The official beginning of the Hispanic Celebration begins Monday, Sept. 17 from noon-1 p.m. in the Oakland Center Fireside Lounge during the opening ceremonies. Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Virinder Moudgil will provide the opening remarks and introduce keynote speaker Marylou Olivarez Mason, executive director of the Michigan Commission on Spanish Speaking Affairs. There will be a sampling of Hispanic food and beverages available.

On Tuesday, Sept. 18, Estela Moreno-Mazzoli, associate professor of Spanish, facilitates the film documentaries “Religions in Latin America” and “Diversity, A key word to understand Latin American Cultures.” The films will be shown from 4-7 p.m. in the Oakland Center Heritage Room.

A walking tour of Mexicantown in Detroit is available to OU students on Saturday, Sept. 22. Participants can have lunch, at their own cost, at Xochimilco’s Restaurant. Meet in OU’s P2 parking lot at 1 p.m. to carpool or at Xochimilco’s, located at 3409 Bagley in Detroit, at 2 p.m.

OU students, faculty and staff can compete in a Global Talent Show on Thursday, Sept. 27 from 5-7 p.m. in Banquet Room B of the Oakland Center. SpiritCash prizes are available for first place, $100, second place, $50 and third place, $25. Sign up to perform at the CSA Service Window, 49 Oakland Center, by Friday, Sept. 21.

Hispanic Celebration 2007 concludes on Friday, Sept. 28 with the Fiesta Gigante from noon-2 p.m. on the Oakland Center Patio. The event is sponsored by the International Students and Scholars Office and the Student Program Board. The event will feature musical entertainment by the band “Dondé.” There will also be samplings of Hispanic food and beverages.

Other Hispanic Celebration events include:

Sunday, Sept. 16

• Celebration of Independence Day in the Café: Piñata Explosion. Cost of dinner is the student’s responsibility if not a residence halls student.
  5-6 p.m., Vandenberg Dining Center, Vandenberg Hall

Monday, Sept. 17

• Residence Halls Programming presents Open Mike Monday featuring poet/hip-hop artist Shinian
  9 p.m., Oakland Center Gold Rooms

Tuesday, Sept. 18 and Wednesday, Sept. 19

• Study Abroad Fair
  11 a.m.-1 p.m., Oakland Center Fireside Lounge

Wednesday, Sept. 19

• Free Salsa Lesson by Energetic Soul Studios
  7-9 p.m., Oakland Center Banquet Room A

Thursday, Sept. 20

• Celebrating Hispanic and Latin traditions through arts, crafts and displays
  11 a.m.-2 p.m., Oakland Center Fireside Lounge

Thursday, Sept. 27

• Current events panel
  Noon-1 p.m., Oakland Center Fireside Lounge

The Hispanic Celebration 2007 is sponsored by the Center for International Programs, Center for Multicultural Initiatives, Center for Student Activities, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, Department of University Housing, International Education, International Students and Scholars and the Student Program Board. For more information on any of the events, contact the Center for Student Activities office at (248) 370-2400.