15th Annual African American Composers' Series Bullerengue and Beyond: Learning the Palenques of the South East Caribbean Through Sound.

The William Grant Still Arts Center (WGSAC) presents 15th Annual African American Composers' Series Bullerengue and Beyond: Learning the Palenques of the South East Caribbean Through Sound. This year, we are expanding our definition of American by looking beyond the borders of the United States and into the music of communities along the Caribbean coast of Colombia and Panama. We are also looking beyond our canonized forms of approaching who is a composer.

With origins in the Congo, Angola and West Africa, we are learning that bullerengue, cumbia, vallenato, and salsa use sounds and polyrhythms that mirror those found in nature. The exhibition will also include vibrant Caribbean Pico culture. Picos are huge hand-painted speaker stacks used to blast music out to the community. Much like a Pico, we seek to amplify the resilient and anonymous voices through whom oral and sonic tradition has kept maroon communities thriving. Come witness what we have learned!

Join us for a special drumming exhibition featuring percussionists Eduardo Martinez, Nikki Campbell, Eddie Valencia, Richi Panta, Marcus L. Miller and vocalist Eddika Organista. The event is free and open to the public. Please contact the WGSAC for more information.