A Legacy Born from Loíza
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
The history of Afro–Puerto Rican Bomba in Connecticut began in the mid-1970s with dedicated Loiceños preserving their cultural traditions. During the 1990s, the Loíza Festival in Connecticut grew into one of the largest Afro-Caribbean cultural events in the region — a three-day celebration at Long Wharf in New Haven drawing thousands of visitors from across the Tri-State area and Puerto Rico.
Founder Kevin Diaz served as the festival's coordinator and artistic director of the Folclórico Bohío Dance Troupe, an ensemble of over 25 young students, musicians, and dancers performing Bomba throughout the region.
In 2014, Kevin founded Movimiento Cultural to help fill the cultural void left by the traditional Loíza Festival — offering weekly classes, workshops, educational presentations, and live performances at schools, festivals, and civic events throughout Connecticut.
2014
YEAR FOUNDED
20+
YEARS OF SERVICE
800+
EDUCATIONAL EVENTS | 2016-2026
CT
STATEWIDE REACH
OUR MISSION & RECOGNITION
Elevating Afro–Puerto Rican Culture
Throughout Connecticut
MCAC is dedicated to raising awareness and educating communities throughout Connecticut about African heritage and Afro–Puerto Rican folklore — shaped by the blending of African, Spanish, Taíno, and Caribbean influences.
Top 10 Artist Moments
2019 & 2020
Recognized by Arts Paper of the Greater New Haven Arts Council for outstanding contributions to the arts and cultural life of New Haven.
Eversource Energy Award
2024
Honored during Hispanic Heritage Month by Eversource Energy's multicultural employee group for commitment to cultural awareness.
Elm City's Finest Award
2022
Honored at the historic Shubert Theatre and featured on NBC Connecticut & Telemundo CT's "Connecticut in Color."
Jorgensen Center Performance
2024
Featured performance at the prestigious Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Connecticut.
Arts Hero Award
2023
Founder Kevin Diaz was honored with the Arts Hero Award at a Connecticut Office of the Arts celebration hosted at Infinity Music Hall.
El Nuevo Día Feature
2026
Featured in one of Puerto Rico's leading newspapers and a Connecticut Public live interview & podcast on keeping Bomba alive.
"We are beyond grateful to have had Movimiento Cultural as a special performer. Their presentation was magical as they shared the art of Bomba dancing, its rich history, the significance of its instruments, and the rhythms that bring it to life. Thank you for inspiring us with your passion and for celebrating the beauty of Puerto Rican heritage."
— PROSPANICA CONNECTICUT · DECEMBER 2024 DESTINO AWARDS GALA
Learn Bomba — For All Ages & Levels
WEEKLY CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
In collaboration with Viva Dance Fitness Center for the Arts · 243 Captain Thomas Blvd, West Haven, CT 06516
Kids/Teens Bomba
AGES 4-10 & 11–16 · BEGINNER
Top 10 Artist Moments
Every Tuesday
Teens Bomba/ 5:30 PM – 6:15 PM (45 min)
Baby Bomba / 6:30 PM - 7:15 PM
Children learn foundational movement rhythm awareness, cultural identity, and community connection through fun, interactive training. Live percussion provided as needed.
$25
drop-in
Adults Bomba 101
ALL ADULTS · OPEN LEVEL
Top 10 Artist Moments
Every Tuesday
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM (1 hour)
An open-level class exploring the history, culture, and movement of Bomba. Learn beginner-to-intermediate vocabulary, rhythm mechanics, and call-and-response, ending with a batey-style experience.
$35
per person
Advanced Training
EXPERIENCED DANCERS · PROFESSIONAL
Top 10 Artist Moments
Every Tuesday (Invite only)
8:30 PM – 9:30 PM (1.5 hours)
A professional-level training focused on stage presence, musicality, advanced piquetes, and precision. This progressive program prepares dancers for community, stage, and touring performances.
$20
MCAC members
Bi-Monthly Master Classes with Brendaliz Cepeda
An immersive experience in Afro Puerto Rican culture through traditional dance, percussion, rhythm, and song. Open to all experience levels. Featuring a 4th-generation Bomba practitioner — a powerful collaborative experience uniting Movimiento Cultural (CT) and Bomba De Aquí (MA).
Feb 03
Apr 07
May 26
Jul 07
Sept 08
Nov 03
$35
per person · $30 Viva members
Uniting Community Through Bomba
2026 EVENTS
JAN
3
2026
COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
Three Kings Day @ Casa · Día de los Reyes
📍 Casa Otoñal, 148 Sylvan Ave, New Haven
🕐 11 AM – 2 PM
Meet the Three Kings · Music · Refreshments · Petting Zoo · Hot Chocolate · Toys (first come, first served; child must be present)
MAR
21
2026
HISTORICAL COMMEMORATION
Commemoration of the Abolishment of Slavery in Puerto Rico
📍 New Haven City Hall, 165 Church St.
🕐 1 PM – 3 PM
A special performance by Movimiento Cultural. Light refreshments will be served.
MAY
1
2026
COMMUNITY MARKET
Cityseed Local Food Markets
📍 162 James St, New Haven
🕐 5 PM – 8 PM (First Friday of Every Month)
Enjoy New Haven's vibrant food scene with a Bomba cultural performance by Movimiento Cultural. Free tickets available.
JAN
28
2026
CULTURAL CEREMONY
Mural Ribbon Cutting — "De Muchos Países Un Solo Jardín"
📍 East Hartford High School
🕐 6:00 PM
A celebration of culture, unity, and community featuring a special Bomba performance by Movimiento Cultural.
APR
18
2026
COMMUNITY VISIONING
I-91 Underpass Park Design Reveal
📍 Bregamos Theater, 491 Blatchley Ave
🕐 3:00 PM
Design announcement featuring a special Bomba performance by Movimiento Cultural. Part of a multi-session visioning series with National Endowment for the Arts partners.
MAY
8
2026
FUNDRAISER
BOMBAZO Fundraiser — Feel the Rhythm, Support the Movement
📍 Viva Dance & Fitness Center, 243 Captain Thomas Blvd, West Haven
🕐 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM · Door Fee: $20
Demo classes 7:00–7:30 PM. Light refreshments included. Donation bar. Questions? Text 203-691-8121.
✦ Stay tuned for upcoming event announcements ✦
GALLERY
Elevating and Uniting Community
Through Bomba
AS FEATURED IN
NBC Connecticut
Telemundo CT
FOX 61
El Nuevo Día
Connecticut Public
The Gazette
SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Help Us Keep Bomba Alive
Your generous contribution helps us preserve and elevate the Afro–Puerto Rican Bomba tradition throughout Connecticut — funding weekly classes, community events, educational programming, and the next generation of Bomber@s.
ZELLE
PAYPAL
Movimiento Cultural Afro-Continental, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Donations may be tax-deductible. Contact: mcultural15@gmail.com
Connect With Our Community
GET IN TOUCH
CLASS LOCATION
243 Captain Thomas Blvd West Haven, CT 06516
TEXT/WHATSAPP
TIKTOK
@bombainct
PARTNER