UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Charismatic, Grammy Award-nominated, family-music singer-songwriter Sonia De Los Santos will kick off the long-awaited return of the "School-Time Matinee" series at the Center for the Performing Arts.

As a way to share the excitement and to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, the community is invited to the 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 23, bilingual Spanish-English performance in Eisenhower Auditorium.

Tickets are general admission tickets. Call 814-863-0255 or visit Center for the Performing Arts online to purchase tickets.

“We have been thinking about how we make our programs accessible to everyone, and one way to do that is to open our morning performance by Sonia De Los Santos to the public,” said Amy Dupain Vashaw, the audience and program development director at the Center for the Performing Arts. “Perhaps there are folks who don’t want to drive in the dark or who work at night. This way, they have an option to attend with their children, grandchildren, neighbor kids or just come themselves.”

De Los Santos and her band will play their jarana, leona, accordion, drums, trumpet and other traditional Mexican instruments in a joyous bilingual concert that shares the artists’ love for music with a younger generation.

“We hope to see some Penn State faculty members take advantage of this opportunity to involve their Spanish-language learners and elementary education students,” Vashaw said.

Visit Sonia De Los Santos online for more information about the ticketed event and a free community activity.

With her experiences bridging Latin America and her new home in New York, De Los Santos uses her love of music to share her perspective that celebrates the memories and heritage that connects us all.

“My band and I are so excited to play these songs for you while we explore together many different countries, rhythms and sounds from the Americas,” she said.

Her family-music album, “Mi Viaje: De Nuevo León to the New York Island,” features song-stories of her experiences growing up in Mexico, moving to another country, learning about other cultures and connecting to her own heritage.

“’Mi Viaje’ means my journey,” De Los Santos said. “This incredible journey is filled with many adventures that are personal, and yet universal.

ACCESSIBILITY

Eisenhower Auditorium is a KultureCity-certified sensory-friendly performing-arts destination. The Center for the Performing Arts welcomes patrons of all sensory sensitivities to its performances.

Before you arrive, familiarize yourself with the auditorium with a pre-visit social story, When you get here, upon request, you can sign out a variety of items to help create an accommodating experience—including noise-reducing earmuffs, anti-strobe glasses, lap pads and fidget toys.

Learn more about the center’s available Accessibility services.

RELATED COMMUNITY EVENT

Sonia De Los Santos will bring an instrument or two to help Schlow Centre Region Library celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the library’s September drop-in activity for kids.

The event will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, in the Downsbrough Room of Schlow Centre Region Library, 211 S. Allen St., State College.

The event is free, but registration is recommended. Registration opens at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3. Visit Sing-Along for more information or to register for the event.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Sponsored by
Lewis and Susan Steinberg

Support provided by
Honey and Bill Jaffe Endowment for Audience Development
McQuaide Blasko Endowment
Gerald B. M. and Sylvia Stein Memorial Endowment

FIND US

For more information about the season, visit the Center for the Performing Arts online, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.