For the 15th year in a row, the Latin American Student Association (LASA) eagerly prepares for their award-winning cultural festivity. The event, known as Rumba Latina, is a glamourous night of cultural food, music, dancing and performances.

For LASA and the 10 other student organizations involved, April 9 cannot come soon enough. At 7:00 p.m. in University Crossing, the activities will begin with singing, dancing and a DJ. There are also many other new exciting features coming to Rumba Latina. 15 years is an especially significant anniversary for the event, as a number of LASA alumni will be returning to experience the progression of their beloved organization.

There is no charge for students who wish to experience the allure of this dynamic celebration. All it takes is a trip to University Crossing dressed in your best black and white semi-formal attire with a splash of color. Performances include singers, free verse, dance competitions and more. Want a break from the same old dining hall food? Well then “Rumba Latina” is the place for you.

There will be a variety of free Hispanic food, such as rice, beans, meats and salads. All of the food at the event will be donated by a range of local restaurants from Lowell and Lawrence, including Rancho Tipico, Pollo Tipico, and many others. LASA president, Abimalec Martinez, explains that the dancing activity is what really sets it apart. “My favorite part is when people get up to dance” said Martinez, smiling with anticipation.

One of the main purposes of Rumba Latina is to establish connections with other groups on campus. Aside from LASA, there will be 10 other organizations co-sponsoring the event including OMA, Sigma Beta Rho, CVSA, Kappa Delta Phi Nas, ASAO, French Club, Spanish Language Club, ALPFA, HASA and SHPE. All these organizations have collaborated for the ultimate goal of showcasing the Latin culture in a fun and engaging way. While this event may be based on the Latin American culture, it is an all-inclusive party that welcomes members from every background. Freshman LASA member, Marcos Aguilar, raves about the opportunity that the event offers to UMass Lowell students. “It’s just a care-free, fun event where you can learn more about someone else’s culture.” said Aguilar. “It’s just fun. The goal is to have fun.”

LASA is an undergraduate group that has weekly meetings and holds events throughout the year as well as attending conferences and participating in community service. The club seeks to talk to students about the Latin community and engage outsiders in the culture. They discuss relevant current events and topics and educate themselves and others on the history of Latin American culture. Rumba Latina is an event that invites the UMass Lowell community to come and enjoy it.