March 4-8
Merengue (2:05) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcPHaV3p6S4) Merengue was declared by UNESCO to be tangible cultural heritage of the Dominican Republic in 2016. It is very popular in Puerto Rico too, which is why you hear PR referenced in the song being danced to.
Bachata Music and Dance (3:19) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCxEJhk0G4g) Bachata music and dance is incredibly popular in the Dominican Republic. Here are some talented folk street dancing.
Street Music and Instruments (0:30) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yswsP3vmPbQ) I went looking for the DR instrument Güira and found this street performance with three traditional instruments in the Dominican Republic-güira, tambora drum and accordion.
Congos de Villa Mella (5:23) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeC3XiaJHBw&list=PLPUQhVY2a9KWRVLnKA3VWshZg6AzclvtV&index=7) This is a 300 year old Association celebrating African cultural roots and heritage in the Dominican Republic deemed in 2008 by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Drum and rhythm-centred music is played by the group at festivals. It is a melding of music, dance and festivity.
March 11-15
This Week's Music Around the World-Traditional and Contemporary Music-Croatia
Klapa Singing (2:51) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnb7G-revKc) Klapa is on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List and is the a-capella singing done by males in Croatia's Dalmatian Coast area. Bonus here is they're singing in Diocletian's Palace-a 1700 year old Roman ruin in Croatia.
Tambrica (Instrument) and Tamburitza Music (1:16) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-Y2FplAvBs) Tamburica is the Croatian instrument that's reminiscent of the Russian balalaika and Ukrainian bandora. There is a whole style of music related to the instrument, popular in Croatia. I found lots of performances of expat groups in Canada and even the US, but here's a community performance in Split, Croatia. The Tamburica or Tambura is Croatia's national string instrument.
Folk Music and Dance-Outside Dubrovnik (0:46) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbtjoJbFG_Y) Here is a little traditional costume, music and dance from Croatia.
Riva-Rock Me (2:57) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1glDWFMK_0) The band Riva which was Croatian won Eurovision in 1989 with this song. At the time Croatia was part of Yugoslavia. This is pure cheese and I couldn't resist. It is from 35 years ago!