Latin America Club member Sofia Garcia says costumes for Culture Night were flown over to Hawaii
Nandy Gordillo Caceres, a junior from the country of Guatemala majoring in TESOL Education said the Latin America Club had costumes for each Salsa, Brazil, Peru and Mexico dance. She said Salsa had three different female costumes that contain different patterns, works and designs. “We had a shimmery dress with tassels for the Salsa dance so it can show off when the girls do the
spins and turn,” said Caceres.
Brandon Thomas, a senior from Las Vegas majoring in computer science, who is one of the choreographers, said, “Salsa is a multinational dance. It is widely popular in Latin America and North America as well.”
Sofia Carolina Benjamin Garcia, a freshman from Provo, Utah, majoring incultural anthropology, said, “My mom has a storage room full of costumes from all over Latin America, and my dad is flying here and bringing them for Culture Night.” Garcia’s family dances professionally and they have every costume for the Mexico dance.
Garcia said here was a lot of footwork for men and skirt work for women in the Mexican dance. The shoes men wear had nails at the bottom that makes the stomping sound on the floor specific, shared Garcia. “Without the costume, there is no dance. The costumes add so much color and liveliness,” expressed Garcia.
Thomas explained, “It is important to recognize how much dancing is to Latin culture, especially in many social settings, and how that kind of interaction and intimacy is made within the culture. It is a great way to connect with others and to celebrate."
Commenting on the performance, Thomas said, “Look at the girls. They’re the best part of the dance because the costumes bring out character.” Garcia shared the costume for Mexico was white and represented the ocean.
Garcia said, “This dance is all about grace. It represents purity, which is very beautiful.” She also shared the costumes are hand-made which makes them expensive.
Caceres shared she grew up dancing. “I was probably 6 years old, and I remember my grandfather putting me on his feet, teaching me how to follow the marimba. I know for every birthday party, New Year or Christmas when we gathered with family, there was always music, and I will dance with my cousins, siblings. It is just how we learned."
“My mother said by dancing, everything gets fixed. When you think about a way of celebrating life, you think about a colorful, beautiful, sunny day. It is why very likely you will find all cultures in Latin America use color a lot to represent their dance - even with the mind as well,” shared Caceres.