BÁMBULA DANCE & DRUM FESTIVAL

The renowned and popular Bombazo Dance Company joins forces with the equally admired Chief Joseph Chatoyer Garífuna Dance and Harambee African Dance for a dynamic celebration of dance and tradition from three cultures of the great African diaspora. Program curated by Milteri Tucker and made possible with support from Pregones/PRTT’s ASAP (Artist Space At Pregones) initiative.

Event starts promptly at 3PM and is perfect for the entire family!

BOMBAZO: The word “Bombazo” signifies a Bomba jam. It is where the community gathers to celebrate life through its rhythms, songs, and dances. Bombazo Dance Company’s mission is to preserve, educate, and showcase traditional Afro Puerto Rican Bomba and Afro Caribbean folklore. Under the direction of founder/choreographer Milteri Tucker Concepción, company artists advance tradition through experiment and fusion with classical, contemporary, and social styles of dance and other urgent creative expressions.

CJC GARIFUNA: The Garifuna people originate with the Black Caribs indigenous to the Caribbean island of St. Vincent, and were exiled in the colonial period to the Caribbean coasts of Central America. Since the late 20th century, many have emigrated from what are now Honduras, Belize and Guatemala to the United States. The mission of CJC Garifuna Dance is to preserve and raise awareness of a rich Garifuna heritage, including its language, history of resistance to colonization, and powerfully percussive dances.

HARAMBEE: In Swahili, Harambee means “let us pull together”. Harambee Dance Company pulls together the essence of African and African-American dance and music presenting it from an innovative and exciting new contemporary perspective. Artistic Director and resident choreographer Sandella Malloy has developed a high-energy repertoire that pulls together African-based movement, modern dance forms, live percussion and original music, and vibrant costumes into captivating performances reflecting the majesty of the African Diaspora.

THANK YOU: This program is made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council; and via the developmental and engagement components of Pregones/PRTT’s Stage Garden Rumba initiative, with key support from Con Edison and the New York State Regional Economic Development Councils, in partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts.