Students got on their feet to dance on Saturday April 2, at the Spanish and Latine Student Association (SALSA) annual barrio fiesta. The event featured dances from SALSA’s members and guest dancers to perform traditional hispanic dances representing different countries in South America.
SALSA is an RSO on campus that focuses on increasing awareness and emphasizing Latin American culture, achievement and history.
The four countries celebrated this year were El Salvador, Peru, Chile and Puerto Rico.
Barrio fiesta featured five dances from professionals and each dance represented a different country. The dances performed by two professionals were the Chilean Cueca, the Salsa and the Bachata. Mia Ines performed the Bachata and the salsa.
“My favorite dance is between the Salsa by Lea and Ania, and the Bachata solo by Mia,” junior Anthony Romanelli said.
Barrio fiesta also featured three student-choreographed dances. The first was the Cumbia from El Salvador choreographed by senior Keyla Garcia. A Cumbia dance from Peru was choreographed by sophomore Arely Betancourt and the Salsa from Puerto Rico was choreographed by sophomore Amaiya Williams.
“All of the students in these dances worked so hard to have them done and perfected by Barrio Fiesta, and we’re so incredibly proud of them,” junior SALSA president Joselyn Molinar, junior, said.
Senior Carlo Chavez Linares performed a Peruvian folk song, and senior Nancy Escobar recited a poem she wrote about her experience as a Latina and the pride she feels as part of SALSA.
“Carlo is a good friend of mine and I know what an appreciation he has for culture and for music, both his own and others, so to see him in the spotlight showcasing his talents was great to see,” Romanelli said.
A fashion show showcased the typical clothing worn in each of the countries, along with a final bachata lesson taught by the professionals and an open dance floor for the rest of the night.
“Cabello Dorado was my favorite dance on the open dance floor because it’s one that gets everyone up and moving and it’s more intense,” first-year Alexis Aranda-Hernandez said.
SALSA seniors were also acknowledged for their time as part of the RSO, with a rose given to each. Those seniors were Jessica Flores, Nancy Escobar, Avalon Bruno, Jack McElveen IV, Henry Uriostegui, Vera Perez, Jasmyn Taylor, Aja Golliday, Saralexis Torres, Carlo Chavez Linares, Keyla Garcia and Alessia Girardin.
Barrio fiesta was remote last year which was far from the same as in person. Students were ecstatic to come back and reunite with their friends this year.
“I hope I can come to more SALSA meetings because it seemed like a good time with good people,” first-year Sena Ntumy said.
SALSA’s barrio fiesta brings the Latino community together and, for many, that’s the best part.
“[Barrio fiesta] made me feel like I was back at home, especially with the dances we all did,” Aranda Hernandez said. “For students, it gets people to interact with others that share commonalities besides what they study.”