With Latin American Heritage month around the corner, the Latin American Student Organization will be hosting a series of events for cultural celebration.

Latin American Heritage month typically last from the middle of September to the middle of October.

Juanita Cross, the gateway academic advisor, said the month would start with a Latino Heritage Month Reception, which will bring the campus and community together with free food and music.

Cross said one of the most import events during the month will be “Cesar Chavez, Martin Luther King Jr. and Civil Rights in the 1960s,” which is important to students because the event will provide background information explaining the significance of the civil rights activists.

Chavez is so important that a film screening will be featured as one of the month’s events, Cross said.

Students also will participate in Latin American dance lessons, which Cross said are student favorites; there will be lessons in the Salsa, Merengue, Tango and the Rumba.

“These are informal beginning dance lessons with no experience required; you also don’t need a partner,” Cross said.

There will also be two fundraisers hosted by LASO, which will be used to fund a new scholarship program.

Cross said students should come to the events learn about the history and culture of Latin Americans, ask questions and enjoy learning about another heritage.

“We hope students will come out and help celebrate this important month and walk away with a better appreciation of the Latin American culture,” Cross said.

Roberto Hodge can be reached at 581-2812 or rlhodge@eiu.edu.