Dance Is Life announces a special activation with Segunda Quimbamba, to close out the Reclaim the Block Festival in New Jersey on Saturday June 22, 2024. This partnership celebrates the tradition of Salsa and Latin Hustle being danced at the Bomba & Plena socials in the public spaces of New York, New Jersey and beyond, in an effort to preserve this cultural history. There will be a FREE Latin Hustle intro class by Abdiel from 6-6:30pm, followed by a social dance party with special guest DJ Sunny Cheeba.
Segunda Quimbamba Folkloric Center is hosting a summer festival to “reclaim the block” after more than six years of restrictions on Second Street in downtown Jersey City, as a resident of the block since 1979. The festival focuses on the diversity of New Jersey City cultures, through the lens of Segunda Quimbamba, a percussion and dance ensemble that plays authentic Bomba & Plena — the drum music of Puerto Rico.
Bomba and Plena are two distinct rhythms that reflect Puerto Rico’s African heritage. Bomba reflects traditions of the bantu/kongo regions of Africa and has nearly 400 years of history in Puerto Rico. It is played on barrel-shaped drums called “bombas” along with a maraca and sticks called “cuas.” Dancers engage in a dynamic challenge with the lead drummer of the ensemble. Plena originated in the early 20th century and its songs reflect the everyday life of the working class of its coastal towns. It is played with hand-held frame drums called “panderos,” a güiro, and at times, guitars, accordions, and congas. Plena, often danced in pairs, is found in protests, strikes, demonstrations and parades in Puerto Rican communities both on the island and in the U.S.
For more information, visit www.segundaquimbamba.org.
HOSTED BY
Natasha Diggs
Abdiel
DJ
Sunny Cheeba
WHEN
Saturday, June 22, 2024
6pm-9pm
WHERE
2nd Street between Erie Street & Jersey Avenue
Jersey City, New Jersey
MORE INFO
www.segundaquimbamba.org
Photo by David D.G.Noble (previous page)