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Also this issue: First Friday Focus "Intricacy" at ICA Twang Cornford and Cross: Ten Photographic Portraits from 10 Cose Fan Tutte BodyVox Urban Tap The Lysistrata Project |
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March 6-12, 2003
artpicks
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This winter has been harsher than we're used to in these parts, but a warm breeze is soon a comin'. Sort of. If you close your eyes and try real hard you might just be able to imagine yourself easing back with a tall drink in the tropics enjoying the lively island music of Grupo Afro Boricua. The ensemble, appearing at the Painted Bride this weekend, plays traditional musical forms of Puerto Rican music known as bomba and plena. Bomba, which came to Puerto Rico via Africa, is a call and response dialogue between singers, drummers and dancers. Plena, with roots from Spain, features improvised lyrics and choral refrains. Both offer a heck of a lot of rhythm and joy. Grupo's leader, William Cepeda, sings and performs on the conch shells, trombone and piano. Seven others join in on vocals, bass guitar and percussion. Their music blends bomba and plena with contemporary innovations based in jazz and funk. When things get cooking, the beat of the drums saturates the air with a palpable energy that may just impel you to bob and sway in your seat. Things will get heated, all right. Ah, a temporary respite from the cold.
Grupo Afro Boricua, Sat., March 8, 7 and 9 p.m., $25, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914.
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