By Tom Bannister

On Saturday, October 15, 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., join the Somerville Arts Council and the City’s SomerViva Immigrant Outreach & Service program for a festival to celebrate the contributions of the local Latino community.

The timing of this festival is significant. October15 is the last day of Latino History month and the event is specifically intended to mark “Día de la Raza,” which commemorates the heritage and cultural diversity of Latin America.

This first-of-its-kind local event also celebrates the intermingling and mutual influence of Latino and European cultures on one another over time, both historically and here in present day Somerville.

In addition to music, dance, and authentic foods by local culinary entrepreneurs, the free of admission festival features interactive fun including a photo booth as well as the activity “Somerville Builds a Wall!” in which festival-goers will be invited to add photos, drawings and/or write thoughts about Latino identity and contributions to our society. This wall will be a sounding board for Latino voices and a show of pride for the local Latino community.

One of Boston’s best salsa bands, Latin Logic, led by Manolo Mairena will perform. This group, who floored us all at this past summer’s ArtBeat festival, will bring the best music possible to the dance floor. Nothing compares to the feeling of Son Montuno, Guajira, Bomba, Bolero, and Salsa.

Xuchipilli Folkloric Ballet will kick off the event with an Ancient Aztec dance, complete with resplendent costumes and drums. Later in the evening, they will perform the charming traditional dance known as “Los Viejitos.” Prior to Latin Logic, Metamovements will offer a salsa lesson to get the party started.

The Somerville Arts Council Nibble Entrepreneurs Estela Calzada, “Las Carolinas” and Miguel & Balbina Altamirano will give food demos. Calzada will demonstrate how to grind corn using a traditional metate. Corn-themed food: Venezuelan arepas, Mexican esquites and Salvadoran pupusas will be offered for sale.