Plans Announced for Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration At ESU, Begins September 15

Posted by: admin on September 15, 2012, No Comments

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania’s (ESU) Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) and Latin American Association (LAA) will co-sponsor a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month on Saturday, September 15 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Keystone Room, located in the center of campus.  The celebration, which is open to the public at no cost, will feature ethnic inspired food, music, and a performance by Pura Essencia, ESU’s Latin dance group.

The national observation of Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15, 2012.  The observation celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month will continue on October 9 when OMA will sponsor a screening of the documentary, “Latina Confessions” (“What does it mean to be Latina in the U.S.?”) at 7:30 p.m. in Lower Dansbury.  This film highlights the struggles that Latina women face living in America.  It also deals with issues and concerns such as homosexuality and sexism.  The screening will be followed by a question and answer session with Louis E. Perego Moreno (a/k/a Tio Louie), the documentary’s filmmaker. The event is open to the general public at no cost.

On October 10, from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., OMA will sponsor a Zumba for Life aerobics class in the Mattioli Recreation Center Arena at ESU.  This event is open to current ESU students.  Zumba was founded by Alberto Perez in the 90’s. It stems from Colombian dance, which incorporates styles of music such as salsa, bachata, and merengue. The purpose of the program is to bring awareness to diseases/illnesses that historically affect many minority groups such as Latinos and to illustrate how activities, such as Zumba, may help to fight these health issues.

For more information about Hispanic Heritage Month events, please contact OMA Coordinator Cornelia Sewell-Allen at 570-422-3996 or csewell@esu.edu (email).