HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – The city of Holyoke on Thursday just welcomed a new Latino owned business on High Street aimed at bringing music, culture and dance to the community.
Holyoke on the path to take back control of school system Bomba y plena is a percussion-driven musical tradition from Puerto Rico that reflects both our African and Puerto Rican heritage.
For many years this form of dance was hidden and over the years people like the Cepeda family have brought this medium to light. Bomba de Aquí is a dance and music company that performs and teaches Afro-Puerto Rican traditions in and throughout western Massachusetts and central Connecticut. They provide dance workshops at public schools, colleges, churches and other community venues.
On Thursday, they opened their very own dance studio in the Paper City. Brendalíz Cepeda told 22News about the significance of opening this dance studio with her husband Saul in Holyoke.
“We wanted to make sure that Holyoke had a space where they would come in, feel comfortable, understand their roots and where they come from. Also, feel that they can learn more about where they come from. But also for those who are not from Puerto Rico, have a tie because we do connect,” said Cepeda.
Cepeda is the granddaughter of the great bomba performer Rafael Cepeda, and learned the art and its history in her family. They educate the community about the history of Afro-Puerto Rican music, foster understanding of the richness of Puerto Rican arts, and encourage active participation in that heritage.
They plan to open up this upcoming April.
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