Jorge Arce

Jorge Arce and his group, Raiz de Plena, features Comparsa Boricua with Bomba music and dancers, stilt walkers, and masqueraders in parades with a Carnival flavor. Their traditional plena music concerts include percussion, trumpets and trombones, and audience participation in the form of lots of call-and-response chants! Raiz de Plena has made over 1,000 appearances at colleges, conferences, schools, art centers, fairs, and community centers throughout the Northeast, the United States, and Puerto Rico.

Video Experience by Paloma Valenzuela – La Gringa Loca Productions

Paloma Valenzuela is a Dominican-American writer, director and actress originally from the city of Boston. She studied Writing for Film and Television at Emerson College and graduated in 2009. After graduating from Emerson she moved to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic to work on developing projects in film and television including working as Second AD for the television show “Juanita’s Gran Salon y Spa”. In 2010 she started La Gringa Loca Productions, a multi-media production operation which has since produced three stage plays both in Boston and the Dominican Republic: “RANT!” (2008), “Show Up” (2012), and “Queseyocuanto” (2012), a 60 Min. Narrative Film “Saturday” (2010), two promotional videos for Miss Rizos “Lecciones en La Calle” (2011), a Documentary Web Series, “Onomatopeyas Dominicanas” (2013­-2014), an official commercial for Miss Rizos Salón in Santo Domingo (2015 and 2016), a comedic web series “The Pineapple Diaries” (2015-2016). In 2016 Paloma was the recipient of the New England Foundation for the Arts Creative City Grant. With this grant she produced, through La Gringa Loca Productions, season two of “The Pineapple Diaries”. Episode 17 “Pero Mi Cédula No” of season one won the Special Jury Prize at the International Festival of Santo Domingo Mujeres en Cortos 2016. The Episode “Brunch” from “The Pineapple Diaries” was Official Selection at the Roxbury International Film Festival 2017. The Episode “Untitled” was Official Selection at the Latino Short Film Festival 2017, Official Selection at the Howard University Film Festival 2018, Finalist at the Rolda Webfest 2018, Official Selection at the Providence Latin American Film Festival 2018 and Official Selection at the New Orleans Film Festival 2018. In 2017 Paloma was featured on the WGBH television series “Stories from the Stage” which aired on the WORLD Channel. Paloma continues to produce and direct for various projects through La Gringa Loca Productions including the Official Music video for Dominican artist AcentOh for his song “2020” and a promotional video for Write Boston’s Teens in Print Program. She plays the role of Lolita in the Dominican coming-of-age comedy, “Un 4to de Josue” which premiered on October 18 of 2018 in the Dominican Republic. Paloma has worked as Second AD for Dominican feature films such as “Colours”, “Malcriados” and “La Rasante” and in the summer of 2018 in Massachusetts she toured “The Pineapple Diaries” Monologue Writing Workshop. Paloma has been awarded as one of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Creative Luminaries of 2018-2019 and will be collaborating with the museum as a guest artist. She is currently working on video and film projects in the city of Boston and in the Dominican Republic and has signed on as a Teaching Artist for GrubStreet in Boston for 2019.

