If there’s one thing Carleton’s Humanitarian Organization of Latin American Students (HOLAS) knows how to do, it’s how to combine fundraising with a killer party.
The group’s dance parties, which happen once a semester, are known for being big, loud, and going all night.
This semester’s Locura Latina on Nov. 16 proved no exception.
What it did prove is HOLAS’ ability to organize, galvanize and draw a crowd that isn’t limited to Ottawa’s Latin population.
“People like it, they like our Latin culture,” HOLAS president Ramon Lara said.
“They like the vibe . . . somehow the Carleton students identify with HOLAS a lot. Maybe because of the Spanish culture, the Portuguese, all that stuff. We are big because of the volunteers.”
This semester’s Locura Latina drew a crowd of around 600 decked out people to the National Arts Centre. Lara said the event itself sold out in just four days — a new HOLAS record.
“We worked very, very, very hard,” he said. “It’s a big success.”
Lara said this year’s main challenge was getting the event set up in little over a month.
He became president of HOLAS in October after the organization’s former president had to leave for personal reasons.
“I had around a month to plan this event with the help of everybody,” Lara said. “I got used to everything, learned with them . . . it’s kind of a big challenge planning an event this size in a month but everything just worked out somehow, I’m very glad.”
Voicing by Lindsay Crone
Photos by Pedro Vasconcellos
Produced and reported by Jane Gerster
Lara’s co-president Nariman Bazara is similarly enthusiastic.
“Our meetings were longer, our time spent on HOLAS was a lot longer but I think because we have an amazing team and the people that volunteer are so dedicated that they make everything better,” she said.
However efficient and well-oiled the HOLAS machine is, the executive is quick to say HOLAS is still very much like a family.
The result is a good party that Lara said is the main contributor to the $10,000-$12,000 HOLAS usually raises each year.
This semester, the money is going to a physical therapy centre in Mexico that offers equestrian therapy for mental disabilities and physical limitations.
Previous years have provided support following the earthquake in Haiti and the earthquake in Chile.
Only five years old but arguably one of Carleton’s most successful student organizations, Bazara said she hopes other campus clubs start to emulate the Latino student group.
“I love HOLAS, I feel like it’s my baby so I love to see HOLAS keep growing and growing and growing,” she said.
“It’s one of the clubs and I hope other groups will look at HOLAS and become like it.
I would like to see other groups and other cultures always have events (like HOLAS) so I’m more aware of them.”
The countdown is on until February, when the next Locura Latina will reportedly take place.
