Community Event

The fourth annual El Bembé returns to the gardens for an afternoon of culture, community, memory and immersive storytelling. “Bembé” is an African word for a celebration or gathering of friends, a name chosen to honor African roots and bring that cultural connection into the work happening in the gardens.

Presented by Termite TV Collective and Norris Square Neighborhood Project in partnership with the Philadelphia Latino Arts and Film Festival (PHLAFF), the celebration grew out of Places of Power: Las Parcelas, an ongoing community media project co-directed by Anula Shetty and Michael Kuetemeyer of Termite TV and Iris Brown of NSNP.

Created alongside an intergenerational group of Norris Square residents, this year's project explores Bomba and Plena through augmented and virtual reality, oral histories and community storytelling. Visitors can experience interactive works throughout Las Parcelas and Villa Africana Colobó that connect neighborhood memories with Afro-Puerto Rican history and culture.

Event Highlights

• Immersive AR/VR installations throughout the gardens
• Live Bomba, song and dance with El Junte
• NSNP Archive Activation featuring photographs from our community archive and an opportunity to leave a recorded memory
• Food, community and opportunities to explore the gardens

Also Happening That Day

Programming from Scribe Video Center's North Philadelphia History Festival, postponed because of weather in September, will take place alongside El Bembé.

11 AM–5 PM: El Jardín de la Música y El Espíritu / North Philadelphia History Festival programming
3 PM: Scribe reception
2–6 PM: El Bembé

Free and open to the public

Esencia NO Va: From Philly to Cabo Rojo brings the community together at Las Parcelas in support of Defiende a Cabo Rojo, a coalition working to protect the land, natural resources and communities of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico.

The fundraiser supports the coalition's work in response to Esencia, a proposed luxury development of approximately $2 billion spanning nearly 2,000 acres near Boquerón Bay. Defiende a Cabo Rojo has raised concerns about the project's potential impacts on threatened species, agricultural land, water resources and the surrounding community.

Spend the day with music, food and community while learning more about the coalition's work. The event will include live Bomba and salsa, dominoes, children's activities, local vendors and more.

Featured participants include Los Bomberos de la Calle, Philly Bomba Plena Culture Center, DJ Mario, Amy's Pastelillos, Chef Ana's Kitchen, Coffee Sweet and More, Philly Boricuas, Color Theory TV and Sanlianny's Handbags.

Suggested donation: $5–$25 sliding scale
No one will be turned away for lack of funds

Proceeds from the event support Defiende a Cabo Rojo