Paloma Valenzuela es dramaturga, guionista, directora y actriz de la ciudad de Boston. En la Escuela Secundaria asistió la Boston Arts Academy. Se especializó en Teatro y actuación. Estudió escritura dramática en el Programa de Verano de NYU Tisch y luego estudió Escritura para Cine y Televisión en la universidad de Emerson College en Boston. Ella se graduó de Emerson en Mayo de 2009 y al terminar sus estudios se trasladó a Santo Domingo, República Dominicana para trabajar en el desarrollo de proyectos audiovisuales. Ella comenzó como la segunda asistente de dirección para una sitcom Dominicana dirigida por el director Dominicano Ángel Muñiz. Desde entonces ha escrito varios cortometrajes para directores tanto en Boston y la República Dominicana, y colaboró como “script doctor” y guionista para varias películas dominicanas producidas y aún en desarrollo. Paloma ha escrito y dirigido tres obras de teatro en Boston y la República Dominicana: “RANT” (2008), “Show Up” (2012), “Queseyocuanto” (2012), un cortometraje “La Oficina” (2008), un film de 60 Min. “Sábado” (2010), dos videos promocionales para Miss Rizos “Lecciones en La Calle” (2011), una serie-web ­documental “Onomatopeyas Dominicanas” (2013-­2014), un comercial oficial para el Salón de Miss Rizos en Santo Domingo (2015), una serie web de comedia “Diarios de la Piña” (2015-2016),  y un video clip para el artista AcentOh “2020” en 2018. Episodio 17 “Pero Mi Cédula, No” que ganó el Premio Especial del Jurado en el Festival Internacional de Santo Domingo Mujeres en Cortos 2016. También interpretó el papel de Lolita en la película dominicana, “Un 4to de Josue” que filmó este Julio 2016 y se estrenó en Ocubre de 2018. En 2016 produjo y lanzó la segunda temporada de la serie web “Diarios de la Piña” con el apoyo de la Fundación de Arte de Nueva Inglaterra y el Creative City Grant. “Diarios de la Piña” fue Selección Oficial en el Festival de Cine, Roxbury International Film Festival en Boston, MA. Episodio 13, “Untitled” fue Selección Oficial en el Festival de Cortometrajes, Official Latino Short Film Festival 2017 en la ciudad de Nueva York, fue Semi-Finalista en el Festival de Cine Howard University Film Festival 2018 en Washington DC, Finalista en el Festival de Serie Web, Rolda Web Fest 2018 en Colombia, y Selección Oficial en el Festival de Cine de New Orleans 2018. Paloma ha trabajado como Segunda Asistente de Dirección en la República Dominicana y ha trabajado en largometrajes como: “Colours”, “Malcridados” y “La Rasante”. Paloma se encuentra actualmente trabajando en proyectos de video y cine en la ciudad de Boston y la República Dominicana. Este año fue seleccionada como Artista invitada en el Museo de Isabella Stewart Gardner en Boston. Este verano 2018 ha hecho un tour de talleres de escritura de monólogos y dará clases de escritura en GrubStreet en Boston para 2019.

The Ray Liriano Experience

Singer Songwriter Born and Raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Influences like Jimmy Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden and Latin music legends like Juan Luis Guerra, Fito Paez, Hector Lavoe and everything in between. Sounds that provided him with the early foundation as a songwriter. A fusion unlike anything you ever heard or experienced live.

Eric German

Percussionist, Band Leader, Composer and Producer, Eric German was born in Massachusetts on February 16  to parents, Luz Rodríguez & Freddy German. It was at the age of 3, where his family realized he had an interest in music. At age 6, he saw the great Tito Puente perform on television and fell in love with the Timbales. He began taking lessons from his uncle, Edwin Rodriguez. Eric eventually learned how to play the Timbales, Bongos, and Congas among many other instruments.

At age 10, Eric began performing at music festivals in Massachusetts. During this time, Eric begins sitting in with Salsa singers such as Luisito Carrion, Paquito Jr. Acosta and Hector Tricoche.   

At age 14, Eric’s musical career begins to take off when he begins performing steady with bands such as La Selección Perfecta. Eric spends 10 years with La Selección Perfecta, and served as the band’s musical director at such a young age.

Over the course of his career, Eric has performed with renowned artists such as, Pedro Capo, Cheo Feliciano, Andy Montañez, Ismael Miranda, Larry Harlow, Maelo Ruiz, Jerry Rivera, Tito Nieves, Charlie Aponte, N’Klabe, NG2, Eguie Castrillo, among many other legends of Latin Music. 

In the summer of 2018, Eric released his first single, Piel Morena ft. Moncho Rivera.

El Percusionista, Band Leader, Compositor y Productor, Eric German Rodríguez nació el 16 de Febrero en Massachusetts. Hijo único que procrearon Luz Rodríguez y Freddy German. Fue en su hogar desde muy pequeño que Eric a la edad de 3 años, comenzó a demostrar interés en la música. Fue a los 6 años que se enamoró de los Timbales después de ver una presentación en la televisión del “Rey”, Tito Puente. Desde allí entonces, Eric empieza a coger clases de Timbales, Bongo y Congas con su tío, Edwin Rodríguez. 

A los 10 años, participaba en distintas actividades comunitarias en Massachusetts. A esa edad, compartió tarima con artistas como Luisito Carrión, Paquito Jr. Acosta y Héctor Tricoche. 

A los 14 años, su carrera profesional empieza a coger un nuevo paso cuando se integra a la orquesta, La Selección Perfecta. Eric dura 10 años en esta orquesta y también sirvió como director musical. 

