Bomba Video: Afro-Inspira Day of the Dead Celebration

Afro-Inspira closed out their run at La Marqueta Retona in Spanish Harlem last night with a salute to the Day of the Dead. Group member Ines stepped out and danced to Bomba's Belen rhythm.

New York Bomba (class): INTRO to PRIMO DRUM w/ Rafael Maya - Saturday October 25, 2014

The Loisaida Center, Afro-Inspira and Proyecto Unión present: 
Master Bomba drum percussionist Rafael Maya, Introduction to Primo drum workshop. 
(Dance interpretation and Improvisational language)

Workshop description:
This workshop will be about dance interpretation using the language and drum of Puerto Rico’s Bomba. We will be discussing what is needed in preparing for your quest into primo drum playing and will be going over basic variations and language used during improvisation. We will also be diving in hands on with examples of different forms of looking at interpreting dance. Finalizing with ways of adding your own individuality and energy to the equation.

Bio:
Rafael Maya Alvarez was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico. He is the founder and director of Desde Cero and founder and director of Proyecto Union. Rafael also has participated in Bomba groups such as Majestad Negra(Member and Coreographer), Compania Folklorica De Loiza, Restauracion Cultural(VP, Co-Director), Tambuye, Tendencias(Co-Director), Carabali, Sabor a Bomba, Fiesta Bombera, Son de Plena, y Bomba Tour. Rafael is currently teaching with the project Gigantes de la Bomba who offers classes twice a week in the Plaza de Recreo of Carolina and to schools in the Municipality of Carolina. Rafael has participated as an instructor in programs such as “Vida Plena”, “Head Start,” “Upward Bound”, “Taller Fotoperiodismo”, “Instituto de Cultura Puertorriquena”, “Program of continued education”, “Early Start” and “Bomba de Oro”. Rafael also gives bilingual Bomba workshops for the Univeristy of Puerto Rico’s(Rio Piedras campus) exchange student program and is currently giving class in The U.N.E. University(Carolina). He was invited and gave his latest Master Class in Berkeley College of Music in Valencia, Spain. For several years he was one of the dance and percussion instructors for the Corporacion Pinones se Integra in Loiza an also for Arthur Murray Dance Studio is Santurce. Rafael has travelled to numerous countries providing lectures and performing, because for Rafael, the most important element in his work is cultural education.

When???
Saturday October 25th, 2014
3:30pm to 5pm
Cost: $15
Residents of the Lower East Side $10
Bring your own drum/conga/djembe
Djembes for rent $ 5.00 (first come first serve)
Requirements: basic knowledge of Bomba rhythms
No one will be turn away for lack of skills.
Join the Bomba community through movement and song!!!
Loisaida Center-
710 East 9th Street, Lower East Side, NY 10009
http://loisaida.org/

New York Bomba: Viento De Agua and Afro Inspira at La Marqueta - Thursday October 9, 2014

Consider this show the UN-official kickoff to the BomPlenazo music festival going on October 10, 11, and 12th in the Bronx. For the past few weeks Afro Inspira has been performing at La Marqueta every Thursday from 6 to 8pm.  This week's show features special guest Plena group Viento De Agua from Puerto Rico. Young and talented Afro Inspira brings a family friendly positive message about social injustice and love for one's community and culture.  The show includes a mini-dance class which is free just like the show.

Event: Viento De Agua and Afro Inspira at La Marqueta
Date and Time: Thursday October 9, 2014 at 6pm
Venue and Location: La Marqueta Retona at 1590 Park Ave, NY, NY, corner of 115th St and Park Ave in Spanish Harlem. Take the 6 train to 116th St station.
Admission: Free

Afro-Inspira at La Marqueta, Spanish Harlem - Nelson

There's a new Bomba group in the New York City area, Afro-Inspira. Founded and directed by Yeli Mara the group brings a fresh prospective and vibe to the Bomba music community.  They are currently performing every Thursday at La Marqueta in Spanish Harlem (located at East 115 and Park Ave).

I got a chance last week to go "Uptown" and check them out in person.  I shot four videos of group members dancing during the show. Here's group member Nelson stepping out and giving us a demonstration of Bomba male dancing.  I'll post later the other three videos later in the week. Enjoy

New York Bomba: Afro Inspira Every Thursday at La Marqueta in El Barrio (Spanish Harlem)

La Marqueta Retoña y habla BOMBA!!!

Come for your weekly dose of live Afro Puerto Rican Bomba music. Enjoy of an interactive performance in the heart of El Barrio. Join Afro Inspira Frienmily in honoring our powerful story of freedom, healing and empowerment. 
Co-create with us a safe space for self and collective expression. Our mission is to be present for your story and share it with the world through dance-singing and drumming.
Every Thursday hasta que Sol se oculte!!!
Free!!!
6:30pm
115th st and Park Ave!!!

Afro Inspira BOMBA performance group come from the need to re-create our Bomba roots traditions in the here and now. Afro Inspira have the intention to educate, empower, and provide a safe space for self and collective expression. We understand that there is healing, transformation, values, and power embedded in the Afro Puerto Rican Bomba tradition. Bomba is an oral tradition and as so we have the responsibility to narrate our stories through songs and dance. Our story is full of struggles, chaos, love, happiness, resistance, and many other feelings that need to be share and liberate in conversation with the drum. We are a community of artists, cultural warriors, political organizer, freedom fighters, moms, teachers, and therapists that promote healing and a space for it. Enjoy the power of the group and "remenea" el espiritú. Afro-Inspira pa' tí!