The usual quiet atmosphere of the Hammond Public Library recently was pierced with upbeat sounds of the musical group, AfriCaribe. But no one seemed to mind, especially the 50 people gathered in the Community Room to observe National Hispanic Heritage Month.

The occasion was the celebration of Puerto Rican and Caribbean cultures through song, drumming and dance, sponsored by the HPL's Friends of the Library.

“We were just visiting the library when we heard the announcement of this show,” said Luz Torres of Hammond, as she and her two children took seats near the front row. “This (event) is nice, it keeps my children aware of their culture and where their family came from.”

HPL director Rene Greenleaf greeted the crowd before the activities began.

“The type of program we are having tonight pulls us together as an urban populace,” she said. “It gives life to the diversity we have in our city.”

Door greeters Jolette Luna, 8 and her sister Viviana Luna, 6, handed out programs and smiles for those coming through the doors.

“It's important to support the Mexican culture,” said the girls' dad Alfonso Luna. “The children need to know their background.”

Mary Oliver of Calumet City, Ill., heard about the show from the HPL newsletter.

“There's always something cooking up at this library, I've been coming here for years, and they never disappoint,” she said, as the show began. “This isn't my culture, but I'm opening my mind by learning about others.”

Burritos, rice and other authentic cultural food items rounded out the evening for visitors.

After the program, many perused Arturo Miramontes' artwork, displayed in the outer hallway.

“My paintings reflect who I am and where I came from,” said Miramontes, who came from Mexico to America in 1972. “And this event brings together many people of many cultures to enjoy them.”

Cassie Donald of Hammond was one who was impressed with Miramontes' artwork. “The attention to little details make this interesting to me,” she said, while observing a large painting of a little boy. “The colors are very vivid and draw you instantly to the little boy, although there are other things in the picture.”

Based in Chicago, the AfriCaribe ensemble is a nonprofit organization founded in 2000 by Evaristo “Tito” Rodriguez. It is dedicated to the preservation, research, promotion and development of the Puerto Rican and Caribbean cultures through music, dance, theater and other artistic mediums.

More information about programs at the Hammond Public Library can be obtained by calling 219-951-5100.

Sue Ellen Ross is a freelancer.