Raíces
Cultural
Center

Raíces
Cultural
Center

Cultural and FOLKLORIC Arts

Drum, Song & Dance Classes

Cultural Arts Classes at Raíces

All classes are ongoing and you can register at any time, no prior experience required.
Our fall classes end on December 11, but you are welcome to join us for the last week of classes to get a preview of what you can expect for the Winter Cycle! Winter cycle begins January 19.

These open, public classes will introduce the rudiments of bomba dance and explore the cultural significance and history of the genre.
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Introduction to Bomba Dance

Mondays
7-8pm

These open, public classes will introduce the basic movements of several Afro-Cuban dance forms including orisha dance, rumba, and comparsa.
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Introduction to Afro-Cuban Dance

Mondays
8-9pm

Latin dance for kids aged 12 and under! Single sessions and full session 12-class discount passes available.
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Raícitas - Kids Latin Dance - 12 and Under

Wednesdays
6-7pm

Latin dance for kids aged 13 and up! Single sessions and full session 12-class discount passes available.
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Raícitas - Teen Latin Dance - 13 and up

Wednesdays
7-8pm

Beginner Salsa On2 with Veronica Morilla Rockman! Single sessions and 10-class passes available.
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Introduction to
Salsa On2

Wednesdays
8-9pm

Drum classes for children and youth. Participants will learn clave, drum sounds and technique and basic drumming patterns for a variety of Caribbean rhythms.
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Raícitas - Youth Drumming

Thursdays
6-7pm

This class is open to dancers and dance students who understand the rudiments of bomba dance and want to expand their dance vocabulary.
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Intermediate Bomba Dance

Thursdays
7-8pm

Explore the cultural roots of the Caribbean and beyond through movement, music and storytelling! For children 12 and under with a parent or guardian.
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Raícitas "Little Roots" Family Cultural Arts

Every 4th Saturday Starting 10/4
11am-12:30pm

This open practice lab session is open to all levels who want to practice their drumming, dance and song in community with other bomba practitioners and students. 
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Bomba
Practice Lab

Every Other Saturday Starting 9/20
1pm-2:30pm

Hands-on Cultural Handcraft activities for all ages with Raíces teaching artist Veronica Morilla Rockman.
SignUp

Cultural Handcrafts with Veronica Morilla Rockman

All ages - 10/18, 11/15, 12/7, 12/13
11am-12:30pm

Find inspiration and materials for artmaking in and with Nature in this series of workshops with Raíces Fall 2025 Artist in Residence, Jimena Vega.
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Eco-Art Workshops with Jimena Vega

10/5, 10/11, 10/18, 10/25
See class page for times

About this Program

Fall 2025 Class Schedule

Raíces Cultural Center offers instruction in Caribbean cultural performing arts, including both traditional and modern forms dance, drum and song. Participants learn the fundamentals of rhythms, songs and dances from a variety genres from the Caribbean, including the Afro-Cuban Orisha tradition, the Puerto Rican forms of bomba and plena and modern forms like salsa. Throughout the classes, participants also learn about the basic cultural history and meanings behind these traditions.

Classes are taught by core members of the Raíces Cultural & Community Arts team, with occasional guest teachers and scheduled field trips to cultural events in our region. Class participants have the opportunity to share what they learned in periodic student showcase and community events. Learn more about our current class offerings and register below.

If you are looking to schedule private classes and workshops for school groups and organizations please submit a presentation request.

Program Support

Middlesex County NJ logo

Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund. For information on events, go to MiddlesexCountyCulture.com.

Made possible by funds from Middlesex County, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

Additional support has been provided by the New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund and the Highland Park Arts Commission.