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This content was published: April 7, 2015. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.

Semana de la Raza set for ninth year

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semanaPosterPortland Community College’s celebration of Latino culture is back for its ninth year.

The Rock Creek Campus, 17705 NW Springville Road, is hosting Semana de la Raza (“Week of the people”) from April 20-24. This event, which has a theme this year of “Un Dia a la Vez, Hasta la Victoria,” or “One Day at a Time, Until Victory,” is the college’s annual celebration of Latino culture. It features a weeklong schedule of workshops, speakers and entertainment. It is free and open to the public.

  • Highlights of the week include:
    A traditional “El Mercado,” showcasing food, art and music from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., April 20 & 21, at the Building 7 outdoor mall area.
  • The Mitotiliztli Tezcatlipoca Aztec Dance Performance from 5-6 p.m., Tuesday, April 21, at the Building 7 outdoor mall area.
  • The Immigration Memorial Wall will be on display from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday, April 23 at the Building 7 outdoor mall area. The border display shows the path many individuals take when crossing the Mexico/United States border. It will exhibit stories depicting the struggles people have when crossing the border and the reasons why they chose to make the journey.

In addition, there will be a Cuban salsa lesson for the public (2-3 p.m., Tuesday, April 21), a college education session for young Latino high school students (8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday, April 22), a migrant camp service project (9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, April 24), and more. Every day there will be events for students and the whole family. Semana de la Raza is sponsored by the Rock Creek Campus Multicultural Center.

About James Hill

James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »