UCPAC HONORS HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH CONCERTS, DANCE, & FILM
Rahway venues celebrate cultural contributions with events in September.
RAHWAY, NJ — In observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins on September 15, Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) is proud to offer a series of events celebrating the many contributions Hispanic people have made to the achievements, history, and culture of the United States. Events at UCPAC’s historic Main Stage, located at 1601 Irving Street in Rahway, NJ, include:
• A screening of the 1987 film “La Bamba” in 35mm, followed by a Latin pop/rock dance party, on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 7 PM.
• Beloved mambo musician Tito Puente Jr. in concert, with New Jersey’s own David Cedeño and his orchestra as special guests, on Saturday, September 27 at 8 PM.
• Acclaimed dance troupe Noche Flamenca performs “Searching for Goya,” an exploration of legendary Spanish painter Francisco Goya’s work through the lens of flamenco, on Sunday, September 28 at 5 PM.
UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage, located at 360 Hamilton Street in Rahway, is also part of the celebration. On Friday, September 26, at 7 PM, the venue will host a sensory-friendly film screening of Disney’s “Encanto,” funded by the Union County Board of County Commissioners.
Tickets for all Hispanic Heritage Month shows can be purchased in person at UCPAC’s box office, by calling 732-499-8226, or by visiting ucpac.org/events.
“Our Hispanic Heritage Month programming is a celebration of Hispanic artists, whose talents and stories entertain and move us all,” said Danni Newbury, UCPAC’s Executive Director. “UCPAC is committed to advancing our mission of enriching the arts in our diverse communities, and we welcome everyone to come together to enjoy these noteworthy films and incredible performances.”
Starring Lou Diamond Phillips as Richie Valens, “La Bamba” tells the story of the brief life of the young American Chicano who, at just 17 years old, passed away in the 1959 plane crash that also took the lives of 50s icons Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper. The incident became known as “the day the music died,” but the songs Valens left behind still live on today. After the film, there will be an onstage dance party celebrating not only Valens’ music but also the many Latin artists, including Los Lobos and Carlos Santana, whom he inspired. Tickets for “La Bamba” in 35mm at “UCPAC’s Main Stage in Rahway on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 7 PM are $17 in advance/$22 day of show (all-in pricing).
Presented in partnership with Crossroads, Tito Puente Jr. in concert is a joyful celebration of the life and legacy of Tito Puente, the legendary “El Ray de los Timbales” (“The King of the Timbales”). The younger Puente is on a passionate mission, determined to nurture the musical legacy left by his father, whom he refuses to let become a distant memory. “… There was magic in the music my father made,” said Puente Jr. “It made people happy all over the world.” Special guest David Cedeno is a New Jersey-based, internationally known musician playing Latin salsa and jazz, merengue, and more with his orchestra. Tickets for Tito Puente Jr. with special guest David Cedeño and his Orchestra at UCPAC’s Main Stage on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 8 PM are $41-$63 (all-in pricing).
Noche Flamenca is an award-winning company of dancers, singers, and musicians whose mastery of flamenco stretches the art form’s boundaries. Conceived and directed by artistic director Martín Santangelo, who choreographed the show with Bessie Award-winning principal dancer Soledad Barrio, “Searching for Goya” reveals painter Francisco de Goya’s scorching political criticisms and his penetrating examinations of the human condition. “Searching for Goya” consists of 10-12 vignettes inspired by the artist’s paintings and features original music, wardrobe and lighting design, and original mask design by world-renowned artist Mary Frank. The artistic consultant for the show is Mark MacDonald, curator at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Goya expert. Tickets for Noche Flamenca “Searching for Goya” at UCPAC’s Main Stage on Sunday, September 28, at 5 PM are $36-$51 (all-in pricing).
UCPAC’s presentation of Disney’s “Encanto” is a sensory friendly movie experience specially adapted for children and adults with autism and other sensory sensitivities. To learn more about sensory-friendly events at UCPAC, visit In observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins on September 15, Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) is proud to offer a series of events celebrating the many contributions Hispanic people have made to the achievements, history, and culture of the United States. Events at UCPAC’s historic Main Stage, located at 1601 Irving Street in Rahway, NJ, include:
- A screening of the 1987 film “La Bamba” in 35mm, followed by a Latin pop/rock dance party, on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 7 PM.
- Beloved mambo musician Tito Puente Jr. in concert, with New Jersey’s own David Cedeño and his orchestra as special guests, on Saturday, September 27 at 8 PM.
