The City of Dallas – Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs division invites you to celebrate Welcoming Week, #WhereWeBelong from September 9–18.
Welcoming Week brings together neighbors of all backgrounds to strengthen connections and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places in achieving collective prosperity. Through events and initiatives, Welcoming Week aims to go deeper and spark individual reflection on ways we can break barriers so that Dallas can be a welcoming city for all, including immigrants and refugees.
See the full list of events below:
Beginning ESL Class
Sept. 9 | 10:15 am – 12:15 pm
Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation is providing a beginner-level English Language Course. If you are in need of basic ESL skills this course maybe be helpful.
Link: bit.ly/BegESLClass
Octavio Medellín: Spirit and Form
Sept. 9 – 11 and Sept. 13 – 18 | 11 am – 5 pm
Octavio Medellín (1907-1999) was an influential Mexican American artist and teacher whose work helped shape the Texas art scene for six decades. The DMA is proud to present Octavio Medellín: Spirit and Form, the first-ever museum retrospective for the noted sculptor.
Link: bit.ly/OctavioMedellin
Beginner Internet Class (Spanish)
Sept. 9 and Sept. 16 | 1 – 2 pm
Las clases de microsoft Office, teclear, motores de búsqueda y correo electrónico se impartirán en español. Classes on Microsoft Office, search engines, keyboarding, and e-mail will be taught in Spanish. Classes will be hosted Fridays from 1 – 2 pm. Laptops will be provided. Classes are in Spanish. Space is limited.
Link: bit.ly/BegIntClass
Yanga and The AfroMexican Experience
Sept. 10 and Sept. 13 – 17 | 10 am – 5 pm
Yanga and the AfroMexican Experience features an entire gallery devoted to Yanga, exploring this historical story with documents from the Archivo General de la Nacion (National Archives) in Mexico City and Archivo General de Indias (Archive of the Indies) in Seville, Spain. The second gallery is devoted to exploring the cultural impact of the AfroMexican experience. The exhibition explores in depth the influence in music, dance, food and art in each of the three main areas of Mexico with a direct African impact.
Link: bit.ly/YangaAfroMexican
Racial Equity Plan Community Engagement
Sept. 10 | 11 am – 12 pm
This event is part of the next phase of continuous community engagement efforts to build out the Big Audacious Goals and how the Racial Equity Plan’s Action Targets and goals will be developed and potentially funded.
Link: bit.ly/Sept10REP
W.E. Greiner Academy Mariachi Band Performance
Sept. 10 | 3 – 4pm
Middle school students from W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy mariachi band will perform for friends, family, and members of the West Dallas community. Presented by Friends of the Dallas Public Library, in support of Hispanic Heritage month.
Link: bit.ly/LosUnicosMariachi
Flamenco Fever
Sept. 10 | 3:30 – 5:30 pm
In observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, on September 10th, the Bachman Lake branch will be hosting a performance from one of Dallas’ esteemed dance organizations, Flamenco Fever.
Link: bit.ly/FlamencoFeverEvent
Virtual Citizenship Class
Sept. 12 and Sept. 16 | 9:30 am
The Dallas Public Library offers classes that help students study for the U.S. Citizenship test and practice English language skills for the interview. Classes are always free. The Library works closely with immigration service non-profits and U.S.C.I.S. to provide the most up-to-date information on the citizenship process and what to expect.
Link: bit.ly/ALCitizenship
José Sacal: Un Mexicano Universal
Sept. 12 | 6 – 8 pm
UT Dallas hosts sculptures by Mexican contemporary artist José Sacal this fall as part of national traveling exhibition. “José Sacal: Un Mexicano Universal”, a show demonstrating Sacal’s Surrealist manifestations of prominent historical figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Einstein, and Frida Kahlo. There will be a special lecture by world-renowned José Sacal scholar Gregario Luke in ATEC on September 12 starting at 5PM, followed by an opening reception at 6PM in the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center. The reception will feature talks by President Dr. Richard C. Benson and the sponsors of the show. Luke will give the most extensive talk, offering a deep dive into Sacal’s biography and motivations as an artist. The event is open to all who wish to learn more about one of Mexico’s most esteemed sculptors.
