Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 2025 with OETA
Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15, and OETA is proud to present a curated lineup of PBS programming that honors the vibrant stories, history, and culture of the Latiné community. From groundbreaking documentaries and musical specials to family-centered programs and dramas, our collection showcases the diverse contributions and experiences that define Latiné heritage.
Finding Your Roots – Latiné Stories Uncovered
Mexican Roots
In this compelling episode of Finding Your Roots, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the ancestral histories of Mario Lopez and Melissa Villaseñor, uncovering rich and complex roots in Mexico that stretch back to the 1500s. Through meticulous genealogical research, the episode explores a fascinating tapestry of personal histories shaped by Spanish conquistadors, migratory farmers, and Native American communities.
Guests: Talk show host Mario Lopez and comedian Melissa Villaseñor
Guests: Mario Lopez, Melissa Villaseñor
Family Recipes
In this flavorful episode of Finding Your Roots, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the ancestral histories of renowned chefs José Andrés and Sean Sherman, uncovering fascinating connections between their family legacies and pivotal historical moments.
Guests: José Andrés, Sean Sherman
Latin Roots
In this episode, Gates helps musician Rubén Blades and journalist Natalie Morales explore their family histories, uncovering hidden stories and secrets from across Latin America. The episode features journeys from Puerto Rico to Colombia and Brazil, revealing heroes, villains, and the importance of accepting one's family heritage.
Guests: Rubén Blades, Natalie Morales
VOCES on PBS: Stories of Legacy and Influence
American Historia: The Untold History of Latinos
John Leguizamo takes his passion for history from the Broadway stage to the road, uncovering the rich and often overlooked stories of Latino contributions across Mexico and the United States. Frustrated by the whitewashing of American history and driven by his curiosity, Leguizamo embarks on a chronological journey to highlight both celebrated and hidden figures who shaped the Americas.
Blending cultural travel with entertaining interstitials, each episode combines visits to historic sites, engaging interviews with historians and cultural leaders, and Leguizamo’s signature storytelling style. The series illuminates the complexity, resilience, and influence of Latino communities, offering viewers a dynamic, educational, and eye-opening exploration of history that has too often gone untold.
Omara: Cuba’s Legendary Diva
Omara Portuondo, a trailblazing advocate for Afro-Cuban women, had already become an icon long before joining the legendary Buena Vista Social Club. Her soulful voice and pioneering spirit helped define Cuban music globally, making her synonymous with the worldwide sensation. With the new Tony-winning Buena Vista Social Club musical now on Broadway, this compelling profile of Omara offers a timely and powerful look at the woman behind the legend.
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American Masters
Julia Alvarez: A Life Reimagined
Dominican-American poet and novelist Julia Alvarez has blazed a trail for generations of Latino authors. She first captivated readers with her semi-autobiographical novel How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents (1991), followed by In the Time of the Butterflies (1994), which sold over a million copies and shed global light on life under Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo. Alvarez’s prolific body of work spans poetry, nonfiction, novels, and books for young readers, including her most recent critically acclaimed novel, The Cemetery of Untold Stories.
This documentary chronicles Alvarez’s extraordinary journey, from a privileged childhood in the Dominican Republic to life in exile in New York City, and finally to a brilliant literary career that continues to inspire. Filmed in the United States and the Dominican Republic, Julia Alvarez: A Life Reimagined features in-depth interviews with Alvarez, her family, and literary contemporaries.
Produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker Adriana Bosch, known for her work on Latino Americans (PBS, 2013) and Latin Music USA (PBS, 2009), the documentary highlights Alvarez’s role as a pioneer in shaping Latino literature and the American immigrant experience. Sandie Viquez Pedlow, LPB Executive Director and Executive Producer of VOCES, says, “Alvarez’s poetry and novels offer a unique perspective on the melding of her two cultures—American and Dominican, and are among the finest works about the American immigrant experience.”
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It
A compelling documentary that chronicles the extraordinary 70-year career of legendary actress, dancer, and singer Rita Moreno. From her humble beginnings on a Puerto Rican farm to breaking barriers in Hollywood, Moreno defied racism, sexism, and limited opportunities to become one of the few artists to achieve EGOT status – winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award.
The documentary blends vérité footage of Moreno today, archival clips from her iconic roles, animated reenactments of her childhood, and in-depth interviews with Moreno, her collaborators, and the performers she influenced. Highlights include her groundbreaking work in West Side Story, The Electric Company, The Ritz, Oz, and the recent series One Day at a Time. The film also addresses the obstacles she faced, from stereotyping in Hollywood to personal struggles and challenges in her early life, showcasing her resilience and determination to pave the way for future generations of Latinx performers.
38th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards
Recognized as “America’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration,” the HHAs honor Latiné leaders, artists, innovators, and cultural icons across education, STEM, business, and the arts. Past honorees include Rita Moreno, Celia Cruz, Gloria Estefan, José Andrés, Salma Hayek, and Bad Bunny.
Sunday Dramas
Velvet
Step into 1950s Madrid with Velvet, a Spanish historical drama that intertwines romance, ambition, and family intrigue. Set in the glamorous Galerías Velvet department store, the series follows the forbidden love between Alberto Márquez, heir to a prestigious fashion house, and Ana Ribera, a talented seamstress navigating her own dreams and desires.
Velvet captivates viewers with its lush period details, from stunning Art Deco-inspired settings to exquisite 1950s couture. Beyond the romance, the series explores themes of class differences, personal ambition, and family secrets, all set against the high-stakes world of fashion. Its heartwarming, escapist tone, combined with richly detailed costumes and environments, makes Velvet a favorite for fans of historical dramas and romantic storytelling alike.
Music Highlights
Austin City Limits: The Marías
The Marías make a stunning debut on Austin City Limits, captivating audiences with their signature fusion of psychedelic soul, jazz-infused indie pop, and bilingual lyrics. Led by singer María Zardoya and multi-instrumentalist Josh Conway, the band delivered a dreamy, cinematic set featuring songs from their second album Submarine and debut Cinema.
Known for their genre-blending sound, The Marías create a “cinematic experience” that is both sensual and introspective, enhanced by Zardoya’s commanding stage presence and hypnotic performances. Their music, often hazy and evocative, weaves English and Spanish lyrics to connect with diverse audiences.
Expect an emotional and visually stunning performance exploring themes of love, heartbreak, and longing, all set against lush jazz percussion, hypnotic guitar, and mesmerizing stage lighting. This taping marks an all-star debut on the iconic ACL stage, solidifying The Marías as a rising force in contemporary music.
Watch OETA This Hispanic Heritage Month
From genealogical journeys and historical documentaries to musical legends and powerful dramas, OETA’s Hispanic Heritage Month programming offers stories that inspire, educate, and celebrate Latiné culture.
👉 For air dates and times, visit the OETA schedule.