Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Pelham Art Center. The Pelham Examiner publishes press releases in the form received as a service to the community.

PELHAM, NY. As part of its ongoing Folk Art series of free community events for the entire family, the Pelham Art Center announces two upcoming programs for this October. On October 1 from 1-3pm, PAC will host Bomba!, an afternoon of Puerto Rican drumming and dance. Internationally-acclaimed performer, educator and Bronx native Jose Ortiz (also known as “Dr. Drum”) will lead the musical celebration, starting off with an interactive, hour-long presentation to begin at 1:15pm. Attendees will learn the history of Bomba Boricua, which incorporates African influence into Puerto Rican culture. The audience will also have the opportunity to participate in Bomba music and dance.

Jose Ortiz, “Dr. Drum,” is the co-founder and musical director of BombaYo Afro-Puerto Rican Arts Project. He will lead Pelham Art Center’s October 1 Folk Art celebration of Bomba.

Then, on October 29, artist and educator Zafiro Romero-Acevedo will lead a celebration of the Mexican tradition of the Day of the Dead (El Dia de los Muertos) from 1-3pm. Born in Mexico, Romero-Acevedo immigrated to the US in the early 1980s. Brought up in a strong cultural heritage, which included Mexican folklore performances, murals, and paper arts, she has been teaching Mexican Folk Art for more than two decades across the Tri-state area.

Artist and educator Zafiro Romero-Acevedo will lead a celebration of the Mexican tradition of  El Dia los Muertos on October 29.

Attendees will experience the festive Mexican tradition of El Dia los Muertos, in which passed loved ones are remembered with joy and celebration. Romero-Acevedo will lead the audience in the process of setting up an altar and creating cempazúchitl paper flowers and monarch butterflies to be displayed on the community altar. The afternoon will also feature a children’s performance by Telpochcalli the Traditional Mexican Performing Arts, dancing Sembradoras (Michoacán), Los Viejitos (Michoacán) and Los Chinelos (Morelos). A brief dance lesson on Danza de los Viejitos will be demonstrated to the public.

Pelham Art Center’s vast range of Folk Art programming—all free and accessible to the community—exemplifies its core values of Creativity, Innovation, Community, and Respect. To learn more about either October Folk Art program, arrange for interviews or additional imagery/information, please send an email to [email protected].