GRAND RAPIDS, September 1, 2022: The Grand Rapids Public Library (GRPL) celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with online and in-person programs for both kids and adults. Programs include panel discussions by special guests and local organizations, storytimes, live music at the library, and so much more.
The month-long event will culminate at a day-long Dia de los Muertos Festival . All events take place between Thursday, September 15 – Thursday, November 3, 2022.
GRPL’s series of educational and entertaining programming includes:
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage
Thursday, September 15 – Thursday, November 3, 2022
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage with the Grand Rapids Public Library!
Our celebration designed for kids and adults features special storytimes, celebrity guests, live music by local bands, important community conversations and so much more! Our celebration will conclude with a day-long Día de los Muertos Festival for all ages. Special thanks to the Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation for their support of these programs.
Hispanic Heritage Game Day
Friday, September 30,2022, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Main Library – 111 Library St NE
Join the Grand Rapids Public Library for a classic Bingo game, Loteria, and test your knowledge with trivia about Hispanic history and culture. This family-friendly event is designed for all ages. Games will be played in both English and Spanish.
Music in the Stacks: Cabildo
Thursday, September 29, 2022, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Main Library – 111 Library St NE, First Floor
Enjoy local music at the Grand Rapids Public Library!
Featuring emerging and established talent, Music in the Stacks is a fun and lively event designed for all ages.
Concerts take place in the book stacks on the first floor of the Main Library. Seating is first come, first served.
Cabildo is a West Michigan based alternative Latin rock collective. They deliver a unique blend of cumbia, ska, folk and other genres of music from Latin and South America.
Fiesta Storytimes
Join members of the community and GRPL staff for a bilingual book reading! Latino music, snacks, and free children’s books will be available while supplies last at these events celebrating Hispanic Heritage.
Monday, October 3, 2022
5:00 – 6:30 pm | Seymour Branch – 2350 Eastern SE
Thursday, October 20, 2022
5:00 – 6:30 pm | West Side Branch – 713 Bridge St NW
Music in the Stacks: Gabriel Estrada III
Thursday, October 6, 2022, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Main Library – 111 Library St NE, First Floor
Enjoy local music at the Grand Rapids Public Library!
Featuring emerging and established talent, Music in the Stacks is a fun and lively event designed for all ages.
Concerts take place in the book stacks on the first floor of the Main Library. Seating is first come, first served.
Influenced by music at an early age, Gabriel Estrada III joined his first youth mariachi group at age 12 in his Texas hometown. Later, he started the first Mariachi Ensemble at GRCC and went on to receive the Legacy Award for Regional Mexican Music at the Grand Rapids Latin Music Awards for his representation and outstanding leadership in Ranchera/Mariachi music in West Michigan.
Grand Rapids’ Dia de los Muertos Festival
Sunday, October 30, 2022, 3:00 – 7:00 pm
Roosevelt Park- 1340 Godfrey Ave SW, Grand Rapids 49503
¡Celebrate Día de los Muertos!
Enjoy a community-created Día de los Muertos display at Roosevelt Park. Elaborate altars honoring family and friends who have passed away will be on display throughout the afternoon for attendees to view.
Music, latino food, workshops, and crafts will also be available during this day-long festival.
A Day of the Dead procession from the Hispanic Center of West Michigan to Roosevelt Park will take place from 2:00- 3:00 pm. The community is encouraged to meet at the parking lot of the
Hispanic Center of West Michigan and join the walking parade toward the festival.
Public Día de los Muertos Altars
Friday, October 21 – Thursday, November 3, 2022, during open hours
Madison Square Branch – 1201 Madison SE
Main Library – 111 Library St NE
Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities’ Cook Library Center – 1100 Grandville Ave SW
Experience altars created by talented artist Reyna Garcia. The altars highlight the significance of the Dia de los Muertos celebration within some of our Hispanic cultures. Printed educational material will be available for everyone that visits the altars.
Latinx Figures Craft Kits
Stop by and pick up a free craft kit! These take-home kits include age-appropriate crafts for kids, and have helpful inserts to help parents and kids get to know three different Latinx figures: Louis Agassiz Fuertes, Ynés Mexía, and Susana Torre.
Craft kits can be picked up at any GRPL location and at the Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities’ Cook Library Center (1100 Grandville Ave SW) September 15 – November 3. Available while supplies last.
Pick up an Altar Kit
Parents and teachers, build an educational altar kit with your kids! Share this Día de los Muertos tradition through hands-on learning.
Kits contain information about altar building and the supplies you need to create your own! Each kit will include the following: Día de los Muertos altar fact sheet, tea light candles, incense sticks, fake marigolds, paper sugar skulls, fake fruit pieces, cut paper banners, tissue paper craft, and picture frames. Altar kits are available to pick up at all GRPL locations and at the Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities’ Cook Library Center October 3 – 30, 2022 while supplies last! Limit one kit per family or classroom.
In addition to free programming at the library, GRPL is offering Latinx Figures Craft Kits craft kits. These take-home kits include age-appropriate crafts and coloring pages for kids, and include information to help families learn about four different Latinx figures: Louis Agassiz Fuertes, Ynés Mexía, and Susana Torre.. Craft kits can be picked up at any GRPL location. Available while supplies last.
Parents and teachers can also pick up an altar kit to build an educational altar at home or in the classroom. Atar kits are available to pick up at all GRPL locations and at the Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities between October 3 – 30, 2022 while supplies last. Limit one kit per family or classroom.
All library events are free and open to the public. Visit www.grpl.org/hispanicheritage or call 616.988.5400 for more information. The Grand Rapids Public Library inspires opportunity, connection, and innovation.
Funding for these programs is provided by the Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation.