Roughly 150 people attended the seventh annual mariachi poetry and spoken word event Saturday night.

The semi-formal event, sponsored by Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity, took place at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center. The event was free to the public and provided Mexican food and entertainment from a mariachi band from St. Louis that played a number of traditional songs.

“We wanted to have an event that shared the mariachi culture and traditions,” said Alberto Mendez, president of Sigma Lambda Beta. He said the event took place off campus, instead of having it at the Student Center, because the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center provides a more elegant atmosphere.

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The event also awarded members of the fraternity who received honors for things like highest grade point average, which was awarded to Abed Abukhdair.

Underground Arts, a campus Registered Student Organization, was also in attendance to provide the spoken word and poetry for the event. Underground Arts brings hip-hop and arts to campus.

“All of our members are artists in some way and we put those arts on display as much as we can,” said Steven Rahman, a senior from Chicago studying philosophy.

Demarcus Hamilton can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 254 or [email protected].