Welcome to La Peña! Promoting social justice & intercultural understanding through the arts since 1975.
La Peña Cultural Center and the Bay Area Bomba y Plena Workshop are thrilled to invite you to “RESPIRA: a presentation from students and practitioners of the children and adult Bay Area Bomba y Plena Workshops!
This showcase will feature songs and performances interpreted by La Peña students in collaboration with Bomba y Plena practitioners and educators. We will end the night with a community jam, so bring your instrument if you’d like to participate! This event is family friendly and there will be delicious Puerto Rican food available (cash donations encouraged). Bring your homies and family!!! Nos vemos!
ABOUT BOMBA: Bomba is a traditional form of Puerto Rican music and dance. The central feature of all bomba dancing is its improvisational character. The dancer calls, with her or his moves, for specific accents and figures, piquetes, that the drummer has to execute on the drum. This occurs in the form of a friendly yet fiery competition where each dancer and drummer showcases their skills. Musically, bomba features the use of the drum and other percussion instruments in combination with an African derived call and response vocal style.
ABOUT THE BOMBA Y PLENA WORKSHOPS: In the Bomba y Plena Workshops (for adults and for youth), students learn Bomba songs, dances, rhythms, and beats along with Bomba history and its significance and place in Puerto Rican and Afro-Caribbean culture. Students also learn how to play cuás, barriles (drums), and maracas. The workshop is taught and directed by Shefali Shah, and Hector Lugo curates the music section of the class. Learn more about these classes and how to sign up HERE!