Teens get a taste of the Caribbean

The energy at Riverdale Neighborhood House was palpable last Friday night, when BombaYo, an Afro-Caribbean percussion troupe, engaged local teens in a rhythmic explosion of music, drums and dance.

"They had a great time," said Jhanell Biggs, who serves as the teen career coordinator at the Mosholu Avenue center.

The Feb. 29 event was part of Neighborhood House's Teen Internship Program, which places students in unique job positions with local organizations.

The teens meet two Fridays of each month for special programs like this one, which happened to highlight Black History Month.

While music and dancing played major roles in the evening's festivities, the event also served as an educational tool for the 30 or so teen participants.

Jose Ortiz, a.k.a. Dr. Drum, senior leader of BombaYo, explained to the audience the historical significance of the music, which hails from Africa and made its way to Puerto Rico and Caribbean nations. African slaves, Mr. Ortiz told students, used the music as way to rebel against their captors and practice their religion.

"It was a great educational experience for everyone, including myself," said Ms. Biggs.

This is part of the March 6, 2008 online edition of The Riverdale Press.

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