Afro-Latino Mask Summer Project 2014

The Vejigante
The Veji-
gante
mask is
said to
be the
most
repre-
sentative and interesting expression of
Puerto Rico's arts and crafts tradition.
Since slaves were not allowed to wor-
ship their own gods, Bomba and Plena
evolved into countless styles based on
the kind of dance intended to be used.
These included ler, yub, cuny, bab
and beln. The slaves celebrated bap-
tisms, weddings, and births with the
"bailes de bomba". Slaveowners, for
fear of a rebellion, allowed the dances
on Sundays. The "Vejigante" (vey-hee-
GANT-eh) is a mischievous character
and the main character in the Carnivals
of Puerto Rico. The Tall character takes
his name from the balloon-shaped
pieces that he
carries and uses
to go around
hitting people.
The Vejigante
character has
existed for more
than 400 years.
However, the influences of the African
and Taino cultures in Puerto Rico have
made it a folkloric symbol.
Special points of interest:
The majority of the dancers with the Avenue
D Latin America Educational Series come
from low-income families.
Avenue D dancers represent a diverse
population: approximately 40% identify as
Hispanic or Latino; 50% as African Ameri-
can; and 10% as Caucasian.
Quarterly the program impacts over 7,000
audience members including public school
students, their parents, teachers and local
communities through classes, assemblies,
residencies and performances.
New sponsorship opportunities are now
available
This program is a joint effort between the
City of Rochester, Avenue D Community
Center, Grupo Cultural Latinos En Rochester,
and IADC Project HOPE.
A T A V E N U E D C O M M U N I T Y C E N T E R , R O C H E S T E R N Y
Educational Series About Latin America
Puerto Rican dances
This summer, Avenue D Community
Center students, their families, and a
team of volunteers will be enjoying the
roots, representation and cultural
practice of the Afro-Latino Mask, a
program for the whole family. This
summer we will celebrate masquerade
traditional heritage and the Puerto
Rican Vejigante Mask with educational
activities including mask-making,
dance, and lectures.

Register for the program by Thurs-
day, June 5 at the Avenue D Com-
munity Center (200 Ave. D, 14621)
or email info@gcler.org.
Mask Making Classes:
Thursdays, June 12 and 19, from 5:30
until 6:30 pm. July 3, 10, & 17; 3 to 5
p.m.

Theatrical Dance
Classes:
Thursdays, July 17,
24, 31, August 1, &
14; 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Lectures:
Thurday, June 19
Storytelling: Vejigante
Masquerader by Lulu Delacre (Learn about
Puerto Rican Carnival with Ramon, who
longs to masquerade along with the older
boys, the Vejigantes, in the celebration in
Puerto Rico. Book is written in English and
Spanish).

Thursday, July 10
Afro-Latino Masks: Roots, Ritual &
Rhythm in Latin America and the Car-
ibbean
In the US, African belief systems were
generally rejected as primitive and bar-
baric, but in Latin America and the Car-
ibbean they gradually amalgamated
with the sacred and secular expressions
of the culture.
Thursday, August 14
Mask Practices in Art
Incorporations, interpretations
and Adaptations

Avenue D Afro-Latino Dance
group will bring this character
alive at the Puerto Rican Pa-
rade on August 2 at 10
a.m. at Liberty Pole Way.
Dancers will perform after the procla-
mation and will participate in the pa-
rade, finishing at Frontier Field.

Vejigante masks are Puerto Rico folkloric art
Vejigante de Puerto Rico
Evelyn Cassano
Grupo Cultural Latinos En Rochester
Phone: 585.329.9671
E-mail: info@gcler.org
Cynthia Rochet
Avenue D Community Center
Phone: 585.428.7934
E-mail: Rochetc@CityofRochester.gov
Sacha Ros
Ibero-American Development Corp.
Phone: 585.467.6410 ext.30
E-mail: srios@iberodevelopment.org
Summer Program Partners: