The energetic pulse of Latin music resonated through the basement hallway of East Shaw Hall on Tuesday night, as students captured the movements of salsa and merengue.

David Torres, a studio art junior and Puerto Rican Student Association president and pre-med freshman Natalia Mercado taught the basic moves to those in attendance.

More experienced dancers demonstrated their talents while others looked on.

Political theory junior Isaias Delgadillo spun education junior Anna Villanueva around in a circle, grooving to the beat.

"Puerto Rican dancing has a lot of movement," Delgadillo said. "It's more vivid - more alive."

Villanueva smiled as she swayed her hips to the Latin rhythm.

"It's just really fun," she said.

The lessons were held as part of Puerto Rican Culture Week, which will run until Friday. Events have been planned throughout the week and are open to all, including a pig roast - called a lechonada - and other Puerto Rican food in Brody Hall cafeteria from 6-9 p.m. Friday.

Mercado said that the Puerto Rican Student Association hopes to educate the MSU community about Puerto Rican heritage through such events.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Mercado said many people are unaware of the culture and language of the island.

"Some people have no idea about our history," she said. "People have actually asked me where in Mexico Puerto Rico is. I taught them a little geography."

But Mercado said she enjoys her experiences at MSU.

"I love MSU, it's my second home," Mercado said. "I would love for people to find out more about our culture in Puerto Rico."

Marketing sophomore Talisa Garcia took a break from dancing to enjoy the punch and cookies set aside for the dancers. A seasoned dancer, she said that it is always good to practice.

"This is a hot and spicy type of dance," Garcia said. "The rhythm is totally different with Latin dance. When you're hot you start to sweat, and when you sweat it makes you spicy."

Torres has also been practicing his moves for a while.

"I've been dancing since middle school," he said. "I love merengue because it's a fast beat - you're allowed to create your own free style."

Today, the Puerto Rican Student Association will host a free bowling and billiards night from 7-10 p.m. at the Union.

For more information on Puerto Rican Culture Week events, contact Natalia Mercado at mercado3@msu.edu.