Tidewater Community College celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month under the national theme, “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation.”

The college’s keynote event honors Hispanic culture through dance. Come and enjoy an evening of exceptional performances as we learn about “La History Humana” (The Human Story). The event will be held on Oct. 19, 2022, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the TCC Roper Performing Arts Center, 340 Granby Street in Norfolk.

This keynote event is presented by Norfolk’s Todd Rosenlieb Dance (TR Dance) as well as TCC’s Student Life and Global and Intercultural Learning Committee. Additionally, the event is free and open to the public.

Also, this year’s keynote event includes four dance presentations as follows:

• The Horse of Many Colors is based on a Latino folk tale. It narrates the story of a magical creature who rewards, with magical assistance, the kindness of a boy named Juanito in winning the hand of the daughter of the mayor in a Hispanic town. Choreographed by Artistic Director Todd Rosenlieb and commissioned by Ballets De San Juan, Puerto Rico’s premiere professional dance company, this witty tale is full of humor and folkloric strokes expressed in a dance narrative full of athleticism, creativity and imagination.

• Migajas de un Vals is a contemporary piece choreographed by Omar Nieves Delgado, former principal of Coda 21, Puerto Rico’s acclaimed contemporary dance company and Ballets de San Juan. Scored by the sound of Spanish songwriter Silvia Pérez Cruz y Påjaro, this work is filled with thoughts of love, lust and urban tones present in today’s Latinx generation of artists.

• YMA is set to the virtuoso sound of Latina icon Yma Sumac. This modern dance work, choreographed by Rosenlieb, is a homage to Latino rhythms and shapes in a celebration of Hispanic culture full of exuberance and joy.

• Campestre is choreographed by Ricardo Melendez, the former artistic director of the Ballet de San Juan. The dance is set to the romantic sound of Susana Baca, a well-known Peruvian singer and songwriter. This excerpt is the central piece to a larger work that explores the joys and pains of Latino peasant folks through a dance language combining classical and folkloric influences. This romantic duet is full of longing images and shapes, wrapped in sensual undertones and performed with breathtaking ability.

After the performances, a panel discussion will feature TR Dance’s Melendez speaking on how dance can be used to grow acceptance and cultural inclusivity. Other panel members include moderator Lynette Hauser, Ph.D., TCC biology professor and a member of the Global and Intercultural Learning Committee; Olga Torres Baker, primary consultant, Taina Consulting and Commissioner of the Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission; and TCC Spanish professor Jessica Lynam, Ph.D.

Additional Hispanic Heritage Month events include campus and virtual events including:

Sept. 15 – 12:30 p.m.
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
Virginia Beach Campus Student Center
Kick-off Hispanic Heritage Month at the beach with food and activities.

Sept. 21 – 3 p.m.
Hispanic Heritage Month – Movie
Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, TV Lounge
Join us for the documentary “Guatemala: Heart of the Mayan World” in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Sept. 28 – 12:30 p.m.
Hispanic Heritage Month Fall Fiesta and Org Storm
Chesapeake Campus Student Center, Chesapeake Bay Room
Join the campus community for a Hispanic Heritage Month Fall Fiesta and also learn about student organizations by visiting with club members during Org Storm.

Oct. 12 – 12:30 p.m.
Actor Jackie Cruz shares her survival story
Virtual
Singer, actress and musician Jackie Cruz rose to fame with her role as Flaca in the Netflix series “Orange Is The New Black.” Cruz shares an inspiring story of survival, beating overwhelming odds, and pursuing and achieving your dreams.

Oct. 13 – 7 p.m.
Virtual Trivia Stream | Hispanic Heritage Month Edition
Virtual
Get online and check out our Virtual Trivia Stream for Hispanic Heritage Month!

For more information about campus events, visit TCC’s online calendar or email Dean Emily Hartman at ehartman@tcc.edu.