With our rich Latino culture right here in western New England, you’ll find relevant programming on NEPM that explores Hispanic heritage all year round. And during the nation’s official Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) there’s even more!
WATCH
POV: Bulls and Saints
Watch Monday, Sept. 18 at 10 p.m. on NEPM TV
After 20 years of living in the United States, an undocumented family decides to return home. Little do they know; it will be the most difficult journey of their lives and reawaken an intense desire for a place to belong. Set between the rodeo arenas of North Carolina and the spellbinding Mexican town they yearn for, “Bulls and Saints” is a love story about reverse migration, rebellion, and redemption.
Becoming Frida Kahlo
Tuesdays, Sept. 19 – Oct. 3 at 9 p.m. on NEPM TV
This striking new three-part series strips away the myths to reveal the real Frida — a passionate and brilliant artist living through extraordinary times. The series explores the major events of Kahlo's life, both personal and political, from her lifelong health problems to her complicated relationship with artist Diego Rivera. Throughout her life Kahlo used her artwork as a way to process her own emotions, producing what are now some of the most valuable – and most widely reproduced — paintings of the twentieth century.
Independent Lens: Sansón and Me
Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 10 p.m. on NEPM TV
Filmmaker Rodrigo Reyes wants to document Sansón's story, an immigrant serving life in prison. Unable to film Sansón, the documentary creatively shares his narrative through reenactments of his letters, featuring his own family as actors.
American Masters
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It.
Thursday, Sept. 21 at 9 p.m. on NEPM TV
Discover how Rita Moreno defied her humble upbringing and racism to become one of a select group of Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winners. Explore her 70-year career with new interviews, clips of her iconic roles and scenes of the star on set today.
36th Hispanic Heritage Awards 2023
Friday, Sept. 29 at 9 p.m. on NEPM TV
Celebrate the recipients of the 36th annual Hispanic Heritage Awards. The evening includes performances and appearances by some of the country's most celebrated Hispanic artists and visionaries.
American Masters: A Song for Cesar
Friday, Sept. 29 at 10 p.m. on NEPM TV
This documentary presents a unique view of the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez and the farm worker movement. The film tells a previously untold story about the musicians and artists — including Joan Baez, Maya Angelou, and Carlos Santana, among others — who dedicated their time, creativity and even reputations to peacefully advance Cesar Chavez’s movement to gain equality and justice for America’s suffering farm workers.
STREAM
NEPM Newsroom En Español
With increasing frequency, the NEPM news team produces Spanish-language versions of local news stories, including these:
En Springfield, 5 candidatos a la alcaldía competirán por 2 puestos el martes
Subsecretaria se compromete con comunidades del oeste de Mass. en cuestiones de justicia ambiental
Ecuatorianos en Springfield izan la bandera y reflexionan sobre la crisis en su país natal
La Frontera with Pati Jinich
Savor the sights, sounds and flavors of the U.S.-Mexico border alongside acclaimed chef Pati Jinich as she experiences the region’s rich culture, people and cuisine. Stream with NEPM Passport.
America ReFramed: We Like It Like That
Created by largely Puerto Rican, Cuban and African American youths living alongside each other in the 1960s, Boogaloo served as an authentic and vibrant cultural expression. The film explores a pivotal moment in '60s music history when blues, funk and traditional Caribbean rhythms were fused to define a new generation of urban Latinos.
America ReFramed: The Unafraid
Banned from attending Georgia’s top five public universities and from paying in-state tuition at other public colleges in the state, DACA students like Alejandro, Silvia, and Aldo unite through their activist work with an immigrants’ rights group. A humanizing portrait of the undocumented, we learn of their struggles as working families support their children in pursuit of their dreams. Stream with NEPM Passport.
Great Performances: Roots of Latin Jazz
Enjoy the rhythms of Latin music with the Raices Jazz Orchestra and performances by GRAMMY-winning artists including Richard Bona and Anaadi. Hosted by Sheila E. Stream with NEPM Passport
POV: The Last Out
Three Cuban baseball players leave their families and risk exile to chase their dreams of playing in the United States. At the shadowy nexus of the migrant trail and pro sports, The Last Out chronicles their harrowing journey, from immigration obstacles to the broken promises of dubious agents. Against all odds, these young athletes try to hold onto their hope while fighting for a better life for their families.
