Get ready to spin…. & spin, spin spin! with bachata class on campus
Enthusiastic students filled the Legacy Hall Multipurpose Room on Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. ready to learn the practice of the Hispanic cultural dance Bachata, sponsored by the Organization of Hispanic Students and Sigma Lambda Alpha.
“Latin dancing derives from the Caribbean islands; the bachata I’m going to teach you derives from the Dominican Republic and is an eight count dance,” Giancarlo Martini, professional dance instructor at Zavala, a Non-profit Hispanic Organization, said.
Bachata is a Latin American romantic dance accentuating connections between your partner and yourself, with one of the most distinctive characteristics being the hip motion of the female dancer, which further enhances the relationship. It didn’t become widely popular until the late 1990’s, additionally becoming more known throughout the 2000’s due to mixing with more modern genres.
“I believe that they got a deeper understanding of the Hispanic culture, seeing us dancing and participating. At first you’re always skeptical until you try and actually do it,” Keyla Ahow, dance instructor at Zavala, said.
The students showed excitement while the instructors began to explain the steps to the dance. Demonstrating with one another, the students mirrored the steps of Ahow and Martini, beginning with footwork and later moving on to full counts. Also using two different techniques with partners, one being up close and the other being spaced out, the most prominent being close together to form that reliant relationship. The end result was the students performing a choreographed dance to a bachata song together.
“I think it’s nice that they’re trying to involve others around campus with various cultures, ” Aracely Ibarra, education and Spanish sophomore, said.
Many students expressed how grateful they were to get the chance to experience the Hispanic culture surrounding campus. This was one of the many events hosted on campus this month to allow students to participate in Hispanic Heritage Month. It demonstrated the various talents of Latin American cultures.
“Coming into this I thought I had two left feet, but I got the hang of it,” Fatima Romo, respiratory senior, said.
This class gave Romo and other students the chance to try out a talent that they may not have had the opportunity to explore before, and possibly form an interest for later Bachata classes or possibly even joining one of the other Hispanic dance programs offered on campus. It enabled them to expand their experience with the different types of dances throughout the world.
“It’s such a cultural staple for Hispanics and stuff like that to express themselves. It’s super privileging to be able to share that with people,” Martini said.
