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Afro-Latino Spotlight – October 5th, 2025
at Humboldt Park Field House – Part of Nights Out in the Park (NOITP)
Sunday, October 5th, 2025
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Humboldt Park Field House
1440 N Humboldt Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647
Experience the pulse, passion, and power of Afro-Latino culture in an extraordinary afternoon celebrating the African roots that flow through Latin American dance and music. Join us at the historic Humboldt Park Field House for two hours of electrifying performances that showcase the vibrant diversity of the African diaspora across Latin America.
What Awaits You
🥁 LIVE DRUMMING & AUTHENTIC RHYTHMS
From Venezuelan gaitas to Brazilian samba, Colombian cumbia to Argentine tango – witness the heartbeat of Afro-Latino culture through live percussion and traditional instruments that will transport you across continents.
🌍 SEVEN EXTRAORDINARY GROUPS
Journey from the Caribbean coasts of Venezuela and Honduras to the tango halls of Buenos Aires, from ancient Mexican indigenous ceremonies to the vibrant rhythms of Brazil.
💃 PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY ARTISTS
Watch established dance companies alongside emerging community groups, from internationally recognized salsa performers to indigenous cultural preservationists keeping ancient traditions alive.
Featured Performers
Cultural Viva
Representing: Venezuela/Honduras
For over five years, Cultura Viva has brought the vibrant energy of Afro-Latino and Caribbean dance to life through dynamic performances and community engagement. Blending movement, music, and heritage, they specialize in traditional and cultural dance styles that celebrate the richness and diversity of Latin America and the Caribbean. Cultura Viva has performed at a variety of major festivals and cultural events, including Frida Fest, Puerto Rican Fest, Miami Marlins games, Home Depot Hispanic Heritage, Brewers American Family Field Hispanic Heritage and numerous school and community programs. Each performance is a vibrant expression of identity, history, and joy — designed to both entertain and educate. Cultural Viva dances not just to perform – but to dance, teach and uplift communities. They will give two performances; Afro-Venezuelan dance accompanied by live drumming, and a demonstration of Honduran Punta dance.
Chicago International Salsa Congress
Representing: Afro-Carribean
The Chicago International Salsa Congress is the longest continually running Salsa Congress in the USA, celebrating over 24 consecutive years of bringing premier Latin music and dance to the Midwest. Founded by Rosita and Saladeen Alamin, CISC has been celebrating Latin culture through dance for over two decades. The organization is brought to you by Cultural Expressions Productions and a dedicated group of individuals whose energy, skills, passion and perseverance unite to bring the number one Latin Music and Dance event in the Midwest. CISC provides a once-a-year Midwest opportunity to experience an unmatched collection of world class teachers and masters of the dance floor, bringing together numerous world class instructors. The organization focuses on uniting cultures and generations through Latin dance education and performance. The CISC will showcase various artists featuring Salsa, Bachata, and other popular tropical dance styles.
Calpulli Ocelolt-Cihuacoatl
Representing: Indigenous Mixteca Mexican
Calpulli Ocelotl-Cihuacoatl was founded by Rosa Huilotlalcoatl Xochitlmazatl Gaytan in 2000 with the mission of preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Mexica (Aztec) people. What began as a small, intergenerational group of just three families, including grandparents, parents, and children, has since grown into a larger community dedicated to reviving indigenous traditions and fostering cultural pride. The group’s practices originally took place at St. Sylvester Catholic Parish in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago. Over time, Calpulli Ocelotl-Cihuacoatl has become a vibrant community where members learn and practice traditional Mexica dance, music, and rituals. Central to the group’s identity is the teaching of the Danza Mexica, a traditional Aztec dance that honors the ancestors and connects participants with the natural and spiritual world. Through performances, workshops, and public events, the group actively works to educate others about the significance of Mexica traditions and indigenous rights, making them an important cultural institution within Chicago.
Dill Costa Dance Group (DCDGROUP)
Representing: Brazil
Dill Costa is a dance performer and Brazilian dance instructor at the Old Town School Of Folk Music. Since 2004, she has been part of the team of instructors at the International Samba Congress, as well as the Toronto Samba Congress since 2017; and the Brasil Samba Congress from 2018-2020. She has also been a dance instructor and choreographer in Rio de Janeiro’s major Carnaval samba Schools since 1979. She has danced, choreographed, and participated in the Carnaval Parades in Rio de Janeiro’s Samba Schools including Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel for the last 46 years. In 2018, the musical, The Heart Beat of Brasil, was created in partnership with the choreographer Fabio Barros and the Capoeira Master Marisa Cordeiro! It was the first Brazilian Musical created in the city of Chicago! This led to the birth of the Dill Costa Dance Group (DCDGROUP), which focuses on working on the History and Ancestry of Samba Dance! The group performs throughout Chicago and has also performed in the Carnaval Parade in Rio de Janeiro!
