SIUC organizations sponsor an evening of dancing and music in the spirit of Carnival

Members of the Hispanic Student Council could not send SIUC students to the Latino festival, “Carnival” which takes place in many South American and Central American countries, so they brought “Carnival” to the lower level of Grinnell Dining Hall.

After two months of planning, members of the Hispanic Student Council, along with three other campus organizations, were able to bring the event to SIUC.

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“It’s important for a University as diverse as SIUC to have events like this and Taste of Bangladesh to students,” said Lourdes Albo Puentes, a graduate student in TESOL from Cuba. “It reminds me of the carnival in Rio de Janeiro, except this is indoors. There’s music all the time and there’s a lot of joy which is the meaning of carnival.”

The basement of Grinnell Dining Hall was decorated with various greens, yellows and purples, festive colors and decorations that complemented the theme. People dressed as butterflies, and wearing various masks and designs upon their face, served various Latino dishes.

“Carnival is celebrated mainly in Brazil, but also in other countries like Venezuela, Cuba and Puerto Rico,” said Maria Cristina Gardner Lara, a freshman in foreign languages and international trade from Chicago who helped coordinate the event. “There are parades and contests. Its just a time where the rich and the poor come together, all lines are crossed and everyone celebrates.”

Fried bananas, guava juice and a rice dish were among the foods available to the more than 50 students and community members in attendance. Some ate the food offered, relaxing and socializing with others enjoying the festivities.

Others spent almost the entire evening dancing to the fast paced Latino music. The Southern Illinois West African Drum Ensemble provided a small portion of the musical entertainment that had attendants of all ages eagerly taking the floor.

“The best part to me has been dancing with my daughter,” said Rafael Ruperto of Carbondale.

Ruperto attended the event with his daughter, Aisha who despite her young age seemed to enjoy the rhythm of the music being played.

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“With the current conditions and the war and everything, it just seemed like a good time to come together and share the culture in good company,” he said

The dancing lasted hours, stopping only for a few moments as the king and queen of the evening were crowned. Julio Barrenzuela, clad in typical party apparel, and Marina Rentas donned in a ladybug costume with red glitter above her eyes had the honor of being king and queen that evening.

Not surprisingly, as soon as the crowning was over the dancing resumed.

Some got involved in serious salsa dancing, while other, smaller attendants simply spun in circles to the rapid rhythms.

Deanna Haywood, a junior in biological sciences from Chicago, watched as her daughter, Mimi, danced and socialized with other children as well as adults during the celebration.

“The music reminds me of home,” said Haywood. “And it’s just a great way for people to get a better understanding of who we are and be around each other in a more civilized manner. The more we know about each other the more we grow as people.”

In spite of the variety of foods and fast-paced sounds that motivated everyone to take the floor, Mimi was definitive in what part of the “Carnival” she most enjoyed.

“The people!” Mimi exclaimed with joy.

Reporter Jessica Yorama can be reached at [email protected]