Dance, discussion, and watching inspiring video programs represent a new Latino Program Series in Hayward that starts later this month. The Hayward Area Historical Society (HAHS) will host a series of free public programming about national and local Latino history at their Museum of History and Culture in downtown Hayward.

“We are very proud to present these programs that look at Latino history on the national level and bring them to the local level through partnerships with community leaders like Francisco Zermeño, Edwin Contreras, Elisa Marquez, Alejandro Murgía, Adriana Sanchez and DJ Ray Robelo,” says HAHS Acting Education Director Brenda Salguero.

“This is the first time we're presenting a series like this,” adds Salguero. “When they attend the programs people can expect to learn a lot about not just Latino history, but American history.”

Selected programs will feature episodes from Latino Americans: 500 Years of History, the landmark PBS documentary series chronicling the rich and varied history of Latinos who helped shape North America over the last 500 years.

“The idea is to show the videos, then discuss them with a question and answer with a couple of different folks who have studied Latino history of the USA, especially California,” says scholar and Hayward City Council members Francisco Zermeño.

“Many do not know what really took place under Manifest Destiny and how the Latinos/Mexicans were affected,” adds Zermeño, who is facilitating several programs at the museum.

“People should attend in order to better understand the history of our past and how it has shaped our present and our upcoming future.”

[History Talks] Foreigners in Their Own Land
Thursday, March 24, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Watch the first episode of the documentary, Latino Americans: 500 Years of History. Stay afterwards for a discussion with scholars Francisco Zermeño and Edwin Contreras that explores the Hayward Area during the Mexican period.

[History Talks] Peril and Promise
Wednesday, April 27, 6:00-8:00pm
Watch episode six of the documentary, Latino Americans: 500 Years of History.  Afterward, Hayward City Council members Francisco Zermeño and Elisa Marquez will discuss the future of Latino voting power and our increasingly diverse educational system.

[History Talks] What is Latino?
Wednesday, May 25, 6:30-8:00pm
Hispanic, Chicano, Xicana, Latino - are all words used to describe people of Latin American descent living in America. What does it all mean? This panel, featuring San Francisco State Professor and San Francisco Poet Laureate, Alejandro Murgia, explores the question of what is Latinidad? And how does identity affect the "Latino" community.

Dance Lesson: ¡Cumbia!
Thursday, June 30, 6:30-8:00pm
Learn to dance Cumbia! This fast paced, fun, and passionate music has taken Latin America and America by storm.  Featuring Cumbia dance instructor Adriana Sanchez from Colombian Soul and DJ Ray Robelo.

More information about the programs can be found at www.haywardareahistory.org