FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 14, 2000 CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 DRAKE TO CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH Drake University will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 16 through Oct. 9. The theme this year is "Ahora Y Después," which translates to "Now and Then." The festivities, which are all free and open to the public, will begin with a Mexican Independence Day Picnic from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at La Casa Cultural, 1151 28th St. The picnic will feature a piñata, authentic Mexican food and virgin margaritas. Carmen Sosa, administrator of the ESL Program of Iowa, will give a speech at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, followed by a reception in Olmsted Center, 29th Street and University Avenue. Latin dancing and free lessons will take place at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, at Olmsted Center. Drake's celebration will conclude on Monday, Oct. 9, with a flamenco dance performance by Teresa Y Los Preferidos, a Spanish dance company, at 7 p.m. in Olmsted Center. Hispanic Heritage Month is sponsored by Drake University, La Fuerza Latina, the Coalition of Black Students and the Student Activities Board. For more information, call (515) 271-3711.