The following is a listing of events and happenings in the Mid-Michigan Latino community:
Monday, January 29, 2024 7:00pm to 9:00pm – Michigan State University IM Circle Room 34. Tejano band Motivo which is a very popular band, will be performing. Dance instructors will also be on hand to teach different styles related to Tejano music and to talk a little about the social history. There will be free food. This is open to the public.
Friday, February 2, 2024, 6:00pm – The documentary “American Homeboy” will be shown during Chicano Week at the Lansing Shuffle 325 Riverfront Dr. Lansing, Michigan. Brought to you by Nuestra Cultura Multimedia Productions. The Director Brandon Loren Maxwell will be on hand and will offer a Q & A immediately after the film. Doors open at 5:00pm to network. For more information please contact: NuestraCultura.mi@gmail.com
Friday, February 9, 2024 5:00pm – Deadline to apply for the Ascend Program created by the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP). The program involves empowering, refining, enhancing and scaling 8 Hispanic and Latino businesses in a 6-month accelerator program with individualized business assessment, customized workplan development and one-on-one technical assistance. Ascend website: Ascend: Hispanic and Latino Business Accelerator Program (purelansing.com) To apply: ASCEND PROGRAM APPLICATION – LEAP Applications Portal (smapply.io). For more info: Jazmin Anderson jazmin@purelansing.com.
Thursday, February 15-18, 2024 – MSU Latinx Film Festival – Location: Various locations around Lansing. A biennial, curated film festival that serves the state of Michigan with a special focus on the Latinx communities of Michigan State University, the greater Lansing area and the mid-Michigan region. For more information, please contact msu.lxff@gmail.com or go to their website: MSU Latinx Film Festival
Tuesday, February, 20, 2024 – Cristo Rey Church will be hosting the Alzheimer’s Association Latino Community Forum Tuesday, February 20, 2024 starting at 6:00pm in the Guadalupe Hall. Dinner will be served to all participants and there is no charge to enter. Please RSVP with Ana Ramos at 616-459-7423 (call/text) or email her at amramos@alz.org.
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 – The Latino Business Conexión of Michigan Mixer (LBCM). First of four mixers for 2024. 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Sir Pizza Grand Cafe in Lansing’s Old Town District 201 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave. For more details contact the LBCM through their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550101664661
Monday, March 18, 2024 – LLEAD Luncheon. LLEAD will introduce their 6 pillars of the Latino Community and meet with MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz and the MSU Board of Trustees. For more information please contact Yesenia Murillo murilloy@michigan.gov or Guillermo Z. Lopez zamora0109@gmail.com.
Monday, March 25, 2024 – 14th Annual Cesar E. Chavez – Dolores Huerta Celebration (CCDHC) – Location – Kellogg Center on the Campus of Michigan State University. In a welcome addition to this program, the day will add workshops to the day’s event. Dinner, workshops, entertainment and networking. For more information please contact Jess Brandt at the College of Communications Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at herna369@msu.edu. To register for free: https://lnkd.in/gz683a8w
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 – “Fruits of Labor” film at 3:00 – 5:00pm. Location: MSU Main Library 366 W. Circle Dr. (Green Room 4th Floor West Wing), East Lansing, Michigan 48824. “Fruits of Labor” raises awareness of the challenges faced by women of color working in the fields and how the global food system intersects with gender and family life. The film screening will be followed up by a panel discussion and moderated Q&A. Registration required here: https://tinyurl.com/4nvj49hm.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 – Cesar E. Chavez Day Celebration 3:00pm – 4:00pm. An afternoon of celebrating Cesar E. Chavez and his legacy through an engaging call to action, performances food and more. This will be at the Cesar Chavez Learning Center which is located in the Arts & Sciences Building 1313 at Lansing Community College. Check back and Cafecito will post the flyer and RSVP link to register. Admission is free. For more information, please contact Olga Correa at correao1@lcc.edu.
Thursday, March 28, 2024 – 15th Annual City of Lansing Annual Memorial Celebration. Location: 124 W. Michigan Ave. 10th Floor, Lansing, Michigan 48933. 12:00pm to 1:00pm with a reception immediately following. For more information, please contact zamorag0109@gmail.com.
