Celebrate your heritage in Philly

Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC

A while back I gave you an intro to why Hispanic Heritage Month exists here in the United States; well get ready because tomorrow we get to start celebrating. So what are you doing to celebrate? Attending Restaurant week at a Latino themed restaurant? Hitting up Taller Puertorriqueño over the weekend for the 26th annual Feria del Barrio?

Either way, be sure to celebrate your heritage the way your ancestors would and remember who you are.

Below you'll find events in the upcoming weeks in Philly.

• In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Sesame Place presents a special show starring Maria—played by Sonia Manzano since 1973—and her pal Rosita, September 19-20. For kids, it’s a chance to learn the Spanish words of the day and to interact with two of Sesame Street’s most beloved characters. 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, (866) GO-4-ELMO, sesameplace.com
• Taller Puertorriqueño hosts its 26^th annual Feria del Barrio on September 20. One of Philadelphia’s largest celebrations of Latino music and culture, the event brings together thousands of residents to celebrate arts, education and community. Salsa sensation Foto Rodriguez y La Orquesta La Unica and reggaeton’s Zion y Lennox are among the musical acts scheduled to perform. 2721 N. 5^th Street, (215) 426-3311, tallerpr.org
• Philadelphia’s 47^th Annual Regional Puerto Rican Day Parade, held on September 27, is the oldest and largest outdoor event celebrating Puerto Rican and Latino heritage in the city. Complete with music, dancing and floats, the parade begins at 12:00 noon at 16^th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard, marches north along 16^th Street to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and winds up at Eakins Oval near the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (215) 627-3100, elconcilio.net
• The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts presents two Saturdays of musical acts, including flamenco artist Paco Peña (October 3) and the Panamanian jazz group Danilo Perez Trio with Lizz Wright (October 10). Concert goers are also encouraged to take the guided English-language building and theater tour while following along with a written translation in Spanish. Broad & Spruce Streets, (215) 893-1999, kimmelcenter.org

Museum Happenings:

• Visitors to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology can view a world-renowned collection of ancient Maya pottery excavated nearly 100 years ago from Chama, Guatemala. Painted Metaphors: Pottery and Politics of the Ancient Maya, on display now through January 31, 2010, includes about two dozen recently conserved painted vessels and focuses on the ordinary Maya people who lived more than a thousand years ago. 3260 South Street, (215) 898-4000, museum.upenn.edu
• From September 15 to October 15, visitors to the National Liberty Museum can take a self-guided tour through exhibitions that celebrate Hispanic and Latino heroes and history. Featured heroes on display include Roberto Clemente, Rigoberta Menchu, Cesar Chavez and Sandra Cisneros. 321 Chestnut Street, (215) 925-2800, libertymuseum.org
• Hispanic Heritage Month is extended at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where visitors can experience dance, art, and music from Central and South America and Mexico on October 30 and November 1. Those who head to the museum during Friday’s Art After 5 event can get down during the Day of the Dead Dance Party with Brooklyn-based band Cumbiagra, and on Sunday visitors can enjoy musical performances by the Johnny Cruz Latin Jazz Ensemble, a Make-and-Take Workshop and dance lessons for the whole family. 26^th Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (215) 763-8100, philamuseum.org

A New Restaurant:

• September marks the opening of Avenida, the first restaurant by husband-and-wife chef team Edgar and Kim Alvarez. The family-friendly spot will serve up Latin food inspired by chef and owner Edgar’s Guatemalan heritage. With all items priced under $20, diners can feast on quesadillas, tamales, enchiladas, fresh salsas and more. 7402 Germantown Avenue, (267) 385-6857, avenidarestaurant.com