The Latino Cultural Center gently sits on the outskirts of downtown. You may have passed by its rich, terracotta facade as you were entering or leaving Deep Ellum without fully realizing the culture and history that its four walls contains. The mission of the center is to, “… serve as a regional catalyst for the preservation and development of Latino and Hispanic arts and culture”, according to their website. The Latino Cultural Center hosts a variety of art exhibitions, bilingual public programs, educational activities, special events that help bring to the forefront and highlight the diverse, and delicate, Latino ecosystem that enriches the history of the city of Dallas. When we last visited, they were hosting the annual juried art exhibition titled, Hecho en Dallas (Made in Dallas), highlighting the works of local artists.

That same night, as part of the 6th annual Latindades Theatre Festival, I was able to attend the world premiere of Yemaya Flamenco, featuring The Flame Foundation, The New Orleans Original BuckShop, and Mulato Teatro. The show hosted by Cara Mia Theatre ran for only two days giving the audience a glimpse into the dynamic synergy between four renowned performance companies representing cultures from Spain, Mexico and New Orleans. The show consisted of rhythmic music, cultural songs and dancing and an audience engaged ending that lit up the room with boisterous dance and applause.

Since its inception in 1966, Cara Mia Theatre has produced countless plays and other exhibitions using and uplifting local and national Latinx writers. If you are looking to support a local arts program and experience the Latino culture from unique perspectives, look no further.

For the latest play and exhibition schedule for the Cara Mia Theatre, visit their website.

A full view of the latest calendar of events for the Latino Cultural Center can be found here.