Bomba De Aquí co-directors, Brendalíz Cepeda and Saul Peñaloza are providing a moment of cultural learning for the community. 

Brendalíz, granddaughter of the great bomba performer Rafael Cepeda, and Saul will offer an all-ages, two-hour bomba workshop.

In this workshop, you will learn drumming, dancing, and song. As the lessons unfold, the artists will share their own personal experiences as well as the inextricable historical underpinnings of the forms. The workshop will offer engaging music, dance, and interactions of all ages.

Bomba de Aquí has evolved as a place where the community can come to learn and embrace powerful modes of self-expression, cultural awareness, and a sense of community, through active and dynamic participation in Bomba and Plena traditions. 

The event will also feature a contextualization of the music and dance forms, with a discussion of the mentorship by Sayalí and Bomba De Aquí co-director, Brendalíz Cepeda, from Granby, MA. They will be joined by Kathleen Mundell—an acclaimed Maine folklorist, and facilitator of the Traditional Apprenticeship program.

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Saturday, June 24 at 11:00 PM (doors 10:30 PM), approximately 120 minutes

Tickets are available for $15 in advance, $18 at the door (pay-what-you-can available)

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Bomba de Aquí is a dance and music company that performs and teaches Afro-Borikua traditions throughout New England. Directors of Bomba De Aquí, Brendalíz Cepeda and Saul Peñaloza, along with their ensemble members provide workshops at public schools, colleges, churches, and other community venues.

Through their work, they educate the community—in both Spanish and English—about the history of Afro-Borikua music, foster an understanding of the richness of Borikua arts, and encourage active participation in that heritage. 

ABOUT THE TAÍNO MINI-CONFERENCE

This event is one part of a Taíno Mini-Conference funded by the Maine Humanities Council, in collaboration with local Taíno community leader, Sayalí Robles, from South Portland, ME; founder of Casa Areyto, Priscilla Colón, from Nashua, NH; and the directors of Bomba De Aquí, Brendalíz Cepeda and Saul Peñaloza, from Granby, MA.

For 500 years, it was widely—and incorrectly!—believed that the Taíno peoples indigenous to Borikén (what is now called the US colony of Puerto Rico) and other islands throughout the Caribbean had gone extinct.

As described by Priscilla Colón, the principal goal of the project is to, “raise general awareness of Taíno indigenous culture—not just its existence but how it's thrived & become part of every other culture in the world.” This lineage can be traced through food, language, music, and other cultural pathways.

Please join us for the events: From Hammocks to Hurricanes | Taíno Influence on Language & Culture (Friday, May 26 at 6:30 PM); Taíno Petroglyphs for Kids Workshop (Saturday, May 27 at 10:00 AM); Taíno Taste Tour of the Caribbean (Saturday, May 27 at 12:00 PM); Bomba de Aquí Workshop (Saturday, June 24 at 11:00 AM); & the Bomba de Aquí performance (Saturday, June 24 at 5:00 PM).

PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN POLICY

No one will be turned away for lack of funds; contact MSA at 207-879-4629 or info@mayostreetarts.org for information on our pay-what-you-can admission policy.

COVID-19 POLICY

Audience members, staff, and volunteers will be asked to mask while not actively eating, or drinking.

Mayo Street Arts is committed to the safety of everyone at our events and will adhere to all Federal & Maine CDC guidelines on the day of the event. As we anticipate mid-season changes to our COVID-19 policy, please click here to visit our website and view the most current information.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Mayo Street Arts has a no refund policy for all reservations. In the event that MSA is forced to cancel an event due to weather, illness, etc., refunds will be offered via the Ticket Tailor platform.