Mariachi day celebrates hispanic music and dance in Central Nebraska

KEARNEY, Neb. - A University of Nebraska campus is celebrating a culture full of color, rhythm and tradition.

For the first time ever the University of Nebraska at Kearney hosted Mariachi Day, which is a celebration of traditional Mexican music and dance as part of the university’s Latin Day.

UNK welcomed students and the local community to experience the tradition of mariachi music and Folklorico dance.

Performer Ana Rodriguez guided students through dance steps and shared the cultural roots of mariachi, even showcasing traditional dress styles.

School staff saw the inaugural event as a success among students.

"I just have been so excited because the students have had a blast, they've really enjoyed the events today and I think they've learned a lot about mariachi music," said UNK music professor Dr. Beth Mattingly.

Mariachi Day is the first of its kind at UNK, and school officials say it's hopefully just the beginning of further events that celebrate the art of other cultures.

"This is actually the first in a series that we're trying to start here in world music, where you study music from a different cultures by looking at it through its own lens," said Mattingly. "You have someone who is a specialist from that culture teach you about the music and the dance, so hopefully we'll have more in the future."