Friday, April 5, 2024 – Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan (HLCOM) Statewide Latino Graduation Ceremony. Event will be held at the Michigan Library and Historical Center located at 702 W. Kalamazoo St. Lansing, Michigan 48915. From 5:00pm to 6:45pm will be refreshments. Ceremony begins at 7:00pm. To register to be in the ceremony please fill out the form: https://bit.ly/HLCOMGraduation2024. For more information please contact: Marisa Constantini-Ramos ConstantiniRamosM@michigan.gov
Saturday, April 20, 2024 – Labor Council Latin American Advancement (LCLAA). 10th Annual Scholarship Luncheon to be held at the UAW Local 652 at 426 Clare St. Lansing, Michigan 48917 with a start time of 11:30am. Admission for adults is $10.00 and children under 10, $7.00. For tickets or more information please contact Maria Starr Van Core at mexiemary@gmail.com.
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 – The Latino Business Conexión of Michigan Mixer – Second of third mixer for 2024. 6:00pm to 8:00pm with a location to be announced soon. For more details contact the LBCM through their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550101664661
Saturday, August 3, 2024 – BIPOC Business Expo – Inaugural BIPOC Business Expo to be hosted on Multicultural Day at the Ingham County Fair. For more information, please contact Feliz Rodriguez at frodriguez@ingham.org
Sunday, August 9, 2024 – 3rd Annual LLEAD Golf Outing – Latino Leaders for Enhancement of Advocacy and Development. For more information, please contact Albert Flores through their Facebook Page: LLEAD Michigan | Facebook
Sunday, August 11, 2024 – 6th Annual Swing Fore Soles Charity Golf Outing. For more information, please contact Geronimo Lerma at 517-862-0197. Facebook Page: Facebook To Register: 2024 Swing Fore Soles (eventregisterpro.com)
Fri-Sun September 19-22, 2024, Our Space (517) Hispanic Heritage Weekend. Details coming soon. Website: 517 Culture Series | Hispanic Heritage Festival in Lansing, Michigan (ourspace517.com)
Monday, September 16, 2024 12:00pm at Lansing City Hall – Located at 124 W. Michigan Ave directly across from the State Capitol. Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration More details at http://www.lansingmi.gov
Mi ALMA Reception – Mi ALMA will host its dinner reception at “The View” which is located right behind Jackson Field, home of the Lansing Lugnuts. Tuesday, September 24, 2024, Mi ALMA will provide dinner with a cash bar (credit or debit card only) available. Start time will be 5:30pm to 8:00pm. Paid parking will be available across the street by the Lansing Center and Lansing Shuffle. There is limited parking around the stadium after 6:00 for free. Please RSVP to Maximo Anguiano at 517-899-1412 or email him at maximoamax@gmail.com. Website: https://mi-alma.org/
Friday, September 27, 2024 – 2nd Annual Cafecito Caliente Group Awards. Looking for sponsors. For more information, please contact Sein Paul Benavides 517-303-7001. Facebook Event Page: 2nd Annual Cafecito Caliente Awards | Facebook. Purchase Tickets: 2024 Cafecito Awards & Christmas Symposium Tickets – Cafecito Caliente
Saturday, October 5, 2024 – 16th Annual Cristo Rey Church Bazaar. Seeking vendors. For more information, please contact their office at 517-394-4639. Location is 201 E. Miller Rd. Lansing, Michigan 48911.
Monday, October 14, 2024 – Hoosiers Project begins.
Tuesday, October 22, 2024 – The Latino Business Conexión of Michigan (LBCM) Mixer – Last of three mixers for 2024. 6:00pm to 8:00pm with a location to be announced soon. For more details contact the LBCM through their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550101664661
Saturday, October 26, 2024 – Capital City Dia de los Muertos 5k Run/Walk/Roll hosted by Footprints of Michigan. Location: Granger Meadows Park at 1745 Granger Meadows Lane, Lansing, Michigan 48906. To Register and for more information: Capital City Dia de Los Muertos 5k Run/Walk/Roll Online Registration (runsignup.com)
Friday, November 1, 2024 – 4th Annual LLEAD Statewide Conference. For more information, please contact Albert Flores through their Facebook Page: LLEAD Michigan | Facebook.
