. https://fs18.formsite.com/BalletHispanico/Tablao/index.html