PLENAZO TRIBE — PUERTO RICO CULTURAL TOUR 2026

January 16–19, 2026
“Carrying Plena back home.”
A cultural homecoming. A bridge between Los Angeles & the Caribbean.

ABOUT THE TOUR

Plenazo Tribe has been officially invited to Puerto Rico to participate in the Encuentro de Saberes e Intercambio Musical, hosted by Taller Toca Plena, in the mountain town of Comerío, known proudly by its community as La República de Komerío.

From January 9–19, 2026, our entire artistic collective will travel from Los Angeles to Puerto Rico to share music, create cultural exchanges, perform in iconic plena towns, and reconnect directly with one of the most important musical traditions of the Caribbean.

After two years of building a movement in Los Angeles—celebrating Puerto Rican Plena across communities, schools, museums, festivals, and cultural institutions—this tour represents a return to the source: a transformative journey to the birthplace of the rhythm that defines us.

A Cultural Homecoming

This journey allows our entire multicultural ensemble to experience the living context of Plena—its neighborhoods, its stories, its teachers, and the communities who keep the tradition alive.

Strengthening the Bridge Between Puerto Rico & California

Plenazo Tribe brings Plena to schools, festivals, theaters, and community spaces across Los Angeles.
By deepening our roots in Puerto Rico, we return with expanded knowledge that directly enriches the cultural landscape of California.

Representation Through Diversity

Our collective includes artists from Puerto Rico, Argentina, Cuba, Ecuador, Perú, México, Guatemala, Colombia, Granada, Francia, and the U.S.
This tour invites non-Puerto Rican members to embrace—to live—the culture they help represent, honoring it with authenticity and respect.

Sharing What We Learn

Upon returning to California, our goal is to continue offering: Community concerts; Cultural festivals; School assemblies; Workshops and educational residencies; Collaborations with local arts organizations. This tour amplifies our mission and expands our impact.

WHAT WE PLAN TO DO IN PUERTO RICO

Throughout the ten days, Plenazo Tribe intends to perform, collaborate, and connect with communities in:

San Juan, Loíza, Carolina, Ponce, Comerío, Mayagüez, Caguas, Arecibo,
and additional towns that join the cultural route.

Our goals include:

• Presenting concerts in cultural and community spaces

• Exchanging knowledge with tradition bearers

• Collaborating with pleneros, dancers, and educators

• Documenting the experience as a cultural film project

WHY SUPPORT US

We welcome support from individuals, organizations, cultural institutions, businesses, and community members who believe in the preservation and celebration of Puerto Rican culture.

Your support helps us cover: Flights for 14 multicultural artists; Local transportation & logistics; Artistic documentation; Housing and meals; Community and cultural exchange programs. Every contribution strengthens the bridge between Puerto Rico and its diaspora in California.Uplifting Latino and Caribbean heritage. Supporting cross-cultural arts education. Enriching community programming in Los Angeles. Expanding multicultural representation in the arts. Bringing international cultural knowledge directly to CA schools and communities. By supporting Plenazo Tribe, California invests in arts education, diversity, and community empowerment, values that benefit all Californians.

INVITED BAND MEMBERS 

• Gabriel J. Montes – Founder, Singer, Composer, PDC

• Emilia Moscoso Borjas – Percussionist, Composer, Music Director/Arranger

• Lu Arrospide – Dancer, Choreographer, Creative Director

• Maga Shukar – Singer, Composer, Actor

• Benjamin Shultz “Benny” – Producer, Drummer, Sound Engineer, Composer

• Levy Barlevy – Trombone

• Gabriela Bonet – Singer, Actor

• Aaron Tloti’ina – Trombone

• Andrés Elijah – Synth, Trumpet

• Karla Merencio Castellanos – Violin, Singer

• Sunny C Sehn R – Trumpet

• Jenelle Roccaforte – Bass

• Adriana González – Film Director & Documentalist

• Anant Shah – Sound Engineer, Producer

OFFICIAL LETTER FROM TALLER TOCA PLENA (ENGLISH TRANSLATION)

Dear PLENAZO TRIBE,

We greet you with great excitement as we approach our upcoming gathering. 🎉🎶
On behalf of Taller Toca Plena, organizer of the Encuentro de Saberes e Intercambio Musical, we thank you for participating in this major platform for creative artists from Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, taking place January 9–19 in Komerío, Puerto Rico.

We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected for the Rueda de Encuentros y Saberes, a space designed to facilitate valuable connections between artists and cultural producers. 🗣🤝

We kindly request support from any company, organization, university, school, or individual who may assist Plenazo Tribe with permits or financial resources to help them fulfill this commitment. We will follow up with additional details and the list of activities.

For questions, contact Juan Cruz at info@tallertocaplena.com or 📞 1-787-900-7332.

Thank you for confirming receipt and your participation.
Welcome! 🎊💫
Taller Toca Plena – Puerto Rico