Plena Libre wants you to dance.
Bringing their signature style of plena and bomba music to Chautauqua at 8:15 p.m. tonight in the Amphitheater, the Grammy-nominated group is excited to perform some lively, danceable music for anyone and everyone who wants to move and groove.
Plena and bomba, originating in Puerto Rico, are defined by their distinctive rhythms, with roots in African music. According to Plena Libre’s Luisga Nunez, plena is influenced by African Caribbean music, merengue music from Santo Domingo, and salsa music from Cuba.
Nunez said Chautauquans should expect a high-energy performance night.
“Our show is a really interactive show with the audience; it’s really a lot of energy. We don’t like people sitting around. This plena rhythm and bomba rhythm are rhythms that you’re going to stand up and dance (to) and you’re going to move your feet and you’re going to have a great time,” he said.
For Nunez, it’s important to share the Puerto Rican and plena culture through music, rhythm and dance.
“The first focus (of the music) will be, obviously, maintain the tradition and culture as Puerto Ricans and expand that to the level that we do in Plena Libre,” Nunez said. “We are not a traditional band from plena, we mix a little bit of the traditional with the new wave.”
The goal is to is make plena international, he said.
“We want everyone to experience the real Puerto Rican culture and our traditions, and how plena brings people together in Puerto Rico and outside of the Puerto Rican area as well,” he said.
Nunez takes a lot of pride in bringing plena music to the mainstream and helping share and innovate the rhythms with a new generation of pleneros, but he also feels a lot of responsibility because he cares so deeply about the music and dance.
Because Plena Libre have played such a major role in bringing plena music to a wider audience, they aspire to bring their best to each show — they want attendees to experience the best of plena and the best of Puerto Rican culture.
“For us, it’s really our responsibility and we take it with a lot of pride and honor, every time we go to the stage, to be the best of us,” he said.
To Nunez, it’s important that Plena Libre’s shows serve as a bridge between different cultures and allow individuals to experience and celebrate community and togetherness.
“This is a great opportunity for us to connect as human beings, as a culture,” he said. “It’s just about making communities, connecting, understanding each other, having a great time — and for you to understand that there are other cultures that you can experience. Have fun and enjoy it.”
He hopes that Chautauquans will take advantage of the high-energy, exciting show and will dance along to the music, experiencing the joy of plena and bomba music.
“You’re going to have a great time. It’s going to be fun. … I like the energy and the power of everybody there, so we are really excited and happy to be there,” he said. “Just bring comfortable shoes.”
