Puerto Rican Cultural Center - Music, Dance, and Culture of Puerto Rico

PRFDance recreates Carnaval de Loiza with William Cepeda (2005)

RESOURCES & REFERENCES

Information on Puerto Rican dance, music, history and culture can sometimes be hard to find here in the States. Our in-depth research began in 1997 and is a continuing effort! Our best research is done on the Island itself, so we are happy to share our resources with you.

Olukun, the keeper of dreams by Antonio Broccoli Porto
Broccolli Artwork displayed with permission.

HOT LINKS - Frequently Requested Resources

Vejigantes de Loiza by Antonio Broccoli Porto

RESOURCES & REFERENCES

Music and Dance Literature

Puertorriquena, Instituto de Cultura Puertorriquena, San Juan PR, 1977. (Classic literature on Danza.) [Book]

Dufrasne-González, J. Emanuel, "Puerto Rico también tiene Tambó," Impreso en Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, 1994." Guayama. UCLA.

Rosa-Nieves, Cesareo, "Voz Folklorica de Puerto Rico", Troutman Press 1967. (A classic book, rare, hard to find.) [Book]

Dufrasne-González, J. Emanuel, "Los Instrumentos Musicales AfroBoricuas," La Tercera Raiz: Presencia Africana en Puerto Rico, Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, 1992.

Dufrasne-González, J. Emanuel (1985) Aspects of Homogeneity and Diversity of the music of Two Puerto Rican Municipalities: Loíza and

Lopez, Ramon, "Donde esta el golpe de Plena," Cultura, Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, Ano 4. Num 8, June 2000, pp87-89.

Encyclopedia of Puerto Rico - from the Fundacion Puertorriquena de las Humanidades and the National Endowment for the Humanities. "Puerto Rico Sings",
Flores, Juan, "From Bomba to Hip Hop", Columbia University Press, May 2000. Reads like someone's PhD Thesis.
Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation, "Puerto Rico Sings", March 1984. (Contains sheet music of traditional songs arranged by Jose Enrique Pedreira. La Boriquen~a, aguinaldos, a Seis Chorreao, more. Words, music, guitar chords. Historical notes on the origins of Puerto Rican music.) [Music Book]
Lebron, Nelie, "Taller Conjunto Paracumbe...", UPR Master's Thesis. Order from University Microfilms at the University of Puerto Rico.
Lopez Cruz, Francisco, "La Music Folklorica de Puerto Rico", Troutman Press 1967. ("The" classic book on this subject. Rare, hard to find.) [Book]
Manuel, Peter, "Caribbean Currents: Caribbean Music from Rumba to Reggae," Temple University Press, 1995. (Interesting book explains why Carribean cultures turned out so distinct from one another.) [Book]
Rosa-Nieves, Cesareo, "La Lampara del Faro: Variaciones Criticas Sobre Temas Puertorriqueros", San Juan Bautista de Puerto Rico, Editorial Club de la Prensa, 1957. (An old, rare book. Have only found in libraries thus far.) [Book]
Rivera, Jose L., "Seis de Los Palitos", historical notes taken from song. [Song]
Thompson, Annie F. and Thompson, Donald, "Music and Dance in Puerto Rico from the Age of Columbus to Modern Times: an Annotated Bibliography", Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1991. (Full references of hundreds and hundreds of books.) [Book]
Pescador de Umpierre, Paquita, "Manual de Bailes Folkloricos", Editorial Universitaria, Universidad de Puerto Rico, 1981. (Contains choreographies of folkloric dances from Puerto Rico and around the world. Can be bought directly from Editorial Universitaria (see below)).
Website of La Danza Puertorriqueńa. Music samples, biographies of composers, and more.
Website of The Puerto Rican Cuatro Project . Cultural archives and folkloric investigation.
Website of Music of Puerto Rico.com - large archive of information on the musical culture of Puerto Rico.
Portal de educacion musical y cultural de las tradiciones Puerto Rico PuertoRitmo.com

