The Puerto Rican Heritage Society, also known in Spanish as Sociedad Herencia Puertorriqueña, is proud to announce a new cultural event it’s bringing to San Antonio.
The non-profit organization will present Bomba y Plena de Puerto Rico, a free workshop introducing the two traditional musical genres and dances from the island. The workshop will feature professional instructor and cultural ambassador Jeanitza Aviles from Puerto Rico, as well as award-winning musicians and educators from New York, Victor Rendon and Yasuyo Kimora, along with San Antonio’s own, Henry Brun. The workshop will take place Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 4 p.m. at the International Latin Jazz & Arts Festival, which is happening on the UTSA Downtown Campus. The festival, which runs from noon to 11 p.m. that day, is a new Hispanic Heritage Month celebration and offers free admission to the community.
Bomba originated during the early European colonial period in Puerto Rico. Enslaved Africans, who worked on sugar plantations along the coast of the island, used it as a form of expression and form of resistance. Bomba uses percussion instruments such as maracas, cuá (two wooden sticks) and a bomba barrel (a large drum played with the hands). Bomba performances are an interaction between the musicians and the dancers as the drum sets the rhythm the dancer steps to, while the dancer also provides improvised steps, challenging the musician to keep up.
Plena emerged from Bomba during the late 19th century to early 20th century, using different instruments (such as a guitar, maracas, bongos and more) to communicate stories and events, as well as to also offer critiques of society or the government. Plena has a quick rhythm, where couples dance facing each other. Unlike Bomba where drummers communicate through musical beats with the dancers, plena performers have solos.
Although admission to the International Latin Jazz & Arts Festival is free, a VIP Experience is also available at the cost of $100 a ticket. Festival organizers are generously committing to make a $25 donation to the Puerto Rican Heritage Society for each ticket sold. The VIP Experience is
for adults ages 21 and up only, with ID required to be shown during VIP check-in. The VIP area opens at 6 p.m. and allows patrons to be up close and personal to the music, including a meet and-greet with the Spanish Harlem Orchestra. It also includes light bites and signature cocktails from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The experience also includes free access to El Gran Baile, the after party, at 11 p.m. on the rooftop terrace of UTSA’s campus overlooking downtown San Antonio.
For more information on the International Latin Jazz & Arts Festival, visit https:// internationallatinjazzartfestival.com/
The Puerto Rican Heritage Society is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organization founded in 1984, in San Antonio, with the objective of promoting and maintaining the Puerto Rican culture and traditions alive in the city. The organization also promotes personal and career development through scholarships offered to high school students interested in pursuing a higher education. PRHS is also committed to supporting the community at large by participating in civic endeavors in the city.