By Maria Fernanda Alvarez Angeles, October 20, 2026
Students gathered in boots, cowboy hats and rhinestone-covered belts formed dance circles to live banda music at Bronco Commons during Beats by Beat: Broncolandia Oct. 9. from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The event hosted by Associated Students Inc. provided a space to embrace culture with Latino music, traditionally featuring brass instruments, tambora and singers.
As students formed dance circles, they showed off their moves and encouraged others to join, including those less familiar with banda music.
The newly formed event was free and led by Angel Ortega, a Student Activities Associate for ASI.
“More than anything, I wanted the event to be open to different cultures, to have a new experience,” Ortega said.
Ortega aimed to create a space where attendees could connect through something universal, such as dancing by welcoming students from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Banda Hermosa del Valle performed throughout the evening, drawing students back to the dance floor whenever the band returned from its 15-minute breaks. Christian Joel Mateo, a member of Banda Hermosa del Valle, said community support is especially important amid concerns surrounding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“We must support each other, especially because of ICE. We got to be careful and, yeah, just take care of each other,” Mateo said.
Attendees also visited the photo booth and took breaks to eat and hydrate, but the dance floor quickly filled again as the music resumed, even some students staffing the fundraising booths could not hold back to the rhythm and joined the dancing.
As the three-hour event came to a close, students called, “otra, otra, otra.” — A familiar chant meaning another one that encourages performers to play one more song.
Attendees complimented one another, exchanged contact information and welcomed new faces as student organizations, including Hermanas Unidas, the Latino Business Students’ Association and Hermanos Unidos sold food and drinks to raise funds for their programs.
Beyond the performances, the event gave campus organizations an opportunity to fundraise while connecting with students through nostalgic food. Hermanas Unidas sold tostilocos, a Mexican street snack that can include chips, cucumber, jícama, lime and chili. For attendees familiar with the snack, it offered a taste of home.
The Latino Business Students’ Association sold fresas con crema, or strawberries with cream, while Hermanos Unidos offered aguas frescas. Jordi Peña, a finance real estate and law, Fundraising directors with the Latino Business Students’ Association said they hoped to give back to their community and show support for its members.
Some attendees came with family to share events like these to help keep traditional music alive, allow younger generations to remain connected to their ancestral roots and pass them on to future generations.
Ulises Sabanero, an electrical engineering major, said he appreciated the opportunity to connect with his Latino roots. He praised Banda Hermosa del Valle for bringing energy to the dance floor.
“The significance of this whole event is to tap into all of our roots,” Sabanero said. “The band coming here to play music, you know made me feel at home.”
