Music - Rincon Criollo!

The Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance & Cultural Center (PRFDance) is one of only four active cultural centers on the mainland US affiliated with the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture for our offering of authentic, high-quality, cultural programming. Founded by Dr. Ana María Tekina-eirú Maynard in 1997, the mission of our volunteer-run, nonprofit 501(c)(3) is to promote cultural awareness and pride through authentic performances, cultural events, and high-quality educational programs in the folkloric performing arts (dance, music, and theatre), history and cultural traditions. Since 2006, with the closing of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs (PRFAA) Texas office, our Cultural Center's world-wide visibility has made us a resource for Puerto Rican people travelling or moving to Central Texas. Our cultural center is home to Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance, our professional-level performing company of dancers and musicians who perform at cultural events throughout the year. Since 2001, our achievement and quality has been validated by repeat support by the National Endowment for the Arts, including an NEA Chairman's Award (2007), the Texas Commission on the Arts, the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division, the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, and others.

Texas is *THE* state with the largest growing Puerto Rican population cross the US! Central Texas, from Houston to Dallas, enjoys the presence of 90% of the Puerto Rican population in the State of Texas. PRFDance has created an anchor in the Southwest U.S. for Puerto Rican culture as the only cultural center in Texas and our four surrounding states offering ongoing performance and educational programs in traditional dance, music and culture for preschool children through adults, as well as a Professional Performing Company and Youth Company (dancers, musicians, singers) under one roof. In collaboration since 2000 with the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture -- the arm of the Puerto Rican government dedicated to preserving and promoting Puerto Rican culture and traditions -- our affiliation since 2005 makes us a recognized, legitimate representative of the IPRC in our community. Our performing company and educational staff are trained by Island folklore masters and are one of the few cultural centers in the U.S. mainland with the expertise to accurately teach and perform the full cross-section of Puerto Rican folklore, Bomba, Plena, Seis, Danza, and Taino music and dance. Our center's multi-purpose facility houses our cultural arts education programs and includes indoor and outdoor areas where ongoing, free cultural events give the community opportunity to participate in song and dance.

Since 1997, PRFDance has produced artistic, financially-secure, acclaimed programming, including our large, annual production, "Celebrando," with Puerto Rican folklore masters. With stable and healthy growth since our single-program inception, PRFDance offers over 12 ongoing, weekly programs in dance, music ensemble, instruments and song, percussion, choir, performance training, history, and cultural workshops from sports to crafts that are enjoyed by over 50 students and professionals each week. Our professional-level performing company, which debuted with three dancers in 1998 is now on par with the top-tier folkloric companies on the island, and is over 20-members strong, dancers and musicians, who can perform a full-length production of all of Puerto Rico's traditional styles, live music and dance! In addition to our own annual formal and informal performances, our performing company, Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance, along with our Junior Company, presents at cultural events for our community throughout the year. PRFDance's Junior Performing Company offers unique performing opportunities for children and trains our professional company of the future.

The Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Office reports that Texas has the fastest growing Puerto Rican population. Located in Central Texas, where 81% of Puerto Ricans in Texas live (US Census data), our programs promote cultural tourism and routinely attract audiences from nearby cities (San Antonio, Killeen), distant cities (Houston, Dallas), and out of state visitors (Oklahoma, Florida) who come to Austin to visit the only Puerto Rican cultural center in the Southwest United States, and one of the few professional-level companies on the mainland who can perform the full spectrum of Puerto Rican folklore, live music and dance. Linked to the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture as an English-language educational resource, our website offers carefully documented research material that serves over 3000 weekly world-wide visitors, students, educators, and organizations seeking information on Puerto Rico's cultural traditions and history.

PRFDance builds community and encourages family-togetherness by providing opportunity to everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, disability, or economic or social background, to engage in a wide variety of cultural arts programming and multi-generational performances and events. Families are choosing to stay in Austin -- or move here -- to be near cultural programming that is not easily found elsewhere. Our programs are attracting those experiencing Puerto Rican culture for the first time, as well as Puerto Ricans interested in learning more about or sharing our culture with others.

PRFDance provides a family environment that is nurturing, embodies the community, and addresses the needs of anyone who seeks a sense of cultural pride and positive role models. The volunteer-run programs provide participants with opportunities to train and develop real-world skills in teaching, business, and computer-based applications, while building self-esteem, confidence, and leadership skills. Our educational programs are providing youth with naturally advanced talent and leadership skills, the chance for further development through opportunities in student-teaching and leadership.

Music and dance is a very important part of Puerto Rican culture. The Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance & Cultural Center is dedicated to those who come seeking a world-class education in culture and folklore, who wish to discover and celebrate their identity, who yearn to become connected to a community, who will inspire and be inspired by role models, mentors and friends, and who, inside our walls, find a sense of pride and a dream for the future. We have been named the Ambassadors of Puerto Rican culture in Central Texas. We are very proud to share the joy of our rich traditions with the community, and hand down our cultural heritage to the next generation!

Read about our History and Future.
Print our Brochure.


For more information:
Dr. Ana María Tekina-eirú Maynard
Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance & Cultural Center

Center Location: 701 Tillery Street #13, Austin TX 78702-3740 (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
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