BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion invites the community to two upcoming events to celebrate Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month.
On October 4 at 7 p.m., the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts will be the setting for Jazz and Java, an event that highlights the era of the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s and the blend of African-American Jazz and Latin American Salsa, Cha-Cha-Cha, Merengue and music influence.
Dr. James Moore, interim president of West Virginia Wesleyan College and an accomplished Jazz musician, will be performing.
Latin Jazz percussionist Yamil Conga, will also take the stage. Conga tours nationally and internationally bringing educational lectures on the conga drum and salsa music. A native of Puerto Rico, Conga now resides in Nashville where he is the conguero for the Nashville Salsa Machine, Roland Barber, Souvenir, Lalo Davila and Friends and jazz pianist Tyron Hamilton, percussionist for The Mr. Moons band, drummer for Tod Gnovsky and back-up drummer for Reckless. Conga is also the musical director and band leader for Alison Brazil.
Dr. Tamara Bailey, assistant professor of history, will present the history of the “Rent Party.” Bring your favorite poetry of the era or original spoken word for an open mic. Aladdin Catering will provide an assortment of chocolate desserts and a java bar. The event is free and open to the public.
Conga will also present a Lunch and Learn opportunity on Wednesday, Oct. 5 at noon in the Annie Merner Pfeiffer Library. All are welcome.
Laurie Goux, director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, said, “Through our celebration of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, we acknowledge the contributions that have enriched American culture and honor the ancestors from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.”
Annually, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15, with the independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua thru Oct. 15, 2022.
