On Sunday, November 8, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, the Western Illinois Museum (WiM), in collaboration with Illinois Humanities, invites the public to an afternoon of stories, music, and dance celebrating the contributions of our region’s Latin American residents. A suggested $5 donation at the door supports the WiM’s programming.
The afternoon begins at 2:00 pm with a talk by Julia Albarracín-Green, WIU political science professor, founder of Western Illinois Dreamers, and Illinois Humanities Road Scholar. Her talk is based on her 2025 book, Young and Undocumented: Political Belonging in Uncertain Times.

At 3:00 pm, the celebration begins. Beardstown guitarist Gabriel Borjas and his daughter, singer Ayelen Borjas, will perform live mariachi music. At 3:45 pm, students from WIU’s Tradición will present a Mexican folklórico dance. The afternoon closes at 4:00 pm with a DJ dance party led by Gabriel Borjas, and everyone is welcome to listen and dance along.

2:00 pm: Talk by Julia Albarracín-Green, Young and Undocumented
3:00 to 3:45 pm: Mariachi music with Gabriel Borjas (guitar) and Ayelen Borjas (vocals)
3:45 to 4:00 pm: Folklórico dance performance by WIU Tradición
4:00 to 5:00 pm: DJ dance party with Gabriel Borjas