The Latin Social Dance Club (LSDC) hosted its first Semi-Formal Friday night in studio A of the Twin Towers, entitled “Dancing through the Snow.”

LSDC is one of more than 50 new organizations that registered this semester at Kent.

The group was started by women who are passionate about Latin culture and dancing.

The group meets every other week to celebrate Latin culture by learning and teaching dances like merengue, salsa, bachata and cumbia.

LSDC was inspired by the Spanish and Latino Student Association (SALSA), which is an organization already in place here at Kent. 

SALSA was started here at Kent over 25 years ago and hosts events that help to educate all backgrounds of people on the culture of Latin America and Mexico.

The historian Chair for SALSA, Kassandra Cabrera, got involved with SALSA because she wanted to connect with people that shared her passion.

“It made me more confident in myself,” Cabrera said. “I learned to connect with people from different heritages.”

LSDC’s semi formal brought in over 30 people for dancing, empanadas and hot chocolate.

Natalie Leach, a junior international relations major, has been a part of LSDC since day one.

“There is such a diverse group of people here and it is so much fun to learn the dances with everyone,” Leach said.

 Natalie had never danced until she joined LSDC and is now an active member and is fluent in many Latin dances.

Program coordinator Megan Swoger, a sophomore international relations major, was a part of the organization’s beginning here at Kent.

“SALSA focuses on the culture which we all love, but we wanted to do something focusing specifically on dance,” Swoger said.

Swoger had never danced until a year ago when her roommate taught her. Now, she helps instruct dance at LSDC events and meetings.

“I am really hoping for the organization to grow and for people to become as passionate as we are about Latin Dance,” Swoger said.

LSDC meets every other week in Tri-Towers with approximately 35 members. Anyone is invited, regardless of experience, to come and learn new Latin dances each session. 

Contact Weslee Clyde at [email protected].