The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Society highlights Latin dance, plans events
Mexican Mutual Society also plans future events
The Mexican Mutual Society kicked off a series of cultural presentations with a talk on the history of Latin social dance Aug. 18.
Led by Eileen Torres at the mutual society’s 1820 E. 28th Street location, the presentation looked at the influence of dance and its natural effect on people when music starts playing.
Torres, a Lorain native, returned to the city 18 months ago after living in Washington D.C. for 28 years and is using the opportunity to build more community pride and enrichment through Lorain’s social clubs.
“I am very proud of this club, because it is 89 years in existence, which is remarkable. It is one of only four ethnic social clubs that are left. So I thought, let’s try to rejuvenate and revitalize this club, bring more people in, entertain them and, while they’re not paying attention, they’ll be educated too,” Torres said.
With a background in dance and Salsa, Torres has given more than 400 presentations to colleges and government agencies in spreading Latin culture.
“They taught us in college to go back to your community and take your expertise,” she said. “I decided to start with something almost everyone can relate to. Almost everybody dances. And our music
and our dance has traveled all around the world, and people have adopted it. The music is so infectious. Dancing is so fun and tremendous.”
Torres took guests through a series of video clips of Latin social dance ranging from Cuba, Mexico and Latin influences in Harlem. The clips were a mix of classic pieces going back the 1940s, to more contemporary examples, highlighting the rich diversity of the craft.
The series of cultural presentations will take place once a month at the Mexican Mutual Society with scheduled talks
planned through the end of 2017. Torres is planning to hold the talks monthly over the next year, covering a range of topics highlighting Lorain’s Latin roots.