James Daria has always had a passion for Latin American culture. Spending a significant amount of time in Veracruz, Mexico only increased this passion and the want to share it with the masses.

When Daria, a member of the Ph.D. program in the anthropology department, moved to Eugene from Chicago in September he knew he wanted to bring a little bit of Southern Mexican culture with him.

After some thought, he decided he wanted to share the music and dance of Veracruz, a form known as Son Jarocho.

“I learned to play in Mexico and Chicago,” Daria said. “This music is going through a boom right now in major cities where there is a large Latino population.”

Son Jarocho has roots in Spanish, African as well as indigenous music and predominantly uses the jarana, a string instrument, to provide the music while participants dance the zapateado, a dance meaning ‘moving your feet.’”

The singing and dancing occurs around the outside of a wooden platform known as the tarima and Daria believes it acts as not just a dance platform but as a place where people can express themselves in any way they choose.

“The tarima is a place where people can come and learn,” Daria said. “We have a philosophy of ‘Each one teach one.’ the more advanced a student becomes the more they have to help the others learn.”

The weekly workshops that Daria puts on with the help of his principle instructor Janice Carraher have grown since they began in January. Daria said that at the beginning they had next to no one coming but have now grown to upwards of 15 singers and dancers each week.

Each workshop typically begins with the teaching of basic dance steps necessary for the dance. After a quick review, several rounds of practice dance occur. Janice Carraher, who acts as the instructor, stands in front of the assembled group playing her jarana and leads the singing.

Halfway through the workshop, the group is split into two and participants can either focus on the dance aspect or the musical aspect of Son Jarocho.

Daria credits the small but vibrant Latino immigrant community in Eugene for the growth of the workshops.  He believes that their deep involved with this community provide not only a place to come and enjoy song and dance but also provide a way to promote their culture.

Jessica Zapata, one of the participants in the workshop who moved to the United States four years ago, believes the workshops allow her to connect with her culture.

“I always have had an interest in traditional music,” Zapata said. “I feel like I’m learning about my culture and I can dance and play music too.”

Any individuals interested in participating in the weekly workshops can attend them every Sunday from 3-5 p.m. at the Whiteaker Community Center, located on Clark and North Jackson Street.