Virginia Bomba: Bomba Afro-Puerto Rican Dance Workshop - Saturday November 15, 2014

We are returning to Richmond! 

We extend you an invitation to learn about the Afro-Caribbean music and dance from Puerto Rico called BOMBA. It is a music and dance developed by the African slaves that worked in the sugarcane fields, and it is still alive in the island and in the diaspora. It is a dialog between the dancer and one of the many drummers. The dancer makes body figures called 'piquetes' and the lead drummer --called the 'primo' or 'subidor'-- interprets them in the drum. One dancer at a time 'challenges' or 'talks' to the 'primo' drummer through his or her dance sequence. Bomba is a personal expression, it is freedom, it is our legacy and our treasure.

The workshop will cover bomba history, basic steps, a dance sequence, and an individual practice. If you are interested in this opportunity we encourage you to come out and have fun with us!

Female attendees are encouraged to bring their own long full-circle skirts or scarves.

$25/class
$15/class for Seniors, Educators, Students and Children
Cash, check & cards accepted at the door.
Call (804) 334-8136 or email dance@clavesunidos.com for details and registration.

Don't forget to invite your friends through our facebook event and like us:https://www.facebook.com/semillacultural

This workshop is one in a series of five dance workshops that will be offered in Richmond. For more information about the other workshops, visit CLAVES UNIDOS' facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1449809508619796/

Event: Bomba Afro-Puerto Rican Dance Workshop
Bomba organization: Semilla Cultural
Date and Time: Saturday November 15, 2014, 12pm -2pm
Venue and Location: Dogtown Dance Theater 109 W 15th Street, Richmond, VA
Admission: $25/class; $15/class for seniors, educators, students & children - cash, check and cards accepted at the door
For more information: info@semillacultural.org or call (804) 334-8136

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

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.

Oakland Bomba: Dia De Los Muertos "Remembering Our Loved Ones" - Sunday November 2, 2014

Join us this Sunday, Nov. 2nd, from 3-7pm for a special Día de los Muertos event to celebrate and honor our beloved creator Holly Schneider and all of our loved ones who have transitioned. There'll be great live music, poetry, altar-making, and activity stations for people of all ages. 

Performers include: DIANA GAMEROS :: OAKLAND FUTURE TRIO :: LAS BOMBERAS DE LA BAHIA :: MARIA JOSE MONTIJO & JORDAN HAAR :: ELIZABETH TREADWELL :: ALISON MONCRIEFF :: RENATA TERVALON :: 

Arrive early so you don't miss any of the performances.

Activity stations and workshops will be lead by local artists.

*If you're interested in the candle-decorating activity, please bring a photocopy of a loved one to use on the candle. Printing the photo on velum paper allows for the candle to shine through the photo but you can print on any kind of paper. All other materials will be provided.

Admission is FREE!!
This event was made possible by the Akonadi Foundation + The San Francisco Foundation.

Event: Studio Grand's Celebration Dia de los Muertos
Bomba artists: Las Bomberas de la Bahia
Date and Time Sunday November 2, 2010, 3pm-7pm
Venue and Location: Studio Grand at 3234 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610
Admission: Free

Bronx Bomba: Smokin Word & Drum Dia De Los Muertos - Saturday October 25, 201

Smokin Word & Drum "Dia De Los Muertos"
Artists: Machete Movement
Date and Time: Saturday October 25, 2014, doors open 7pm, show time 8pm
Venue and Location: El Fogon Center for the Arts at 989 Home Street, Bronx, NY 10459
Subway: 2 or 5 train to Freeman Ave.
Admission: $7

Orlando Bomba (class): Talleres con Angel "Balance" Reyes - Saturday October 25, 2014

Gran Evento de Bomba De La Buena; 
con Angel "Balancé" Reyes y Arte Borikua Galeria C.
Date: October 25, 2014. 
Venue and Location: Arte Borikua Galleria C at 207 N Goldenrod Rd. Suite 500 Orlando, FL 32807 
Reserve spot by calling (407) 953-5185
Percussion and history class 3 - 4pm = 1hra.
Dance and history class 4:15 - 5:45pm = 1hra.

SIEMBRA MAESTRA BOMPLENAZO 2014

Great job Siembra Maestra!