While Little Village celebrated the Mexican Independence Day Parade this past weekend, the actual date of Mexican independence is just around the corner. Mexico won its independence from Spain exactly 200 years ago this Wednesday, and a number of cultural institutions throughout the city will be celebrating with events throughout the week. So get out your green, white and red, and get ready to celebrate the bicentennial all over town.
El Grito de Independencia
Two hundred years ago, Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla gathered his congregation in the small town of Dolores, Mexico, and uttered a famous cry that launched the Mexican War of Independence. Now, every year on the night of September 15th, Mexican political and community leaders cry out in patriotic celebration to commemorate that rebellion. This year, the grito, or cry, will be heard in Millennium Park, preceded by music, dance and much more.
Wednesday, September 15
Performances begin at 5:30 p.m., el grito at 9 p.m.
Millennium Park, Chicago
Traditions Retold at the Field Museum
The nativity scene is one of the most iconic images of Christianity. This temporary exhibit at Chicago's anthropology museum looks at how Mexican Christians interpreted that scene through the lens of their indigenous cultural institutions. For instance, in the above image, the angels are dressed in native Mexican clothing, and one plays the traditional Mexican jarana.
Opens Wednesday, September 15
Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Community Concert
The CSO will feature a guest conductor for their performance at the Benito Juarez Community Academy: Carlos Miguel Prieto, the conductor of the Orquestra Sinfónica de Mexico, who received raves for his work with the CSO in May. The concert, free to the public, will feature works from three influential Mexican composers,
Thursday, September 16, 7:00 p.m.
Benito Juarez Community Academy, 2150 South Laflin Street, Chicago
Latino Music Festival Opening Concert
Virtuoso pianist Mauricio Nader will play at the Art Institute along with Mexican cellist Ignacio Nader. They, too, will perform the works of many of the great Mexican composers; the concert is free with admission to the museum.
Friday, September 17, 6:30 p.m.
Art Institute of Chicago, 111 South Michigan Avenue
Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival
This spirited musical festival will feature performances, dance, a DJ set, and a children's area with an inflatable to play on and visits from local team mascots.
Friday, September 17 - Saturday, September 18, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Millennium Park, Chicago