Tres Reyes Santos by Antonio Broccoli Porto

History

Baralt, Guillermo A., "Buena Vista: Life and Work on a Puerto Rican Hacienda, 1833-1904", University of North Carolina Press, 1999. (Detailed history on Ponce and this hacienda, great historic pictures!) [book]
Buitrago Ortiz, Carlos, "Esperanza; an ethnographic study of a peasant community in Puerto Rico", Viking Fund Publications in Anthropology, University of Arizona Press, 1973. (Written several decades ago, enjoyable narration of observations made of the traditions and everyday life of a humble farming community.) [Book]
Ronald Fernandez, Serafin Mendez Mendez, and Gail Cueto, "Puerto Rico Past and Present". Greenwood Publishing Group, 1998. (Fat encyclopedia gives broad overviews on 500 years of history, politics, economics, and culture.) [Book]
Jimenez de Wagenheim, Olga, "Puerto Rico: An Interpretive History from Pre-Columbian Times to 1900," Markus Wiener Pub., 1998. (Great history book.) [Book]
Kal Wagenheim, "Puerto Rico: A Profile", Praeger Publishers, New York NY, 1970.[Book]
Morales Carrion, Arturo, "Puerto Rico: A Political and Cultural History," W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 1983. (Could not put this one down. Learned much I never knew!) [Book]
Scarano, Francisco A., "Sugar and Slavery in Puerto Rico: The Plantation Economy of Ponce, 1800-1850," The University of Wisconsin Press, 1984. (Amazing details on life on a sugar plantation.) [Book]
Wagenheim, Kal and Jimenez de Wagenheim, Olga, "The Puerto Ricans: A Documentary History," Markus Wiener Pub., 1996. (A facinating book and one of my favorites! Presents history in the words of those who were there.) [Book]
Sarcano, Francisco, "Puerto Rico: Una Historia Contemporanea," McGraw-Hill, 1999.

Taino - Our Primera Raiz

Taino History - The Chronicles

Fray Bartolome de Las Casas, "Historia de Las Indias (Tomo I-III)", Madrid, 1929 (3 Volume Set).

Bartolome de Las Casas, "Brief Account of the Devastation of the Indies (1542)". Translated by Nigel Griffin. Penguin Classics; 1st ed edition (September 8, 1999).

Fray Ramon Pane, "An Account of the Antiquities of the Indians", A new edition with an introductory study, notes, and appendixes by Joshua Arrom, translated by Susan C. Griswold, Duke University Press, Durham & London 1999.

Angel Rodriguez Ph.D (Editor), "Mitologia Taina o Eyeri. Ramon Pane y la Relacion sobre las Antigueades de los Indios: El primer tratado etnografico hecho en America, edicion bilingue ... del siglo XVI." (Spanish and Italian Edition), Editorial Nuevo Mundo, January 2008.

Bartolome de las Casas, "A Brief Account of the Destruction of the Indies." Project Gutenberg Ebook.
Sebastian Robiou Lamarche, Tainos and Caribs: The Aboriginal Cultures of the Antilles, English Version, Independently published, 2019.

Taino - Other Important Reads
Sebastian Robiou Lamarche, The Mythology and Religion of the Tainos (Translated, 2021). Original Spanish Version: Mitologia Y Religion De Los Tainos, Editorial Punto y Coma, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2006.
Stevens-Arroyo, Antonio M., Cave of the Jaguar: The Mythological World of the Tainos, Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1988.
Maria Poviones-Bishop, "The Bat and the Guava: Life and Death in the Taino Worldview," Kislak Foundation ebook,, July 30th, 2001.
Prof Richard Morrow Porrata Ph.D., Keeping the Taino Language Alive: Advanced Studies in Taino Syntax, Independently published, July 3, 2020.

