Embracing and protecting our culture, music and people
Did you know Cumbe was going to be called Alegria? Our founders wanted to not only bring joy into the name of the organization, but also highlight the organization’s goal of creating a space for African-rooted dance. So they decided on Cumbe because of its connection to Afro-Colombian dance, Cumbia. The dance is all about embracing joy, plus the rhythm makes you move!
As we start the celebration of Latinx heritage and cultures across the diaspora, we stop to think about the beauty, intellect, spirituality and colors so many Latinx artists have shared with us through dance and music. We think about the wonderful teaching artists we’ve had the privilege of hosting in our studios, including Danys ‘La Mora’ Perez, Stevie Insua, Carlos Mateo, Liethis Hechavarria, Danielle Lima, Milteri Tucker Concepcion, Dandha Da Hora, Daniel Fetecua, Rosangela Silvestre and countless others. By sharing their art, heart and soul, music and culture with us and our community, we are rich with love, diversity, knowledge and so much more. Check out some not so well known Afro-Latinx artists here.
And as we continue in the spirit of joy and unity, we also think about the challenges our communities experience day to day. We think about the ongoing fight to protect our beautiful neighborhoods and studios and organizations filled with immigrants from all over the world. We think about our Latinx family members that are targets of inhumane governmental policies and practices. As we celebrate these beautiful cultures, we strive to protect them.
We are entering into another election, keeping in mind these things and remembering that our fight to preserve and protect our community is at the polls, with our elected officials, in our community organizations and in the money we spend. We have the power to continue to protect, preserve and celebrate our community members every day.
This Latinx Heritage Month, while we uplift the glorious voices, art and monumental moments in Latinx history, we also make movements to speak up for our community members through social action. Check out some ways to make a move.
Check out some petitions on Change.org
Inform Yourself:
“How this African beat spread through Latin America” (Cumbia) by Johnny Harris and Christina Thornell
“From Punta to Chumba: Garifuna Music and Dance in New Orleans” by Amy Serrano
"Samba On Your Feet," dir. Eduardo Montes-Bradley
“Bomba: The Enduring Anthem of Puerto Rico” by Rose Marie Cromwell, Lauren Du Graf, Eve Lyons, NYTimes
The Dominican Gagá, dir. William Alemán, 2013. 22 minutes. Available on Vimeo.
Jerome Robbins Dance Division, The New York Public Library. (2015). Interview with Danys La Mora Perez
“Latin Roots: Merengue” by NPR World Cafe, 6-minute listen.