Raíces
Cultural
Center

Cultural and FOLKLORIC Arts

Raíces Caribeñas Folkloric Ensemble

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About Raíces Caribeñas

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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. 

 

Core Members

Spirit of Drum Premiere at the Crossroads Theatre - 2010

Currently, the core members of Raíces Caribeñas are:

Francisco G. Gómez (percussion, tres, guitar, vocals) – Francisco is a co-founder, 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 (choreography, percussion, bass, vocals) – 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. 

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. 

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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.