Taino Blood - Mitochondrial DNA (MTDNA) Research
Mitochondrial DNA analysis reveals substantial Native American ancestry in Puerto Rico , Dr. Juan Carlos Martinez Cruzado, et. al, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States Human Biology (Impact Factor: 1.52). 09/2001; 73(4):491-511. DOI: 10.1353/hub.2001.0056 [ Via Research Gate ]
Mitochondrial DNA analysis reveals substantial Native American ancestry in Puerto Rico , Dr. Juan Carlos Martinez Cruzado, et. al, Hum Biol. 2001 Aug;73(4):491-511.
The Use of Mitochondrial DNA to Discover Pre-Columbian Migrations to the Caribbean: Results for Puerto Rico and Expectations for the Dominican Republic , Dr. Juan Carlos Martinez Cruzado, KACIKE: The Journal of Caribbean Amerindian History and Anthropology [On-line Journal], Special Issue, Lynne Guitar, Ed., 2002.
Indigenous Puerto Rico: DNA evidence upsets established history , Rick Kerns, Indian Country Today, October 06, 2003
An Interview On the Taino DNA testing in Puerto Rico Of Juan Carlos Martinez, Delaware Review of Latin American Studies, "Profiles", Vol. 1, no. 2, 15 August 2000.
Melba Rerrer, "UPR study finds high Taino DNA rate: Tests contradict theory of extinction of P.R. natives," San Juan Star, Sunday 18 April 1999.
The Use of Mitochondrial DNA to Discover Pre-Columbian Migrations to the Caribbean: Results for Puerto Rico and Expectations for the Dominican Republic
Amerindian mtDNA in Puerto Rico: When does DNA matter? Jorge Estevez, The CAC (Caribbean Amerindian Central) Review, June 1, 2008
Recent Research Contributions of Genetics to the Studies of Population History and Anthropology in Puerto Rico, Delaware Review of Latin American Studies, Profiles Vol. 1 No. 2 August 15, 2000.
Prof. Juan Caros Martinez Cruzado, Lecture: Herencia Indigena Biologico de Puerto Rico, Jayuya PR 2009: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.
Taino Academic Research
"Boricua Migration to Hawai`i and Meaning of Caribbean Indigenous Resistance, Survival and Presence on the Island of Boriken (Puerto Rico)", edited, by Tony (Akoni) Castanha, Paper Presented at the 1999 World Indigenous Peoples' Conference on Education, Hilo, Hawai`i, August 1-7, 1999.
Rouse, Irving, "The Tainos: Rise and Decline of the People Who Greeted Columbus," Yale University Press, 1992. (Great history book for the archeology lover.) [Book]
Dr. Lynne Guitar, "Documenting the Myth of Taino Extinction", KACIKE: Journal of Caribbean Amerindian History and Anthropology. Special Issue: NEW DIRECTIONS IN TAINO RESEARCH, 2002.
Surviving Columbus in Puerto Rico: the myth of extinction, Editorial in Indian Country Today, 06 October, 2003.
"The New Old World: Antilles Living Beyond the Myth," Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, 2002.
Ricardo Alegria, "History of the Indians of Puerto Rico," Editorial Collection de Estudios Puertorriquenos, 1970.
A Note on Tainos: Whither Progress? Jose Barreiro, Northeast Indian Quarterly, pp. 66-77 Fall, 1990
Dr. Lynne Guitar, "New Notes about Taino Music and its Influence on Contemporary Dominican Life", ICAS, Issues in Caribbean Amerindian Studies.
ESTUDIO DEL GENOMA TAINO Y GUANCHE PUERTO RICO
Pre-Taino Ancestors & Amazon Indigenous Cultures
William F. Keegan, Archaic Influences in the Origins and Development of the Taino societies.Caribbean Journey of Science, Vol. 42, No. 1,1-10, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, 2006.
Reniel Rodriguez Ramos, "From the Guanahatabey to the Archaic of Puerto Rico: The Nonevident Evidence." Ethnohistory Summer 2008, Volume 55, Number 3: 393-415, 2008.
"Indian Cultures from Around the World: Yanomamo Indians." Hands Around the World. 8 Apr. 2010.
Taino News & Media Features
El Taino Vive El Nuevo Dia, November 2010. Was a special online feature, the link is now broken.
Tainos - La Ultima Tribu: An awesome movie that asks the question, what if...what if Tainos still lived in the Mountains of Puerto Rico. Action, adventure, see it again and again! At the time of this writing, Cineisla.com had the movie for sale.
News Links by The Voice of the Taino People
Our Ancestor's bones are rising from the earth - ancient Taino sites unearthing around the Island! (2007/08)
- Proyecto Arceologico del Barrio Quemado, Mayaguez
- Archaeological site offers peek into Puerto Rico's past, Orlando Sentinel, Oct 2007. Major pre-Columbian archaeological site found near Ponce:

African Heritage & Roots

"La Tercera Raiz: Presencia Africana en Puerto Rico", Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, 1992.

