Artist-in-Residence: History of Percussion

The Morrill Memorial Library, in partnership with First Congregational Church in Norwood, are thrilled to bring our 2026 Artist-in-Residence to the Norwood community. Join Jorge Santiago Arce for a unique exploration and celebration of Puerto Rican and Afro-Caribbean music and culture this Spring in three separate events! All events in the series will be hosted in Pingree Hall at the First Congregational Church.

Our kick-off event will be an Afro-Caribbean Workshop focusing on the History of Percussion on Saturday, May 16 from 2:00-4:00pm. 

Jorge presents music, dances, lore, stories, and history handed down for over two centuries. Participants will explore Puerto Rican Plena and Bomba history and rhythms, with live drumming, hands-on use of Plena Panderos, Guiro, Seguidor, Banao and Quinto instruments, Bomba Cuá, Maraca, Buleador, and Primo instruments, plus recorded music. Learn about the Plena and Bomba claves and rhythm variations like Sicá, Yubá, Holande, Cuembé, Danué, Bambule, and Hoyo Mula. And, have a great time! This event is recommended for adults and teens.

About the artist: Jorge Arce is a master percussionist, educator, singer, dancer and actor from Puerto Rico, and an icon in the Latin music scenes in Boston and Puerto Rico. He leads the groups Jorge Arce & Humano, Bombazo Boricua and Raíz de Plena, performing his original arrangements of traditional Puerto Rican Bomba and Plena music and dance. His one-person show, the Afro-Caribbean Workshop, has been presented throughout the US and Puerto Rico since 1987 in theaters, libraries, schools and community events. In addition to numerous awards for excellence, cultural recognition, and lifetime achievement, Jorge also holds a Masters in Education from Harvard University.

Registration is required for this and all events in our Artist-in-Residence series. To sign up for the Afro-Caribbean Workshop, please follow the link below to the library's online events calendar or call the Reference Desk at 781-769-0200 x2.

Ample parking is available at the First Congregational Church; an accessible entrance with a ramp is available from the back parking lot. Participants parking at the library will need to cross Winter St to reach the First Congregational Church.

This program is funded in part by a grant from the Norwood Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, and the Town of Norwood. Additional funding is being provided by the Library Endowment Fund.