As students filled Gilbert Hall, the sounds of Latin music filled the air. Event organizer Rosalynne Heidler bustled around with many other organizers, making sure everything was perfect for a night full of fun, friendship and dancing.
The night was more than just about dancing, it was about showcasing culture and everyone moving together, all while listening to some groovy tunes to the art of salsa.
Shippensburg University’s Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) and the Latino Student Organization (LSO) hosted a salsa night on March 1, as part of a three-part dance series to teach students Latin dances and culture.
LSO members led students in authentic Latin dances through step-by-step instruction, immersing them in the culture and exposing them to new experiences. All while laughing and enjoying themselves throughout the night.
“It’s always important to showcase culture,” Heidler said. “We just want to share our culture as well as have everyone experience it.”
The salsa night was part of a three-night dance series teaching students how to dance bachata, salsa and cumbia, all of which were leading up to the group’s Latin night that will be held later in March.
“For our Latin Night, we really want to have everyone moving,” Heidler said.
LSO is an on-campus organization that raises awareness to matters impacting the Latino community and sharing mental experiences affecting their members. The organization reinforces the idea of family and coming together as a community. That is why events like the dance series and Latin Night are so important to Heidler and other members of MSA and LSO.
Heidler said it is important to “get everybody to learn the dances [and] have everybody experience our culture.”
For more information on Latin Night and other MSA and LSO events, visit the links below.
MSA: https://www.ship.edu/about/offices/msa/
LSO Instagram: @lso_ship
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