Brau, Salvador, "La Danza Puertorriquena", Ensayos Sobre La Danza

Hallen, Barry, "The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful : Discourse About Values in Yoruba Culture," Indiana Univ Pr, 2001. (A journey to understand the people who gave us so much.) [Book]
Ojo, G.J. Afolabi, "Yoruba Culture," University of London Press LTD, published with (what was) the University of Ife, Nigeria, 1966. Based on a Ph.D. thesis by a young Yoruba man who used the vehicle of geography to define the unique culture of the Yoruba people. His complete thesis, comparing and contrasting pre-contact and modern times, offers the reader innate knowledge and insight that only a Yoruba could possess. Just love it when I find treasures like this! [Book]
Website dedicated to Yoruba Culture - MotherlandNigeria.com.

Loiza del Monte by Antonio Broccoli Porto

History of Education in Puerto Rico

Lopez Yustos, Alfonso, Historia Documental de la Educacion en Puerto Rico, San Juan, Publicaciones Puertorriquenas, Edicion 2006. (Primera Educion, 1984.)

Brief History of Education in Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Encylopedia, Fundacion Puertorriquena de las Humanidades

Education , From Puerto Rico: A Guide to the Island of Boriquen, Federal Writers Project, 1940

Medicinal Plants & Healing Lore

Benedetti, María and Janto, Hrana, " Earth and Spirit: Medicinal Plants and Healing Lore from Puerto Rico", Verde Luz, June 1998. (Delightful interviews with "wise folks" from the mountains.) [Book]
Benedetti, María , " Sembrando Y Sanando En Puerto Rico/Sowing Fields and Healing in Puerto Rico: Tradiciones Y Visiones Para UN Futuro Verde/Traditions and Visions for a Green Future, Verde Luz (December 1998). [Book]
Valldejuli, Carmen Aboy, "Puerto Rican Cookery", Pelican Pub Co., May 1989. English version of "Cocina Criolla", the bible of Puerto Rican cooking. Our food, the way our grandmothers made it!! If that's not "healing" I don't know what is! [Book]
Botanica Oggun - 429-A2 W. Ben White Blvd Austin, TX 78745, 512-569-6932. Tabonuco, Taino incense, source in Austin.

Culture

Diaz Rivera, Maria Elisa, "Refranes Usados En Puerto Rico", University of Puerto Rico Press, July 1994. (All those things Abuelita use to say.) [Book]
Delano, Jack, "Puerto Rico Mio : Four Decades of Change", Smithsonian Institution Press, May 1990. (Gorgeous picture book! Priceless photos!) [Book]

Literature and Poetry

Zeno-Gandia, Manuel. Translated by Kal Wagenheim, "The Pond (La Charca)". One of Puerto Rico's all time classics, translated to English! Markus Wiener Pub., 1999. Hope Kal does "El Jibaro" next! [Book]
Los Escritores Puertorriquenos en el Extranjero - website features monthly newsletter of poems and stories.

For Children

Adorno, Calixta V., "Juegos Infantiles De Puerto Rico", University of Puerto Rico Press, June 1991. (Beloved songs and games we learned as children.) [Book]
Foley, Erin, "Puerto Rico (Festivals of the World)". Gareth Stevens, 1997. Cute book (nice photos, not too much detail) that focuses on some of the celebrations that take place in Puerto Rico throughout the year. Ages 4-8. [Book]
Green, Y., "Marisol from Puerto Rico Sticker Paper Doll", Dover Pubns, Oct 1998. (Remember paper dolls? Marisol comes with traditional costumes of Puerto Rico. Really cute tiny book and only 80 cents!) [Tiny Book]
Levy, Patricia Marjorie, "Puerto Rico (Cultures of the World)", Times Books International, Times Editions Pte Ltd., 1995. (Great book for middle-school age, covers a little bit of everything, geography, history and culture. Lots of color pictures!) [Book]
Milivojevic, Joann, "Ticket to Puerto Rico", Carolrhoda Books, 2000. (Another great book for preschool and young elementary age, covers a little bit of everything, geography, history and culture. Lots of color pictures!) [Book]
Ramirez-Rivera, Jose, "Los Cuentos de Juan Bobo", Mass Market Paperback, 1979. (10 famous childrens' stories about this favorite Puerto Rican folk character who is always getting into silly misadventures.) [Book]

Baile Loiza by Antonio Broccoli Porto

Costumes

Traditional Costumes. Casita de Mami, 787-546-4862. If you are on the Island, you can visit the fleamarket in Mayaguez on the weekends: Kiosko #166 y 167 del Super Pulguero de Mayaguez.

