Oakland Bomba (classes): Bomba Dance Classes with Julia Cepeda - Sunday January 18 and Starting Again in February 2015

Bomba Dance classes with Julia C. Cepeda, come join us on Sundays at Studio Grand, you will learn Santurce style Bomba and have a great time doing it! More info and class description on Studio Grand Oakland's website:http://www.studiograndoakland.org/bomba-dance. 

Venue and Location: Studio Grand Oakland at 3234 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610

Class this Sunday 1/18 at 11:30 am. Then we start in February with our Intermediate class 2/1 11:30am and our Beginner class 2/1 1pm, drop ins welcome at any time to beginner class! De Santurce a la Bahia, La Bomba es Vida!

Ongoing Class
Sundays
Intermediate //  11:30am - 12:30pm
Beginning // 1-2pm
(There will be no class on Sunday, January 25th)

// Beginning //
(1-2pm)
Drop In - $13 (Individual Class)
4 classes - $44 (To be used within 4 months)
10 classes - $100 (To be used within 4 months)
Full Semester [18 classes] - $200 (To be used by June 2015)

// Intermediate //*
(11:30am-12:30pm)

$220 for Full Semester [18 classes - Feb. 2nd thru June 2015] Can be paid in up to 3 installments
*No drop-ins for this class. There is a class size limit. Register early to secure your spot!

To Register:

In-Person: We will be registering participants for the Intermediate Class in-person on Sunday, January 18th, at Studio Grand starting at 11am (before the 11:30am class). For the Intermediate class, there is a class size limit and registration will be on first come first serve basis. Students invited by Maestra Julia Cepeda, will be given priority. For the Intermediate class, we ask that students sign up for the full semester. No drop-ins are allowed for the Intermediate class as the curriculum for this class builds on itself.

If you cannot make it to register in-person, please contact us by email at julia.cepeda.m@gmail.com or by phone at (787) 513-2108 or (510) 224-6692.

Class Overview and Descriptions:

Puerto Rican Bomba, as we know it today, was born on the sugar cane plantations of the Island. It’s the popular response formed in music and dance to the aristocracy. Through the rhythms, happiness, faith, suffering, and daily events were communicated through the Tradition. The Tradition was born on the coasts of Puerto Rico and, on the coasts, is where it’s said to sound best. The barriles (Bomba drums) or las Bombas is where the name for Bomba came from. “In Bomba, there are three or more buleadores (rhythm drums/drummers) and only one primo or subidor (lead drummer),” as told by Rafael Cepeda Atiles, El Patriarca de la Bomba (known as the Patriarch of Bomba).

Beginner Class:
At each class, participants will have the opportunity to learn the three basic rhythms of Bomba – Yubá, Sicá, and Holandés - along with the variations within these rhythms.

Participants will be able to:
- identify the various instruments used in Bomba;
- understand the language of the Bomba drum;
- do the paseo or walk through the Batey (Bomba dance platform);
- gain an understanding of the dynamic between the dancer and the lead drummer; and
- understand the timing to use as a Bomba dancer.
*As students progress in their understanding of the three basic rhythms, additional Bomba rhythms will be taught.
 

Intermediate Class: This class will be tailored to each dancer’s needs in order to take them to the next level of skill and style as a Bomba dancer in the Santurce style of Bomba. There will be a focus on Paseo, Postura, interpretation of piquetes and much more. This class will also involve some lectures and group discussion regarding the history and other key elements of Bomba.