Fiesta en la Plaza, a series of events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month held by Ágora, closed with Salsa Night at the Civic Pavilion in Government Center on Friday.
Elsa Mosquera, co-founder of Ágora, a Latino cultural organization, views salsa, a Latin-style dance, as an opportunity for Latinos from all backgrounds to celebrate their Hispanic heritage together.
“I believe salsa has been something that unites us in a wider way,” Mosquera said. “It’s a rhythm and a way of celebrating that everyone understands [and] that everyone enjoys.”
By hosting events like Salsa Night, Mosquera aims to highlight Latino culture and foster a community through art and dance.
“We cannot underestimate the power of sharing moments and spaces together,” Mosquera said. “Arts allow us to do that in a way that we can all celebrate together, no matter what our differences are.”
The event was open to all people, regardless of background or nationality.
Concetta Alberti, who is not Hispanic, still attended the event.
“I’m not Hispanic myself, but I like to be part of this community, to come out at these events,” Alberti said. “I think the energy is great.”
The event featured live music performed by Cuban jazz band Clave & Blues, and dancing led by El Bonche in Boston, a Cuban dance group.
“It’s a privilege to be the closing act of this wonderful event,” Anibal Cruz, Clave & Blues’ music director and singer, said. “This music makes people healthier and happier, and it’s very important that there are more spaces like this.”
Clave & Blues Manager and Bass Player Iris Luis-Gomez described salsa as a “mix of several rhythms,” emphasizing the genre’s ability to bring people from different cultures together.
“Music is the language in itself,” Luis-Gomez said. “It connects people no matter what their background is.”
Cruz said the public display of music and dance is “very important”, helps integrate Latino culture into Boston and generates interest surrounding the community’s events.
“Because right here, we are at a very public place, and anybody that comes by is going to be curious about what is going on here,” Cruz said.
Once the venue began to fill up, people gathered outside the Civic Pavilion to watch the event unfold. Many danced outside themselves, while others smiled and watched.
“Dance is a way for you to connect with yourself and a way to connect with others,” Fernanda Mendez, a member of El Bonche in Boston, said. “It creates relationships.”
Lacitia Baudet, another member of El Bonche in Boston, echoed the significance of creating community through dance.
“When we are dancing, we’re sharing, we’re communicating,” Baudet said. “It’s not about being a professional dancer, it’s about being connected with the music [and] with your partner.”