Photo by Medina Ramirez | The Triangle
On October 10th, Latinos for a United Campus, a student-led cultural club at Drexel, hosted a celebration for the Latino community named “El Festival del Barrio.” The event featured rich cultural foods such as empanadas de pollo y queso with a simple side of yellow rice and black beans—Hispanic staples—as well as students dancing to genres such as cumbia with a touch of new-gen music. It demonstrated a promising night at Rush Garden for members of the Latino community to share core memories with friends, convey cultural pride, and learn about various cultures.
The festival’s major objective was to assure Latino and non-Latino Drexel students that LUC events and spaces provide a safety net for everyone. It is especially tough to be a member of a minority community when everything appears to be against them, but arts and cultural events are always valued. Experiencing inclusion in a predominantly white college is profoundly tough; nonetheless, the establishment of communities and events can alleviate feelings of isolation among students within themselves and their communities. A reminder to all participants of any multicultural club: it is not about ethnicity, but rather, being a part of a community.
The president of LUC, Cesar Rosales, a ‘26 mechanical engineering major, delivered a poignant speech about what it means to be Latino and the need to be loud, especially in current times. On behalf of LUC, his speech ended with a reminder: “[LUC] hope[s] to demonstrate that, even in these times, we remain present, vocal, and proud of our heritage.” The night had finally begun, with people socializing, eating, and, most importantly, dancing.
As students started to flow in with flags of Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and El Salvador draped over their shoulders, their first glimpse of the celebration included cultural decorations such as colorful party cutouts and Latin American flags along the lampposts, also known as fiesta papel picado, music as loud as the community’s pride, and the welcoming smell of fresh empanadas. It is a celebration where every flag and every burst of laughter from a domino game tells a story of resilience, joy, and an unbreakable communal spirit.
DJ Aida, a Boricua music industry student, set off the audience with a mix between reggaeton, dembow, hip-hop, and a sprinkle of bachata. Her setlist included musicians such as Bad Bunny, Rauw Alejandro, Ozuna, El Alfa, Aventura, and Jowell & Randy. She also included classic Puerto Rican artists such as Frankie Ruiz, Eddie Santiago, and Teodoro Reyes. Her set brought everyone to the dance floor, giving a glimpse of Drexel students’ talent.
Photo by Medina Ramirez | The Triangle
As the night went on, everyone continued to show their merengue, salsa, norteno, and cumbia dancing skills. The twists, turns, and the classic two-step dance lit up the event. The most vibrant part of the night was when each flag made its debut on the dance floor—with salsa originating in Puerto Rico and cumbia wepa originating in Mexico. Students of all ethnicities—Hispanic and non-Hispanic—were dancing together, alone, and along with the melody.
The event delivered a powerful glimpse into the dynamic reality of being Latino—not as a single story, but as a collection of voices harmonizing into one powerful, joyful chorus. The event is a reflection of the Latino experience—a celebration of perseverance and joy that acknowledges the difficulties of living across cultures while emphasizing the beauty that comes from it. It is a sense of belonging to something profound and historic while remaining vibrantly modern, a common identity that is constantly celebrated with each taste, step, and beat.
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