Adult Bay Area Bomba y Plena Workshop

Sundays at 11:30am-1:00pm
In person at La Peña Cultural Center
Feb 13, 2022-July 31, 2022

Instructors: Shefali Shah, Román Ito Carrillo and Héctor Lugo

• $30 drop in
• $25 per class with series registration (4 weeks)

During these classes, students will learn dance, songs, drum rhythms, and history. Classes culminate in student performances. For those interested in staying healthy, connecting with the community or learning a rich musical tradition, Bomba is for you.

Bomba reflects the powerful forces that shaped Puerto Rico’s history, emerging from the African experience on the island before the 1700’s. Bomba music and dance originated in the sugar cane plantations and was played, danced and sung as a means to express daily hardships, cope with oppression, and escape captivity. It is the oldest living musical tradition of Puerto Rico.

The Bomba ensemble consists of “barriles” or barrel drums with goat skins, a “maraca” played by the lead singer, and a pair of “cuas”, or sticks traditionally played on the wooden body of the drum. Inspired and guided by songs and the drum rhythms, dancers improvise their movements in a dynamic communication with the “primo” or lead drum.

This class is open to all levels and drop-ins are welcome. Instruction is geared to different levels and skills from beginner to more advanced.

The classes will be held as series with several different content areas including Bomba dance with specific rhythms as focus, Bomba percussion, Bomba jam session practice, and Plena percussion. 

To register, contact bombaaguacero@gmail.com

PLEASE NOTE: This class follows current City of Berkeley and CDC guidelines regarding Covid-19 safety measures.