Traditional Costumes. TeatroLandia in Rio Piedras, 1-787-473-6441 or 787-473-5595, Carmen Rose Calderon (owner). Traditional costumes from the full cross-section of Puerto Rico's heritage can be found here or made to order. If you go in person, block a couple of hours from your calendar to speak to Carmen Rosa. She is a treasure chest of knowledge of our folklore and traditions.

Traditional Costumes for children. Chiquitita in Rio Piedras. Owner Johnny Gonzalez, 787-753-1907, chiquijohnny@aol.com. My favorite children's store in Rio Piedras. Has a selection of traditional costumes for girls, including white pants for boys. (Call with boys measurements to be sure of sizing.)

Traditional Costumes for children. Marki, Plaza Las Americas mall, 1-787-752-8955. General Manager, Juan Alonso. This chain store has a small selection of traditional costumes for girls, white pants for boys.

Plena Hats. Call "The Doll House," a souvenir store in Old San Juan. Ask for Victor Hats brand, my current favorite, now that the original Suarez family have retired.

PRFDance Tshirt & Totes!!

Instruments

Cuatros. One of the best luthiers in Puerto Rico. Angel L. Rivera "Wimbo," Artesano de Cuatro, Guitarra, Tiple, y Tres, Bo. Cuchillas, Carr. 159 Ramal, 618 K 1.9, Morovis, PR 00687, Tel. (787) 862-5967, Cel. (787) 969-5246. Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wimbo.rivera

Jaime Alicea- 787-649-1642, 787-649-4683, Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/donjaime.alicea?fref=ts

Cuatros. Hogar del Cuatro Puertorriqueno, Manati, Puerto Rico, www.cuatros.com, email riverahi@yahoo.com
Artesano de Cuatro, Guitarra, Tiple, y Tres. One of the best luthiers in Puerto Rico: Angel L. Rivera "Wimbo", Bo. Cuchillas, Carr. 159 Ramal, 618 K 1.9, Morovis, PR 00687, Tel. (787) 862-5967, Cel. (787) 969-5246.
Yahuba Music.com - Website of Edwin Gerena, Puertorican musician and artisan. Awarded for his designs of "Ocarina's" or Clay Flutes that are used in diverse cultures.
Taller La Plena. Barriles, panderos, drum skins and more. Juan Fuentes, artisan and owner. Workshop in Canovanas 1-787-886-4276, in Loiza 1-787-256-1586.
Timbas DelValle. Barriles, panderos, timbas, bongos, and more. Papo DelValle, artisan, Carolina, 1-787-752-9083
Timbas Ismael. Barriles and panderos. Junior Ramos, Calle 35, Bld 39 #2, Sierra Bayamon, PR, 1-787-780-1567.
The Puerto Rican Cuatro Project - a wonderful website dedicated to the cuatro.
VILLA MUSIC, 1853 PONCE DE LEON AVE, SANTURCE PR 00909, (787) 727-5000, villamus@villamusic.com

Artisans and Souvenirs

Mama Andrea by Antonio Broccoli Porto

PRFDance Souvenirs, Tshirts & Totes
Studio of Luis Germán Cajiga. For those of you who know his work, I don't need to say anymore!
Studio of Samuel Lind, Loiza, Puerto Rico. Artwork includes wonderful Bomba themes from Loiza. loizano@caribe.net, 1-787-876-1494. Website - www.studioporto.com/guestsamuellind/
Artist Obed Gómez. Visit the online gallery of Contemporary Puerto Rican artist Obed Gómez who uses vibrant images to convey passion for his ancestral past and traditions. Original artwork and art prints can be viewed and purchased easily online at ObedArt.com.
Reynaldo Rodriguez "El Pintor del Barrio", Artista y Muralista. Temas de cultura y tradiciones, las cuales te transportaran a la isla del encanto. Contacto: www.guaracibo.webs.com, guaracibo@aol.com
Antonio Broccoli Porto, Artist - Interested in buying his art? Tell him you saw his work on the Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance (PRFDance) website and he will give you a special price and a donation to PRFDance! Contact - Studio Porto, email porto@studioporto.com. Visit our Mini Gallery of his work. of his selected works. Or visit his studio at www.studioporto.com
Artist Oscar Ortiz. Visit his online gallery oscarortiz.com, especially his Puerto Rico Collection, nostalgic images of past and present, the jibaro and his music.
ArteTurabo.com - paintings with different themes about Puerto Rico, created by artist Claude L. Merced Aponte.
PuertoRicanArtist.com - In an unique naive art style, Puerto Rican artist Mike Hernandez represents the myths and african religion roots from the Caribbean Island's Culture,
Photos of PuertoRico.com - Photos of the past and present. Their historic photos take your breath away!
Santa's Boriqua Dolls - Santa Andujar proudly makes traditionally dressed (circa 17-18th century) Puerto Rican dolls. All originally designed and sewn.
Images of Boriken - Francisco Baerga Taino themed artwork
NiJaiba's Shop - Taino themed arts and crafts
Galeria Cemi - Puerto Rican tshirts and other crafts including Taino designs.

