Southeastern’s Spanish Club will be holding their annual Latin Dance Night in order to get people on campus in touch with Spanish culture while simultaneously raising money for scholarships.
Latin Dance Night will take place in the Student Union Ballroom on Thursday, Nov. 10 from 6-9 p.m. and is open to the public. Spanish Club members pay $5 and non-Spanish Club members pay $7 with a valid Southeastern ID.
Mariela Sanchez, a Spanish professor and the Spanish Club advisor for the past five years, said that several students in Spanish Club will be teaching attendees how to partake in Latin style dance at the event. No previous dance experience is needed to partake in the dancing.
“The students love to dance to Reggaeton music,” said Sanchez. “Music helps to get the stress out. It’s like a zumba class.”
There will be a disc jockey playing a mix of music, including salsa, meringue and hip-hop songs.
In addition to the cultural mix of music and dancing, there will also be Latin food. Sanchez said that there will be nachos, cheese and chili, among other foods, and there will be virgin margaritas.
Sanchez described Latin Dance Night as a party with balloons, decorations and a couple of piñatas.
Maria Ross, a Spanish major continuing her education in the Educational Technology Master’s Program, has volunteered for this event almost every year. Ross has attended Southeastern and is considered an alumni lifetime member of the Spanish Club.
“During the festivities, they have raffles, door prizes and they raffle a study abroad scholarship,” said Ross. “Study abroad in Spain is a cultural, educational, wonderful experience. I recommend it to everybody. It is an unforgettable adventure of your life.”
Ross said that studying in Spain is unlike anything else and Latin Dance Night plays a big part in providing funds for study abroad scholarships.
“It is the event of the year,” said Ross. “Students that are taking Spanish courses bring their friends to introduce them to our Spanish college culture.”
Sanchez said that the Spanish Club could never have had Latin Dance Night every year without the help of students and faculty and the kind donations of several local businesses including La Carreta, Cate Street Seafood and Ponchatoula’s Mi Patio.
Thanks to all of these people and businesses, all Southeastern students have the opportunity to put on their dancing shoes and immerse themselves in all aspects of Spanish culture for one night.
For additional information on Latin Dance Night or the Spanish Club, contact Mariela.sanchez@selu.edu.