Semilla Cultural is proud to announce “The Banyan Tree of the Americas: Music Evolution in the African Diaspora”: Take a journey through the resilient and entangled roots of our ancestors. Come explore how our ancestors grew roots as their branches extended through the African Diaspora and currently bond our cultures and unite us through music and dance!
Join Fredericksburg-based grassroots organization Semilla Cultural for a series of three weekend events including panels, performances, and workshops on musical and dance practices of the African diaspora, including but not limited to Puerto Rican bomba, with participating artists Rev. Cora Harvey Armstrong, Dr. Emanuel Dufrasne González and Taller-Conjunto Paracumbe.
Saturday, Aug. 28 4:000-6:30 PM
Music Evolution in the African Diaspora
Sunday, Aug. 29 1:00-2:00 PM
Voices and Songs in Puerto Rican Bomba
Saturday Sept. 18 4:30 PM
Saturday Oct. 2 4:30
The third of three weekend events from Semilla Cultural’s project “The Banyan Tree of the Americas: Music Evolution in the African Diaspora” will include panelists and artists from Richmond, VA, Omilade Janine Bell, and from Orlando, FL and Puerto Rico, Melanie Maldonado and Ausuba!
Come join us and untangle the ancestral stories that are not reflected in many history books. We will expose the history and evolution of our African roots in music and dance, and how we are all connected in our current practices. During this panel discussion and performance we will be exploring the connection between Puerto Rican bomba and West African Dance.
Come ready to ask questions to our panelists, and enjoy live music from our performers.
University of Mary Washington – Heslep Amphitheater
Behind the James Farmer Hall
Fredericksburg, VA
Sunday Oct. 3 1:00-2:00 PM
Learn about Puerto Rican bomba dancing, figures, and movement from one of our youngest bomba educators and leaders, Marién Torres López. The workshop will include brief historical explanation, instruments, social functions, basic steps, and piquetes (dance improvisation). Be ready to move and learn!
Limited spaces available.
University of Mary Washington Chandler Ballroom C
University Center
1301 College Ave
Fredericksburg, VA
Facebook: Music Evolution in the African Diaspora
This project is possible thanks to the partnership and support of the following entities: Fredericksburg Arts Commission, Virginia Humanities, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg Area Museum, CLAVES UNIDOS, Rapp Arts and Culture, Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc.
