IU Festival Latino brings live music to Dunn Meadow

Latin beats drifted across Dunn Meadow's grassy field Saturday as IU's seventh annual Festival Latino showcased free live music, food and cultural activities as part of the celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. The event was organized not only to provide entertainment, but also to educate the public about cultural diversity. \nAs the music played, two students broke into an upbeat salsa dance.\nGraduate student Yasmiyn Fisher, one of the impromptu dancers, said she enjoyed the festival.\n"I think this is one great way to bring culture to Bloomington. It brings everyone together," she said.\nFisher represented the Latino Student Graduate Association's booth at the festival. \nOther groups represented included the Faculty and Staff for Student Excellence mentors, the Latin Dance Club and various Latino sororities and fraternities.\nGraduate student Guadelupe Arroyo was involved with FASE mentoring group's booth, which hosted the event's children's arts activities and face-painting. Children got to make their own maracas and necklaces at the festival. \n"We've been painting a lot of smiley faces, flowers, flags and stars," Arroyo said.\nArroyo said she enjoyed doing things to brighten the children's day.\nDuring the festival, entertainment was provided by mariachi bands. Students danced to South American music and explosive dance beats.\n"I think this is a great opportunity for students to find out about the Latin groups on campus and interact through food, fun and music," said Lillian Casillas, director of La Casa Latino Cultural Center. With the Latino Enhancement Cooperative, La Casa was a major producer of the event.\nStudents and Bloomington residents lounged on the grassy field listening to music or milled the lawn picking up handouts from approximately 40 booths stationed at the event providing educational information.\nLocal Peruvian restaurant Legacy of the Incas sold authentic cuisine to the diverse crowd of all ages and ethnicities. \nThe festival was also home to the 2004 Mini-Soccer Tournament, in which four local teams competed. The BC United team won the competition, taking home a trophy, gift certificates and T-shirts from sponsor McDonald's.\nJunior Alonso Mejia helped organize the festival with the Latino Enhancement Cooperative.\n"I think it went really well this year, especially because it was the first year we worked on it. This was a great start, but next year we'd like to make it bigger and better," Mejia said.\nMejia said future Festival Latino plans include a Spanish rock band, a bigger stage and even a fashion show. \n-- Contact staff writer Stacey Laskin at slaskin@indiana.edu.