2Q Spring 2025 Classes Bomba & Plena: Learn Afro Puerto Rican Traditions

We can't wait to welcome you and share our love and passion for Puerto Rico! A new season to celebrate and uplift each other! Learning together about la música, cultura y comunidad.

Learn Afro-Puerto Rican percussion and dance, beats and moves with Segunda Quimbamba! We've been teaching the rich cultural folkloric music known as la Bomba and la Plena for 30 years in Jersey City, and throughout New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania.

Segunda Quimbamba's foundational learning and teaching in Bomba is rooted in the traditions of la Familia Cepeda de Santurce. In discussion and demonstration, the students will gain an understanding of the various regional differences of the dances and percussion rhythms from Loiza and Mayaguez. The rhythms that are practiced are: sica, cuembe, calinda, yuba, holandes, sies corrido, rule, balance and oyo mula.

This program is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, division of the Department of State, and administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Craig Guy, Hudson County Executive & the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners. A grant Supported Public Funds from the Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund. A Resident Partnership at the Nimbus Arts Center which helps extend community outreach and impact.

Program Access contact Nanette Hernandez will coordinate your requests for assistance and accommodations and answer your program questions. Please email Nanette at [email protected] or call/text 201-463-4814. Nimbus Dance studio and theater building is an ADA compliant and accessible venue. Please visit their website https://www.nimbusdance.org/ for complete venue accessibility information and for a current status on COVID Safety policy and protocols.

___________________________________________________________________________________

SPRING 2025 DANCE & PERCUSSION PROGRAM GENERAL SESSION

March 2 - June 1, Time: 2 - 5 PM on Sunday Afternoons except Easter Sunday 4/30.

All classes are held at the Nimbus Arts Center in Downtown Jersey City. Open enrollment final day to register is March 16 for General Session. On-site registration will be available at Nimbus.

Classes culminate in a student recital May 31 and June 1, 2025 (students must meet class participation requirements to appear in the recital).

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

This spring 2025 we will learn: Cuembe and Calinda while building community. Great exercise, healing and positive energy! Fun and supportive community.

SIGN UP NOW!

SPRING CLASS DATES: 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/6, 4/13, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11. Run of Show: 5/18, 5/25. Student Recitals: 5/31, 6/1.

First DAY March 2: Playing live music the team welcomes everyone! You will receive a welcome packet that we will review together containing a syllabus detailing what you will learn by the end of the term and other important information. Students and Instructors do introductions and share together. Getting to know each other and share experiences that brought us here to learn and grow in community. We exchange knowledge and a brief oral history of the percussion and dance traditions of our African heritage and ancestry.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Every dance class begin with a warm up then the learning of the Bomba rhythms, dance steps and choreography. This term students focus on spatial awareness movement, time, and learn to identify how the rhythms sound.

DANCE: BOMBA

Dance 1 Beginner Level for ages 12 and up

Here Cuembe basic fundamental steps are introduced and technique exercises grounding the dancer in the rhythm. Body, posture, movement in space and spatial awareness emphasized. With an opportunity to deepen your understanding in the space with the dance and percussion dynamic of the lead drum and dancer. This conversational exchange is done through observing, listening, and engaging with intention in the whole of the community present. Singing coro in the call-and-response method in the Spanish language. Discussion of batey and bombazos in the community.

Dance Intensive Step up to 2 * for ages 14+ and up

In this Intensive movement class students develop confidence to trust themselves in their foundational learning. To be firmly grounded in the basic learning of the rhythms to build on from the learning of Class 1. The student here will prepare to transition for the Advanced Class 2 level. Students will be challenged in their bomba journey to master sufficient understanding and comfort level in the foundational and piquete movements (upper and lower body expressions) and core understanding of drum responses intently creating beats in your dance to the drum. Mandatory requirements apply. See below.

* A by invitation only. You must have completed 2 terms of classes or show that you are sufficiently prepared to meet the class challenges and goals by demonstrating your knowledge and skills to the education team. Student can continue in Dance 1 while participating in the Step Up to 2 Intensive. Ages 14 + The SQFC Team will guide students for proper class placement assuring the best learning experience.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

PERCUSSION: BOMBA

PERCUSSION 1 Beginner Level for ages 12 and up

Students are introduced to the Bomba drum and all major and minor percussion elements. Students will focus on Cuembe and Calinda barril hand technique. Metronome work for Barril. Focus on maraca technique. Engaging with dance students to build up learning in sustaining the rhythm, listening, observing and following cues and messaging that are going on in the energy of the people in the space.

PERCUSSION 2 Buleo Plus (By invitation only) * for ages 15 and up

This class prepares students to transition from bomba buleadores in performance contexts to buleadores in Batey contexts. Instructors will focus on speed, stamina, and advanced rhythms.

Prerequisites / Requirements: All decisions are made by the education team.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

PLUS SPECIAL OFFER COMBO DANCE AND PERCUSSION CLASSES:

DEEPEN your learning: Consider signing up for both dance and drum classes as a combo with deep savings! Learning both disciplines together will deepen and enhance your experiences that are intertwined and part of a full embodied experience of the drums and dances of our ancestors.

TOUCH POINTS: Attend monthly Zoom meetings: Hablando con los Maestros for additional classroom support, discussions / demonstrations of techniques in dance or drum, cultural history, the instruments, the rhythms, the diaspora as we build community.

SQFC offer beginners and advanced learning to all students. Private classes also available. Families and returning student discounts available. Classes are for Adults and Children.

See you in Class! ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

SPRING SEMESTER SCHEDULE: March 2 - June 1 at 2 - 5 PM Sunday afternoons-

BOMBA DANCE CLASSES:

Dance 1 Beginner Level Time: 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Ages 12 and up

Dance Intensive Step up to 2 (By invitation only) * Time: 2:00 - 3:00 PM

Ages: 14 and up

Prerequisites / Requirements: All decisions are made by the education team.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

PERCUSSION CLASSES:

Percussion 1 Beginner Level Time: 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Ages 14 and up

Percussion 2 Drum Buleo Plus (By invitation only) * Time: 2:00 - 3:00 PM

Prerequisites / Requirements: 2 Drum Buleo Plus level minimum experience is required. Ages 15+, the SQFC Team will guide students for proper class placement assuring the best learning experience.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

FEES: Spring Semester Program Fees for the PERCUSSION and DANCE Classes~

New students: $265

Returning Students Disc: $245

Step Up to 2 Intensive: $205

DEEP SAVE COMBO 1 Percussion plus 1 Dance Class Special Offer: $450

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Nimbus Arts Center: What can I bring into the studio?

For dance, dress comfortably NO footwear in the studio. A limited number of dance skirts and percussion instruments are available in class. If you own a dance skirt or drum please bring it with you to classes. Bring your own water, personal hand sanitizer and mask.

Transportation:

What is my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

Nimbus Arts Center •329 Warren St. • Jersey City, NJ 07302 www.nimbusdanceworks.org • Phone/fax (201) 377-0718

Trains: Take PATH to Grove Street STOP, then a short walk east towards the water on Columbus turning left onto Warren Street, venue at 329 Warren Street. Or Exchange Place STOP walk west on Columbus away from the water to Warren Street turn right for venue.

Car: Limited Street or paid parking available in the area of Downtown Jersey City.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Segunda Quimbamba contact is Nanette Hernandez, [email protected] or call or text 201-463-4814

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

If you easily can, yes.

Can I update my registration information? Yes.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Nimbus Arts Center, 329 Warren Street, Jersey City, United States