The event held Friday was sponsored by the Spanish Club of Cleveland State and assistant professor Alejandra Hoffer, who coordinated the special occasion.
“The students in the Spanish club worked so hard to make this happen,” Hoffer said. “Students came with their family and friends. The purpose of the event is to allow the students once a year to have something that brings some of the Latin American culture that they are learning in class to a fun adventure on campus.
“I feel they did that again. This is something they are excited about each year. Even former students came and joined in the fun. Everyone had a good time. The food, the dancing and the singing was so much fun. Everyone enjoyed it and at the end they did not want to leave.”
Neva Murray, a student at Cleveland State said, “Working with the Spanish club and organizing Latin Night has been one of the highlights of my time at Cleveland State.”
“I had never seen a live Mariachi band before,” admits Cody Blackwell. “It was a very exciting experience for my friends and myself.”
Student Michah Kidwell, agreed, saying, “Latin Night was a lot of fun! The food was great, the dancers were really good, the Mariachi band was amazing!”
Another student, Kaye Arnold, added, “I truly enjoyed the Latin Night fiesta. The entertainment was wonderful! I thought the dancers were beautiful, colorful and outstanding. The band was out of this world!”
The Spanish club members served more than 300 guests throughout the evening. Local businesses helped with special door prizes as people in the community came out and enjoyed some of the most colorful dancing ever seen on campus.
Adriana Rincon, manager of local traditional Mexican folk dancers, joined the dancers as they demonstrated famous Mexican dances performed in
their traditional dresses.
The renown Mariachi group Perla Serrana, from Atlanta, came to town to play music for the special event. Students and guests danced to their rhythms and sang to the songs that were requested by the crowd. Two hit songs were “Rocky Top” and “Sweet Home Alabama,” which were sung in English.
Monterrey Mexican Restaurant provided the authentic Mexican food as it has each year, while MC Michael Whaley helped keep the activities running smoothly. He gave away door prizes during the evening as well.
At the end of Latin Night the Mariachis played outside of the student center to the crowd that gathered there.
