Plena in the Square: Puerto Rican Dance Workshop with Raúl De La Paz

Join us for a Puerto Rican Plena Dance Workshop with master dancer and choreographer Raúl De La Paz, visiting directly from Puerto Rico!
No prior dance experience is necessary! This workshop is designed to be welcoming, accessible, and fun for all.

Date: Friday, April 24th

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: Fredericksburg Market Square 

Register: semillacultural.org

Presented in collaboration with the Fredericksburg Area Museum and RappArts.

Plena is a vibrant Afro-Puerto Rican musical and dance tradition rooted in rhythm, storytelling, and community. Participants will learn the fundamentals of Plena movement while exploring the cultural roots of this joyful tradition. The workshop will conclude with a live Plena jam session, and attendees are encouraged to bring panderos, güiros, and other instruments to join the music.

About the Artist
Raúl De La Paz is a Puerto Rican dancer, choreographer, and artistic director with more than 30 years of experience in folkloric and theatrical dance. His work spans major folklore companies and musical theater productions, with a movement style that ranges from Jazz and Salsa to the Puerto Rican national dances of Bomba and Plena. As Artistic Director of the Gíbaro de Puerto Rico Folklore Company, he has represented Puerto Rico in festivals and residencies throughout Europe, the United States, and Latin America, sharing workshops that connect participants to Puerto Rican culture through movement.

Come dance, connect, and celebrate Puerto Rican culture in community.