The first annual Latino Heritage Festival, a five-day event sponsored by La Alianza Latina, kicked off last night with a performance by Chicano folk guitarist Chuy Negrete.
The festival, which comes after several months of planning, will feature performances all throughout the weekend, culminating with Monday's Cinco De Mayo holiday.
Cinco De Mayo marks the date of the Mexican army's defeat of French invaders more than 130 years ago.
La Alianza's Vice President Jasmine Elwick '99 said a lack of opportunities to experience Latino culture prompted organizers to create the event.
"We saw a void in what Dartmouth was providing and promoting for the Latino culture," she said. "We felt it was our responsibility to educate and celebrate the culture."
Festival organizer Norma Andrade '99 said the previous lack of a Latino cultural celebration contributed to her homesickness during her freshman year at the College.
The celebration continues tonight in Collis Common Ground at 7 p.m. with a performance by Mezcla, a Latino arts group from Brown University that performs dances, plays, songs and poetry.
Following Mezcla is Ritual, a student band that plays Latin American and Latino rock and reggae music, and the Caribbean band Banda Zero, the largest Meringue and Salsa band in the New England area. Between midnight and 2 a.m. David Avila '97 and Jasson Walker '98 will spin Latino tunes.
Saturday in Alumni Hall. there will be a an interactive discussion among professors, administrators and students at Dartmouth titled "The Future of Latinos in 2010." Also on Saturday night, students can taste authentic Latino cuisine in Brace Commons.
Sunday night, Nuestras Voces and other student performers will perform song, dance and drama to illustrate the "richness" of the Latino heritage.
And on Monday night, former New York City Public Schools Chancellor Ramon Cortines will deliver a public address at a location to be announced.
