CULTURAL EXPLOSION RETURNS TO WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY AS PART OF LATIN HERITAGE MONTH’S OPENING CEREMONY PERFORMANCE

The Caribbean dance troupe Cultural Explosion will help kick off William Paterson University’s month-long observances of Latin Heritage Month. Other events include a lecture by Carmelita Tropicana, a Cuban born writer/performance artist/actress, as well as several other lectures and musical performances. All events are free and open to the public.

October 2
The opening ceremony for Latin Heritage Month will be held on Thursday, October 2 in the Machuga Student Center Ballroom beginning at 2 p.m. Arnold Speert president of William Paterson University, and Aury Reyes, president of the Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS), will present opening remarks. The event, titled "El Caribe," will feature spectacular dances by Cultural Explosion performing to music from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Cuba. The dancers will dedicate their performance to the musical talents of Tito Puente and Celia Cruz, both of whom made significant contributions to Latin music and recently passed away.

October 5
A bilingual Latino Mass will be held in the Jesus Christ Prince of Peace Chapel at
7:30 p.m. Refreshments will follow.

October 13
Jannette Cruz ‘87, of NBC-Telemundo, will present a lecture, "Preparing Yourself for a Multicultural Professional Life," in the Machuga Student Center in Rooms 203-205 at 6 p.m.

October 14
A Latin Dance Contest will be held in the Machuga Student Center Ballroom at 8 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the best in Salsa, Merengue and Bachata.

October 16
Hispanic Recruitment Day will take place in the Machuga Student Center Ballroom with speakers presenting from 10 a.m.- noon. A tour will be given from noon to 1 p.m. and the program will conclude with lunch from 1 to 2 p.m.

A "Latino Open Mic" will be held in the Machuga Student Center Cafeteria at 8 p.m. Students are invited to share their poems, songs and other talents.

October 21
Carmelita Tropicana, a talented and veteran performer, will headline the Annual Latin Heritage Month Luncheon at 12:30 p.m. in the Machuga Student Center Ballroom. She has presented her work nationally and internationally. Tropicana has also starred in and translated (in Spanish) the critically acclaimed Off Broadway solo "Late Nite Catechism." The Miami Herald praised her work as a comedian, saying, "This woman is funny…irreverent, spicy, and brilliant…"

October 22
The Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS) Pageant will be held in the Machuga Student Center Ballroom at 8 p.m.

October 23
Librada Sanchez, director of the Hispanic Support Center at Union County College, will present a lecture, "The Latina Identity: Media, Family and Historical Influences," in the Machuga Student Center Ballroom at 12:30 p.m. A luncheon will follow.

Juan Alcaide will present a lecture, "Cervantes’ Relevancy for the 21st Century," in Machuga Student Center 324-5 at 2 p.m.

October 28
A lecture/information session titled, "Hispanics and Graduate School: A Good Match," will be held in the Cheng Library Auditorium at 12:30 p.m.

October 30
The month’s activities will conclude with a Career Day closing ceremony in the Machuga Student Center Ballroom at 12:30 p.m. Role models from various fields will be on hand to share their experiences.

For Further Information, contact: Francisco Diaz, Director of Campus Activities and Student Leadership, 973-720-2271.

William Paterson University’s Latin Heritage Month celebration is presented by: Student Government Association, Student Activities Programming Board, Organization of Latin American Students, Lambda Tau Omega, Omega Phi Chi, Catholic Campus Ministry Club, Lambda Sigma Upsilon, Mu Sigma Upsilon, Spanish Club, Lambda Theta Alpha, Women’s Center, Departments of Languages and Cultures and Latin American Studies, Minority Opportunities through School Transformation, and the J. Victor Machuga Foundation/Campus Activities and Student Leadership.

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For Further Information, contact:

Mary Beth Zeman, Director, Public Relations 973-720-2966

9/30/03