Link: bit.ly/JoseSacalUTD
Bilingual Storytime (Hora de Cuentos)
Sept. 14 | 10:30 – 11 am
Prairie Creek Branch Library – Stories, songs and rhymes in Spanish to get ready to read! Suggested ages: 6 years old and under. ¡Cuentos, canciones y rímas en español para niños que quieren leer! Para edades de 6 años y menor.
Link: bit.ly/BilStoryPC
Bilingual Storytime (Hora de Cuentos)
Sept. 14 | 10:30 – 11:30 am
Grauwlyer Park Branch Library – Stories, songs and rhymes in Spanish to get ready to read! Suggested ages: 6 years old and under. ¡Cuentos, canciones y rímas en español para niños que quieren leer! Para edades de 6 años y menor.
Link: bit.ly/BilStorGP
State of Refugee/Immigrant/Migrant Health and Parkland Resources
Sept. 15 | 12 – 1 pm
Refugees, immigrants, and migrants (RIM Communities) are a vital part of the nation’s social, cultural, and economic viability and fabric. There is growing evidence that COVID-19 posed a public health threat
to the entire US Population, affecting communities of color and certain RIM community disproportionality. The purpose of this panel is to highlight the current state of RIM Health in Dallas County through current community stakeholders that serve RIM communities as healthcare providers, while providing current resources to provide services and support RIM communities across Dallas county.
Link: bit.ly/RIMHealth
Hispanic Heritage Craft: Papel Picado
Sept. 15 | 4 – 5 pm
In observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Bachman Lake staff will provide a fun craft to our local children and a lesson on its cultural significance every week. This week our craft will be papel picado, a traditional Mexican craft made with perforated tissue paper to make various designs. They’re used in decorations for various holidays, including weddings, quinceaneras, birthdays, and the Day of the Dead.
Link: bit.ly/DPLPapelPicado
National Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Sept. 16 | 6 –8 pm
Free community event to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage month.
Location: 2303 Bickers St, Dallas, TX 75212
Tai Chi with Tribe Wellness
Sept. 17 | 8 – 8:45 am
RELAX. Breathe. Move! Join us for FREE Tai Chi classes in the park. Tai Chi (Tai Chi Chuan, or Tai Ji) is an internal Chinese martial art. It is known throughout the world for its slow, meditative forms and healthful benefits. Medical research has found evidence that tai chi improves balance and general mental health. This class provides an introduction to the practice of Tai Chi for physical and personal development.
Link: bit.ly/TaiChiTW
Citizenship Application Workshop and Vaccine Clinic
Sept. 17 | 10 am
The City of Dallas, Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs Division (WCIA) in collaboration with community partners, will host an in-person Citizenship Workshop and Vaccine Clinic on Saturday,
September 17, 2022, 10:00 am at Vickery Park Branch Library, 8333 Park Ln, Dallas, TX 75231. We will be helping the first 100 participants.
Mitotiliztli Yaoyollohtli Aztec Dance Performance
Sept. 17 | 11 am – 12 pm
Come one, come all and celebrate the start of Hispanic/LatinX Heritage Month at the Vickery Park Branch Library and kick off the start of our “Explore Latin America” series with a dance performance. Mitotiliztli Yaoyollohtli will be here for a fun filled performance of traditional Aztec dancing! The audience will also learn a brief history of the dance regalia and the musical instruments.
Link: bit.ly/AztecDP
Voly in the Park, Dallas Volunteer Festival
Sept. 17 | 11 am – 2 pm
VolunteerNow will host, Voly in the Park, the largest volunteer festival in Dallas, on September 17 at Klyde Warren Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year, the event will feature more than 60-75 nonprofits, hands-on volunteer projects and on-site activities, live entertainment, and up to 2,500 attendees.