Floral a Bailadora by Antonio Broccoli Porto

Favorite Music, Videos/Movies, Online Radio Stations

Raices, a Banco Popular Video 2001. YES, a VIDEO with BOMBA DANCE on it!! Video documents Bomba and Plena, both traditional and modern. Masters of folklore make it authentic -- Familia Cepeda, Hermanos Ayala, Paracumbe and others dancing Bomba and a high-energy Plena. Complete set of Banco Popular videos sold online at www.musicaboricua.com [Video]
Tainos - La Ultima Tribu: An awesome movie that asks the question, what if...what if Tainos still lived in the Mountains of Puerto Rico. Action, adventure, see it again and again! [Video]
Dancing the Drum -- Bailando El Tambor. The Cepeda Family get together to produce one of the best Bomba CDs dedicated to the legacy of Don Rafael Cepeda since "El Roble Mayor"! Bembe Records, 707-923-7262, www.bembe.com [CD]
The Puerto Rico Cuatro Project , "Nuestra Cautro - The Puerto Ricans and their Stringed Instruments." The first feature-length video documentary about the music and history of Puerto Rican stringed instruments. The cuatro is a national symbol of our culture. If you love our mountain music you have to have this! [Video]
Rivera, Pedro A. and Zeig, Susan (Directors), "Plena is Work, Plena is Song", 1989. (Great video on the cultural and political history of Plena. Lots of rare footage. Can be bought from Cinema Guild, see below.) [Video]
"Roots Of Rhythm: A Worldwide Celebration Of Latin Music From Africa To The Caribbean And America - With Harry Belafonte", 1997. (A 3-video set, featured on PBS, that traces the history of Latin music.) [Video]
Smithsonian Folkways, "Puerto Rico in Washington", 1989. (Great sampling of our authentic folkloric music, great liner notes.) [CD]
Los Pleneros De La 21, "Somos Boricuas/We Are Puerto Rican: Bomba Y Plena En Nueva York," Henry Street 1996. (Great CD and great liner notes by Roberta L. Singer, an ethnomusicologist with City Lore in New York specializing in research on Puerto Rican and Cuban music.) [CD]
Paracumbé, "Tambó." (Good CD and excellent liner notes, an excellent source of information on the bomba of Southern Puerto Rico.) [CD]
Grupo Afro Boricua With William Cepeda "Bombazo," Blue Jackel, 1998. (Bomba CD, high energy, authentic sound, great liner notes!) [CD]
Bomba from Mayaguez/Santurce - favorite CD "El Roble Mayor" by Rafael Cepeda.
"Bomba from Loiza" by the Hermanos Ayala.
Plena music - favorite Plena CDs include anything by Modesto Cepeda, Pleneros de la 21, Plenealo, and Plena Libre. [CDs]
Seis music - there is not enough room to write down all my favorite Seis CDs of all time. Favorite groups producing CDs in recent years include Mapeye and the Familia Sanabria.
Danza music - Favorite arrangements found on CDs by Rafael Hernandez and his orchestra. If you like Danza with cuatro, Edwin Colon Zayas produced a CD of Juan Morel Campos compositions.
"El Hermoso Cantar del Coqui" from Freddie Mendez. I put my CD player on infinite loop mode and sleep with the sound of the coquis all night long! Recorded in Toa Alta.
Musica Mundi - Radio program on WRTU Radio Universidad by Emmanuel Durefrasne Gonzalez, Prof at the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras and recognized Puerto Rican enthnomusicologist. Tune in (Puerto Rico Time) Wednesdays at 9am, Sundays at 6pm.
Yucateque Tropical - Radio program by DJ Lino "Taino" Roldan, 24/7 online radio program from KBZQ 99.5 in Oklahoma.

