Area college students throw a Noche de Gala
By hola | Published | No Comments
Members of Latino student organizations from several Washington-area schools held the annual Noche de Gala celebration of Latino culture Feb. 1 at Catholic University of America.
D.C.-Salvadorian poet and social activist Quique Áviles opened the evening by performing a few poems. One, called The Immigrant Museum, includes this stanza:
At the Immigrant Museum there are accents
Russian vodka
bilingual answering machines
herbal potions
Jesus paintings
Chinese noodles
Vietnamese sandals
the first dream to enter Ellis Island that wasn’t fulfilled
George Washington University’s Grupo Fuego performed next. The dance team has only six members but kept the crowd invested with a high-energy performance.
Grupo Fuego
Later, everybody hit the dance floor to DJ Willy’s selection of bachata, salsa, merengue, and other Latin music. Experience was not required but was appreciated; a couple from Georgetown University were crowned the Rey and the Reina de la Noche in the dance competition after wowing the crowd with some high-energy moves of their own.
¿Quién quiere bailar ahora?
The event, which attracted students from several area universities, was hosted by Catholic and the District of Columbia Latino Student Partnership.
Organizers say they were thrilled with the larger than expected turnout.
It “was good to see that you’re not alone,” says Melina Hernandez, a member of A.U.’s Latin American Student Organization as well as the D.C.-wide umbrella group. She was both relieved to see the evening unfold smoothly and inspired by the large and diverse turnout that reflects the wide spectrum of “Latinidad” in evidence on Washington’s college campuses.
“This is a very great event, one of my favorites because it shows the richness of the Latin American Culture,” says Pam Maria Cabrera, a Catholic University student and the Partnership’s president.
For many in attendance—whether they’d come to learn about the Latin American Culture or to embrace their heritage—there was a sense of unity on display.
“I love going to this event,” says Alexandra Vega, an A.U. sophomore, who attended for her second year. “It makes me feel at home because of the music and the food, and it has a great atmosphere.”
-Cathleen Alarcon + Camila DeChalus
Recent Stories
