Schools
WCSU to screen ‘Rumba Clave Blen Blen Blen’
The screening and discussion will be free and open to the public.
DANBURY, CONN. – The Western Connecticut State University Department of World Languages and Literature (WLL) will screen the documentary “Rumba Clave Blen Blen Blen” at 12:15 p.m. on Monday, April 17, in the Student Center Theater on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. Following the screening, director Arístides Falcón-Paradí will discuss his work. The screening and discussion will be free and open to the public.
According to the film’s IMDBb, ‘“Rumba Clave Blen Blen Blen’ is a song of praise to the musical genre of rumba in New York City. It reveals the vibrant Afro-Cuban culture of the city. In addition, the film unravels the African and Andalusian origins of rumba and follows ordinary people and famous musicians through the dances, drums, and clave rhythm of the genre. The film is a poem of color and music, bringing to the surface the symbolic religious cosmogonies of Bantu, Abakua, Yoruba and Arara traditions that have nourished it. By paying homage to the grand masters of the genre, such as Chano Pozo and his collaborations with Dizzy Gillespie, ‘Rumba Clave Blen Blen Blen’ is a historical journey that traces the history of rumba in New York through the words and music of scholars, producers, artists and renowned musicians who continue to practice it today.”
WLL Department Chair Dr. Galina Bakhtiarova organized this event, and explained the importance of this screening. “We firmly believe that learning about languages and cultures cannot be separated, and we strive to bring cultural activities that highlight the diversity not only abroad, but at home. This is what we will be showing at this event.”
