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Family Day: Celebrating Puerto Rican Culture
April 23, 2022 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Families are invited for a day of games, crafts and activities to celebrate Puerto Rican culture and heritage as part of our newest exhibition La Brega: Art for Reimagining the World, in partnership with Taller Puertorriqueño.
Featured activities include drop-in jewelry workshops led by local artisan and frequent Taller Puertorriqueño instructor Aida DeVine, a performance from University of Pennsylvania music and dance group Fuerza, games including dominoes facilitated by #1 rated gaming café Queen & Rook, Vejigante mask making with Johnny Irizarry, and much more.
About Johnny Irizarry
Johnny is the featured artist in our new La Brega exhibition. Johnny Irizarry’s work spans from teaching at universities to being director of La Casa Latina at the University of Pennsylvania and community centers. In the 1990s, he served as Executive Director of Taller Puertorriqueño. As a cultural worker, his “la brega” has been centered on Puerto Rican and Latinx civil rights struggles and criminal justice. Johnny will be hosting two workshops on creating masks in the style of the Vejigante from the Loiza tradition.
About Fuerza
Fuerza is the University of Pennsylvania’s premier Latinx music ensemble. Founded in 2019, their mission is to provide a safe space for Philadelphia-area Latinx and non-Latinx college students alike to celebrate their cultures through musical performance. Fuerza’s most notable performances include their Puerto Rico Benefit Concert in 2020, a Día de los Muertos show, and performances across the collegiate Philadelphia scene.
About Aida DeVine
Aida is a self taught jewelry artist for more than 20 years. Living and working in Philadelphia, she is passionate about creating making earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and wire rings with gemstones and beads. She loves to rummage through thrift shops and flea market sales to look for unique pieces for truly one-of-a-kind creations.
