On Thursday, Oct. 13, 30 students, aged seven to thirteen and directed by Dinorah Marquez, performed in the Union Concourse as a part of the Latino festivities.

The students were from the Bruce Guadalupe Community School and performed as part of the Latino Arts, Inc. program which is located in the United Community Center on the near south side of Milwaukee.

They were invited to UW-Milwaukee by Alberto Maldonado, the interim director of the Roberto Hernández Center. He commented that these performers are an “iconic piece of this community.”

Audience members watching and listening to the children's band play.
Audience members watching and listening to the children’s band play.

They complement what the Roberto Hernández Center does on campus by uniting the community and the school, and bring out the things the Latino community are known for: festivity, music, food, and coming together as a family. He was excited to bring these performers to the campus community to showcase what Latinos are capable of when they put their energy and talents together.

Audience members lined the Union Concourse to watch the event.
Audience members lined the Union Concourse to watch the event.

This is not the first time that this group has performed at UWM, and it most certainly will not be the last. Alberto Maldonado and Dinorah Marquez both agreed that they were looking forward to this event next year, and Alberto Maldonado plans on making it bigger and more inclusive of other cultures and countries in the years to come.