Latin dance group Dale Duro performed its seventh annual spring show, titled “Hasta La Raíz,” over the weekend in the Technological Institute’s Ryan Family Auditorium.
The performance featured a medley of Latin dances like bachata, dembow and salsa. Both the Friday and Saturday performances sold out for the third year in a row.
The show featured guest performers from Mariachi Northwestern and Ballet Folklorico. There were 23 sets in the show.
McCormick senior and show producer Margaret Guilarte-Silva joined Dale Duro as a first year, and said being part of its leadership team has been “crucial” in her connection to the Latino community and her ability to express herself creatively at NU.
Guilarte-Silva said the group especially wanted to highlight its culture in this year’s performance.
“It’s really important to celebrate, and specifically in times that we’re living through right now, being proud in who we are,” Guilarte-Silva said. “And having a lot of pride in where we come from is pretty important and special.”
She added that she has enjoyed watching the group’s membership and skills grow over the past four years, but feels bittersweet about graduating and leaving the Dale Duro community.
“It’s amazing to see all the emcee bits come together,” Guilarte-Silva said before Saturday’s show. “I think that really draws in the audience, and we had a great crowd yesterday, and I’m excited to see what the crowd is going to look like today.”
The crowd cheered on performers during sets. The emcees asked for crowd energy between songs, and they received it in spades.
Medill junior and show director Jezel Martinez said Dale Duro is unique in the way it showcases Latino culture at NU. She said she hopes the club continues to foster community and uplift Latino values.
“This year is all about celebrating your culture, your roots, your Latinidad, so for me that’s something that’s really special, especially being Latina in this political space,” Martinez said. “I really hope it’s just like a big celebration of people who love to dance and are proud of where they come from.”
Martinez said her favorite part of the show is the finale, when all of Dale Duro’s nearly 100 members dance on stage together. Alongside McCormick sophomore and assistant director Gabriela Avila, Martinez choreographed the final dance, “Echa Pa’lla (Manos Pa’rriba)” by Pitbull.
Weinberg sophomore Michelle Mejia-Benitez didn’t dance before she joined Dale Duro, but she said the club promotes itself to beginners. She said her favorite part is tech week, when the entire show starts to come together.
Mejia-Benitez said the vibe is happy and energetic backstage during the shows.
“Last night was the first night, and I feel like I was so nervous. But once you get out there, it’s still nerve-racking, but it’s just so fun to hear the crowd cheer for everyone,” Mejia-Benitez said. “Even the other dancers cheer for me from the wings.”
After Friday’s show, visiting alumni congratulated Mejia-Benitez on her dancing in the show and her improvements from the year before.
Coming from high school where she didn’t have many Hispanic friends, Mejia-Benitez said she feels like she really found her community in Dale Duro.
“To me, Dale Duro means family, honestly,” Mejia-Benitez said. “It’s a great community, and you get so close with people here that you never thought you’d meet or run into, and you get to form long and lasting bonds.”
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