If there’s one thing WashU campus appreciates besides the bananas foster at Ibby’s, it’s the diverse culture our campus offers. Now that Diwali’s out at competition, Lunar New Year Festival is under way, that leaves one more cultural dance show and skit phenomenon …. The Association of Latin American Students’ annual Carnaval show! That’s right, more body shakes, marvelous costumes, and sidesplitting skit that will for sure keep you entertained. This year’s Carnaval will be March 30 and March 31st, so mark those iCals now. Forgot to audition to partake in the wonder of Carnaval? No worries! Carnaval Co-Chairs Sophomore Andrea Bennett and Senior Laura Zaim have got the perfect solution for those dancing feet. Bonus: it’s a lot less public than dancing at the typically sold out Carnaval show :)
What is Carnaval if you had to explain it to a pre-frosh?
LZ: Carnaval is the annual cultural show put on by ALAS that uses dances and a skit to bring a pertinent message to the public. This message usually focuses on an issue in the Latino community. This year we’re focusing on inter-Latino racism.
How do you come up with these focus points?
LZ: Starting at the beginning of the year we start skit writing. We all come together and chat. We talk about what can we do, what’s relevant today, and what people can get from the skit.
What’s your favorite thing about Latin America culture that you want to get across through Carnaval?
AB: Trying to enjoy life and your community and family. I really think that’s what dancing’s about, enjoying your music and enjoying your company. In Latin America, family is super important. There are always family parties at the house and there’s always people dancing. It’s rejoicing about life, it’s dancing.
How long has Carnaval been around for?
LZ: 13 years. They used to be in May Auditorium for like a number of years before we switched over to Edison.
Is there a philanthropic component to the show?
LZ: Yes. Carnaval uses some of its proceeds from the weekend to benefit a specific charity. Last year, Carnaval helped support the local Latino health clinic. This year, as the senior Co-Chair, I chose to help a volunteer organization I came across when I studied abroad in Peru.
Wow that’s great! So what’s the preparation like for an event like this?
AB: We have our date for Edison next year and we booked the underpass for next year already too.
I feel like the underpass is super competitive.
LZ: (laughs) Yeah, but they just made the system online so that’s helpful.
The costumes are spectacular, aren’t they expensive?
LZ: We’re funded by Student Union and the rest of the money we make through fundraising. We’ve got some great fundraisers lined up, like Chick- Fil-A dinners at WashU in February and a series of dance workshops with local professionals.
That sounds amazing! I’m totally going to do it.
LZ: Yep, just like 3-4 dollars a person for a class. We hope to get the teachers to donate the classes for free.
Anything new this year with the show?
AB: We basically do whoever on campus has to offer. For example, we usually do a mambo dance, but we didn’t have anyone to choreograph it we have to adjust. This year I’m co-choreographing a new dance, Lyrical Latin Fusion.
LZ: Also, this time we’re having 3 shows instead of two. We are introducing a Saturday matinee. We hope this will encourage more people from the community to come out.
Which parts can volunteers get involved with?
AB: Crew, skit director, lighting designer, stage manager, and graphic designer who does our logo. We are actually still looking for a lighting designer (and it’s a paid position!) If anyone is interested, they should email us at Alas.carnaval@Gmail.com.
What’s your favorite part about Carnival?
AB: I just like the entire energy that surrounds it. Just the spirit the week before the show is incredible.
LZ: The night of the show. When everything comes together and it’s a packed house and your friends are celebrating and you see the big smile on the dancers’ faces. A lot of the dancers aren’t professionals and rarely have the opportunity to be on stage and it’s an awesome opportunity to see it happen for them.