DATE CHANGE: Wednesday, December 18, 2024 – 41st Annual Christmas Symposium. Seeking sponsors. 701 VFW located at 123 N. Rosemary Ave. Lansing, Michigan 48917. Cost: $25.00. For more information, please contact Co-Chairs John J. Castillo 517-575-8402 or Manuel Delgado 517-974-9235. Purchase tickets: https://cafecitocaliente.com/store/.
Friday, March 7, 2025 – Cristo Rey Church Fish Fry begins. Long known as one of the best Fish Fry’s around, the Knights of Columbus prepare dinner for everyone from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. For more information please contact their office at 517-394-4639. Location is 201 E. Miller Rd. Lansing, Michigan 48911.
Saturday, March 22, 2025 – 30th Annual Dia de la Mujer Conference at Michigan State University. The Annual Conference is the largest Latina conference in the Midwest. Held at the Kellogg Center on the Campus of Michigan State University, the conference attracts over 400 people. Vendors and workshops presenters needed. For more information, please contact Juan Flores at floresj2@vps.msu.edu or the MSU Office of Academic Transitions (OCAT) at 517-353-7745. To Register: DIA DE LA MUJER (msu.edu)
Friday, April 6, 2025 – 3rd Annual Quince Spectacular Event. To be held at the Eagle Eye Cadillac Room 15500 Chandler Rd. Bath, Michigan 48808. For those wishing to become a vendor or more information, please contact Sarah at sarah@pierresbridal.com. Facebook Event Page: Website: Welcome to Pierre’s Bridal – Pierres Bridal. Tickets: TBA
Friday, April 18, 2025 – 42nd Annual Via Crucis/Stations of the Cross. The Via Crucis refers to a series of images depicting Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion and accompanying prayers. Cristo Rey Church has performed this walking through the streets of Lansing from the State Capital to Cristo Rey Community Center. For more information, please contact their office at 517-394-4639. Location is 201 E. Miller Rd. Lansing, Michigan 48911.
Sunday, April 27, 2025 – Latin American Coed Softball League – 78th Annual Opening Day for the Latin Leagues. Looking for sponsors. For more information, please contact league President Sein Paul Benavides 517-303-7001. Facebook Page: Latin American Softball League 1948 – 2023 | Facebook
Saturday, May 3, 2025 – Cinco de Mayo. Mini Festival in front of the stadium with vendors, children’s activities, and Tejano Band. Lugnuts game at 7:00pm. Fireworks and then Tejano band to close out the night. For more information, please contact Sein Paul Benavides 517-303-7001.
Friday-Sunday May 23-25, 2025 – 46th Annual Cristo Rey Church Fiesta. Seeking volunteers. For more information, please contact their office at 517-394-4639. Location is 201 E. Miller Rd. Lansing, Michigan 48911.
Saturday, July 5, 2025 – 13th Annual Latino Night with the Lugnuts. Mini Festival in front of the stadium with vendors, children’s activities, and Tejano Band. Lugnuts game at 7:00pm. Fireworks and then Tejano band to close out the night. For more information, please contact Sein Paul Benavides 517-303-7001. Facebook Event Page: 11th Annual Latino Night with the Lugnuts | Facebook
Sunday, August 11, 2025 – Latin American Coed Softball Season Ending Tournament and Community Picnic. Looking for sponsors. For more information, please contact league President Sein Paul Benavides 517-303-7001. Facebook Page: Latin American Softball League 1948 – 2023 | Facebook
Saturday, August 16, 2025 – 3rd Annual Kids Vote For Favorite Flavor Ice Cream by Labor Council Latin American Advancement (LCLAA). Arctic Corner Ice Cream Shop partners with LCLAA using a real voting booth to teach kids how to vote. Kids under 12 receive a free ice cream cone. For more information please contact: Maria Starr Van Core 517-712-7056.
Monday, September 15, 2025, to October 15, 2025 – Sabor Latino 2025 – Collaboration between the Latino Business Conexión and Cafecito Caliente. For more information, please contact Sein Paul Benavides 517-303-7001.
Friday, September 26, 2025 – 3rd Annual Cafecito Caliente Group Awards. Sponsorship info upon request. For more information, please contact Sein Paul Benavides 517-303-7001.
Saturday, October 11, 2025 – 3rd Annual Latino Business Expo – Latino Business Conexión of Michigan (LBCM). Looking for sponsors. For more details contact the LBCM through their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550101664661.