$20

Carnival in Puerto Rico starts right after celebrating Three Kings Day and is a month long celebration from the different municipalities of the island. The season is full of color, topped with ‘Cabezudos’ (bottle heads), ‘Vejigantes,’ ‘Caballeros,’ Kings and Queens! The sounds and steps of Puerto Rico’s carnival are unique, incorporating the island’s African heritage. Bomba is Puerto Rico's African heritage maintained by the enslaved during the 17th century. It is prevalent throughout the year and seen predominantly during Carnival season all around the island. Come and learn the basic rhythms, movement, timing and characters of Bomba! Class will incorporate historical contents along with key movements with live percussion ending in one big open jam! Skirt required (available for purchase). Open to all levels.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Milteri Tucker Concepcion is the founder and artistic director of Bombazo Dance Company, which aims to preserve traditional Bomba dance but also fuses Afro-Caribbean Folk elements with contemporary, modern and social styles. She holds a masters degree in dance education from NYU and is currently working on her doctorate. Milteri has worked and performed along Puerto Rican Bomba masters including Cepedas, Ayala, William Cepeda and AfroRican Jazz. Milteri has also performed in San Juan, Loiza, Ponce and Carolina. Trained in Ballet, Modern and African dance styles, she has worked with a wide range of choreographers including Maria Torres, Sekou McMiller, Richard Pierlon, Jeff Shade, Angel Gil Orrios and George Faison.

Learn more about Milteri and the work of Bombazo Dance Company at www.bombazodanceco.com.