Latin@ Music Fest
Blaring instruments and reverberating footsteps emanated from the Phelps Academy Center this past Saturday as students danced and ate at the Latin@ Music Fest. Following a huge success last year, La Alianza Latina (LAL) decided to hold the dance another year. From 8 to 10 p.m., the Academy Center was transformed into a bubble popping with Latin American culture.
La Alianza Latina, in conjunction with the Dean of Multicultural Affairs Rosanna Salcedo (LAL’s adviser) organized the event. The group’s members saw it fit to do so as this month is Latin Heritage Month.
Upper Jaynee Anaya said that the event was intended “to appreciate the rich culture that Hispanic/Latinx people bring to our campus.” She believed it was successful in providing the Academy community with “a little taste different types of music, foods, dialects and dances” of Latin American and Spanish-speaking countries.
“I know barely anything about Latin American culture, but one thing I did come to try was the food. It was actually really good.”
Salcedo asked the band “Grupo Fantasia,” (featuring Angel Wagner) who performed last year, to perform again. The band described themselves as not merely a band but a “mobile seminar on Latin American Heritage.” Its members have perfected various styles of Latin American music such as merengue, salsa, cumbia, bachata and vallenato; that night, they shared their talent with the PEA community.
“I didn’t attend last year so I didn’t know what to expect but it was quite a new experience,” lower Ella Parsons said, speaking on the event as a whole. “I can’t say it’s something I am used to but I will say that I enjoyed it.”
From empanadas to churros, there was a greater variety of food this year as LAL tried to represent a wider range of culture within Latin America. “I know barely anything about Latin American culture, but one thing I did come to try was the food. It was actually really good,” lower Amelia Lee said.
For people who didn’t know how to dance to the songs, there were many students willing to help. “I really didn’t know what I was doing but Camilla helped me. I still couldn’t get it but she tried to help at least,” Lee said. However, lower Gabby Brown said, “Honestly, I think it would’ve been better if they taught us some more moves.”
In general, the event was just as well received as the one last year. However, the location was a double-edged sword. Agora is a fairly central location that is heavily frequented, which would encourage people to drop by. On the other hand, it is quite small and didn't leave a lot of space for people to move their bodies and get others there too. This is perhaps the reason for the lower turnout that Anaya mentions when recapping the night.
All in all, the festival provided a familiar space for the Latin American community on campus to enjoy and share their culture with their peers as well as be “in” it despite the Exeter bubble. The rest of the community enjoyed it as a Saturday night event to pass the time, and perhaps, as intended by the organizers, a fun learning experience.