By JAMES HUFF

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REVIEWS: Bringing Latino culture ‘Burybound, Noche De Baile incorporated beautiful dances and unique music that Salisbury University students participated in. This year’s Noche De Baile, held on Nov. 11 in Devilbliss Hall 127, helped familiarize SU students with rich Latino culture.

The Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS) at Salisbury University hosted Noche De Baile. Translated to “Night of Dancing” in English, the event combined Afro-Latino, Mexican, Colombian, and Cuban dances and music for the enjoyment of the masses.

A group of dancers, part of the OLAS, assisted the students in performing the Salsa, Bachata, Colombia and more. A video was showcased on the big screen with the appropriate steps and rhythms to follow.

For me, I didn’t just stand around, I danced! The first dance was the Bachata; we were taught to move with the beat, to not just hear the music but to feel the music as well, making all the hip movements intentional coupled with the thoughtful sways of our legs, utilizing our whole body in order to form this almost perfect hypnotic dance which showed students how beautiful the culture we were stepping into is. 

Although I didn’t dance to the rhythm at all – even though I recognized the elegance of the dance – I went on to dance with somebody who was in the same predicament and we came to the conclusion that you can fundamentally enjoy something, although it doesn’t mean you have to be great at it. 

There are many things which students are fearful of that hold them back; for instance, I’ve always recognized I have no rhythm, yet I still tried it and had a great time. 

Students should not be afraid to join the club that is calling to them, not be afraid of wanting to make friends with that one person and should not be afraid of Salisbury University’s campus. Additionally, the behavior of some individuals does not represent the entirety of a group, or school. 

Robert Chin, head of the Multicultural Student Services, has been with SU for three years and spearheads the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. He expressed his thoughts on last week’s arrest of 12 SU students for a hate crime.

“The actions of a few are not indicative of a whole, there a lot of folks who look like you and [who do] not look like you that want to be supportive of you, and a lot of people feel that way, they feel unsafe right now, and we just need to come together, much like this week’s OLAS dance where we all have fun by seeing so many different types of people come together,” he said. 

“Just be welcoming, be lighthearted and be respectful of each other,” Chin added.  “Be more open, have more respect with others, have a good time with that: the best way to have a great campus is by having great students.”

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Featured image courtesy of James Huff