Fee:

Free.

Location: LAT/LONG: 42.372929, -71.055736

Pier 1 across from USS CONSTITUTION

Dates & Times

Date:

Sunday, September 3, 2023

Time:

3:00 PM

Duration:

1 hour

Type of Event

Performance

Description

Join National Parks of Boston in starting the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month early to the rhythm of Bomba and Plena!

On Sunday, September 3, 3-4 pm, enjoy live music and dancing from Raiz De Plena and Bombazo Boricua in the Charlestown Navy Yard in front of USS Constitution. Bomba and Plena are two of Puerto Rico's traditional music styles that highlight the African roots within Puerto Rican culture.

This event is free and open to the public.

Raiz de Plena and Bombazo Boricua is organized by musician and teacher Jorge Arce, who is based in Roxbury. Jorge Arce is a native of Ponce, Puerto Rico, a city well known for its rich cultural traditions. This city is characterized by the emergence and evolution of important Afro-Caribbean music and dances such as the "Bomba," "Plena," and "Danza." In addition to being an actor, dancer, singer, and performer, cultural historian and researcher, Arce was a TAG theatre and dance teacher for several years.

Arce completed his studies at Boston Conservatory in 1985, and he later received his Master of Education from Harvard University in 1994. He established the musical group Humano to bring together tradition and cultural awareness to the community. Through Humano and his band Jorge Arce and Raiz de Plena he continues to be one of Boston's most cultural Afro-Caribbean ambassadors.

Jorge Arce and his group Raiz de Plena present the Comparsa Boricua with Bomba music and dancers. Their traditional plena music concerts feature percussion, trumpets and trombones, and audience participation in the form of lots of call and response chants! Raiz de Plena has performed at more than 1,000 events throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

National Parks of Boston recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. This event kicks off this celebration early. We will continue to honor the cultures and contributions of Hispanics and Latin Americans in the City of Boston throughout the month. Please join us in this celebration!

Learn More about Jorge Arce.