By Susan Bromley
Staff Writer
Brandon Twp.-It could have been a Cinco de Mayo celebration’yet it’s only December.
However, it was a Mexican party in the Brandon High School Performing Arts Center last Wednesday. The Jos? Buena Mariachi Cora, an eight member professional mariachi band from Detroit, played popular Mexican tunes for more than 700 Spanish students.
The students from Brandon, Davison and Lapeer West and high schools listened, sang along and danced to songs such as ‘La Bamba,? ‘The Macarena,? and ‘Feliz Navidad.?
This is the third year BHS Spanish students have attended the mariachi band gig, which plays authentic mariachi music featuring violins, guitars and trumpets.
The band played for an hour, taking requests and inviting students on stage to dance. Lori Marino, the BHS Spanish teacher who booked the event, said it encourages student participation.
‘It’s a nice way to build the Spanish program,? she said. ‘It’s good for the kids to see authentic musicians from an actual Spanish-speaking country.?
The Spanish Club sponsored the band, using money raised through fund-raisers so it would be free to Brandon students. It was the first time seeing the band for Krystal Speedy, a junior at BHS and member of the Spanish Club. She danced and spoke with the band members? in both english and spanish. ‘It’s good to hear people who speak Spanish fluently,? she said.
Heather Strong, a BHS sophomore and also a Spanish Club member, enjoyed the band for the second year in a row. ‘I liked how they played songs a lot of people knew so you could go up and dance to them,? she said. ‘They were excited to be here and it was fun.?