Latin music, dancing and free food are just some of the factors in this year’s Hispanic Latino Heritage Month.
The celebration is nationally recognized as an appreciation of Latin American culture. According to FAU’s Fact Book, 19 percent of the FAU population is Hispanic. As a result, various FAU campuses will be hosting events from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 for Hispanic Latino Heritage Month. All events are free for FAU students, faculty and staff. We highlighted some of the most interesting ones. For more events, visit www.fau.edu/explore/heritage.php.
Wednesday, Sept. 22
– Time: 5 to 6 p.m.
– Event: Latin Dance Exhibition
– Campus: Fort Lauderdale
– Location: plaza
The Latin Dance Exhibition will showcase salsa, a combination of Latin and Afro-Caribbean dances. It has a side-to-side feel different from the backward-forward motion of the mambo. While there will not be any teaching of salsa for the showcase, attendees will be able to sign up for an activity class afterward. All FAU students are welcome.
[Source: Kyle Johnson, director of the Broward Student Wellness Center]
Tuesday, Sept. 28
– Time: 4 to 6 p.m.
– Event: “Is Florida the next Arizona, or will we do better?”: Responding to the Challenge of Immigration
– Campus: Boca
– Location: Live Oak Pavilion, Room D (behind the Student Union)
This discussion will be an open forum where legal panelists, lawyers and immigrant rights leaders will speak and attendees will be able to voice their concerns.
FAU’s NAACP chapter will have a discussion on discrimination in America and the challenges immigrants face here. The NAACP will also be working with migrant workers in Lake Worth September, and they welcome those who nonmembers to help the cause too. To help, contact Stephanie Morgan at [email protected].
[Source: Stephanie Morgan, president of the FAU chapter of the NAACP]
Monday, Oct. 4
– Time: 6:45 p.m.
– Event: Zumba Fiesta
– Campus: Boca
– Location: Primetime Courts (in the Recreation and Fitness Center)
The Spanish word “zumba” means “hum.” This fun workout uses motivating, high-energy music. Participants will dance away their worries, and it is suitable for all fitness levels. It uses all types of music, but in support of Hispanic Heritage Month, Hispanic and Latino music will be used. Zumba will work the legs, core (chest and stomach), arms and heart.
[Source: Erin Stevens, fitness coordinator for the Department of Campus Recreation]
Tuesday, Oct. 5
– Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
– Event: Capoeira
– Campus: Boca
– Location: Primetime Courts (in the Recreation and Fitness Center)
While this workout is not as fast as zumba, it strengthens the legs, improves agility, and makes your hips stronger. It is a Brazilian art form called “capoeira” combining dance, martial arts and Brazilian music. Capoeira is a total body workout in which participants will imitate boxing movements and use fluid movements like stretches, leg sweeps and kicks.
[Source: Erin Stevens, fitness coordinator for the Department of Campus Recreation]
Wednesday, Oct. 6
– Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
– Event: Hispanic Heritage Fair
– Campus: Dania Beach
– Location: poolside patio
Celebrate Hispanic Latino Heritage Month with free food and music.
[Source: Frederique Frage, director of the Broward Office of Multicultural Affairs]
Thursday, Oct. 7
– Time: 4 to 6 p.m.
– Event: Mirta Ojito Talk and Book Signing
– Campus: Boca
– Location: University Theatre (in the Arts and Letters Building)
Mirta Ojito, FAU alumna and author, will be talking about her book Finding Mañana and will give a brief summary of her life during the time she emigrated from Cuba to the U.S. The book is made up of memoirs about the move from Cuba to South Florida in the 1980s, when Ojito was on the boats that left Cuba’s Mariel Harbor with 125,000 passengers.
[Source: Diane Aragon, administrative assistant for undergraduate studies]
Thursday, Oct. 7
– Time: 6 to 7 p.m.
– Event: Salsa/Samba Dance Class
– Campus: Davie
– Location: SD 105
The Student Wellness Center is hosting a class on Latin dances. Salsa is a fusion of Afro-Cuban and Latin influences. It is usually a partnered dance, but can be danced solo as well. The samba is a Brazilian dance with African roots. Both dances are set to a variety of instruments.
[Source: Kyle Johnson, director of the Broward Student Wellness Center]
Thursday, Oct. 7
– Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
– Event: Zumba Class
– Campus: Boca
– Location: Live Oak Pavilion (behind the Student Union)
Zumba is a fitness workout that uses a fusion of Latin music styles. Since the workout is like dancing, it’s easy to forget that it’s a workout. This fun event is right after Mirta Ojito’s book signing.
[Source: Marcelle Aquino, president of the Association of Latin American Students]
Thursday, Oct. 14
– Time: 7 to 11 p.m.
– Event: Ritmo Latino
– Campus: Boca
– Location: Grand Palm Room (in the Student Union)
This dance will be full of free food, live music and fun. Latin rappers Jabao will be performing live, and the good news is that no prior dancing skills are needed. There will be a dancing 101 instructional before the event begins for those interested.
[Source: Marcelle Aquino, president of Association of Latin American Students]
