December 11-17, 2003

mixpicks

Fifth Annual Traditional Puerto Rican Parrandas

Puerto Rican festivities are usually pretty rambunctious, most of all around Christmas time. One of the first signs of the impending season is the arrival of trullas -- carol singers, essentially, but with so much more going for them. For one: rhythm. Showing up at the houses of friends, they'll carry Puerto Rican instruments such as cuatros, guiros and maracas, and perform aguinaldos, classic Christmas carols. Plus, as their alternative name, parranderos (meaning "revelers") implies, they'll sing, shout and generally carry on until they're admitted to each house for food, drink and merriment.

This year's Puerto Rican Parrandas, planned by Taller Puertorrique–o with AMLA, promises to capture all the fun, and none of the cheesiness, of traditional carolers. This Thursday, prepare your vocal chords with a Parrandas rehearsal, with Los Pleneros del Batey and friends; Friday sees the main event, "Parranda Navide–a," kick off, visiting homes in Center City and stirring up some goodwill. Finally, on Saturday, the Parrandas works its way around the neighborhood of Fifth and Lehigh, making stops at Ra’ces Culturales Latinoamericanas, El Boh’o restaurant and Centro Musical.

Fifth Annual Traditional Puerto Rican Parrandas, Thu.-Sat., Dec. 11-13, $5 suggested donation, various venues. For more information, visit Taller Puertorriqueño, Fifth St. and Lehigh Ave., 215-426-3311, www.tallerpr.org.

—Juliet Fletcher