Plena Libre June 15, 2011

Drawing from both ancient and modern sources, Plena Libre exploded out of Puerto Rico in the mid-1990s with an innovative and irresistible approach to traditional plena, a local musical style based in African rhythms. The 13-member ensemble -- which also stirs salsa, samba, merengue, cumbia and bomba into the sonic stew -- has performed at several international music festivals, where their multi-layered percussion, funky horn work, impassioned vocals and wild choreography take the audiences into uncharted territory.