Atraves de los años, Eric ha tenido la oportunidad de acompañar a grandes artistas  como Pedro Capo, Cheo Feliciano, Andy Montañez, Ismael Miranda, Larry Harlow, Maelo Ruiz, Jerry Rivera, Tito Nieves, Charlie Aponte, N’Klabe, NG2, Eguie Castrillo, entre otros legendarios de la musica latina.

En el verano del 2018, Eric lanzó su primer sencillo, Piel Morena, ft Moncho Rivera.

MetaMovements

MetaMovements is an entrepreneurial artist collective dedicated to using the arts as a tool for positive transformation of self and community, creating bonds, fostering meaningful relationships and creating lasting social change. Click here to meet the artists.

Inspired by our trips to Cuba, MetaMovements creates inclusive environments for high-quality performing arts programming (workshops, classes, master classes, large community events, fundraisers and gatherings) for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to actively participate in. We specialize in teaching in and performing in various Latin dance styles (Salsa, Casino, Bachata, etc), Hip Hop, Contemporary, Modern, Gymnastics, Folkloric, Theatre and more.

MetaMovements partners with schools, organizations, community centers, libraries and more as we aim to help individuals and communities experience a metamorphosis through artistic expression. MetaMovements promotes arts for social change and community health (like at Salsa in the Park) and we create a feeling of synergy that makes everyone feel like part of the family.

DJ Leo Alarcon

Leo’s love for music is felt on the dance floor, through his music selection, as well as through his music production style and flavor. His passion for music was seeded at a very young age through his cultural upbringing in Ecuador. Leo grew up breathing and living music. In the mid 80’s he and his sister moved to Boston, MA. Through the influence of childhood friends Leo took refuge in 2 Technics and a mixer aka MUSIC, nurturing his spirit with 80s and 90s hip hop and rap music, to soon discover House music. His love for and involvement with music evolved from listening, mixing and now producing.

In his late teens while working at a local Boston after hours/hot spot “The Loft 21” Ruled by DJ Bruno he felt the energy and impact of house music at a club level. Watching a room full of “House Headz” vibing and dancing to house music with hands up in the air! ALL AS ONE PEOPLE. Since then Leo Alarcon has become part of Boston House Music Coalition and has also DJed at various gigs like Boston’s Utopia Sunday’s, Art & Soul AFTER-HOURS, RELEASE-BOSTON, UNITY-BOSTON, UHURU AFRIKA, THE LAB, ERATO BOSTON, H.O.M.E.-BOSTON (Resident) and SESSIONS BOSTON.
Started producing music from his home studio dubbed the #PLAYROOM_BOSTON #PLAYROOMBOSTON Leo is currently working on music production with various Boston upcoming artists & producers, Including Liza Zayas aka Luna del Flor, Ife Franklin, Alberto ‘SOULJAH’ Correia, Giana Scola, BLISS, Terry Orlando, Amina Gunn to name a few. His releases are being charted on TRAXSOURCE’s ESSENTIAL AFRO HOUSE, WEEKEND WEAPONS & TRAXSOURCE ‘s TOP 100 Afro House Tracks.

Caporales San Simon New England

DISSEMINATE, PROMOTE AND INSTRUCT NEAR OUR VALUES AND HISTORICAL, ARTISTIC CULTURAL HERITAGE OF OUR BELOVED BOLIVIA, THROUGH OUR DANCE OF THE CAPORAL.

Fraternidad Folklorica y Cultural Caporales Universitarios De San Simón was founded in Cochabamba, Bolivia on November 22, 1978.

DIFUNDIR, PROMOVER E INSTRUIR A CERCA DE NUESTROS VALORES Y EL PATRIMONIO CULTURAL HISTÓRICO, ARTÍSTICO DE NUESTRA AMADA BOLIVIA, MEDIANTE NUESTRA DANZA DEL CAPORAL.

CARAMELO Boston

A Boston-based ladies styling team that loves community, culture, and SALSA! #CARAMELOBoston #ThinkGloballyActLocally

CARAMELO Boston was founded by Carolina Prieto and is co-directed by Carolina and Michelle Garcia. Current members: Carolina Prieto, Michelle Garcia, Desiree Arevalo, Allison Hurst, Zamyla Chan, and Theresa Raimondo.

Sound & Stage by Coastal Productions

¡El Comité de la Feria Mundial del Barrio Latino se compromete a pagar a todos los artistas que crean o actúan en el evento 2019!

The Latin Quarter World’s Fair Committee is committed to paying all artists who create or perform at the 2019 event!