The Oceanside Public Library invites the community to join us for “Community Connections: Honoring Samoan and Mexican Heritage at Landes,” a cultural program series as part of the Library Innovation Lab grant project, showcasing the diverse cultures and histories that contribute to the vibrant tapestry of the Landes neighborhood, located in the Tri-City area.

This series aims to honor the traditions, stories, and contributions of both the Samoan and Mexican communities through a variety of engaging activities, including cultural performances, storytelling sessions, ancestral displays, and delicious authentic cuisine. Participants will learn about the rich heritage and customs of these cultures, while fostering connections within the Landes community. Events will be held throughout October, November and December at the John Landes Community Center, located at 2855 Cedar Road, in Tri-City Oceanside. All events are free to attend and open to everyone, no registration is required. These events are for all ages, and all materials will be provided.

• Memory Keepers: Alebrijes and Archives – October 15 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Unleash your creativity by crafting alebrijes with En Mi Palma, a local mutual aid group, and prepare a community ofrenda. Honor your personal history by sharing photos and stories with Hill Street Country Club, a non-profit organization dedicated to shaping the growing arts and culture scene in North Country, to be scanned and added to a community scrapbook at the Visual Analogies Mixer on November 1.
• Visual Analogies: Día de los Muertos Mixer – November 1 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Celebrate the vibrant diversity of the Landes neighborhood by sharing your family photos and memories from Tri-City with Hill Street Country Club to create a community scrapbook. Your unique stories and experiences will help honor and elevate the voices within our community.
• Oceanside Legends: Samoan Elder Stories – November 14 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Hear from Tri-City’s esteemed Samoan Elders as they share their personal histories and cultural heritage. Learn more about Oceanside’s Samoan community at this special event.
• Community Connections: Cultural Celebration – December 7 from 11:00 to 2:00 p.m. Celebrate the vibrant Samoan and Mexican communities in Tri-City and be part of our grand finale of the cultural program series. Enjoy live music, captivating performances, traditional dance, and authentic food and cuisine. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the rich traditions and shared stories that bring us together. Let’s celebrate our community’s diverse heritage!

This project was made possible with support from California Humanities non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Funding the Library Innovation Lab has also been provided by California Humanities and the State of California through the California State Library. These free events are also supported by the Friends of Oceanside Public Library.  The Oceanside Public Library aims to empower the community by promoting literacy, information access, civic engagement, cultural inclusiveness, and openness to new ideas. Call 760-435-5600 for more info about Library programs and services.