Black Cultural Center offering virtual programs on Puerto Rico’s musical, dance heritage

Purdue University’s Black Cultural Center will offer a free virtual educational trip and program about Puerto Rico on Oct. 26-30.

The programs will explore Puerto Rico’s musical heritage by studying, listening and dancing to bomba and plena. Both genres are deeply rooted in Puerto Rico’s African heritage. In addition, there will be scholarly presentations on the connection between the arts and resistance.

Registration is required. Once registered, participants may choose to join one or all five sessions. These events are open to the Purdue community and general public.

All sessions are offered on Zoom, starting at 6 p.m. ET.  Dates and session titles are as follows:

* Oct. 26: Keynote speaker: San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz.

* Oct. 27: “Art as Resistance” by María Elba Torres, professor at the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) and director of Interdisciplinary and Multicultural Institute.

* Oct. 28: Afro-Caribbean music, and plena dance and music workshop conducted by Jorge Arce. 

* Oct. 29: “Arturo Schomburg Lecture” by Professor Ada Myriam Felicié, University of Puerto Rico.

* Oct. 30: Bomba dance class instructed by Maribella Burgos, internationally acclaimed artist.

This is one of numerous programs using a virtual model to provide intercultural learning experiences this year at Purdue. The Black Cultural Center will host a similar event on Brazil on Nov. 16-20 via Zoom. Participants can register for the program online.  

Writer: Matthew Oates, 765-586-7496, oatesw@purdue.edu, @mo_oates
Source: Renee Thomas, rathomas@purdue.edu, @purdue_bcc