Noche Latina, a night of food, dancing and music, will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. March 7 in the Colvard Student Union’s Dawg House.
Noche Latina is the Latino Student Association’s signature event of the spring semester, offering attendees an around-the-world atmosphere focusing on Latin culture. Over 10 countries will be represented at the event.
The keynote speaker of Noche Latina is Karina Zelaya, an assistant professor in the Classical and Modern Languages and Literature department at Mississippi State University.
The event will also feature salsa, bachata and merengue lessons taught by the MSU Ballroom Dance Club. A variety of foods will be provided, including arroz con gandules, elotes and patacones.
This will be the LSA’s third annual Noche Latina, a tradition started in 2016, and LSA President Hannah Reyes does not see it ending anytime soon.
“Since this event means so much to our members, I believe Noche Latina will continue going strong for years to come,” said Reyes, a senior Kinesiology major.
The goal of Noche Latina is to encourage and appreciate the unique cultures represented within the LSA. Creating a community in which Hispanic and Latin students and their allies can support one another in all of their pursuits, whether academic, professional or personal, is important to the group. The LSA also wants to raise awareness of the cultures, communities and experiences of Hispanic and Latin students.
One of the organization’s advisors, Kei Mamiya, said Noche Latina can only grow from here.
“Noche Latina offers a fun time for all people at the university, and also from outside,” Mamiya said. “People will be able to experience and enjoy food, music and dance from Latin American countries while learning about their cultures. We want to make it bigger each year.”
The LSA is a social organization available to everyone who holds a passion for Latin culture.
The group was formed Sept. 8, 2015, by former president Daisy Edwards. Noche Latina began not long after, and it continues to be one of the group’s biggest events.
The LSA serves members and students in more ways than one. Through its bi-weekly general body meetings and events over the year, members can network, explore current events and become involved on campus and in the community.
The LSA’s primary goal is to be a voice for an underrepresented minority and embrace its shared ethnicity. The organization hosts many events throughout the academic year, including an Ask a Latino panel, Día de los Muertos celebration and various film series.
The group also plans to take part in an upcoming International Fiesta for the third consecutive year.