This week begins Eastern’s 19th Latino Heritage Month, which is stuffed with 11 events ranging from lectures, dance lessons, trivia and a concert.

Juanita Cross, chair of Latino Heritage Month committe, said her goal is to increase cultural awareness on campus.

There will be four lectures, three sessions of dance lessons, a concert, a how-to on piñata making and Latin American trivia.

The cultural month closes with an informational meeting of Sigma Lambda Gamma, a multicultural sorority.

“We try to have dance lessons every year because a lot of students enjoy them-this year there will be three,” Cross said.

This year, Tito Puente Jr. & His Latin Big Band, son of the famous Tito Puente, will also perform at Eastern.

“He plays a popular style of music that is not readily available in the community,” Cross said. “Doudna’s co-sponsoring of the event is why he will be here.”

To add education to the entertainment, there will be four lectures by faculty members of the foreign language and history departments. The topics will be immigration, studying and interning in Latin America, today’s Latin American music and a commentary on Latin American music.

The planning of Latino Heritage Month began in January and continued through June. All of the chosen events were agreed upon by committee members, which are students, faculty and staff members.

“We welcome students interested in learning culture, sharing music and dancing,” Cross said.

Ashley Holstrom can be reached at 581-7942 or alholstrom@eiu.edu