Latino Americans
This was was the first major documentary series for television to chronicle the rich and varied history and experiences of Latinos, who have helped shape North America over the last 500-plus years and have become, with more than 50 million people, the largest minority group in the U.S.
LISTEN
Fiesta
Sundays at 4 p.m. on Classical NEPM
Fiesta is devoted to Latino concert music, and brings artistically significant compositions from Latin America, Spain and Portugal to your listeners. The acclaimed composer, musician, performer, and professor Elbio Barilari is the host and creative force behind this series. He invites listeners to enjoy and learn about the lively and compelling sounds of Latin American classical music — “the hottest Latin-American music from the 16th to the 21st centuries.”
Alt. Latino
Sundays at 7 p.m. on 88.5 NEPM
NPR Music's program dedicated to Latin Alternative music and rock in Spanish is hosted by Felix Contreras.
Tertulia
Sundays at 8 p.m. on 88.5 NEPM
On Tertulia a music lover will find Latin Jazz, Boleros, Salsa, Merengue, Nueva Trova, Tango and Folk music from Puerto Rico, Central America, Colombia, the Andean Region and Spain. News pieces in English and Spanish, discussion of topics of importance to the Latino community, and the weekly calendar of events are also heard on Tertulia. Hosted by Raquel Obregon.
Latino USA
Sundays at 10 p.m. on 88.5 NEPM
Latino USA, the radio journal of news and culture, is the only nationally distributed English-language radio program produced from a Latino perspective. Host Maria Hinojosa combines high-quality news, cultural and public affairs journalism with compelling sound to bring a rich understanding to a wide spectrum of listeners.
EVENT
The Springfield Puerto Rican Parade 2023
Sunday, Sept. 17
Once again, NEPM will march in the Springfield Puerto Rican Parade to honor the rich cultural heritage of Puerto Rico. With the parade theme, "Nunca Olvides Tus Raíces" (Never Forget Your Roots), the parade highlights the vibrant fusion of Taino, Spanish, and African influences that shape Puerto Rican culture.
NEPM MEDIA LAB 2023
Media Lab is NEPM’s program to train the next generation of storytellers by teaching journalism and media skills to local teens. Led by Senior Director of Education and Community Engagement Vanessa Pabon and Media Lab Coordinator Ismary Santiago-Lugo, the 2023 class comprised fifteen teenagers from Springfield and Holyoke. Here is some of their work:
Exploring Holyoke Community College Murals
By Jomar Rodriguez
Real estate attorney made it out of the sand pit and is helping others do the same
By Ejay Velez
Candidate for Chicopee Mayor shares her thoughts on supporting small business
By Jeremiah Mercedes.
Fire House Hot Dog’s incredible design
By Isabel De La Rosa
PBS KIDS
Alma's Way
New Episodes Premiere Monday, Sept. 18
The engaging modern-day series stars 6-year-old Alma Rivera, a proud, confident Puerto Rican girl who lives in the Bronx with her parents and younger brother, Junior, as well as a group of close-knit and loving friends, family and community members. It gives children ages 4-6 the power to find their own answers to their problems, express what they think and feel, and recognize and respect the unique perspective of others. The new episodes will also be available to stream in Spanish.
Rosie's Rules
New Episodes Premiere Wednesday, Sept. 27
Rosie Fuentes is a 5-year-old bilingual Mexican American girl from suburban Texas who is just beginning to learn about how the great, big, fascinating world around her works. Featuring an engaging social studies curriculum, a dynamic cast of characters, catchy music, and hilarious stories, the series aims to show kids ages 3-6 how they, as individuals, fit into their own community, as well as broader society. The new episodes will also be available to stream in Spanish.
PBS LEARNING MEDIA
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with PBS Kids!
Here's a collection of 29 videos on the PBS KIDS YouTube channel!
From NEPM's Presencia: Diversity in Latino Culture
How This Dominican Beat Became Mainstream
Latino Americans Share Their Experiences
Flamenco Dance Studio Field Trip
Sesame Street's Latino Festival Song
PBS KIDS FOR PARENTS
Celebrate Latin American and Hispanic Heritage Month With These Tasty Recipes!
Jamming on the Job podcast
A multi-generational, music-inspired podcast for kids ages 4-8 and their parents and caregivers. Join Christina and Andrés and Magic Beatmaster Boombox, voiced by musician, Pierce Freelon, as they tour the country and perform songs about the world of work. Each place they go, they meet a grown-up with a different kind of job who helps them along their way.