Oakton joins in celebrating Latino and Hispanic culture

(Jan. 26, 2016) Oakton joins in the community wide celebration, Coming Together in Skokie and Niles Township, whose theme this year is ¡Viva! The annual program, now in its seventh year, builds on the knowledge, awareness and appreciation of the diversity represented in Skokie and Niles Township. Running January - March, Coming Together features book discussions, lectures, special events and more celebrating Latino and Hispanic culture.

The festivities kicks off at 1 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 31, at Niles West High School, 5701 Oakton Street, Skokie, with an event hosted by Lourdes Duarte of WGN-TV. The opening event also includes an art display, music and a book exchange.

The first Coming Together in Skokie and Niles Township event at the college is “The Iberian Inquisition Comes to the Americas,” from 4 - 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17, at Oakton’s Skokie campus, 7701 N. Lincoln Avenue, Room P103. Enjoy a panel discussion about the little known history of the Inquisition and its repercussions in the “new world,” the Americas.

Check out these other stimulating Coming Together events sponsored by the Oakton Community College Library:

Into the Beautiful North, Book Discussion
Saturday, February 27, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., Room P103, Skokie campus
Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea is a quest novel in the grand tradition, though there are no knights, magic rings, or lightsabers within its pages. It is set in the present day, in the highly charged world of the U.S.–Mexico border region. Explore the book’s timely themes. This event is made possible through “The Big Read” program grant awarded to Evanston Public Library.

Evening of Latino and Hispanic Culture
Thursday, March 3, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Room P104, Skokie campus
Join Oakton’s students and community members for a festival of music, dance, food and fun. The $3 entrance fee includes food and entertainment. Children under 5 are free.

Sumak Kawsay and Suma Qama: Learning about and from the Indigenous Communities of Bolivia and Peru
Thursday, March 10, 2 - 3:30 p.m. Room 1604, Des Plaines campus, 1600 E. Golf Road
Gain unique insight from Oakton faculty members who went to Bolivia and Peru as part of a five-week Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Grant in the summer of 2015.

Salsa in America, Discussion and Performance
Monday, March 21, 12 - 1:30 p.m., Skokie campus cafeteria
Join Laura Flores and Del Dominguez of Mixed Motion Art Dance Academy as they dance “salsa” and discuss the evolution of the dance in the United States.

The Book of Unknown Americans, Book Discussion
Thursday, March 31, Noon - 1:15 p.m., Room A151, Skokie campus
Explore this dazzling, heartbreaking novel that gives voice to millions of Americans as it tells the story of the love between a Panamanian boy and a Mexican girl.

For a full list of Coming Together events, visit comingtogether.in.