Omar and Roselyn Fernandez of Weehawken were riding their bikes along Port Imperial Road on Wednesday when the sound of the clave stopped them in their tracks.
The clave, taken from the Spanish word meaning “key” or “code,” is the rhythmic backbone of Latin music and was a “key” element in a waterfront performance on Aug. 11 by the eclectic musical and dance group RumbaTap.
The performance, part of the Summer Concerts on the Hudson series presented by Hudson River Performing Arts Center (HRPAC) near Lincoln Harbor, was a meld of Afro-Cuban music and dance, American jazz, body percussion, and tap dance.
Throughout the summer, the annual series, sponsored in part by the Hudson Reporter, brings free concerts every two weeks to the Weehawken waterfront. One more concert remains in the lineup this year.
“It’s good for the neighborhood and good for the area.” – Dan Nichols
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They weren’t the only ones.
Joi Haynes of Weehawken attended for the first time with her 4-year-old daughter Alexa, who put on a show of her own for the surrounding crowd with her dance moves.
“We’ve been meaning to come for a very long time,” said Haynes, who said she couldn’t come before because she used to work on Wednesdays. “We were able to come this time and we’re glad we did.”
Smiles and song
The throngs of people scattered around the lawn on Wednesday came from different places, from Weehawken to Cliffside Park. Some simply brought a chair to kick back in and relax, and others brought a complete picnic dinner.
But all had one thing in common – huge smiles as they clapped along with the tapping rhythms emanating from the stage.
The performance, led by award-winning dancer/choreographer and tap master Max Pollak, was full of energy and emotion. The vibrant energy of the dancers obviously had an effect on the crowd.
RumbaTap, a dance company created by Pollak, has toured throughout Europe, Japan, Cuba, and the United States, recently bringing its diverse performance to a capacity crowd at New York City’s Central Park SummerStage.
Dan Nichols and his wife are very familiar with the unique kinds of entertainment that HRPAC brings to the waterfront. The Nicholses live in the nearby condominiums at Riva Pointe and come over to the shows whenever they’re able.
“It’s very good, entertaining,” said Dan Nichols. “It’s good for the neighborhood and good for the area.”
“There’s a great variety,” his wife, Marilyn, added. “They have something for everybody.”
Furthering Hudson County arts
HRPAC is a non-profit organization that presents performances throughout the year to further the arts in Hudson County. The group ultimately hopes to build a new county arts center on the waterfront.
The final concert in this summer’s series will be on Aug. 25 featuring the Danielia Cotton Band. For more information about HRPAC or the upcoming Aug. 25 show, call (201) 716-4540 or visit HRPAC’s website: www.hrpac.org.
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.