Images from HPRSD Lawn Program, August 22, 1999.
Orgullo Boricua - San Diego's own Puerto Rico Folk Dance Troup
Vinny Torres, Director of
'Orgullo Boricua'
Typical dances from
Puerto Rico...
BOMBA AND PLENA
The traditions of bomba and plena evolved in population centers of
Puerto Rico's north, south and west coastal regions, in environments that had little in
common with the mountain forms of the jibaro. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the form
that is now called bomba flourished among African plantation workers who
were barely permitted time for rest and entertainment. Whenever festivities did take place
they were full-blown celebrations where food and drinks were served, and bomba - a complex
of song, music and dance - was the central activity.
Since 1883, when slavery was abolished in Puerto Rico, the
performance of bomba has diminished considerably, to the extent that its primary outlet is
now folkloric concerts and festivals.
Plena emerged in "poor" neighborhoods and
outlying districts of coastal towns around the turn-of-the-century. As a form of music,
dance, and song, plena bears a strong resemblance to other traditions in the Caribbean and
Latin America (such as Calypso), all of which provide sung commentaries on events of daily
life.
Though at one time plena was thriving "street" music, it
has passed through a period of major commercialization and, more recently, a period of
decline as old neighborhoods have been transformed by economic and social pressure. In New
York, as in Puerto Rico, plena can sometimes be heard at informal gatherings, in parks and
in Puerto Rican neighborhoods throughout the city as well as in concert situations for the
general audience.
LA BOMBA: Dancers from left to right are Christina Rosa and
Denise Roman
LA PLENA: Dancer Denise Roman
Musicians in typical PR folk attire...
Musicians: Robert Jorge, Nelson Pineido, Gene Perry, Hector
Nevarez and Luis Torres
For more information
please contact:
La Casa de Puerto Rico
P.O. Box 81982
San Diego, CA 92138
(619) 685-2847
lacasa@inetworld.net
Email
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