Explaining Plena via Plena Sin Fronteras

Earlier today I tried to explain Bomba and Plena to an ex-roommate. I used an Alma Moyo video for Bomba and this video for Plena.

Support Spirit through Bomba and Philantropy

Support Spirit Through Bomba and Philantropy

Originally published in: GIA Reader, Vol 21, No 2 (Summer 2010)

Vanessa Camarena-Arredondo

I was making my way home from the Financial District to the Mission on the train after work, feet pinched by the not-so-comfortable shoes I wore as part of my daytime drag, nose buried in some reading about cultural participation in the region while texting Ilia, one of the dancers in the group I sing with, about picking her up for rehearsal.

On the ride to Ilia’s, my personal, work, and creative “to do” lists duke it out for top billing. Sometimes all three fall to the floor in exhaustion, and at other times there are glorious triumphs among them that spark a call to Mom, excitement about an organization we’re funding at work, or a breakthrough on a melodic conundrum for Bomba practice.

Ilia and I arrive for rehearsal in West Oakland at the house of Denise, our lead drummer. She’s prepared a roast with salad and freshly brewed iced tea, and there’s beer and wine for those who need a little something extra. Eight hungry women push open Denise’s door sometime between a seven o’clock call time and when they can make it. Amidst sharp elbows (my own included) and stories about dreams, family, and lovers, I serve my plate. It occurs to me that the women, Las Bomberas de la Bahia, have made it to the center of my heart, with the rewards outweighing the challenges, of which there are many! Dinner begins.

At the table the conversation asserts its place between stabbing hands constantly swooping at the roast. The conversation centers on how we will pay for skirts, instruments, and teachers to come from Puerto Rico, Chicago, and New York, where there are many more practitioners and teachers of Bomba, an Afro-Puerto Rican musical tradition established by the slaves who worked the sugarcane plantations on the island.

I view Las Bomberas as a microcosm of the larger community in many ways. Although there never seem to be enough funds, a deep purpose and need call us to this work and motivate a do-it-yourself spirit among us. At the risk of romanticizing struggle, there is a fierceness and a freedom in the DIY spirit that permeate the nonprofit cultural sector.

For the full article clink on the link provided below.

http://www.giarts.org/article/supporting-spirit-through-bomba-and-philanthropy

A Welfare Poets' Jam Session #3 Live at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe - Saturday October 27, 2012

Saturday October 27, 2012 from 4:30-7PM


Come to "A Welfare Poets' Jam Session #3 Live at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe" on Saturday, October 27th from 4:30pm to 7:00pm featuring Nuyorican Award Winning poet - Willie Perdomo, the revolutionary sounds of Ngoma Hill, emcee/poet - Narubi Selah, Plena and Bomba of Puerto Rico from Plena Sin Frontera, Milwaukee's own -Sypher Lady X plus the young phenom - Nene Ali. All of this just for $10.

It's Plena Sin Fronteras Weekend!!!

It's Plena Sin Fronteras Time!!!

PSF bring their unique & colorful sounds of Bomba & Plena this Friday, Oct. 26th to El Fogon at 989 Home Street, Corner of Vyse Avenue in the Bronx NYC 10459. For subway riders take the 2 or 5 train to Freeman Street or the 6 train to Whitlock Avenue.  Show time is at 10PM. 

Then on Saturday, Oct. 27th the group is right back in action for a show with The Welfare Poets at "Chapter 3: A Welfare Poets Jam Session" at Nuyorican Poets Cafe, 236 East 3rd Street, New York, New York 10009. Doors open at 4:30PM.

Bomba Con Buya at Chicago's Efebinas Cafe on Oct. 20, 2012

Saturday Oct. 20th Bomba Con Buya at Efebinas Cafe in Chicago, IL. Event starts at 7PM Central time.

CD release party in PR for Desde Cero's new album "Semilla de Identidada"

Cd Release Mundial 20 de oct. en Aché. at #191 calle Diez de Andino, Santurce

Bomba and Garifuna meet in the Bronx

Join us at El Fogon Center for the Arts Saturday, Oct. 20th @ 10pm & enjoy the fiery sounds of Bodoma Garifuna Culture Band & Bámbula!

Honduras & Puerto Rico Presente!!! Llegale que vas a disfrutar, bailar & cantar toda la noche!!

Door: $10

Legacy Women at Terraza 7 in Jackson Heights Queens Saturday October 20, 2012

This Saturday, 10/20/12, Join LEGACY WOMEN at Terraza 7 Train Cafe in Elmhurst Queens, 10pm show, $5.