Tony Mendez & Los Bomberos de la Calle
in partnership with American Composers Forum

GRAN SALON & PLAZA, TEATRO ESPERANZA
5/30/26, 3:00pm
$15 General Admission, Free for Students & Seniors (60+)

EAC Artist in Residence, 2024 Philadelphia Cultural Treasures Artist Fellow, Tony Mendez and Los Bomberos de la Calle present the world premiere of a new work modeled after the widely celebrated annual Fiesta de la Calle de San Sebastián in Puerto Rico. Mendez celebrates Plena and Bomba musical traditions through an evocative, multidisciplinary experience that immerses the audience and offers a guided tour of the history, significance, and legacy of one of Puerto Rico’s most important indigenous art forms. 

Presented in partnership with the American Composers Forum (ACF) – part of ACF’s year-long campaign,  THIS IS AMERICA: Composing Our Story – in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The goal of this nationwide initiative is to inspire in-depth inquiry and broad illustration of “American music,” including all of the Americas, and highlighting those whose voices have been silenced, forgotten, or erased. The program seeks to amplify the historical impact of a colonized America – in personal and collective experience- through the lens of today’s composers and musical storyteller.

Part of VOCES: EAC’s VOCES series spotlights a different facet of Latin American culture and traditions each season. This year’s VOCES Series will feature indigenous cultural traditions from Latin America and the Caribbean.

Part of Sesquicentenario: In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, EAC will feature several programs that celebrate explore the Latino Voice and the American Landscape.

Food and Beverages are available for sale in the Teatro lobby courtesy of EAC’s official concession partner Helados Chupi Chupi.