Los Pleneros de la 21

Los Pleneros de la 21 LP21, based in NYC, is the premier music group of Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba and Plena music in the U.S.

Founded in 1983 by National Heritage Fellow, Juan Gutiérrez, LOS PLENEROS DE LA 21 (LP21) is an East Harlem traditional performing arts nonprofit organization created to foster awareness & appreciation of Puerto Rican traditional expressions–particularly those of African descent: Bomba & Plena–as indispensable to a healthy community life. LP21 accomplishes its objectives through a unique model whi

ch combines both community programming and widespread international touring efforts, that has allowed them to remain at the forefront of creating accessible cultural programming, and pioneer the performance practice and education on Puerto Rican traditional arts and Bomba and Plena and inspiring over three generations of cultural organizations and traditional arts practitioners. Since inception, LP21 has toured in more than 200+ cities internationally and has brought Bomba and Plena to tens of thousands locally and worldwide, inspiring countless musicians, traditional arts practitioners, and ensuring the permanence of Puerto Rican traditions and a strong community voice in cultural arts for generations to come. LP21's community activities are best described through the “Puerto Rican Music Project” (PRMP), a concept which combines both community programming and widespread international touring efforts in a variety of programs, concerts and educational initiatives for audiences in NY and worldwide. These programs, offered year-long, are organized under three objectives:

a) Local/Touring Residency Project
b) Bomba & Plena for All - Educating through the Arts Initiatives
c) Cultural Legacy Initiatives - Celebrating the Voices of our Communities. LP21’s ensembles have always included inter-generational groups of professional musicians, fervent researchers and cultural workers. Today, with members ranging from 18 to 70 years old, we continue to embody the essence of transmitting oral and community practices–bridging elders & emerging practitioners in a single family; honoring the legacies of our founding members and welcoming to our platforms alumni of the Bomba & Plena Community Workshops and sons & daughters of versed traditional artists- bringing a resurgence of creative/administrative energies. Together we create our distinct sound, inspiring appeal and infectious performances, maintaining a standard in Bomba/Plena practition and inspiring countless emerging artists nationwide. The LP21 Familia/Musical ensemble is
Juan Gutierrez (Founder/Director)
Camilo Molina Gaetan (Percussion, Vocals, Musical Director)
Julia Gutierrez-Rivera (minor percussion, dance, Booking Manager)
Nelson Matthew Gonzalez (Percussion, dance)
Nicholas Caja Dura Laboy (Percussion)
Flaco Navaja (vocals)
Karenly Nieves (vocals)
Gabo Lugo (percussion)
Ivan Renta (Reeds)
Hommy Ramos (Trombone)
Zaccai Curtis (Piano)
Alex Apolo Ayala (Bass)

📣This Saturday the Por La Plena y Otros Asuntos tour returns to NYC! ❤️💛🩵Join la familia de la 21 for a weekend celebrat...
06/01/2026

📣This Saturday the Por La Plena y Otros Asuntos tour returns to NYC! ❤️💛🩵

Join la familia de la 21 for a weekend celebrating the spirit of La Plena alongside fellow Pleneros y Bomberos de Puerto Rico, whose artistry and presence bring this tradition to life.

It doesn’t end there…

On Sunday, join us for a special Plenazo y tributo al gran plenero, nuestro querido Joseito Rivera, as we honor his life and legacy.

🎤:Concierto: Por La Plena y Otros Asuntos
📆: June 6, 2026
🕑: 8:00PM (doors open at 7:30PM)
📍: Bronx Music Hall (438 E. 163rd Street, Bronx, NY)
🎟️: $25 per ticket. Click the link below 🔗👇🏽
https://bronxmusichall.org/

🎶: Plenazo y Tributo a Jose Rivera
📆: June 7, 2026
🕑: 2:30PM
📍: La Casita de Chema (749 Brook Avenue, Bronx, NY)
🎟️: FREE!

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our partners the Bronx Music Hall and La Casita de Chema .casita.de.chema for helping make this weekend possible.

The Por La Plena y Otros Asuntos tour is supported in large part by the Mid Atlantic Arts ArtsCONNECT, New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, the Offices of NYC District 8 Council Members Elsie Encarnación, and other supporters.

Coming up in June...TWO incredible sessions of Un Paso Alante!JUNE 4 - El lenguaje de la Plena: Cadencia, Estructura, y ...
05/16/2026

Coming up in June...TWO incredible sessions of Un Paso Alante!

JUNE 4 - El lenguaje de la Plena: Cadencia, Estructura, y Memoria Cantada con Víctor Vélez

Join us for an evening with Master Plenero Víctor Vélez, joining us from Puerto Rico, as we take a journey into the language of La Plena. Dive into lyrical structure, cadence, the art of storytelling, and the collective memory carried so beautifully through plena's song.

