The Mary V. Jordan Multicultural Center and Hispanic American Student Alliance (HASCA) hosted a LatinX Dance Party on Oct. 6, from 7-9 p.m. in the D.P. Culp Center Cave for Hispanic Heritage Month.
“To be a Latino, to be a Hispanic, you got to know how to dance, or that’s what they say,” said Diego Rodriguez, President of HASCA. “I grew up here in the United States, and I would see the dances we had in middle school. They would play music, but there’s no, for a lack of better words, cohesion. People lacked confidence in their ability to dance and have rhythm–versus Latino culture, it’s very casual; no one’s laughing at anyone.”
Students had opportunity to learn several types of traditional Latin dances from guest teacher B.J. Goliday, including Bachata, Merengue and Salsa.
“Salsa, in my opinion, is the trickiest one. That’s the one I struggle with the most, but he’s a phenomenal instructor and breaks it down quite simple,” said Rodriguez.
The dances were also be accompanied by live music performed by Florencia Rusiñol.
“Many of the dances take influence from the African slaves that came to Caribbean and South America. It draws influence from their style of music. There’s a heavy beat in there, and you have to stick to the rhythm,” said Rodriguez.
For students who are worried about their dancing skills, Goliday guided participants through the whole process, step by step.
“A lot of people are timid about dancing. This is an environment where you can let loose and learn. A lot of people coming to this event are learning. It’s a nice even playing field to make mistakes and still have a good time,” said Rodriguez.
For more information about events like these, contact the Multicultural Center at etsumc@etsu.edu, or call (423) 439-4844.
