Noche Latina: A Night of Music, Poetry, Dance, and Culture

    Last Saturday, October 10, the Andrews University Latino Association hosted Noche Latina. This was their final event celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and it was big. Held at AU’s main outdoor event area, the Marsh Hall white tent, the event was filled with bright lights, flags, joyous music, and the pure spirit that came from each student attending.
    I talked to the president of AULA, Nathaly Manrique (senior, biology, spanish) and the event planner and graphic designer, Loren Manrique (sophomore, animal science), who planned and executed the event to get their thoughts on how they thought it went.
    Nathaly said that “During the event, we were able to see all our efforts and planning come into fruition. It was very rewarding to see people enjoying the music, food, and also interacting with each other. We wanted the event to feel like a “fiesta familiar ” (family get-together), and it did just that.” She said that her favorite part was “the two spoken word acts that we had really touched me, one by Eddy Montalvo (senior, theology) and one by Grecia Castillo (junior, communication) and Victor Sobalvarro (sophomore, biology). Through them, I was able to appreciate different perspectives of what it means to be Latino/a in our current environment and learn a little more about each other.” Nathaly also explained that “The theme for Hispanic Heritage Month this year is Unidos, and on Saturday night we were able to come together and celebrate our differences and similarities.”
    Loren said that “it was definitely a challenge up to the last minute when everything finally came together.” She also explained, “I loved the way it turned out to be, we fulfilled the goal we had from the moment the idea popped in our heads. We wanted to display the beauty and diversity of Hispanic culture and how we have to be proud of who we are, and all the acts did just that beautifully.” Manrique lastly said that “The culture was celebrated in so many ways, from the notes played by every instrument, to the letters of every song and poem. We showed everyone who came to the event our culture and our identity.”
    Student Janine Navia (senior, spanish, global studies) thought the event was well put together. She said, “The decorations were great, I liked that they provided food, and I appreciated how homey the vibe was.” Navia also said that all the performers did an amazing job, but her favorite part was “when I was able to dance at the back of the tent with my friends to the songs that each performer would sing.” She also thought her culture was celebrated and recognized by “the flags that were put up and by the performers who represented my countries, especially William Dos Reis (senior, architecture) and Vivian Raimundo (senior, music education) who sang very well known Brazilian songs.” Navia also points out that, “Normally AULA does not include Brazilians, who are usually set aside because they speak a different language, but it was really great to see my country and language being represented in an event like this.”
    Yulian A. Tinoco (senior, psychology, spanish) was really happy with how the event turned out. “People came to share their Hispanic and Latino culture with each other, happy vibes throughout the night,” said Tinoco. He expressed that his favorite part of the event was the support that was evident during the entire event. “Most, if not all the people I interacted with that night, were happy. They were so supportive of each other and genuinely hyping each other up during performances. I was just happy to be there seeing my friends participate and show off their God-given talents.” Tinoco explained that “Everyone who participated in the event showed the great pride that he or she had for their country, whether through music, spoken word, or traditional dance.” Cultures also celebrated through what people wore. He explains that “there were some people who came with some sort of clothing that represented their country and that’s not something you get to experience every day. Joy, happiness, and great pride for one’s country, that to me is how culture is celebrated.”