FIU Celebrates Hispanic Heritage

Florida International University's Hispanic students, faculty and staff celebrate their ancestry during Hispanic Heritage Celebration 2000 & Carnival FIU 2000 with a 10-day lineup full of salsa, to include a performance by Continental Brass.

"A college education is not just about books and exams," said Vice President of Student Affairs Patricia Telles Irvin. "It's also about social interaction and culture, which is what this celebration adds to the experience on campus."

The 10-day celebration will feature a series of performances giving everyone an opportunity to experience a taste of Latin culture and learn about the diversity that exists among Latin cultures.

All performances, except where noted, are free for FIU students and the public and will take place at University Park, S.W. 112th Avenue and S.W. 8th Street. Here is a list of events:

Media Noche de Diversion Moonlight Madness:
Comedy Show Featuring the Sal Soul Comedy Troupe
Friday, Oct. 13, 9 p.m., Golden Panther Arena

Ceremonia Hispana Opening Ceremony
Featuring Luna Clara and a variety of Latin American music
Monday, Oct. 16, noon, Graham Center Forum

Noche Venzolana
Venezuelan Night
Includes a performance of "Cantar Venezolano" by the women's a capella group, Coral Polifonica
Monday, Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m., GC Ballroom

Festival de Bailes Folkloricos
Festival of Dance and Color
Featuring several dance routines: "Spain," "Bolivia and Ecuador," "Argentina," "Dominican Republic"
Tuesday, Oct. 17, noon, GC Forum

Noche Petroriquena
Puerto Rican Night
Cultural Presentation "Puerto Rico Ayer y Hoy"
Tuesday, Oct. 17, noon, GC Forum

Cantelo con Mimica y Tapas
Lip Sync Competition and Festival of Food
Show your talents by mimicking current Hispanic Musicians
Prizes include: $150, $100 and $75
Wednesday, Oct. 18, noon, GC Forum

Dominican Cultural Film "Un Dominicano en Nuevo York"
Wednesday, Oct. 18, 5 p.m. & 9 p.m., GC Gallery

Una Noche Dominicana
Dominican Night
Music, dance, food and cultural presentations
Wednesday, Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m., GC Gallery

Learn to Dance with Salsa King
Thursday, October 19, noon, G.C. Forum

"Calle FIU"
Carnival FIU
Celebrate at FIU's Latin Carnival with food, dancing and music
Special performance by: La Familia Mora-Arriaga and Continental Brass
Thursday, Oct. 19, 5 p.m.-11 p.m., Housing Towers Roadway

Cena de Orgulllo (tickets required for reserved seating)
Awards Celebration honoring a community leader, alumni, employee and student who have made positive contributions to Hispanic Culture
Thursday, Oct. 19, 6 p.m - 9 p.m., Housing Towers Roadway

Exposition of Dominican Books
Friday, October 20, 6:30 p.m., Library

Latinos Unidos
United Latinos
A showcase of FIU's finest talents that include poetry, music, song, dance and theatre
Monday, Oct. 23, 6:30 p.m., Library

Lecture: Ernesto Morales Alpizar "Terror in Miami"
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 8 p.m., GC Gallery (Lecture in Spanish)

FIU's Biscayne Bay Campus will include salsa classes during Hispanic Heritage Celebration 2000 on Tuesday, Oct. 17 and Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The classes are free and open to the public. The Biscayne Bay Campus is located at N.E. 151st Street and Biscayne Boulevard in North Miami.

For more information on any of the events or tickets please call the University Park at 305-348-2138 or the Biscayne Bay Campus at 305-919-5804.