JUNE 17 - Tamboreando con Bony Benavides

Join us for an evening with percussionist and cultural practitioner Bony Benavides as we explore bomba through its living connections to other Afro-Latine rhythmic traditions. Through this unique lens, participants will engage in a more profound exploration of the rhythmic language of bomba, deepening their understanding of musical conversation and the role of the drum as both foundation and voice.

FOR BOTH SESSIONS - Time: 6:00 PM–7:30 PM | Location: Julia de Burgos Cultural Center

$25 per class | $45 for both sessions
Space limited, pre-registration highly encouraged

Registration and info at: www.losplenerosdela21.org/upa

The Un Paso Alante series is made possible in part by public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with City Council, the New York State Council on the Arts, The Rooted and Relational Community Grant made possibly by the Centro for Puerto Rican Studies and Michigan State University, and Sirius XM.

Los Pleneros de la 21 is excited to announce a special 3-city tour celebrating la plena and our latest album Por La Plen...
05/13/2026

Los Pleneros de la 21 is excited to announce a special 3-city tour celebrating la plena and our latest album Por La Plena y Otros Asuntos. Joining us in each city are fellow pleneros and bomberos from Puerto Rico, to truly highlight the spirit of La Plena and the album. Visit the following pages for full information on each city engagement:

Brunswick, Maryland
May 29, 7pm | Concert at Smoketown
May 30, 1pm | Bomba dance workshop
May 30, 2pm | Plena percussion workshop
May 30, 12pm | Puerto Rico in Maryland Festival
with Cultura Plenera: https://www.facebook.com/CulturaPlenera/events

NYC, NY
June 4, 6pm | Un Paso Alante with Víctor Vélez (an LP21 event)
June 6, 8pm | Concert at Bronx Music Hall
June 7, 12pm - 3pm | Plenazo celebration at La Casita de Chema
with Bronx Music Hall https://bronxmusichall.org/ https://www.losplenerosdela21.org/upcoming-events

Santurce, Puerto Rico
June 20 | Concert at Tito Matos Fest
June 21 | Recorrido de la Plena
with La Casa de la Plena Tito Matos & Taller Comunidad La Goyco: https://lacasadelaplena.org/en/home https://www.lagoyco.org/

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The Por La Plena y Otros Asuntos tour is supported in large part by Mid Atlantic Arts’ ArtsCONNECT, New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, the Offices of NYC District 8 Council Member Elsie Encarnación, and other supporters.

Los Pleneros de la 21 proudly presentLas Fiestas de Cruz: 40ta aniversarioMay 16, 2026, 7pmThe People’s Church 163 East ...
05/03/2026

Los Pleneros de la 21 proudly present
Las Fiestas de Cruz: 40ta aniversario

May 16, 2026, 7pm
The People’s Church
163 East 111th Street | El Barrio, NYC
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¡Mayo Florido ha llegado!

Come join Los Pleneros de la 21 as we celebrate a very special 40th Anniversary of Las Fiestas de Cruz, a beloved 200+ year old Puerto Rican tradition that captures the strength of family heritage and community through song, spirit and chanted rosaries.
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This year, in recognition to elders and vanguards of the Fiesta de Cruz traditions, we invite you to join us at 5PM with frituras and light refreshments at Villa Santurce Community Garden (111th st & Park Avenue) as we honor the late Olga Costoso. A devoted steward of the Fiesta de Cruz, Olga created a sacred space in El Barrio for community, bomberes and pleneres. At 6:30pm, and following a welcoming and altar recognition at the garden, a procession will depart Villa Santurce towards The People’s Church. All are welcomed to join and ensure the sounds of plena echo through El Barrio and to kick off Las Fiestas de Cruz.
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Cost: Free (Donations appreciated)
* Music * Community * Familia * Tradición *
(Light food and beverages available for purchase)
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This program is part of LP21's Cultural Legacy Initiative, made possible with funding from New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and generous contributions from individuals like you!



Por ahí viene y por allá vamos
04/28/2026

Por ahí viene y por allá vamos

Por ahí viene el V Tito Matos Fest. Del 19 al 21 de junio celebramos el legado de Tito y la tradición plenera de la ciudad de Nueva York en La Goyco. Tendremos exhibiciones, conciertos, conversatorios, recorridos, talleres y plenazos. Con Jonathan Suazo, Los Pleneros de la 21 y Viento de Agua No te lo pierdas!!!

04/19/2026

Anoche en Albany, en una conferencia de liderato para estudiantes latinos de escuela superior. 👊🏽🇵🇷

Maryland, get ready 🫵Los Pleneros de la 21 is coming through with the full force of Afro‑Puerto Rican rhythm 🇵🇷🎶 A pow...
04/08/2026

Maryland, get ready 🫵

Los Pleneros de la 21 is coming through with the full force of Afro‑Puerto Rican rhythm 🇵🇷🎶

A powerful celebration of culture, music, and community.

Don’t miss it!

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New York, NY
10029

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+12124275221

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