Titans unite for late night time Latin celebration at CSUF | Life-style

The Becker Amphitheater got here alive Thursday night time as college students gathered for Banda Night, dancing and cheering on performances, whereas having fun with tacos with pals. 

Banda Night was a part of Cal State Fullerton’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which honors the histories and cultures of Latin American international locations from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. 

Associated Students organized the occasion to showcase Hispanic scholar golf equipment, spotlight the packages and assist they provide and create a welcoming house for cultural celebration with a tight-knit group. 

Banda music is a conventional style that originated in Mexico, recognized for its brass and percussion devices. With energetic rhythms and energetic performances, Banda typically accompanies celebrations and household or festive group gatherings, serving as a logo of Mexican cultural pleasure and heritage. 

Events like these enable college students to immerse themselves of their tradition, get pleasure from significant social interactions, acquire firsthand expertise and strengthen cultural understanding throughout campus.

ASI college students who organized the occasion stated one of many fundamental causes occasions like Banda Night are held is to encourage scholar participation and interplay. 

“I want people to enjoy themselves as well as, say they’re incoming freshmen or they’re a commuter, they can also learn about the sense of community they can build and talk to different clubs,” stated Grace Cazares, an ASI scholar programmer and fourth-year communication problems main. “Say they are Hispanic and they want to make that community, then I think that’s a good way to as well.” 

Jorge Lua, an ASI scholar programmer and fourth-year communications main with a focus in promoting, added that the occasion additionally helps broaden campus outreach.

“It makes people want to continue going to our events because maybe the next event might be an event for their culture or what they like,” Lua stated. “It makes them have that open idea to come out and see what we have.” 

Hosting Banda Night allowed college students to expertise these customs and find out about Mexican and Latin American heritage on campus, freed from cost.

“A lot of people, they can’t afford actually going to pay for a Banda or to go see a Banda,” Lua stated. “It’s also so students can have that experience of having that cultural aspect.”

Between songs, college students waved flags, recorded movies on their telephones and cheered as performers inspired viewers participation. The power resembled a competition with music and dialog spilling out throughout the amphitheater. 

Multiple performances occurred all through the night time, beginning off with conventional salsa and folklórico dances. Then adopted by Grupo Radar’s energetic set and ending with the primary occasion, Banda Primera Generación, which had the group cheering and dancing all night time lengthy. 

“I really liked seeing the baile folklórico, especially since I left grade school,” stated first-year switch and English main Alexis Sanchez. “I used to be in baile folklórico, so ever since I left, I haven’t really seen that. It’s really nice to see it because I feel like that is a really important part, especially Indigenous Mexican culture.” 

While having fun with these fascinating performances, college students lined up without spending a dime meals. Students wearing conventional vaquero type took over the dance ground, performing dances so contagious they rapidly unfold by the group. 

After watching the performances, college students felt the music and environment made them really feel each represented and grounded of their cultural roots. 

“You feel more connected because you get to see more people of your culture and enjoy the music that you know or grew up with,” stated Gabriel Vargas, a first-year prison justice main. 

ASI’s occasion efficiently united college students to observe cultural traditions which have been handed down by generations, which proceed to thrive as we speak. Based on this yr’s attendance, Banda Night has the potential to develop into an annual occasion. 

For many college students, it’s extra than simply the music; it’s a celebration of their heritage.

“There’s a good sense of pride here. People are here, they’re proud to be Latino,” Sanchez stated. “I think it’s important for students to recognize that they’re seen here and that they’re acknowledged, especially with the political climate. We’re here to stay.”