A Celebration of Caribbean Music, Food and Culture

 

Start by watching this video featuring award-winning Latin percussionist Rolando Morales-Matos demonstrating a variety of Caribbean drums and beats leading into an exciting percussion performance.

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For more about our amazing guest musician, Rolando Morales-Matos, visit his website: http://www.rolandomoralesmatos.com/

 

Music

 

For more information about Latin American music traditions in the Caribbean and music from a variety of islands within the region, check out these online resources from the Library of Congress, Smithsonian Institution and the official tourism website of Puerto Rico: 

 

• Puerto Rican Bomba and Plena: Shared Traditions — Distinct Rhythms. Web article featuring videos from a variety of musical and educational performances with narrations in English and in Spanish. https://folkways.si.edu/puerto-rican-bomba-plena-shared-traditions-distinct-rhythms/latin-world/music/article/smithsonian

• A Guide to the Music of Puerto Rico. This is a short article from Discover Puerto Rico explaining the five most popular styles of traditional Puerto Rican music. https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/article/guide-to-music-puerto-rico

• A Sampler of Caribbean American Recordings. https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2014/06/caribbean-american-sampler/

• All Around This World: The Caribbean. Kids of all ages will enjoy this comprehensive interactive tour of the Caribbean created by guitarist and children’s music teacher, Jay Sand. https://www.allaroundthisworld.com/learn/the-caribbean-2/#.X-vQoOlKi5Q 

 

 

Food

 

• Guide to Traditional Puerto Rican Dishes. Learn about traditional Puerto Rican cuisine, including videos from renowned chefs on how to make Puerto Rican versions of sofrito and arroz con pollo. https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/article/guide-to-traditional-puerto-rican-dishes

• Latin American and Caribbean Food and Cuisine. A more in-depth, academic article from the Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History reprinted on Encyclopedia.com https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/latin-american-and-caribbean-food-and-cuisine 

• Caribbean Recipes. Recipes, photos and videos produced by the Food Network. https://www.foodnetwork.com/topics/caribbean 

• “Where to Get Caribbean Food in Jersey City and Hoboken.” Article by Yiwei Gu published on Hobokengirl.com on October 8th, 2020. https://www.hobokengirl.com/caribbean-food-jersey-city-hoboken/

• “A Guide to Cuban Restaurants in Union City and West New York.” Article by Yarleen Hernandez published on Hobokengirl.com on December 27th, 2020. https://www.hobokengirl.com/cuban-restaurants-union-city-west-new-york/ 

• “Must-try Latin Restaurants in Hoboken and Jersey City.” Article by Victoria Marie Moyeno published on Hobokengirl.com on September 25th, 2020. https://www.hobokengirl.com/latin-restaurants-hoboken-jersey-city/ 

 

Art and Culture

• El Museo del Barrio. https://www.elmuseo.org/

 

 

Recommended Reading and Listening 

 

These books, ebooks, audiobooks and media are all available through our BCCLS catalog. Order online using your library card for curbside or front desk pick up!

 

Children and Families

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• Tito Puente, Mambo King = Tito Puente, Rey del Mambo. Bilingual picture book. https://catalog.bccls.org/polaris/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.7&cn=1143838 

  • Tito Puente, Mambo King = Tito Puente, Rey del Mambo Activity and Educator Resource Guide. Developed by El Museo del Barrio. https://www.elmuseo.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Tito-Puente-Educator-Guide.pdf 

• Click here for additional books, digital media and CDs available through BCCLS 

 

Adult Nonfiction

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• Click here for a list of nonfiction books and cookbooks featuring Cuba, Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands available through BCCLS

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Adult Fiction and Literature

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• Click here for a list of recent novels and short fiction collections available through BCCLS

 

 

Music and DVDs

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• Click here for a list of films and CDs available through BCCLS

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Help us to keep these resource lists growing! If you know of a great book, website, CD or DVD that belongs on our lists, email Jenifer at may@secaucus.bccls.org 

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