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Mama Andrea by Antonio Broccoli Porto
Copyright, shown with permission.

Vejigantes de Loiza by Antonio Broccoli Porto
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Encyclopedia of Puerto Rico, from the Fundacion Puertorriquena de las Humanidades and the National Endowment for the Humanities. "Puerto Rico Sings",
• Brau, Salvador, "La Danza Puertorriquena", Ensayos Sobre La Danza Puertorriquena, Instituto de Cultura Puertorriquena, San Juan PR, 1977. (Classic literature on Danza.) [Book]
• Dufrasne-González, J. Emanuel (1985) Aspects of Homogeneity and Diversity of the music of Two Puerto Rican Municipalities: Loíza and Guayama. UCLA.
• Dufrasne-González, J. Emanuel, "Puerto Rico también tiene Tambó," Impreso en Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, 1994."
• 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]
• Rosa-Nieves, Cesareo, "Voz Folklorica de Puerto Rico", Troutman Press 1967. (A classic book, rare, hard to find.) [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 Puertorriqueña. 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.

Tres Reyes Santos by Antonio Broccoli Porto
Copyright, shown with permission.

• 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.

• 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 JOSÉJUAN ARROM, translated by SUSAN C. GRISWOLD, DUKE UNIVERSITY PRESS, Durham & London 1999.
• Stevens-Arroyo, Antonio M., Cave of the Jaguar: The Mythological World of the Tainos, Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1988.
• Bartolome de las Casas, "A Brief Account of the Destruction of the Indies." Project Gutenberg Ebook.
• Maria Poviones-Bishop, "The Bat and the Guava: Life and Death in the Taino Worldview," Kislak Foundation ebook,, July 30th, 2001.
• 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]
• 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]
• See additional Taino Resources

Our African Roots

• 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
Copyright, shown with permission.

• 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]
• 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]
• Langenscheidt Publishing Group, "Insight Guide to Puerto Rico", 1999. (Travel guide book with photos to make you homesick. Sections on culture and history.) [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!!) [Book]

  Literature and Poetry

  • Zeno-Gandia, Manuel. Translated by Kal Wagenheim, "The Pond". One of Puerto Rico's all time classics, La Charca, 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]
  • Santa's Boriqua Dolls - Santa Andujar proudly makes traditionally dressed (circa 17-18th century) Puerto Rican dolls. All originally designed and sewn.

  Baile Loiza by Antonio Broccoli Porto
  Copyright, shown with permission.

  Costumes

  • 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

  • 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
  • Cuatros. Hogar del Cuatro Puertorriqueno, Manati, Puerto Rico, www.cuatros.com, email riverahi@yahoo.com
  • 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

  Painters, Artisans, and Crafts

  • 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, Artista y Muralista. Temas de cultura y tradiciones, las cuales te transportaran a la isla del encanto. Contacto 1-773-478-1789.
  • 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, 54 Calle San Justo, Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901, (787) 724-0128, 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.

  Floral a Bailadora by Antonio Broccoli Porto
  Copyright, shown with permission.

  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
Copyright, shown with permission.

• 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 everything you might want or need to plan the perfect vacation!
• Le Lo Lai Cultural & Entertainment Program. Some of our best friends and maestros -- folklore companies -- perform weekly in key locations around the island. Visit this website for more information!
• 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 on the island.
• 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
Copyright, shown with permission.

• 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.

• 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
Copyright, shown with permission.

• 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.
  
  For more information:
  Dr. Ana Maria Maynard, Director
  Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance & Cultural Center
  
  Center Location: 701 Tillery Street, Austin TX 78702-3740
  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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