Residents celebrate Parranda in Melrose
With Christmas only a few days away, Puerto Rican Bronx residents came together to celebrate the popular holiday tradition of Parranda. The Bronx Music Heritage Center hosted the event. They say Parranda
News 12 Staff
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Dec 22, 2016, 8:04 AM
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Updated 2,689 days ago
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With Christmas only a few days away, Puerto Rican Bronx residents came together to celebrate the popular holiday tradition of Parranda.
The Bronx Music Heritage Center hosted the event. They say Parranda is similar to Christmas caroling, but they play music to the sound of the pandereta drum.
"Parranda is Christmas caroling, but what it is, is the tradition that we use in Puerto Rico to go around to people's houses to give them the gift of music," says musician Jorge Vazquez.
Dozens of residents came out in the Melrose section of the Bronx as they walked down the street singing and playing instruments at the Community Gardens.
Wednesday night's event began with a ceremonial tree lighting. Afterward, musicians gathered in a circle with instruments like tambourines, maracas, and guiros while others danced.
