Some salsa for dessert
Latino culture celebrated in food and dance in annual heritage festival
Rachel Hirsch
Issue date: 3/24/08 Section: Style
On Friday evening, many peopke gathered for a Latino heritage celebration at Stodder Hall. The event included a keynote speaker Dr. Sue Estler, flamenco dances performed by Jessica Umel and several guitar performances.
A variety of foods were served, including Spanish rice, chicken fajitas and other ethnic dishes.
A myriad of beautiful examples of Latin-American music were played throughout the celebration. The music represented the diversity that each Latin-American country had, with distinct sounds, accents and styles.
Latin Americans performed a variety of dances such as Bachata, Merengue, Salsa, Cumbia, Rumba and more showcaesed from different countries.
The Flaminco dance involved clapping patterns, guitar music, intense facial expressions and stomping. As Jessica Umel performed, many looked with awe on her graceful arm movements and rhythmic skirt swishing.
Estler explained various aspects of Latin-American culture by presenting her experiences of her Mexico excursion with other University of Maine students.
Within the Pueblo region, there were several Spanish communities as well as indigenous communities. Sounds of the Mariachi and the native people were constantly played.
Feminism was also highly promoted. There were many women who displayed their arts; literature and museums displayed their historical figures with full-armored garb.
Within every community's light, there's always darkness lurking along.Within Mexico's communities, as well as other Latin American countries, there were always groups that were considered "outsiders" and were usually treated poorly due to their color, clothing and accents. Umel spoke about her experiences in Ecuador, and she observed that the country had a type of caste system. She also mentioned her experiences during the Mexico trip with Estler, one being that she saw what was left of "las capillas de Rosaria," the Pyramids of Rosery, which were mostly inhabited by Catholic churches when the Spanish invaded Mexico.
She mentioned that she learned from the cultural experience, and that she appreciates the cultures more.
Later, a free dance began with salsa lessons. The roots of salsa come from the Caribbean, exemplified from Bachata and Reggeton playing throughout the after party.
The celebration provided educational insights and perspective about different Spanish and Latin-American cultures.
A variety of foods were served, including Spanish rice, chicken fajitas and other ethnic dishes.
A myriad of beautiful examples of Latin-American music were played throughout the celebration. The music represented the diversity that each Latin-American country had, with distinct sounds, accents and styles.
Latin Americans performed a variety of dances such as Bachata, Merengue, Salsa, Cumbia, Rumba and more showcaesed from different countries.
The Flaminco dance involved clapping patterns, guitar music, intense facial expressions and stomping. As Jessica Umel performed, many looked with awe on her graceful arm movements and rhythmic skirt swishing.
Estler explained various aspects of Latin-American culture by presenting her experiences of her Mexico excursion with other University of Maine students.
Within the Pueblo region, there were several Spanish communities as well as indigenous communities. Sounds of the Mariachi and the native people were constantly played.
Feminism was also highly promoted. There were many women who displayed their arts; literature and museums displayed their historical figures with full-armored garb.
Within every community's light, there's always darkness lurking along.Within Mexico's communities, as well as other Latin American countries, there were always groups that were considered "outsiders" and were usually treated poorly due to their color, clothing and accents. Umel spoke about her experiences in Ecuador, and she observed that the country had a type of caste system. She also mentioned her experiences during the Mexico trip with Estler, one being that she saw what was left of "las capillas de Rosaria," the Pyramids of Rosery, which were mostly inhabited by Catholic churches when the Spanish invaded Mexico.
She mentioned that she learned from the cultural experience, and that she appreciates the cultures more.
Later, a free dance began with salsa lessons. The roots of salsa come from the Caribbean, exemplified from Bachata and Reggeton playing throughout the after party.
The celebration provided educational insights and perspective about different Spanish and Latin-American cultures.
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