Playero by Antonio Broccoli Porto

News, Cultural Publications & Websites

El Nuevo Dia - keep up with the news in Puerto Rico with this online edition of one of the island's daily newspapers.
"Güiro y Maraca", Bomba & Plena newsletter by the Segunda Quimbamba Folkloric Center, Juan Cartagena (editor). Articles on music development, musician interviews, record reviews, and comprehensive listing of US Bomba & Plena groups. For information and subscriptions, 201-420-6332, email quimbambero@hotmail.com.
"El Boricua", an enjoyable, monthly bilingual, cultural publication that encourages Puerto Ricans to remember their roots. Also offers a vehicle for contemporary poets and artists to publish their work. Website and subscriptions, El Boricua.
Website of Puerto Rico Boriquen - cultural website.
Jibaros.com - Very entertaining website on topics related to Puerto Rican culture.
PuertoRicans.com - Massive website offering information and links on Puerto Rico.
New York Folklore Society - recognizes and celebrates the extraordinary in everyday life, bringing focus to the traditions of New York's diverse peoples.

Tourist Information Sites

What to do when you get to Puerto Rico? See Puerto Rico Tourism Company. Tons of information and links about planning the perfect vacation! Website sponsored by the government of Puerto Rico.
Langenscheidt Publishing Group, "Insight Guide to Puerto Rico", 1999. (Travel guide book with photos to make you homesick. Sections on culture and history.) [Book]
Escape to Puerto Rico is an internet guide to Puerto Rico featuring trip planning tools and resource information, guides for entertainment, local business, government and community services. They even have Puerto Rico ECards.
Visitors' Info from Caribbean Business Online.
The Old San Juan Walking Tour is a two hour podcast that explores the many attractions and historical sites of Old San Juan. Visit their sister site puertoricophotography.com for breathtaking photos. is an information website that includes a calendar of Arts and Cultural events
The Puerto Rico Guide, another travel site for those who like to study EVERYTHING before they decide on vacation plans.
Paradise Puerto Rico , another travel site with useful information on attractions, restaurants, places to stay, etc.
What city has the largest Puerto Rican population? New York City! See what's going on with NuYorico.com . Lists classes, arts showings, concerts and events of all kinds, including those at the famous casita Rincon Criollo.
La Fonda Boricua - While you are in NYC visit one of my favorite Puerto Rican restaurants on the planet.
PR Parade (Tampa) - vacationing in Florida? Tampa's annual celebration of PR culture takes place the last Sunday in April.
www.virtualboricua.org - their culture page lists cultural activities happening in NYC.

Cumbanchero Ponceno by Antonio Broccoli Porto

Libraries and other Research Sources

Instituto de Cultura Puertorrique~a (Institute of Puerto Rican Culture). Official agency in Puerto Rico that preserves our culture. They keep a calendar of cultural events on the island. Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico, (787) 724-0700, http://www.icp.gobierno.pr.
Biblioteca General Jose M Lazaro, Universidad de Puerto Rico Recinto de Rio Piedras. People on the Island refer to this as the UPR Library (the main library at the University Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras). rrpac.upr.clu.edu:9090/~sisbib/
Center for Puerto Rican Studies, University-based research institute at Hunter College, NYC, (212) 772-5688, centropr.org. To access search engine for library's database: select "Library and Archives," then "CUNY+". (Note: search engine reports holdings for all City University of New York Libraries.)
UT-LANIC - Puerto Rico Reference Desk at the University of Texas at Austin, lanic.utexas.edu/la/ca/other/pr/. Incredible collection of web site links on Puerto Rico!
Directory of Resources for Research on Puerto Rico.htm, http://home.coqui.net/ciales15/index.htm#radio. Another incredible collection of web site links on Puerto Rico!
US Dept. of Education's Publication Database - they once had a searchable bibliographic database of more than 20,000 publications produced or funded by ED since 1980. Included many materials for educators on Puerto Rican culture. I useto have the link but someone moved it. Hopefully this hint is enough to help you find it.
Fundacion Puertorriquena de las Humanidades, Box S-4307, Old San Juan, PR 00904, (787) 721-2087.

