The three City Island Amigas; Nancy Friedman, Yvette Martinez, Robyn Lobe join forces on stage to produce music, teach dance and culture as: RETUMBA
¡Retumba! is a multi-ethnic all-female music and dance ensemble celebrating 30 years of Female Force. The group features traditional rhythms, beautiful ancient melodies, with its very own unique interpretations.
¡Retumba! bases its work on the music and dance of Africa, Europe, and its expressions in the Americas and the Caribbean -Puerto Rico, Cuba, The Dominican Republic,
¡Retumba! emphasizes the particular strengths and sensitivities of diverse women working together in celebration, demonstrating the similarities and links of our shared cultures. ¡Retumba! brings forth the drama and excitement of world culture and traditions into a feast of
folkloric music that can be enjoyed by everyone.
When ¡Retumba! Performs, What you see are women of a variety of ethnic firces performing together. What you hear are a variety of languages and traditional music from Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. What you feel is Pride in your ancestry; Hope for different cultures coming together and sharing, Curiosity about your own and other cultures and Belonging - a sense of community. What you learn is the music and dance of other cultures and you learn about your own culture as well. What you know is that you have been part of a performance that has given you a chance for enrichment and transformation, sharing an experience that changes your music appreciation and understanding of music, dance and songs forever - recognizing the music and dance within us and making it our own. What you understand are the beginnings of musical creation for all of humankind and that the drums have a language of their own for all to appreciate and how music, dance and song are inherently one in the human experience.