Browse Items (2121 total)

Raíces Cultural Center co-founders with Casa Pueblo co-founders and current director.

Flyer for Spring Jam 2k10 event, a collabroative community arts event. Raíces was one of the organizations which collaborated to create this public arts and educational event that encompassed many different forms of art, culture and education. From…

Elegúa is the keeper of the crossroads. He is an Orisha, or force of nature, associated with destiny. He is known as a trickster and a messenger and is often associated with children. This image depicts a dance for Eleguá performed at the Spirit of…

Performing Eleguá at the Spirit of the Drum Production. Eleguá is the Orisha, or force of nature, of the crossroads. He is considered to be a messenger and a trickster.

Rumba is a secular percussion, song and dance tradition that developed on the streets in Cuba. The dance represents the chicken and the rooster, and is a flirtatious and sensual conversation between the two dancers.

Sean Battle, a performing arts intern at Raíces in 2010 wrote original poems in honor of the Orishas for the Spirit of the Drum production, while also resarching, studying and learning the history, rhythms, songs and movements associated with the…

Raíces Caribeñas, the predecessor to the Raíces Cultural Center Ensemble, performing giving an educational concert as part of the 2nd Reformed Church of New Brunswick’s Lunchtime Recital Series. Dean Warren Schomburg played both flute and percussion…

Oral history interview with dancer and arts educator Yvette Martínez.

Flyer for Raícitas Youth Program Creative Expressions Writing Circle.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
All young writers grades six and up are invited to join Raíces volunteer Emily Gibbons every Friday at 4:30pm for the Creative Expressions Writing…

Businesses and storefronts remained shuttered in the aftermath and recovery period following Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

West African Dance workshop leader Liana Conyers, teaching as part of the 2013 Cultural Legacy Festival workshop series.

Workshop leader Liana Conyers teaching and leading West African dances.

Workshop leader Liana Conyers led participants through a variety of West African dances including Lamba and griot dances.

Dance teacher Liana Conyers leading workshop participants at the Raíces Cultural Center Cultural Legacy Festival 2013 Workshop Series.

On the left side of the photo at the very top are four necklaces (elekes). From left to right are Elegua, Ochún, Changó and Yemayá. See below an explanation for each of these Orishas.

A. In the center of the necklaces is Osún. Osún is a warrior,…

Christian altar. In the center is a hand carved cross of Jesus’ crucifixion. To the left of the crucifix is a hand carved statue of virgin and child. To the right of the crucifix is a hand carved statue of an angel. In front of these are hand carved…

Yemayá’s turin and necklace (eleke). To the right of the turin is a rattle to call Yemayá down to earth. Other objects on the altar represent Yemayá.

Side view of Changó’s altar. Considered to be the most 'popular' of the orishas, Changó rules over lightning, thunder, fire, drums and dance. He is a warrior Orisha with quick wits, temper and is the epitomy of virility. He is an extremely hot…

Ceramic libation vessel. This vessel can be used in a number of ways when performing ceremonies for the Orishas.

Hand carved Christian statue of virgin and child.

Hand carved Christian statue of virgin and child.

Tamborine looking instruments on the wall are called “Panderos or Panderetas,” they are played in the Puerto Rican musical tradition of “Plena.” Directly below are the drums known as “barrilles” (barrels,) also called bomba drums. To the right is…

Three Vejigante masks. The vejigante is a devil like character who is very mischievous. He is found in the Afro-Puerto Rican folklore of the island.

Vejigante masks. The vejigante is a devil like character who is very mischievous, he is found in the Afro-Puerto Rican folklore of the island.