TCU students and faculty members sampled Latin American delicacies while listening to a Latin jazz band Tuesday as part of an event that marked the end of Hispanic Heritage Month.Greg Trevino, director of Inclusiveness and Intercultural Services, said this event gave people a chance to integrate a little bit of Latin culture into their daily routine.
Trevino said the department has organized several events in the past to promote Hispanic Heritage Month; however, this was the first time the department had organized something that involved both food and music.
“I’m pretty excited about it,” Trevino said before the event started. “I’m looking forward to see what the crowd reaction will be.”
The event, which took place at noon in the Student Center Lounge, had chairs set up and different foods to sample. Eight main dishes and three sweet dishes were offered, including miniature fajitas and empanadas.
The lounge filled with more than 50 students, faculty and staff within the first 10 minutes of the jazz band’s performance. There was also a line for food that stretched from the corner of the Student Center Lounge to the side entrance of the Main. The Latin food was provided to show the Hispanic origin of Tex-Mex food, and the band intended to show that “everyone can embrace the style of music and appreciate it,” said Sarah Elizondo, one of the chairs for the event.
“I was here for lunch but I found a better one,” said Luke Yuan, a junior finance and supply chain major.
Trevino said Mambo Machine, comprised of eight TCU students, was chosen to perform after its performance last spring at the TCU Latin Arts Festival and its performance earlier this semester at the Construction Kickoff Celebration.
Pablo Benavides, founder of Mambo Machine and graduate student in instrumental performance, said the band had been playing for TCU events and in different nightclubs for three semesters.
Trevino said this event was also supported by the Programming Council.
Giovanni Guerra, Programming Council director of lectures, films and forums, said the council supported the event because it was different and educational for students.
“It’s a part of our mission to educate the students, and informing them of different cultures is a way of doing that,” said Guerra, a sophomore international relations major.
Elizondo said the event celebrates “the music, sounds and the whole atmosphere of the Hispanic culture.”
Trevino said an event like this gives students an opportunity to learn about Hispanic cultures.
“Here’s a chance for you to look at the pride of the Hispanic culture and the importance of diversity here at TCU,” Trevino said.
Hispanic Heritage Month at TCU began Sept. 19 and involved a series of events every week, which came to an end Tuesday.