Tango 21 Dance Theater
Representing: Argentina/Uruguay
Tango 21 Dance Theater uses the language of Argentine Tango to tell original, contemporary stories through live theater. Their productions combine traditional tango technique with contemporary dance styles, live music and actors. T21DT was founded in 2014 by Jorge Niedas and Liz Sung who write and choreograph each original show, drawing on tango’s poetic lyrics and the rich variations in this classical dance form. The company started as an extension of Niedas’ Argentine Tango dance school, Tango 21, and is now comprised of Chicago-area dancers, actors and musicians. Their shows tour year round throughout the Chicago area and Midwest.
Raíces de mi Tierra
Representing: Colómbia
The main mission of the Folkloric and Cultural Collective “Raíces de me Tierra” is to represent the different folkloric dances that identify each region of Colombia, highlighting the origins and history of each dance as a showcase of the autonomous artistic expression of each Colombian people. They also promote cultural engagement with the diverse Colombian, Latin American, Caribbean, and other communities residing in Chicago and the U.S..
Grupo Folklórico Fátima y St. Pancracio
Representing: México
In 2023, Grupo Folklórico Fátima-San Pancracio was born. This Mexican folk youth company committed to promoting and preserving Mexican art and culture through dance in and around the Brighton Park community of Chicago is proud to operate under the artistic direction of Maestro Jorge Emilio Corona, Director of Ballet Folklórico BYNC, in close collaboration with Reverend Néstor Sáenz of Our Lady of Fátima-San Pancracio Parish. The program is specifically designed to foster a deep love for Mexican culture among first- and second-generation Mexican immigrants, countering the potential loss of traditions if they are not actively practiced and disseminated. The main objective is to promote, preserve, and disseminate the invaluable traditions and cultural heritage passed down by our ancestors, thereby creating a positive and lasting impact on society through the beauty of folk dance.
Event Details
📅 Date: Sunday, October 5th, 2025
⏰ Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Venue: Humboldt Park Field House, 1440 N Humboldt Blvd
🎫 Admission: THIS IS A FREE EVENT
🚌 Transit: Multiple CTA bus routes serve the area
♿ Accessibility: Fully accessible venue
👨👩👧👦 Age: All ages welcome
Special Event: This performance is part of the prestigious Nights of Indigenous & Traditional Performance (NOITP) series, recognizing the cultural significance and authenticity of the presentations.
Connect With Someone’s Heritage
Whether you’re reconnecting with your own Afro-Latino roots, introducing your children to their cultural legacy, or simply seeking to understand the rich tapestry of Latino identity – this afternoon offers a rare opportunity to experience authentic traditions performed by passionate artists who live and breathe these cultural expressions.
Don’t miss this celebration of resilience, rhythm, and the unbreakable spirit of the African diaspora in Latino culture.
Presented by the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago (ILCC) as part of the Chicago Latino Dance Festival 2025
For tickets and information: THIS EVENT IS FREE AND AVAILABLE TO ALL • $10 suggested donation helps us continue to program quality programming like this throughout the year.
Getting There – Transportation & Location
Public Transit Access
CTA Bus Routes
Multiple CTA bus lines provide convenient access to Humboldt Park Field House:
- Route 70: Division Street service with stops near the venue
- Route 72: North Avenue service connecting to major transit hubs
- Route 82: Kimball-Homan service providing north-south connectivity
- Route 94: California Avenue service with direct area access
- Route 65: Additional service to the Humboldt Park area
CTA L Train Service
Both Blue Line and Green Line provide access to the Humboldt Park area:
- Blue Line: California-O’Hare station, then connect via bus
- Green Line: Kedzie-Green station, short bus ride or walk to venue
Nearest L Stations:
- Division & Kedzie (West)
- North Ave & Albany (East)
- California-O’Hare (Blue Line)
- Kedzie-Green (Green Line)
Metra Commuter Rail
Multiple Metra lines serve the broader area:
- Milwaukee District North (MD-N)
- Milwaukee District West (MD-W)
- Union Pacific West (UP-W)
Venue Location Details
Humboldt Park Field House
1440 N Humboldt Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60647
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park – Historic Puerto Rican cultural district
Major Cross Streets: North Avenue & Humboldt Boulevard
Nearby Landmarks:
- Humboldt Park Lagoon and Boathouse
- National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
- Paseo Boricua (Puerto Rican Promenade)
Parking & Accessibility
- Free street parking available throughout the neighborhood
- Field House parking lot with limited spaces
- ADA accessible venue with ramps and accessible restrooms
- Family-friendly location in the heart of Chicago’s Latino cultural district
Travel Tips
- Allow extra time on Sundays as some bus routes run less frequently
- The venue is located in a walkable neighborhood with restaurants and cultural sites nearby
- Consider arriving early to explore the historic Humboldt Park area before the performance
