Hispanic Austin

From Food and Music to Art and Cinema, Hispanic Influences can be found around Austin.

Austin was twice named by Hispanic magazine as the "number one city in the U.S. for Hispanics to live and work." And one of the best ways to sample local Hispanic culture is through tasty, authentic cuisine. Bona fide dishes such as pollo en mole and pescado veracruzano are found at popular eateries such as El Sol y La Luna, or the Sunday brunch at Fonda San Miguel. Still looking to satisfy your taste for Tex-Mex? No problem. Ask a local about their favorite spot. There's great food to be had at every turn.

For a cultural experience like no other, head to the University of Texas at Austin campus. In the spring of 2006, the university's Blanton Museum moved into its new home: an awe-inspiring 180,000-square-foot museum complex at MLK and Congress. The new facility boasts one of the oldest and most comprehensive collections of Latin American art in the country. Featuring more than 2,000 works by 600 artists from Mexico, South and Central America, and the Carribean, the collection demonstrates the rich diversity of the region.

At the Mexic-Arte Museum, revolving exhibits pay tribute to traditional and contemporary Mexican, Latino and Latin American art and culture. The museum also sponsors the city's largest Day of the Dead celebration- a Mexican holiday held on November 1-2 celebrating the memory of deceased ancestors. Festivities include street festivals, live music, theatrical performances, costume contests and a spirited parade.

More Latino and Chicano art is available at La Pena. Part art gallery, part educational organization and part cultural center, La Pena features rotating exhibits by well-known artists such as Nivia Gonzalez, Sam Coronado and Ester Hernandez. But that's not all. La Pena also sponsors film festivals, musical performances, instructional lectures and literary festivals.

Still looking for more? The annual Cine Las Americas, held every spring at various venues throughout the city, features an international festival of new Latin cinema. For laughs, check out the Latino Comedy Project, a Tejano Spanglish-speaking touring sketch comedy troupe, which performs at different locations throughout Austin. Or, head to the Austin Latino Music Association's "Sonidos del Barrio" (Sounds of the Barrio) musis series, which showcases a broad array of musical styles. Austin celebrates Latino Music Month in May with performances throughout the city.

ANNUAL EVENTS

April

Cine Las Americas International Film Festival

Various venues

Since 1997, the Cine Las Americas International Film Festival has established itself as the leading Latin American film festival in the southern United States. Cine Las Americas breaks new ground by bringing Native and Latino films and filmmakers from throughout the Americas to a diverse public in Austin, Texas, a city recognized for its outstanding vitality in film and the arts.

www.cinelasamericas.org

May
Cinco de Mayo Music Festival
Fiesta Gardens
Event celebrates the Battle of Puebla where poorly equipped farmers turned back an invading French armada. Live music, food, arts and crafts, carnival rides and jalapeno-eating contest are part of the festivities.
512-867-1999      

www.austin-cincodemayo.com

May

Latino Music Month

Various venues

During Latino Music Month, the local Latino music scene holds events and concerts throughout the month of May.

www.austinlatinomusic.com

September

Diez Y Seis de Septiembre Celebration

Mexican Independence Day is commemorated with a performance of Mexican folk dances by Roy Lozano's Ballet Folklorico de Texas; conjunto music by Johnny Degollado and his Conjunto, and the singing of Ruby Marie Sambrano and new Texas singer Ernesto Velasquez and other performers.

Day of the Dead

Mexic-Arte Museum