Julia de Burgos Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center will perform at the Hispanic Heritage Celebration.Near West Theatre, a grassroots, intergenerational community theater in the Detroit Shoreway since 1978, will close its 2026 Community Celebration Summer Plaza Concert Series with a vibrant Hispanic Heritage Celebration this Friday, August 28, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at its outdoor plaza in the heart of the Gordon Square Arts District, 6702 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 44102.

The free community event will feature performances by Papo Ruiz, Near West Theatre performers, and Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center, with a dance lesson with Baila con Lali.

The celebration will include resource tables from the Cleveland Guardians and Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center, Latin US Theatre, Adrian Santiago, Bomani Beauty, Hispanic Heritage-themed crafts and delicious, authentic Puerto Rican offerings from Rincon Criollo.

Scheduled Performances Include:

• 5:30 p.m.: Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center

• 6 p.m.: Baila con Lali

• 7 p.m.: Near West Theatre Performances

• 7:30 p.m.: Papo Ruiz

The Near West Theatre's Hispanic Heritage Celebration.The Hispanic Heritage Celebration is the last of three Community Celebration Plaza Concerts in Near West Theatre’s summer series.

The Near West Theatre community works to build loving relationships and engage diverse people in strengthening their senses of identity, passion, and purpose—both individually and in the community—through accessible, affordable, and transformational theatre arts experiences.

For nearly 50 years, Near West Theatre has been shaping, changing, and saving the lives of children, teens, and adults. The community theater hosts a variety of free community events and free after-school programs to underline its commitment to accessibility for all people.

The organization serves people of all ages, but the focus on youth goes back to its founding and continues today.