Viva La Cultura

Running through Oct. 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the vast influence of Hispanic and Latino Americans on the country’s culture, food, and history. More than nine percent of Leadership Everyone VOICE session participants attending in Vanderburgh County identified as Hispanic or Latino origin, the third largest ethnicity in locally reported. HOLA got the party started in August with its annual Hola Latino Festival, but festivities continue for several more weeks. Here are five ways to celebrate.

Latino Resource Day
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 30, Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library Central, 200 S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
More than 20 regional organizations will share their resources for Evansville’s Latino community, including Albion Fellows Bacon Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Indiana, and Cancer Pathways Midwest.

Hoosier Latino Celebration: Heritage Days & Nights
Through Sept. 30, Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis, Indiana
This event by the Indiana Historical Society requires a drive up to Indianapolis but is well worth the trip. In addition to making Mexican tin art, Peruvian weaving, and Taino rock carvings, visitors can see music and dance performances and discuss Latino culture with expert panelists. Admission is free on Sept. 30.

Presentation by Eduardo Chavez
5 p.m. Oct. 2, University of Evansville’s Eykamp Hall, 1800 Lincoln Ave.
This free event features a screening of Eduardo Chavez’s — grandson of both the labor and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez and Cuban revolutionary Max Lesnik — 2018 documentary, “Hailing Cesar,” followed by a Q&A. Chavez will discuss his documentary and podcast, “We Are Latinx.”

Fiesta Evansville
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 8, Wesselman Park, 551 N. Boeke Road
This annual event, among the region’s largest Latino festivals, features cultural exhibits, international performances from Grupo Bembe and Alejandra Sandoval Garcia, and authentic cuisine.

Piñata Contest
Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library Central, 200 S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Drop off through Oct. 15 • Voting runs Oct. 23-Nov. 1
Fire up your creativity with this contest. Children up to age 18 may register one homemade piñata each, which will be displayed at EVPL Central and open for public voting in mid-October. Awards will be handed out at a ceremony Nov. 4.

Presentation by Abraham Brown
6-8 p.m. Oct. 26, University of Southern Indiana’s Carter Hall, 8600 University Blvd.
At this free event hosted by USI’s Multicultural Center, this free event, Evansville Latino Center Director Abraham Brown will draw on his experience as a Latino entrepreneur, business owner and community organizer.

Craving an authentic Latin American meal? Evansville boasts several options for hungry patrons. Brown, also the co-owner of La Campirana, gives his top recommendations when dining out for Hispanic Heritage Month:

Chicken Tinga Quesadilla from La Campirana
724 N. Burkhardt Road
The traditional cheese-and-tortilla quesadilla gets an upgrade with savory shredded chicken marinaded in a sauce of tomatoes, chipotle chilis, and sliced onions. Don’t miss La Campirana’s menu options at Arcademie Bar in Downtown Evansville.

Chilaquiles from Frankie’s Restaurant
6840 Logan Drive
One of Evansville’s newest restaurants serves this Mexican corn tortilla-and-salsa dish with salsa, sour cream, feta cheese, onions, and two eggs served any style, making it a fast, filling selection for breakfast.

Empanadas Colombianas from Sabor Colombia Food Truck
Made of fried dough that can be stuffed with beef or chicken and potatoes, this street food from a new food truck, Sabor Colombia is filling and delicious.

Pork Rib Carnitas from El Paisano Tienda y Taqueria
225 S. Green River Road
The tender, flavorful cuts of pork ribs in this torta can be paired with other refreshments, such as aguas frescas, found at this Latin market.

Mexican Street Corn from La Michoacana on Wheels Food Truck
Named for a woman hailing from the Michoacán state in Mexico, this new Evansville truck matches takes a savory food staple — corn on the cob — and adds extra flavor.

Chicken Fajitas from Los Bravos Restaurant 
6226 Waterford Blvd. • 4630 W. Lloyd Expressway • 3534 N. First Ave.
The sound of sizzling veggies announces itself a moment before the steam facial commences as this favorite dish is served. Los Bravos — whom Evansville Living readers named this year’s Best Latin Restaurant — puts a fun spin on fajitas by serving one variation in half of a hollowed-out pineapple.

Peruvian Ceviche from Gollita Peruvian Cuisine
4313 E. Morgan Ave., Suite H
The Andes-influence restaurant insists on making this seafood dish traditionally spicy by flavoring it with rocoto peppers. Lemon, garlic, and red onion help balance the heat of this fresh, simple dish.

Pupusas from Miranda Taqueria and Pupuseria
2008 Washington Ave.
This El Salvadorian dish is the ultimate snack food. Fried and often stuffed with cheese, refried beans, or squash, Miranda Taqueria and Pupuseria also throws in pork or jalapenos to give the pupusas a delectable boost.

Shrimp Cocktail from Los Portales Mexican Grill
3339 N. Green River Road
The classic shrimp cocktail is punched up with fresh tomatoes, onions, lime juice, cilantro, and spices.