Groups plan Cinco de Mayo event
Published May 4, 2007
Students who want to celebrate Cinco de Mayo can attend the Cinco de Mayo block party this Saturday, sponsored by the MU Latin Dance Club and Club Tropicana, formerly The Spanish Fly dance club.
The event is scheduled for Saturday evening on Cherry Street, which will be blocked off between Eighth Street and Ninth Street for the festivities.
Brianna Phares, who was recently elected president of the MU Latin Dance Club, said a tent will cover the dance floor on the street, where an eight-piece band, the Miguel "Mambo" DeLeon Orquesta, will perform from 8 to 11 p.m.
The Latin Dance Club will be offering free salsa lessons from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. before the band performs.
Phares also said Club Tropicana will be hosting performances by DJ Fuzzion and DJ Fuerza inside.
"It should be pretty huge," Phares said, adding that approximately 150 people had confirmed their RSVP on the Facebook.com event page. She also said Latin Dance Club members passed out over 500 fliers advertising the event.
The Latin Dance Club and Club Tropicana are working together to plan the event. "We go hand-in-hand and have a close relationship with the owner," Phares said.
She said the Latin Dance Club and Club Tropicana are partnering to fund the event. The event will not be a fundraiser for the Latin Dance Club, Phares said.
"It's more like a way to end the year with a bang," Phares said.
The owner of Club Tropicana arranged the closing of Cherry Street and discussed the event with other businesses on Cherry Street, Phares said.
Phares estimated the event would charge between $5 and $10 for the cover charge.
Outgoing president Andrew Bishop said he hopes the block party will help get more members for next year.
"This holiday is amazing, but we want to get more members," Bishop said. "Our logo will be plastered everywhere."
Bishop said the Latin Dance Club will have promotional tables set up at the block party.
Phares said the Latin Dance Club hosted a similar event for Halloween at Club Tropicana that included raffles and a costume contest.
"It was very successful as a fundraiser," Phares said.
The club participates in competitions and is focusing on expanding the club, Phares said.