Afro‑Puerto Rican culture continues to find new generations committed to preserving and celebrating it across the diaspora. In Philadelphia, one of the most dynamic projects dedicated to keeping the traditions of Bomba and Plena alive is led by Los Bomberos de la Calle and the PhillyBombaPlena Cultural Center—initiatives that have turned music, dance, and Puerto Rican arts into powerful tools for identity, education, and community building.

At the heart of this effort is Tony Méndez, a musician and cultural organizer born in Queens, New York, who moved to Philadelphia at age 18. He discovered his connection to traditional Puerto Rican culture in his early twenties after an encounter with Maribel and Katsi Lozada of the dance group Philareyto.
“That was the first time I heard and saw Bomba and Plena,” Méndez recalls—an experience that sparked a cultural commitment that has only grown over the past decade.

In those years, Philadelphia was home to Familia Rojas, a group focused on Bomba performance and education. As activity in that scene began to decline, Méndez stepped forward. “I reached out to friends and told them we needed to form a group to continue the tradition,” he explains. In early 2012, Los Bomberos de la Calle was born.

Over time, the project evolved into a broader cultural space: the PhillyBombaPlena Cultural Center. Beyond performances, the center offers classes, workshops, and immersive cultural experiences that strengthen Puerto Rican identity and community ties. Leading a nonprofit, however, comes with challenges. Méndez notes that fundraising, administration, and grant writing are constant demands.
“Running the center is similar to leading the group—but with far more responsibility,” he says.

Despite financial and logistical hurdles, community engagement keeps the mission alive. “Seeing the students who come through our doors and helping build a new Bomba and Plena community motivates me every day,” he adds.

To support the organization, the team recently launched a creative fundraising initiative—a mobile trailer selling piraguas and limbers when institutional funding is scarce.

The center’s mission goes beyond preserving music; it aims to build inclusive, safe, and accessible cultural spaces for people of all backgrounds. Through classes, performances, and public events, the organization has attracted both Puerto Rican residents and newcomers eager to experience Afro‑Puerto Rican traditions.

A major milestone is coming up soon. On May 30, Los Bomberos de la Calle will present a special performance at Teatro Esperanza, developed in collaboration with Esperanza Arts Center and supported by the American Composers Forum. Inspired by Puerto Rico’s iconic Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián, the event promises much more than a concert.

“This is a celebration of culture, community, history, and tradition,” Méndez says.

The performance will feature live Bomba and Plena music, dance, visual art, and storytelling—recreating the vibrant energy of Puerto Rico’s beloved street festivals right in Philadelphia. Organizers hope audiences leave feeling connected, inspired, and proud, whether it is their first encounter with these traditions or not.

“This concert is for everyone,” Méndez emphasizes. “It’s a space to celebrate together, support the arts, and continue building cultural awareness and unity.”

In a city defined by diversity, Los Bomberos de la Calle and the PhillyBombaPlena Cultural Center stand as powerful examples of how culture can sustain memory, strengthen community, and bridge generations.

TICKETS at EsperanzaArtsCenter.us