Performing arts organization, Hispanic Culture Arts, delighted residents of Norwood on Oct. 18 with a live, outdoor, daytime music and dance show at the Williamsbridge Oval Park, entitled “Danzas de Ida y Vuelta,” a round trip voyage of Hispanic music and dance.”

 

Showcasing the history of Hispanic performance culture, audience members were transported from the “Old World” of Spain through Latin America, and on to The Bronx, by a group of colorful, costumed dancers and musicians.

 

The show was choreographed by Spanish dance artists, Anna de la Paz and Anna Tonna, who were joined by Carlos Fittante and Yumiko Niimi from BALAM Dance Theater, along with pianist, Pablo Zinger, and percussionist, Danny Mallon. Instruments like castanets and shakers were also used during the show.

 

“We’re here to tell you a story, not with words, but through music and dance,” said de la Paz. “We’re so happy to share our colorful music and dances from the Hispanic world.”

 

The performance featured songs, dances, and narration originating in Spain, Peru, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Cuba. Some of the dances included Fandango, Zapateo, Danzón, and Habanera, while some of the songs included “Lamento Borincano,” and “La paloma.”

 

Students and teachers from P.S. 56, Norwood Heights School, located on 341 East 207th Street in Norwood, along with other members of the public, attended the performance. Some were even invited on stage at one point and were taught some new dance moves, while others became active audience participants, learning a new vernacular as well as how percussion instruments worked. Admission was free and open to everyone.

 

“We were, of course, thrilled to serve the school children that came to us,” said Tonna. “We also celebrate the fact that we had seniors as well as an adult’s special needs group that participated in our community dance workshop, led by Anna de la Paz.”

 

The group received numerous rounds of applause after each segment, with the performers sharing nuggets of historical context about the instruments used and on each of the songs and dances performed. The added background served the audience well on their journey through Hispanic culture.

 

Omar Rodriguez, 37, who just happened to be in the park as the performance was kicking off, said performances like these were important because they helped share cultures with those who may not otherwise experience them.

 

“It’s special because without this kind of show, how would these kids in attendance learn about these things?” he said. “It’s so very important that we show support to programs like this one happening, because this is how we keep culture alive.”

 

Rodriguez added, “I think all kids would love this kind of thing. Kids love music, dancing, and costumes and this has it all! I don’t have any children, but if I did, I’d love for them to have been here to watch this.”

The event was held with support from the Bronx Council of the Arts and NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.

 

Founded in 2018, Hispanic Culture Arts provides programming for school-aged kids in the classical arts from Spain and Latin America. The organization connects classical Hispanic arts to modern-day life, including Salsa, in New York City. “Our mission as a company is to aid children’s artistic self-discovery, using the music, dance, and theater from the Hispanic world,” said Tonna.

 

Tonna, who works as a teaching artist with Hispanic Culture Arts, has lived in the Bronx for almost two decades. She has always been very involved in the music and culture of Spain and The Bronx. Tonna had the idea to bridge the gap between The Bronx and Spain, and that’s when she and Spanish dance artist, Anna de la Paz, founded Hispanic Culture Arts.

 

Of the numerous songs performed, Tonna said her favorite is “El Zapateado” from Zarzuela (Spanish Opera), “La Tempranica.” “In this song, a little gypsy boy called Gabrie talks about a tarantula that has bitten him. He has a fever and shakes but what he is really talking about is being bitten by the ‘bug of love,’” said Tonna. “In this number, I sing, while an intricate and virtuosic Spanish shoe dance is performed by Anna de la Paz, in an Andalusian costume and hat from the area of Córdoba in Spain,” said Tonna.

 

Hispanic Culture Arts is a current grant recipient of the Bronx Council for the Arts Community Grant. The show was put together, in part, to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.  Tonna said, “Hispanic Heritage Month is a great occasion to showcase all these ties that we have, using dance and music and even stories.”

As for what’s next for the group, Tonna said they’ll keep trying to showcase programs to schools and the neighborhood at large. “We are in the process of serving a school in Morris Park in a series of arts education workshops,” she said.

 

“We keep expanding the type of offers we have to schools, and of course hope to continue our relationship with the NYC Parks and Recreation here in The Bronx, as a performing arts organization, to showcase programs such as ‘Danzas de Ida y Vuelta’ for the neighborhoods of Norwood and Bedford Park, as well as other surrounding neighborhoods.”

 

More information on Hispanic Culture Arts can be found at https://www.hispanicculturearts.com/about.