Students take steps to learn culture

Students may not recognize the terms "merengue", "bachata" and "cumbia", but the dances they describe united students from all cultures Friday at Noche de Gala.

Nearly 400 salsa dancers filled the Student Center Ballroom Friday night for the seventh annual Noche de Gala hosted by the men of Sigma Lambda Beta. Noche de Gala was part of Latino Heritage Month.

Arturo Mendez, a sophomore from Franklin Park studying accounting and a member of Sigma Lambda Beta, said the Latin population is not big at SIUC, but by hosting this dance every year the Latino students can make an impact on the campus.

"Noche de Gala is the largest Latin event in southern Illinois, not just SIU," said Mendez.

Noche de Gala has become a tradition during Family Weekend at SIUC, but it was also a new experience for some of its attendees.

Kyrus Daugherty, a graduate student from Peoria in therapeutic recreation, had never attended Noche de Gala before but heard about the event in previous years.

"I want to see people having fun but at the same time really learning the dance," Daugherty said. "This event gives you a great cultural aspect of Latin America because you get to see things you don't see every day."

Ruth Manyara, a senior from Kenya studying psychology, was also a newcomer to the salsa scene.

"I love anything and everything about Latin culture and can't wait to see a lot of good dancing," Manyara said.

An hour after the party started, people were still dancing their way into the ballroom. The live salsa band played music from countries such as Peru, Venezuela, Dominican Republic and Colombia. Each country had a specific dance that was announced at the beginning of each song.

"Noche de Gala gives you a taste of Latin America," said Luis Alvarez, a sophomore from Chicago studying computer design and a member of Sigma Lambda Beta. "Noche de Gala is something different, and each year this event gets bigger and better."

One reason the event continues to grow is because of the live music. The band inspired couples to dance through the night, no matter how advanced they were in salsa dancing.

Some, such as Julio Barrenzuela, used experience to help newer dancers.

Barrenzuela, an SIUC alumnus from Springfield, joined various partners and taught dancers a few basic salsa moves all night.

Barrenzuela said he has been waiting a year for this event and loves the fact that it unites people of all cultures through dance.

"This is great entertainment for a Friday night, and SIU students are privileged to have an event like this," Barrenzuela said. "I would love to see this event next year and every year after that."

Shaneika Booker can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 262 or shay1805@siu.edu.