The Latino Research Center at the University of Nevada, Reno will hold “El Grito of the University,” a celebration of arts, family and Latinx/Hispanic heritage roots with ties to past and modern lived experiences, on Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The celebration will begin with a lowrider cruise from 9 to 10 a.m. from downtown Reno to the University of Nevada, Reno North Blue Parking Lot, where performances and a tabling fair will be held to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month.
“El Grito” is known as a battle cry, which aligns with the Battle Born State and the University’s “Law of the Jungle” poem, helping to mark the strength of the University alongside the inclusion of both English and Spanish as a reflection of the community-university collaboration.
Throughout the day, lowrider cars will be on display. Lowriders are considered artistic masterpieces intertwined with Latinx/Hispanic identity, family and religion. Visually, the cars display vibrant colors, patterns and symbols; unlike other cars, they are designed to be slow-moving works of art, emblematic of Hispanic patriotism. As Hispanic soldiers returned from WWII, they took their military service funds and invested in cars that captured their history, family, patriotism and love of community.
Attendees will also enjoy entertainment from live musicians, folkloric ballet dancers and Aztec dancers as well as spoken word performances from University students. In addition, the event will feature a tabling fair of vendors with ties to the Latinx community. Those wishing to participate in the lowrider cruise or event tabling can register online with a $25 fee to join.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for the “El Grito” event through online donations or by check to University of Nevada, Reno, College of Liberal Arts, Attn: Stefanie Givens, 1664 N. տƵ St., Mail Stop 0086, Reno, NV 89557- 0086.
Interested individuals can learn more about the celebration on the “El Grito of the University” event page or by calling 775-784-4010 or emailing latinocenter@unr.edu or srodz@unr.edu.
This event is made possible, in part, by the support of the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, alongside the University’s Latino Research Center and the Center for Student Engagement, as well as additional grant-matching supports, such as City of Reno’s Councilman Oscar Delgado, Greater Nevada Credit Union, Concha Durham, the Discovery Museum, the local lowrider clubs, and numerous community members for their contributions.
