SPRINGFIELD— About 51 people got a chance to try salsa dancing in the A.Lincoln Commons on Oct. 11.

Salsa Ambassador Julio Barrenzuela came to Lincoln Land Community College for Hispanic Heritage Month. The topic of the event, part of the Soup and Stories series, was “How Music Brings Everyone Together.”  The event included information about Spanish and Latino heritage and had salsa dancing. There was free food for students including a taco bar, water and soda to drink.

Barrenzuela grew up in Springfield and has a close relationship with LLCC. Barrenzuela’s goal for this event was to share his 10 years of experience and his knowledge of these dances and how they bring people together.

Barrenzuela said that even the elderly can participate in the dances that he showcased. He said that throwing this event is important because we are currently towards the end of Hispanic heritage month.

Dimetrius Young, one of the students who attended this event, said “Music helps people to live longer.  It’s fun, exciting.  People should do it more often to brighten their day.” He also said that Barrenzuela’s stories about dancing and the elderly were inspirational.

During the Event itself, Barrenzuela demonstrated three dances, each accompanied by a different song. The dances consisted of the Cha-Cha-Cha, Maria Se Fue, and the Uno, Dos, Tres line dance.

Barrenzuela has spoken to college students at Blackburn and SIUC, at nursing homes and at jails. He doesn’t want anyone to feel left out when it comes to feeling connected to music.

Barrenzuela started dancing at the age of 9 and started doing partner dancing at the age of 18 in Italy. He has a philosophy towards the reason behind his teaching, “My hope and goal is to expand the comfort zone of dancing and have them fight that fear.”

Barrenzuela shared that he “realized the benefits behind dancing which is health, desire, and quality.”

He also realized that the people that were sitting down not dancing were also enjoying themselves. The struggles he has had with getting his message across is learning to adapt it with information as well as teaching about music and dancing. He doesn’t want to scare people with trying to get them out of their comfort zone but to be able to enjoy and connect with the dancing and meaning of the music.

Barrenzuela also likes to focus on what people have in common, whether it be age, the style of dancing that they enjoy, or even how comfortable they are with dancing. He says “It’s all about moving!”

Barrenzuela added, “People are more into dancing when were kids because we aren’t consciously thinking of what others are thinking of us and were more into it as kids than when were growing up.” He wants everyone to know that music can bring people together.

Madison Mings and Noah Miers can be reached at [email protected].