A University of Rhode Island multicultural brotherhood united students through terror on the dance floor on Friday during an annual Halloween dance and costume party in the Memorial Union ballroom.
Hosted by Brothers On A New Direction, the “Nightmare on B.O.N.D. street” party ended off the organization’s “B.O.N.D. week,” which is held every fall semester to celebrate the brotherhood through events that connect the whole university, according to fourth-year B.O.N.D. President Los Estrada Rosa. Over the 17 years that B.O.N.D. has been in place at URI, the Halloween party has reoccurred every B.O.N.D. week since it’s creation, becoming a tradition for the organization every fall semester.
“We just continue to do it because it’s always such a successful event,” Estrada Rosa said.“It raises a lot of funds too for the organization.”
The party, also a fundraising event for B.O.N.D., remained open to all URI students both inside and outside of the organization, according to Estrada Rosa. With heavy student participation, the event was able to reach the full ballroom capacity of 300, up from a capacity of 250 last year.
“Every year it just keeps getting bigger and bigger,” Estranda Rosa said. “We’re hoping that they can continue to just grow and get back to the traditional way that allows off-campus people as well.”
In order to prepare for the event, music and DJ’s are first set up, followed by decorations, according to Estranda Rosa. Two brothers were DJ’s for the event, Markeem “KEEM!” Rodrigues ‘23 and DJ Beazy, who is currently an undergraduate student at URI.
“Setting up, it’s usually all of our executive board that joins in, so about 10 people,” Estranda Rosa said. “Then we open it up to any one of our general members who want to come and support.”
The overall goal is to bring students together for a good time, according to Christian Monteiro Mestre, third-year treasurer of B.O.N.D.
“I feel like the event is good in regards to how it brings a lot of people together,” Monteiro Mestre said. “Seeing that a lot of people had smiles on their faces and were enjoying themselves told me that whatever we did we did it right.”
The music, ambiance and energy created an energetic environment, crafting a fun night for participants such as first-year student, Chris Batista.
“I wore a bear costume because I was Ted” Batista said, “It was kind of hot for me to wear all day but I enjoyed everything and even though I was sweating, it was great.”
While making sure all attendees had a good time, B.O.N.D. aimed to also create a space on campus where everyone could stay safe and enjoy themselves, according to Estrande Rosa.
Overall, the event was smooth-flowing with the goals and hopes for the party being fulfilled, according to Monteiro Mestre.
“I feel like the event was very successful,” Monteiro Mestre said. “I feel like everyone really had a fun time from what I’ve heard.”
Other events held during B.O.N.D. week included a breast cancer awareness walk in Providence, a pottery paint night, a family feud competition between different multicultural organizations, a haunted house, a pep rally and a tailgate.
For more information about B.O.N.D. visit the organization’s instagram @ bondbrotherhood .