Rumba rhythms will resonate in Philadelphia on November 7 as Teatro Esperanza, in partnership with Artcinia, opens its doors for RUMBA, a multidisciplinary performance by the Timbalona Collective. Founded by Andrés Cisneros and Christian Noguera, this multifaceted group explores a wide range of Afro-Latin American and Caribbean genres, from folk music to salsa and Latin jazz.

Under the musical direction of Venezuelan percussionist, singer, and educator Andrés Cisneros, the concert promises an evening of folk celebration and community exchange rooted in Afro-Latin American identity.

“The audience will enjoy an experience that blends live music, dance, community participation, and documentary film,” says Cisneros. “For this event, we are focusing on Afro-Cuban rumba; specifically its three primary styles: Yambú, Guaguancó, and Columbia, and their intrinsic connection to dance. The program also features a screening of ‘Portraits of Philly Rumba’, a short documentary I co-directed with Uruguayan-American filmmaker Melissa Beatriz. It tells the stories of several African American figures in Philadelphia who embraced Cuban rumba and wove it into their own cultural expression.”

The percussion ensemble will be joined on stage by dancers Ashley Rivera and Elián Gómez, who will bring the power of movement to the intricate rhythms of the drums, transforming the performance into a journey through Caribbean roots.

“Rumba is a dialogue between drums, song, and dance,” the Venezuelan percussionist explains.

“Ashley and Elián will integrate with our live music to showcase the distinct characteristics of each style and demonstrate how dancers actively participate in that dialogue. Music and dance are not separate elements; together, they form the very essence of rumba.”

Identity, community, and cultural resistance

For over a decade and a half, Timbalona, formed to fill a void for young percussionists trained in the region’s folkloric traditions and to use the drum as a tool for healing and social cohesion, has explored Afro-Cuban, Afro-Peruvian, and Caribbean rhythms. The group also conducts educational workshops, school programs, and live performances that invite audience participation.

For Philadelphia’s Latin community, this event represents more than just entertainment. Rumba, recognized internationally as intangible cultural heritage, has historically served as a space for resistance and collective expression. Andrés’s approach ensures the audience is not merely a passive spectator but an integral part of the performance’s soul.

“There will be dance demonstrations and lessons where Ashley and Elián will share the movements and fundamentals of rumba. The audience will also have the chance to get on the dance floor and move to Timbalona’s live music. No prior experience is necessary; we want people to participate, feel the rhythm, and experience the collective energy of this tradition,” says Andrés, who also sings with Timbalona.

Cinema as an archive of the diaspora

The event will feature a screening of  Portraits of Philly Rumba.

“None of the ‘rumberos’ featured in ‘Philly Rumba’ are Cuban, yet we all share a deep love and respect for rumba and the culture from which it originated. As musicians and practitioners, we acknowledge its Afro-Cuban heritage and the profound impact that Cuban music has had on Black and Latin communities in the United States. For me, this film is also a tribute to every individual in Philadelphia who has kept this tradition alive for decades. Through Timbalona, ​​we aim to create spaces where music, education, and community engagement ensure that these traditions continue to be passed down to new generations,” Andrés explains.

Through a number of key figures in the genre such as Tony, Andre Hawkes, and Yinka as well as the cultural space IMPeRFeCT Gallery, the film highlights community-based practices of collective memory and demonstrates the impact of the drum on the social and historical fabric of Philadelphia.

After the screening, the creators and artists will lead a panel discussion and Q&A session.

The Venezuelan educator encourages everyone to attend this event, “because it is an opportunity to experience ‘rumba’ from various perspectives: musical, choreographic, historical, and communal. Furthermore, ‘Philly Rumba’ tells an important story about African Americans who found, within an Afro-Cuban tradition, a way to connect with their African roots and express their identity. It is a story of cultural appropriation, in the sense of embracing a tradition as one’s own with love, respect, and acknowledgment of its origins, and of how Cuban music has profoundly influenced the identities of the African diaspora in Latin America and the United States. One of the notable aspects of this story is that a small group of these characters wrote and sang rumba songs in English.”

RUMBA is part of the VOCES: ¡BAILE!  series, organized by Teatro Esperanza.

This annual series is dedicated to highlighting and honoring the various facets of traditional and contemporary culture from Latin America and its diaspora.