Julia Gutierrez
Tell us about you and your work
I am a cultural worker, a dancer, a teacher, a student, an administrator, a supporter of community and cultural expression, arts and voice. I am a first generation NuyoRican and second generation Bombera and Plenera. I've been fortunate to have been raised by many elders and masters of the Bomba and Plena traditions in NYC, thanks to my father, Juan Gutiérrez, and his work through Los Pleneros de la 21. Of course, had it not been for the support of my mother, Luci Rivera, my passion and connection to working in arts and in education would never have happened. Being raised in New York and surrounded by cultural practitioners, Bomberos, Pleneros, artesanos and more, certainly influenced all of the professional and creative decisions I've made in my life. Besides dancing, teaching and performing with Los Pleneros, Redobles de Cultura (a group I helped create), I've also worked tras-bastidores in creating, producing and curating programs and events that support the continued visibility of our creative and artistic voices. Currently I curate and program manage Bomplenazo (in NYC), and work in Community Engagement and Youth Enrichment with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and the National Council for Traditional Arts. Everything I do, whether it's on the stage, behind the scenes, in the studio creating or teaching in the classroom is in service of the artistic expressions that are cemented in roots, home and familia.
What inspires you?
The expression on someone's face when they discovered something new about themselves, or have accomplished something they wanted to do. Cultural practice is a lifelong process. We are never done learning, exploring and pushing ourselves. It's always really amazing to see that "aha" expression in people's faces when things just click - it never gets old. It's especially amazing when you see elders embrace those moments of growth and realization of practices and expressions they've dedicated their lives to. We never stop learning, we never stop growing, we never stop discovering.
What does community mean to you?
Community is much more than a physically shared environment or space filled with people of similar backgrounds, shared values or experiences. It's a mutual understanding and sensibility that transcends one's neighborhood, age, and even sometimes one's own cultural background; heck it doesn't even have to be a group of hundreds or thousands of people. Sometimes your community can be as intimate and personal as 2 people. For me, it's when you can connect with someone and your mutual assumptions don't have to be translated, and you can support each other in your similarities and your differences.
Favorite film
The Godfather I.
Favorite song
This is a hard one to answer. I respond to so many different songs, depending on that moment in my life or a particular emotion, so limiting my answer to just one song is virtually impossible. I'd rather think of a song selection like a soundtrack to my life. Songs that come up immediately are Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen), A Mi Manera (El Gran Combo), Ex Factor (Lauryn Hill), Quiéreme (Los Pleneros de la 21), and on and on....
Favorite place
Far beyond a physical location, it's more of a mood. The early dawn morning hours, lilac blue coming in through the windows along with the fresh morning breeze and the birds' songs caressing one into the start of the day. Laying in an hamaca under a tin roof while a Caribbean rainfall refreshes everything around you. Sitting at the edge of the ocean, listening to the waves lull you to ease. Home..with family and loved ones...