Favorite Stores

Books:

Editorial de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, San Juan, 787-250-0550. Book Publisher. Can buy direct with credit card.

Libreria La Tertulia - books in Spanish, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, (787) 765-1148. Tertulia.com
Used Book Stores that have been recommended by friends -- Bookfinder (www.mxbf.com) and Half.com (www.half.com).
For *YOUR* convenience, whenever possible, we have provided direct links to books. We receive *NO* benefits for your ordering through these links.

Cumbanchero de Plena by Antonio Broccoli Porto

Music & Videos:

Cineisla.com is the first web portal totally dedicated to the sell of movies, concerts, special events, documentaries and short films from Puerto Rico.
Polyphonia in Hato Rey. One of the best places for sheet music. Ask for Nilka, 1-787-758-4211.
DiscoHit.com - was so excited when I found them online!!
MusicaBoricua.com - online site to order CDs of Puerto Rican music.
Descarga - web-order latin music store with a great search engine. In New York City.
Casa Latina - music store in New York City with all kinds of Puerto Rican music in stock. If I don't buy it in Puerto Rico I buy it here! 151 East 116th Street, Vincente Barreiro, 212-427-6062. www.descarga.com.
Puerto Rican Music Online.com - music store in Puerto Rico dedicated to the cuatro, sells CDs, music books, and instruments.
The Cinema Guild - educational video store including titles on Puerto Rican studies, history, music, culture. (Important note: specify whether videos will be for personal use or institutional use. Institutions may higher for public performance rights.) www.cinemaguild.com Treasures & Antojitos:
- www.antojitos.com - Great store for when you crave something from Puerto Rico.
- Isla Online - half the time I end up not ordering order anything because everything looks so wonderful I can't decide!
- http://www.tiendaboricua.com - Sells great things from Puerto Rico.
We hold the banner high for Puerto Rico everyday!
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For more information:
Dr. Ana María Tekina-eirú Maynard
Puerto Rican Cultural Center (Austin)
Cultural Center Address: 701 Tillery Street #13, Austin TX 78702-3738 (Map & Directions)
Mailing Address: 15228 Quiet Pond Court, Austin TX 78728-4555
Phone: +1.512.251.8122 Email: dance@prfdance.org Web: www.prfdance.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/prfdance
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PRFDance recreates Carnaval de Loiza with William Cepeda (2005)

RESOURCES & REFERENCES

Olukun, the keeper of dreams by Antonio Broccoli Porto Broccolli Artwork displayed with permission.

HOT LINKS - Frequently Requested Resources

Vejigantes de Loiza by Antonio Broccoli Porto

RESOURCES & REFERENCES

Music and Dance Literature

Tres Reyes Santos by Antonio Broccoli Porto

History

Taino - Our Primera Raiz

Taino History - The Chronicles

Taino - Other Important Reads

Taino Blood - Mitochondrial DNA (MTDNA) Research

Taino Academic Research

Pre-Taino Ancestors & Amazon Indigenous Cultures

Taino News & Media Features

African Heritage & Roots

Loiza del Monte by Antonio Broccoli Porto

History of Education in Puerto Rico

Medicinal Plants & Healing Lore

Culture

Literature and Poetry

For Children

Baile Loiza by Antonio Broccoli Porto

Costumes

Instruments

Artisans and Souvenirs

Mama Andrea by Antonio Broccoli Porto

Floral a Bailadora by Antonio Broccoli Porto

Favorite Music, Videos/Movies, Online Radio Stations

Playero by Antonio Broccoli Porto

News, Cultural Publications & Websites

Tourist Information Sites

Cumbanchero Ponceno by Antonio Broccoli Porto

Libraries and other Research Sources

Favorite Stores

Cumbanchero de Plena by Antonio Broccoli Porto

Site design and hosting provided as a donation by OutServ.net, Inc. and Flametree Corporation Consulting Services

Olukun, the keeper of dreams by Antonio Broccoli Porto
Broccolli Artwork displayed with permission.

Site design and hosting provided as a donation by
OutServ.net, Inc. and Flametree Corporation Consulting Services