After the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the Raíces Cultural Center Ensemble was asked to perform at a benefit event sponsored by local Rutgers University students. Raíces Ensemble members and Raíces student performers created a presentation for…
Plena is a community tradition. Known as a “singing newspaper”, it tells a story, and traditionally brought news between the towns and cities of Puerto Rico. Everyone joins in the singing, dancing and playing.
In June of 2009, Raíces Cultural Center Ensemble members were invited to participate in the Brooklyn Puerto Rican Day Parade, drumming, singing and dancing plena. Plena is a musical tradition that evolved on the island of Puerto Rico. Plena is…
Raíces Cultural Center was able to present a variety of traditions that honor the ancestors through music, song and dance thanks to a cultural collaboration with Grupo Ribeiro from New York City, who presented the Brazilian traditions of the caboclo…
Oyá is the orisha, or force of nature of the whirlwinds, the energy that brings chaos and destruction to make room for change and new growth. She is also the gatekeeper of the cemetary and the marketplace, deciding who may enter and who may leave.
The chants and the toques de batá for the dead performed by the Raíces Ensemble and guest artists in the Festival for the Dead are taken from the Lucumí/Ocha liturgy of Cuba.
Flyer for the March 2011 Arts and Family Day Program: Lembranças/Recollections.
EVENT DESCRIPTION
Meet the artist Amy Garas as you explore her solo exhibit "Lembrancas: A Recollection". Participate in creating art with your children and families…
¡Retumba! dance group pictured with Mayor Bloomberg at the Mayor's Awards for Arts & Culture. ¡Retumba! performed in collaboration with four other NYC groups at The Mayor’s Award Ceremony at City Center, February 2013.
¡Retumba! performing a Plena Fusion. The Plena, a rhythm and dance from Puerto Rico, is fused with Flamenco and Samba, to demonstrate our similarities and our uniqueness.