Latino Cultural Center
2600 Live Oak St., Dallas
214/671-0045
dallasculture.org/latinocc
Hours: 10am–5pm Tue–Sat.
Admission: Free admission to art galleries; fees may be required for some events.
Parking: Free parking.
At five stories or 72 feet high, the signature purple tower in the Latino Cultural Center’s outdoor plaza is easy to spot just east of the Dallas Arts District. The late Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta designed it that way – to appear as a lighthouse, drawing in the masses.
The LCC opened in 2003, and the part-art space with two exhibit galleries and part-theater space with a 300-seat performance hall for plays, dances, musical acts and films provides a meeting place for families to learn about and experience Latino heritage – wherever your own family lands on the spectrum of cultures. “We’re expanding the idea of what it means to be Latino and breaking through stereotypes because the culture is so rich and diverse,” says Patricia Morales, cultural programs coordinator.
This April, the best way to experience the LCC is by visiting its family-friendly exhibit of works by award-winning children's book illustrator David Díaz, in combination with Target Second Saturday, a free program that’s tailored just for children. For The Many Faces of David Díaz, on display through April 27, take a close look at images from 15 children’s books, including winners of the Caldecott Medal and Newberry Honor as well as Me, Frida, another award-winning title about Mexican painter Frida Kahlo’s move to San Francisco, where she launched her career. To help guide children through the gallery, pick up a workbook at the entrance and complete the activities together.
Save your trip to see the exhibit until Target Second Saturday on April 13 for Houston-based Express Children’s Theatre’s Legends of Wind and Fire, a bilingual production that explores several Native Americans myths. Each month organizers feature different performers as part of its free children’s programming, along with bilingual storytelling sessions, art workshops, films or dance.
On Sunday, April 28, check out Día del Niño, a special event for niñas and niños of all ages with theater and dance performances, drop-in visual art activities and storytelling in the galleries. The third annual program will be all about rhythm and movement, so kids will get moving with soccer games, Zumba classes as well as an instrument-making workshop.
Stay tuned for more family-friendly performances and festivals in the coming year – such as the annual Posada parade in December – all of which celebrate a different aspect of Latino heritage and its ever-evolving local culture.
