New York Bomba and Plena: Raiz de Bomba and Plena - Thursday November 6, 2014

Join us on November 6 for a special event where artist and performer Jorge Arce will lead a discussion and demonstration about the origins of Puerto Rican bomba and plena. The presentation includes a historical overview of the music’s tradition, instrumentation and current performance practices in the United States. Professor Antonio Nadal, deputy director of the Department of Puerto Rican and Latino Studies at Brooklyn College (CUNY) will be the discussant at this event. He specializes in teaching Latin American and Caribbean literature, pedagogy, bilingualism, in addition to the music and folklore of Puerto Rico. Nadal noted the importance of learning about these musical traditions as they “are part of the Afro-Puerto Rican artistic heritage that is often dismissed, or even ignored, by those who wish to emphasize only our European roots.”

The presentation will start with an informative introduction to the origin of bomba and plena within the historical context of the Caribbean. It will be followed by an interactive demonstration of the various rhythmical patterns within those styles manifested through its instrumentation, singing and dance. “This event is designed with the community in mind, all are invited and all are welcome. This will be a multi-generational and interactive presentation where both academics and people from the community can learn and enjoy,” said Arce.

Since 1983, it has been Arce's mission to promote the bomba and plena musical traditions in Massachusetts and beyond. Over the last 30 years he has conducted workshops, classes, residency programs and performances at schools, festivals, community organizations and universities. Arce is also a cultural historian and researcher.

Jorge Arce's early exposure to the bomba and plena in Puerto Rico helped him establish a direct relationship in the early 1970s with the Cepeda Family who are well known keepers of African musical traditions in the island. In 1979, he wrote, performed, directed, and choreographed the musical theater piece ‘Melodía en el Caño’ in collaboration with the Cepeda’s . This piece was broadcasted as a TV special and later recorded on the album ‘Tierra, Tierra’ (Arto Max Records, 1980) by Haciendo Punto en Otro Son, a renowned musical group of which Jorge Arce has been a member since 1978. Arce toured the United States from 1975 to 1982 as an actor and musician. His musical group Humano, founded in 1987, was awarded the Boston Music Award for Outstanding Latin Act in 1990. His cultural workshops and performances were programmed at more than 1000 schools, universities and educational centers.

To RSVP for this event contact centro.events@hunter.cuny.edu or call (212) 772-5714. For updated information about Centro’s events please visit our website and follow us on social media (@CentroPR; #centroevents).

Centro Events are free of charge and live-streamed from our website.

Event: Raiz de Bomba y Plena

Bomba and Pena artist: Jorge Arce

Date and Time: Thursday November 6, 2014 at 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Venue: and Location: Silberman School of Social Work, Auditorium
2180 Third Avenue, New York, NY (East 119th Street)

Admission: Not listed

NY Bomba and Plena: In The House "Bamba con Bomba" - Friday May 9, 2014

LP21's Bomba and Plena: In The House is celebrating its 5th annual Bamba con Bomba performance featuring Jarana 
Beat 

This performance celebrates Mexican ancestry and the connections shared between our diverse Latino communities through original songs and interactive performances that explore the broad connections of the Caribbean from Mexico to Puerto Rico.

When:
Friday, May 9th 2014 @ 10AM and 12PM.
Sessions are appropriate for all grades (k-12 and college level), as well as educators and cultural advocates.

Where:
Julia de Burgos Theater
1680 Lexington Avenue (between 105th and 106th Streets)
New York, NY 10029

How to Participate:
Contact LP21 today to secure your seat(s) and performance time(s)
Telephone: 212-427-5221
Email: pleneros21@gmail.com
RSVP is required and highly recommended for groups of 20 or more!
Deadline to RSVP: April 28, 2014

Admission: $5 per student; Adults are $10. (Teachers are exempt! Private sessions are available for large groups. If you would like to request a private performance, please contact us today!

We look forward to seeing you in El Barrio as we join this exceptional group and celebrate the common influences in our music.

FEATURING BAND:

Jarana Beat is a world music band that uses the fusion of Mexican and Latin American folk instruments and rhythmic elements that create an environment for expressing popular themes using traditional verse structures as the "pastern, sextuplet or decima." Composed of professional musician immigrants from Mexico interacting with performers from all the world, and using dance rhythms and footwork like Son Jarocho, Son Guerrerence, Son Huasteco, Cumbia and Rumba, among others Jarana Beat has been offering for more than two years, a journey through the Afro-Amerindian culture in New York's art scene.

Bomba and Plena In the House is part of LP21's Bomba and Plena for All - Educating in the Arts initiatives and is made possible in part by support from the New York State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the offices of NYC Council Member Melissa Mark Viverito, District 8.

Seattle, WA Bomba: Puerto Rican Bomba Performance and Discussion with Pablo Luis Rivera - Tuesday February 25, 2014

(Sorry for this late post, some of you may know I've been away for medical reasons. I'm still healing but my energy is coming back now.)

Jorge Vázquez | Cuando la Bomba Te Llama, Vol. 1 | CD Baby Music Store

 Click on this link to purchase:  Jorge Vázquez | Cuando la Bomba Te Llama, Vol. 1 | CD Baby Music Store

This long awaited CD is finally here! For years Jorge Vazquez an accomplished children's instructor of Bomba has worked to produce this recording.  Cuando la Bomba Te Llama Vol. 1 is a unique  album in which the 5 core Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba rhythms are provided those being Cuembe, Holande, Seis Corrido, Sica and Yuba.  Vazquez does not stop with just one track for each rhythm he goes a step further and provides separate tracks to practice cua, maraca and then buleador  so as to allow musicians and dancers alike to sharpen their skills.  This is a must have for all Bomberos regardless if you are a teacher or student all can benefit from this amazing work.

Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba Educational CD by Jorge Vazquez

After a fundraiser event on August 2nd, all that is needed to complete this project is $600! With your help the CDs will be ready in early September!

"Cuando La Bomba Te Llama: vol. 1"—a unique educational CD that provides practice tracks for seasoned as well as beginner bomba dancers and musicians. The first 5 tracks are 5 full minutes of 5 basic Afro-Puerto Rican bomba rhythms: sicá, cuembé, holandé, yubá and seis corrido. Those tracks provide great practice opportunity for dancers, singers, composers and primo/subidor players. The next 15 tracks feature what I call the "bomba minus 1" method, where the buleador, cuá or maraca is absent so that people can practice one of those instruments while having the support of the rest of the bomba ensemble. This CD is my contribution toward strengthening bomba and nurturing the next generation of bomberos and bomberas.

***Luego del evento de recaudación de fondos el 2 de agosto, solo faltan $600 para completar este proyecto. ¡Con tu ayuda, los Cds estarán listos para principio de septiembre!

"Cuando La Bomba Te Llama: vol. 1"—un CD educativo que ofrece pistas musicales de práctica para bailadores y músicos de bomba (tanto expertos como principiantes). Las primeras 5 pistas consisten en 5 minutos dedicados a 5 golpes básicos de bomba: sicá, cuembé, holandé, yubá y seis corrido. Ellas proveen excelente oportunidad de práctica para bailadores, cantantes, compositores y tocadores de primo/subidor. Las próximas 15 pistas consisten en lo que llamo el método "bomba menos 1" donde el buleador, cuá o maraca está ausente para que el individuo pueda practicar alguno de esos instrumentos con el apoyo del resto del conjunto musical. Este CD es mi contribución al fortalecimiento de la bomba y al cultivo de la próxima generación de bomberos y bomberas.