Association of Latin American Students (ALAS) hosted its biggest annual philanthropic event, El Mercado, this past Saturday at the Clocktower. Each year ALAS chooses a different benefactor that support the Latin American community and donates the proceeds of El Mercado towards that cause. This year, all proceeds from the event went to benefit RAICES, an organization that provides low or cost-free legal services for immigrants, situated on the border in Texas.

The Clocktower, a central location with students constantly passing through, served as an advantageous venue for the event. Students and families passing by were able to stop through El Mercado throughout the event to watch student performers or support ALAS with a purchase or donation.

Wash. U.’s only mariachi group, Mariachi Cuicacalli performs Mexican international hit, “La Bamba,” at the Association of Latin American Students’ philanthropy event, El Mercado.

A talent show ran through the duration of the event, allowing student performers to express themselves through song, dance and poetry.

The first performance of the afternoon was Washington University’s premier mariachi band, Mariachi Cuicacalli, who played a crowd favorite and classic “La Bamba.”

Next up was junior Nydia Monroy, performing her original slam poem drawing on the popular Latin American folkloric tale “La Llorona.” Monroy masterfully tied the themes of maternity and loss from La Llorona to current immigration debates and tragedies for Latin American families at the border.

Students and members of the Wash. U. community gather at ALAS’ philanthropy event El Mercado at the South 40 Clocktower Saturday to enjoy the talent show and marketplace.

WUSauce, Wash. U.’s salsa dancing group, took the stage to show off its dynamic moves for the growing crowd, infusing dance into the culture of the event. After this performance, event attendees started flocking toward the open space to dance with friends.

African dance group Kwenu put on an expressive performance with an abundance of talent and high-energy, encouraging a larger crowd at the event.

Sophomore Ted Flaherty decorates a sugar skull cookie at Alpha Psi Lambda’s table at El Mercado. Alpha Psi Lambda is Washington University’s only co-ed Latinx fraternity on campus.

The final performance was sophomore Abby Tellez’s rendition of “Everything I Know” from the hit Broadway musical “In the Heights.” Her vocal talent dazzled the crowd, while her song choice had many event-goers feeling nostalgic and sentimental.

El Mercado also featured a sprawling marketplace with food, drinks, crafts and booths in collaboration with Muslim Students’ Association, Ashoka, Global Brigades and Alpha Psi Lambda. This event powerfully combined performances with its marketplace feature for a great afternoon of entertainment and cultural celebration.