Plena

Plena is a traditional Afro-Puerto Rican music genre that originated in the late 19th century in Ponce, a town in the southern part of the island. This vibrant musical style serves both as a means of celebration and as a powerful form of protest against local and federal government actions on pressing issues facing one of the world’s oldest colonies.

Pleneros y Poetas

The project funded by Healing Illinois brings together a diverse ensemble of poets from across Chicago to explore the shared and unique struggles within their communities. With a foundation in plena music—a traditional Puerto Rican form used historically for protest and expression in the world’s oldest colony —this project provides a powerful, cultural platform for underrepresented voices to share their narratives through poetry and music.

Key Objectives:

  1. Amplify Diverse Voices: Highlight the unique perspectives and stories of Chicago’s diverse communities, specifically focusing on underrepresented groups.
  2. Harness Plena for Storytelling: Utilize plena music, known for its roots in resistance and protest, as both a cultural anchor and a medium to deepen the impact of these narratives.
  3. Promote Cultural Exchange: Create a space for artistic and cultural exchange that fosters empathy, understanding, and solidarity among Chicago’s diverse communities.
  4. Collaborate with Chicago-based artists, including Luis Tubens and Los Pleneros de Don Segundo: Partner with renowned poet Luis Tubens to lend his expertise in community storytelling and spoken word. Los Pleneros de Don Segundo will offer their experience with plena, adding musical depth and authenticity to the project.
  5. Project Components:
  • Workshops: Facilitate poetry and plena workshops led by experienced artists and cultural leaders, including Luis Tubens, to guide participants in weaving personal and communal stories into performances.
  • Community Performances: Host a series of public performances, allowing the poets and musicians to share their work in spaces that resonate with their own stories.

Los Pleneros de Don Segundo

Born at Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center (SRBCC), Los Pleneros de Don Segundo have been playing original plena in Chicago since 2016. Los Pleneros have evolved to be one of Chicago’s most sought-after Afro-Puerto Rican folkloric groups due its unwavering commitment to the advancement of the genre with original compositions and arrangements.

After incorporating Bomba into their repertoire in the last two years, the group can adapt to a wide variety of formats, from a basic 4-member ensemble to a full Puerto Rican carnival experience with horns, vejigantes, cabezudos and stilt walkers.

Members:

Primo Cruz (Lead singer)

Michael Rodríguez (Musical director, guiro)

Quincy Raggs (Requinto)

José Natal (Seguidor)

Arturo Vázquez (Trombone)

School Performances and Workshops

Ask about sponsorship opportunities. SRBCC dedicates resources every year to schools and organizations working with youth (0-24) in underserved communities across Chicago.

To hire Los Pleneros de Don Segundo and contribute to the development of original Afro-Puerto Rican music in Chicago, contact us at [email protected] or call us at 773-750-7544.