Cultural and FOLKLORIC Arts
Raíces Caribeñas Folkloric Ensemble
About Raíces Caribeñas
Raíces Caribeñas is comprised of an intergenerational mix of professional singers, dancers, drummers and other musicians. The group performs the folkloric traditions of the Caribbean, as well as fusions of these traditions with modern genres. Rumba, batá, bomba, plena, són, comparsa, seis, and aguinaldo are some of the genres the group performs and presents. The group also aims to educate their audiences through historical explanations, school performances, workshops, multimedia presentations and technology.
Members
Currently, the core members of Raíces Caribeñas are:
Francisco G. Gómez (director, percussion, tres, guitar, vocals) – Francisco is a co-founder, Executive Director and Music Director of Raíces Caribeñas and Raíces Cultural Center. Francisco has directed several productions featuring the music, song, dance and traditions of the Caribbean – “Los Vejigantes de Puerto Rico”, “The Spirit of the Drum: History and Evolution of an Afro-Caribbean Tradition”, “Festival for the Dead” and “Orishas: Tale of Two Waters”.
Nicole Wines (percussion, bass, vocals, choreography) – Nicole is a co- founder of Raíces Cultural Center. She has been performing as a musician and dancer with Raíces Caribeñas since its formation in 2008, and also serves as a teaching artist and choreographer for the ensemble.
Suzy Cintron (peripheral percussion, vocals, dance) – Suzy is a student member of the ensemble. She has been studying percussion and dance with Raíces Cultural Center teaching artists since early 2025, and began participating in ensemble activities and programs in Fall 2025.
Our core members work collaboratively with other musicians, dancers and folklorists in our community, as well as advanced students to share music, dance, song and stories through performance, workshops and multimedia presentations.
Past Performances, Productions & Projects
Al Ingenio:
Raíces Caribeñas @ Galleries at Kean
Bomba – Yubá
Bombazo del Batey: Lockdown Edition
Bomba – Sicá
Plena
The Spirit of the Drum: History and Evolution of an Afro-Caribbean Tradition
Güiro
Batárumba
Batá
Comparsa
Palo
Bring Raíces Caribeñas to your site or event
Program Support
Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners. This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
