Events Mark Independence Day, Mexican Heritage Month

Several area events are scheduled to mark Mexican Independence Day and Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month. Among them:

* Thursday at 8 a.m. at downtown’s Pershing Square, Mayor Richard Riordan and City Council members will launch the local celebration of Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month, proclaimed a national commemoration by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968. The ceremony will include the unveiling of the largest book of L.A. history.

On Sept. 20, an exhibition featuring photographs of 30 area Latina role models will open at City Hall.

* Friday through Sunday at Olvera Street, one of the largest Mexican Independence Day celebrations in Southern California takes place from noon to 7 p.m. daily, featuring a wide variety of music and dance.

* Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., the Mark Taper Forum’s Latino Theatre Initiative presents “El Grito!,” with Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Ballet Folklorico Ollin and other performers.

Information: (213) 972-7392.

* Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., the Riverside Municipal Museum presents its “Fiesta de la Familia,” with performers including Lalo Guererro, a past winner of the National Heritage Award.