RHYTHM, BASS AND PLACE OFFERED US A MUSICAL JOURNEY OF CONNECTION AND REFLECTION

Jul 13

From February through June, our Rhythm, Bass and Place Black Music Series offered us a journey of connection and reflection on music of the African Diaspora. The work of the series, curated by Lynnée Denise, highlighted Afro-Futurism through sound, honored the contributions and impact of Afro-Puerto Rican musician Rafael Cortijo, uplifted up-and-coming vanguard artists, paid homage to vinyl records and record shops, recognized the Black roots of techno and house music, and celebrated Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary through photography and the elevation of the role of women in the culture. Rhythm, Bass and Place helped us to explore ideas on gender, sexuality, race and technology, and the making of multi-sensory music in a Diasporic context.

At CCCADI, we know the importance of utilizing art and culture to connect and strengthen the bond between the communities of our African Diaspora from around the world. Music is one of our strongest unifiers. Everything has a rhythm, from our feet hitting the ground when we walk, to the song of the birds in the trees, and the waves of the ocean crashing against the shore. We know percussion before birth from the beat of our mother’s heart.

Our people have always known this innate and essential connection to music, to create it, to harness its power, to share it. As an African Diasporic community, Rhythm, Bass and Place gave us an opportunity to reflect on how our ancestors retained the sounds of the Motherland, and how collectively we have still managed to hold on to remnants of the sounds of home while allowing for its evolution to reflect the landscape of the moment.

The series included virtual and in-person programming, welcoming more than 400 people to CCCADI’s East Harlem Firehouse and engaging thousands of viewers online from around the globe. To explore the series’ virtual programming, click below.

Explore RBP Virtual Programs

View the RBP Galleries

Rhythm, Bass and Place: Through the Lens Exhibition Opening - March 17, 2023

Rhythm, Bass and Place: Through the Lens Artist Reception - March 24, 2023

Record Store Day: Diggin’ Through Crates - April 22, 2023

House is a Feeling Culminating Event - June 24, 2023

Viannca Velez

As Director of Communications for CCCADI, Viannca leads the creation and implementation of the organization’s marketing, public relations and mass communication strategy. Puerto Rican by way of Jersey City, NJ, Viannca’s communications experience includes her career beginnings as a video journalist for Fi0S1 News on Long Island, NY, in-studio tech work at the sports television channel SNY, and digital media management for NGL Media (now NGL Collective). Prior to joining CCCADI, Viannca developed into a communications strategist within the nonprofit sector through her years of working in the advancement departments of private high school and higher education institutions. There, she created and led campaigns that used video storytelling, social media and niche segmentation to successfully increase community engagement and individual donations. Passionate about ancestral dance and music, she is also a current member of the Bomba & Plena music group Segunda Quimbamba.

Viannca received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast and Visual Media, and minor in Journalism, from Seton Hall University.