Aquí y Ahora is KEXP’s annual celebration of the contributions, resilience, and music of Latinx, Hispanic, and Latino-identified communities across the U.S. in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 through October 15.
Since 2018, KEXP has marked the month through special programming, live performances, conversations, podcasts, community gatherings, and editorial projects designed to amplify voices and create even more space for the music, artists, stories, and communities we celebrate year-round.
On this page, you will explore highlights from Aquí y Ahora 2026, including our 24-hour kickoff, Live on KEXP sessions, podcasts, community programming, and our September 25th gathering in Seattle.
KEXP’s Aquí y Ahora celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Hermanos Gutiérrez, Live on KEXP from the Gathering Space on Friday, September 25th at noon.
We’re also teaming up with the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle and MexAm Fest for a day celebrating Latin music, culture, and community, featuring Latinx vendors, DJ sets, community organizations, brief community mic moments, and more.
Join us in the KEXP Gathering Space from 10 AM to 5 PM. It’s free, all-ages, and open to the public.
On Monday, September 14th, KEXP kicked off Aquí y Ahora with 24 hours of special on-air programming, from 5 AM PT Monday through 5 AM PT Tuesday. Hear special programming, conversations, stories, and tons of great music throughout the day as KEXP kicks off its annual celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
5–7 AM — Early w/ DJ Miss Ashley
7–10 AM — The Morning Show w/ Albina Cabrera
Guest: Estela Ortega, Executive Director at Centro de la Raza
10 AM–1 PM — The Midday Show w/ Mike Ramos
1–4 PM — The Afternoon Show w/ Larry Mizell Jr.
4–7 PM — Drive Time w/ Riz Rollins
Special programming including interviews with Dr. Christopher Mena and Ángela Ortez-Zarate, plus music and a conversation with Seattle duo Lucha Luna, highlighting Latin music, culture, food, education, and community in Washington.
7–10 PM — El Sonido w/ Goyri
10 PM–1 AM — KEXP at Night w/ Sean
1–5 AM — Overnight w/ Mike Ramos
El Sonido: Cancioneros returns September 14th for the second half of its 2026 season.
Each week, host and producer Albina Cabrera invites a Latin artist to open their personal songbook and explore the music that shaped their sound, their story, and the scenes around them. The season returns with Marilina Bertoldi, followed by new episodes featuring Enjambre, Malcriada, Planta Industrial, Bomba Estéreo, and more.
Aquí y Ahora is also a space to connect with organizations doing vital cultural and community work. Explore organizations that have participated in or shared their work with KEXP through Aquí y Ahora.
| WHO | WHAT THEY DO |
|---|---|
| Alcon Media LLC (El Centro de la Dignidad) | A Hispanic community-based radio company focused on providing educational and cultural content that supports the fight for a dignified life. They broadcast through FM radio stations, digital media, and print, building empowerment in rural areas of Washington and Oregon through collaborations with local organizations and independent media. |
| Alimentando Al Pueblo | Our vision is to have joyful communities. Our mission is to cultivate healing through comunidad, comida, and celebración. Alimentando al Pueblo is a Burien based nonprofit founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic as a Community and Cultural building organization. Our programs are rooted in a power sharing model with a goal to develop leadership within our Community. We serve the Latine and Pueblos Originarios populations of South King County, WA. Together, we source and distribute cultural foods, organize celebrations that promote social connections and healing, and center Latinx art and traditions in every aspect of our work to cultivate joy, pride, and cultural preservation. |
| Aqui Mercado | Aqui Mercado puts on events throught the year bringing many latino DJs, artists, and business owners to show, sell and put on a mercadito in the greater Seattle Area. |
| Casa Latina | An organization that help in the latino community they focus on helping those who may not be employed, directing them into a path where they can get better education, and help community organization |
| Chicanos Seattle | Organization that put information on events that are happening and also put out news on what is happening in the community |
| Colectivosea | They connect people ideas and experience to unite those in the community, sharing the stories of others |
| Corporate Pero Latinos: Seattle Chapter | We are an organization focused on creating impactful experiences for our members and our Latinx community by connecting individuals who identify as such. Corporate Pero Latinos offers an intersection of cultures, industries, and interests where one can join as their authentic self and connect with people who share similar cultural and professional backgrounds. Our philanthropy focuses on giving back to underrepresented and underserved communities through our Sin Paredes Scholarship Fund and local chapter initiatives. |
| Latino Community Fund | "They invest in Latino communities to cultivate new leaders, and support non profit orgs and improve the quality of life |
| Northwest Immigrants Rights Project | Non profit that defends and helps with immigrants rights in Washington state. They give out resources to organizations and to those who need it. |
| Seattle CISPES | Seattle CISPES is a grassroots organization working for social justice and human rights in El Salvador & the US. |
| Seattle Latinas Run Club | Group of latinas gather and just run, they have different runs that they do to raise money and awareness for important causes around the world. |
| Super Familia | Its a community organization that brings awareness to different events happening in seattle and they put their own events to raise money for community members that need it |
| Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network | A non profit organization that puts out info and helps empower immigrant and refugees power in the Seattle area |
Explore La Música Importa.
