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News

Latin flavor starts off Frontier Fiesta

Improved stages and increased sponsorships among initial success 
of annual school event

by Casey Wooten
The Daily Cougar

Aimed at showing their enthusiasm for music, barbeque and school spirit, students and alumni alike flocked to the Robertson Stadium parking lot Thursday for Frontier Fiesta's first night of its 2006 celebration. 

The annual event took a different theme this year with a tribute to Latino culture for the first night of stage performances. 

Among the acts performing were tejano groups Jimmy Gonzales y Grupo Mazz and Latin band LT5. 

Playing the UH fight song, members of the UH marching band, along with volunteers from Frontier Fiesta, paraded down the main strip along the arcade, stage area and barbeque sections to start the evening off. 

Chris Pittman, a music education senior and member of the marching band, said he was impressed with the work participating fraternities and sororities put into building the elaborate stages their variety shows were preformed on. 

"They did a good job last year, but I like them better this year," Pittman said. 

Among the attractions was a dunking booth where students could pay two Fiesta Bucks to try and dunk a fellow Cougar. 

Jet Williams tried seven times but wasn't able to hit the target, a red circle, which would set off the dunking machine. The intended dunkee, Amanda Schaller, an accounting freshman, said that she enjoyed the experience and didn't mind getting a little wet if it was for a good cause.

"It would be a fun way to do something nice for the school," Schaller said about climbing into the dunking booth. 

Among the new changes this year was an increased amount of sponsorship. Sandra Velasco, a promotions coordinator for 92.1 FM La Mera Mera, set up a booth and planned on handing out prizes. 

"Being that it's Latino night, we decided we would come out here and support UH," Velasco said. "This is the first year I've been, so I'm getting a whole new flavor. I'd describe it as a mini-rodeo cook off."

Velasco praised the headlining musical act, Jimmy Gonzalez y Grupo Mazz. 

"(They) have been in the Latin community for a long time -- I can think back 20 years," Velasco said. "They are a very tejano-type group." 

Continuing with the multi-cultural theme were dance performances representing all parts of the world including the Caribbean, Nigeria, Hawaii, Latin American and the Middle East. 

During the opening ceremonies, President Jay Gouge took the stage to present scholarships donated with money obtained through Frontier Fiesta proceeds. 

Afterwards, Vice President of Student Affairs Elwyn Lee announced that, because of the event's success, the City of Houston announced that the days between March 30 and April 1 were to be known as Frontier Fiesta days. 

"I would like to thank those who put Frontier Fiesta on this year, they've really outdone themselves," Lee said.

Frontier Fiesta will run through Saturday and feature Urban Premiere and Dem Franchize Boyz on Friday and Feeding James, Reckless Kelly and Randy Rogers Band on Saturday. Admission is free. 

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