The Center for Multicultural Affairs and Latino Student Association kicked off EMU’s Latino Heritage month Wednesday with Flavors of Latin America, an event celebrating Latino heritage and culture.
“This is the first time we’ve held the event here at the student patio rather than the Lakehouse, where it’s usually held,” LSA member Roberto Perez said. “We had a good turnout.”
Free food was available to all students from 12 – 2 p.m., catered by chef Tom Murray, outside at the Student Center patio. Many students and faculty came to the event to mingle and enjoy the food.
“Un aplauso for chef Tom,” said Sandra Gonzalez, director of Upward Bound and president of the Latino Advisory Council of Staff and Faculty. “I think he really kicked it up this year. The food was very good.”
LSA member Jeremy David Carter said, “I love the music. It is a very fun environment. Catering is stepping it up.”
Latin music added to the event; many students walked by dancing.
“I wish they did more events such as this,” Bell said. “It is very entertaining. This is good music, fun music to dance to.”
Instructor Laura Zelnik held her Health Promotion & Human Performance Latin Dance class at the event. She had everyone in her class follow her every move while she moved to the sounds of merengue music. Merengue is most popular in the Dominican Republic but is played all across Latin America. Merengue was one of the many types of music played at Flavors of Latin America.
Barnett said, “They’re dancing, but they’re doing it in their own style.”
“It’s interesting to see so many different people dancing,” first-year student Katie Mercer said. “Different races, both male and female, are having fun.”
Even EMU student Brittany Parker said, “I wish I can dance like they can.”
LSA member Ramona Cosme enjoyed the different setting of the event.
“I think this setting is really great,” Cosme said. “People passing by get a taste of our culture. When we hold events such as this in a room somewhere in the Student Center the exposure isn’t as loud and tasty; it’s more compact and people outside don’t get that same interaction.”
EMU’s Latino Heritage Month will include an immigration panel discussion with professors from EMU and representatives from Wayne State University. Ignacio Rivera will be joining in the celebration 6 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Student Center auditorium. Rivera does poetry, workshops, lectures, skits, one-person shows and experimental films. He will be talking about his latest transition as a trans-gender and how he prefers the gender-neutral pronoun “they.”
Latino Heritage month continues through Oct. 14, ending with Salsa Night at 7 p.m. at the Student Center ballroom, featuring music by Ozzie Rivera and The Orquestra Ispiracion. People attending are encouraged to come dressed as they please.