Link: bit.ly/VolNowDAL
Youth Advocacy Workshop
Sept. 17 | 11 am – 2pm
Calling all high school and college age students! Join us to learn everything you need to know about election season and candidates. Free event, food provided.
Link: bit.ly/YouthAWS
Ollimpaxqui Ballet Company
Sept. 17 | 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Celebrate Hispanic and LatinX Heritage Month with dance! Learn about the spirit and traditions behind dances such as Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Folklorico, and more in this family friendly interactive program full of music and dance.
Link: bit.ly/RFOBallet
TRAVISVILLE by Soul Rep Theatre
Sept. 17 | 2 – 3 pm
Soul Rep Theatre is proud to present excerpts from their upcoming full production Travisville, written by Dallas native, William Jackson Harper. The Story: In 1960s Texas, one city has so far avoided the tumult of the Civil Rights movement. Through the efforts of an alliance of black church leaders, a wary peace has been maintained with the city’s white mayor and citizens. But when the mayor partners with a private developer to gentrify the black neighborhood and uproot its residents, and a movement organizer from Atlanta comes to town, the Minister’s Alliance will need to choose between the non-confrontational status quo and standing up for the interests of their community—and weathering the risks resistance incurs.
Register by 12 pm on Sept. 17 for the event.
Link: bit.ly/Travisville
MLK Book Club: The Accommodation
Sept. 17 | 2 – 4 pm
The MLK Book Club is a casual space to discuss and share a book we can all read together. This book in particular should open up a broad discussion. The Accommodation details the violent and suppressed history of race and racism in Dallas from slavery through the Civil Rights Movement, and the city’s desegregation efforts in the 1950s and ’60s. Known for being an uninhibited and honest account of the city’s institutional and structural racism, Schutze’s book argues that Dallas’ desegregation period came at a great cost to Black leaders in the city”– Provided by publisher.
Register by 12 pm on Sept. 17 for the event.
Link: bit.ly/DPLMLK
Ollimpaxqui Ballet Folklorico
Sept. 17 | 3 – 4 pm
In observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Bachman Lake library is delighted to announce that we will be hosting a performance from Ollimpaxqui Ballet Folklorico. The company specializes in the traditional dances found many of the unique regions and cultures of Mexico, including Jalisco, Michoacan, and Veracruz.
Register by 3 pm on Sept. 17 for the event.
Link: bit.ly/BachmanLakeOBF
Celebrate Mexican Independence Day!
Sept. 17 | 3 – 5:30 pm
Park Forest Branch Library – Come celebrate Mexican Independence day with us! Celebrate the 16th on the 17th! Join us for fun and games as well as a pinata after 5:00! Enjoy music and snacks. Come and hear the Grito de Dolores. Los invitamos que vengan a celebrar el 16 de Septiembre con nosotros ¡Celebra el Diez y Seis en el Diez y siete! Hay juegos, musica, y bocadillos, asi como para una pinata despues de 5:00 Vengan a escuchar El Grito de Dolores.
Link: bit.ly/CelebrateMID
World Night Market
Sept. 18 | 4 – 9 pm
Councilmember Jayne Schultz invites you to the World Night Market on Sunday, Sept. 18 and Nov. 13 from 4-9 p.m., at the Prism Center Dallas in the Dallas International District (5580 Peterson Ln. Dallas, TX 75240). Enjoy international food, artisan booths, live music and cultural experiences for the whole family.
Link: bit.ly/WorldNightMarket
English Language Class
Dates and Time Vary on Location
The Dallas Public Library offers free General English classes at 12 locations throughout the city. Classes are open to everyone, and they are always free. Classes last 10 weeks, and they are offered in the Spring and Fall. Some locations also have summer classes. There’s no limit to the number of classes you can take, so you can practice and learn English with the library for as long as you’re ready.
Link: bit.ly/ALGenEnglish
Download the event agenda here:
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