Here's how Battle Creek is celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month officially kicked off Wednesday with the first of a series of celebrations held in Battle Creek.

Voces, a nonprofit organization that serves Battle Creek's Latino and Hispanic community, hosted a food tasting event outside its headquarters at 520 W. Michigan Ave., including games and cultural learning activities.

"Basically, what we are trying to do is show the presence of the Latinx community in Battle Creek and what our journeys have been like since moving here from a different country or a different state," said Michelle Salazar, community liaison for Voces. "Showing the support we've received in Battle Creek to get rooted here, to start a life, to start a business, and to become part of the community."

National Hispanic Heritage Week was signed into law in 1968 before it became a monthlong celebration in 1988. September 15 was selected as the starting date because it is the shared anniversary of independence for Hispanic nations Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile and Belize celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16, 18 and 21, respectively.

Here is how Battle Creek is celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Week:

• Virtual concert: Willard Library is hosting a virtual concert with José-Luis Orozco, who plays acoustic guitar as he sings traditional Latin American children’s songs and original compositions. The Facebook event begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

• Free movie in the park: Voces has partnered with the Battle Creek Latin-American Heritage Initiative to host a free movie in the park event from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday at Friendship Park.

The event will include free tacos and empanadas from Torti Taco, face paintings by Battle Creek artist Teaira Gray and live music by La Celestina y los Sanchez. The event culminates with a screening of the 2021 musical film "In the Heights" based on the stage musical of the same name by  Quiara Alegría Hudes and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

• Burma Center Fiesta: Food, music, games, face painting, community organizations and bounce house from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday at the Burma Center, 765 Upton Ave. in Springfield.

• Nachito Herrera concert: At 1 p.m. Sept. 25, the world-renowned Cuban jazz pianist will perform a free concert at Leila Arboretum at 928 W. Michigan Ave.

For more information, visit vocesbc.org.

Contact reporter Nick Buckley at nbuckley@battlecreekenquirer.com or 269-966-0652. Follow him on Twitter:@NickJBuckley