- Acclaimed dance troupe Noche Flamenca performs “Searching for Goya,” an exploration of legendary Spanish painter Francisco Goya’s work through the lens of flamenco, on Sunday, September 28 at 5 PM.
UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage, located at 360 Hamilton Street in Rahway, is also part of the celebration. On Friday, September 26, at 7 PM, the venue will host a sensory-friendly film screening of Disney’s “Encanto,” funded by the Union County Board of County Commissioners.
Tickets for all Hispanic Heritage Month shows can be purchased in person at UCPAC’s box office, by calling 732-499-8226, or by visiting ucpac.org/events.
“Our Hispanic Heritage Month programming is a celebration of Hispanic artists, whose talents and stories entertain and move us all,” said Danni Newbury, UCPAC’s Executive Director. “UCPAC is committed to advancing our mission of enriching the arts in our diverse communities, and we welcome everyone to come together to enjoy these noteworthy films and incredible performances.”
Starring Lou Diamond Phillips as Richie Valens, “La Bamba” tells the story of the brief life of the young American Chicano who, at just 17 years old, passed away in the 1959 plane crash that also took the lives of 50s icons Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper. The incident became known as “the day the music died,” but the songs Valens left behind still live on today. After the film, there will be an onstage dance party celebrating not only Valens’ music but also the many Latin artists, including Los Lobos and Carlos Santana, whom he inspired. Tickets for “La Bamba” in 35mm at “UCPAC’s Main Stage in Rahway on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 7 PM are $17 in advance/$22 day of show (all-in pricing).
Presented in partnership with Crossroads, Tito Puente Jr. in concert is a joyful celebration of the life and legacy of Tito Puente, the legendary “El Ray de los Timbales” (“The King of the Timbales”). The younger Puente is on a passionate mission, determined to nurture the musical legacy left by his father, whom he refuses to let become a distant memory. “… There was magic in the music my father made,” said Puente Jr. “It made people happy all over the world.” Special guest David Cedeno is a New Jersey-based, internationally known musician playing Latin salsa and jazz, merengue, and more with his orchestra. Tickets for Tito Puente Jr. with special guest David Cedeño and his Orchestra at UCPAC’s Main Stage on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 8 PM are $41-$63 (all-in pricing).
Noche Flamenca is an award-winning company of dancers, singers, and musicians whose mastery of flamenco stretches the art form’s boundaries. Conceived and directed by artistic director Martín Santangelo, who choreographed the show with Bessie Award-winning principal dancer Soledad Barrio, “Searching for Goya” reveals painter Francisco de Goya’s scorching political criticisms and his penetrating examinations of the human condition. “Searching for Goya” consists of 10-12 vignettes inspired by the artist’s paintings and features original music, wardrobe and lighting design, and original mask design by world-renowned artist Mary Frank. The artistic consultant for the show is Mark MacDonald, curator at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Goya expert. Tickets for Noche Flamenca “Searching for Goya” at UCPAC’s Main Stage on Sunday, September 28, at 5 PM are $36-$51 (all-in pricing).
UCPAC’s presentation of Disney’s “Encanto” is a sensory friendly movie experience specially adapted for children and adults with autism and other sensory sensitivities. To learn more about sensory-friendly events at UCPAC, visit https://ucpac.org/sensory-friendly-theatre. All tickets are just $5 (all-in pricing) due to support from the Union County Board of County Commissioners.
Tickets for all UCPAC events can be purchased online at ucpac.org/events, by calling 732-499-8226, or in person at UCPAC’s box office located at 1601 Irving Street in Rahway.
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating the Main Stage, built in 1928 and listed in both the State and National Register of Historic Places, at 1601 Irving St., and the modern and intimate Hamilton Stage, at 360 Hamilton St., in the heart of Rahway, New Jersey’s Arts District. To learn more, visit ucpac.org. All tickets are just $5 (all-in pricing) due to support from the Union County Board of County Commissioners.
Tickets for all UCPAC events can be purchased online at ucpac.org/events, by calling 732-499-8226, or in person at UCPAC’s box office located at 1601 Irving Street in Rahway.
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating the Main Stage, built in 1928 and listed in both the State and National Register of Historic Places, at 1601 Irving St., and the modern and intimate Hamilton Stage, at 360 Hamilton St., in the heart of Rahway, New Jersey’s Arts District. To learn more, visit ucpac.org.
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