4th Annual Latino Heritage Celebration – Montclair Art Museum

Welcome to the 4th Annual Latino Heritage Celebration at the Montclair Art Museum!

Join us on September 21, 2025 at 12:00 PM for a day filled with cultural festivities and artistic expressions. This year’s celebration honors the rich cultural heritage of Latin America and the impact diverse Latino communities in New Jersey have on the state.

Through captivating art exhibitions, lively music performances, flavorful cuisine, and engaging activities for all ages, Latinos of Montclair takes you on a cultural journey from Latin Ameria to NJ.

Whether you have Latino roots or simply appreciate the beauty of diversity, this event is a wonderful opportunity to come together and celebrate unity in our community.

Info: We’re kicking things off outside—music, dance, marketplace of food trucks and vendors and puro sabor with our DJ and special opening dance performance —¡vamos a bailar!

Info: MDN Latin Dance Studio, proudly Puerto Rican–owned, has been a beloved salsa institution in Belleville since its founding by Marcus Nieves in 2009. Marcus Nieves brings decades of dance experience, starting back in 1998 at New Jersey’s iconic Foxes nightclub. Alongside him is Diana Osorio, an accomplished performer who began her artistic journey on stage at just nine years old, now co-leading instruction in mambo, salsa On2, and ladies’ styling .

Info: With a natural talent that has shone through from a young age, Jillian Paige Platero has been captivating audiences since the tender age of 5. Her impressive performance as Young Nala in Disney’s The Lion King musical on Broadway showcased her talent and boundless energy. Jillian’s passion for music and love for entertaining shines through every time she performs. She has graced some notable stages such as at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ. Managed by Leorah Haberfield and represented by Stewart Talent Agency, Jillian continues to dazzle in front of audiences and is poised to make a lasting impact in the entertainment industry.

Info: Alejo Portela was born in Bogotá, Colombia.

The accordion was his first love. Through creativity and innovation, Alejo has captivated audiences with the sound of his accordion. His passion for music began in adolescence, when he played instruments such as the electric bass, and today he has built a career of more than 13 years in the arts.

He has shared the stage with renowned artists such as Carlos Vives, Silvestre Dangond, and Yeison Jiménez.

His love for vallenato has taken him around the world to places like the United States, Mexico, and Spain. He is currently based in New York City, where he has represented Colombian music in major events including the pre-premiere of Encanto for The Walt Disney Company and The Colombian Film Festival alongside Egidio Cuadrado (accordionist for Carlos Vives).

Info: Isabel Cruz is a Puerto Rican poet, playwright, and performer from Paterson, New Jersey. She graduated with Highest Honors, earning a B.A in American Studies and English: Creative Writing with a Concentration in Poetry from Smith College. Cruz was awarded the 2023 Eleanor Cederstrom Prize, the 2024 Five College Prose and Poetry Prize, and the 2024 Elizabeth Babcock Prize for Best Poem. Her poems have been published in The Poetry Society of New York’s Milk Press Books 2023 Summer Edition. She has been a featured poet in venues such as the Dodge Poetry Festival, The New York Poetry Festival, and she was named as the Inaugural 2023 Youth Poetry Ambassador for the Paterson Poetry Festival.

Info: Cheo y Los Consentidos de la Casa bring the unmistakable groove of New York City with their signature blend of Funk’n Salsa. Led by Latin Grammy–winning musician Cheo (Los Amigos Invisibles), the group delivers electrifying performances that fuse classic salsa with modern rhythms, guaranteed to get audiences dancing. With deep roots in Latin music traditions and the vibrancy of the NYC scene, their sound is pure sabor and celebration.

Info: Cheo y Los Consentidos de la Casa bring the unmistakable groove of New York City with their signature blend of Funk’n Salsa. Led by Latin Grammy–winning musician Cheo, the group delivers electrifying performances that fuse classic salsa with modern rhythms, guaranteed to get audiences dancing. With deep roots in Latin music traditions and the vibrancy of the NYC scene, their sound is pure sabor and celebration.

Info: Our tiniest stars with the biggest sabor—Ritmo Jardín brings you Salsa!

Info: Energy, alegría, and puro ritmo—our Ritmo Jardín youth bring you Merengue y Bachata!

Info: From the soul of Perú, Iselyn’s voice and performance will take you on a journey.

Info: The thunder of our ancestors—feel the power of Bomba!

Info: Bring your flag and join the parade!! The fiesta moves outside, led by Ritmo Jardín youth waving the flags of Latin America along the US flag with orgullo Latino!

Info: The festival continues outside—DJ, dance, marketplace of food trucks and vendors and community dancing to close out our celebration with alegría!

Host or Publisher Latinos of Montclair