Moved by the Music: An SJCA Pop-Up Story
The South Jersey Cultural Alliance’s Performing Arts Center (PAC) Pop-Up events are a unique opportunity to blend visual arts with live performances, creating immersive cultural experiences for South Jersey audiences. These events, hosted in partnership with Stockton University Performing Arts Center, invite 5 to 6 local artists to showcase their work in the theatre’s lobby, adding a vibrant visual element to the evening’s performance. One such Pop-Up featured the electrifying Tito Puente Jr. and His Latin Jazz Ensemble.
Tania Pomales, a local artist and arts administrator with SJCA, attended—and what she walked away with was far more than just a good show. It was a moment that stirred her spirit, brought history alive, and reminded her—and all of us—why the arts matter. Here's Tania’s story, in her own words (lightly edited for grammar, but every bit hers):
“Uno, dos, tres, MAMBO!” On Saturday, April 5th, I had the opportunity to do just that at the Tito Puente Jr. and His Latin Jazz Ensemble PAC Pop-Up event in conjunction with the Stockton Performing Arts Center.
At this particular PAC Pop-Up, I had the absolute delight of being able to watch Tito Puente Jr.’s performance in its entirety, and it was truly a phenomenal experience. Participating PAC Pop-Up artists also had a chance to watch the show, and it was so nice to see them having a great time. Before the event even began, Tito Puente Jr. walked up to our SJCA table to introduce himself and talk about how excited he was to be there. He said, “There is no dance floor!” and I joked that it didn't matter because I had my "dancing boots" and pointed to my shoes. He turned to the photographer and said, "See, she's ready. She's here to have a good time!" Little did he know what was in store for me that day…
I had orchestra seats. Row D. Seat 8. This was a prime spot for anyone who wanted to sit and enjoy the show. But see, that's the problem for me. I hear the mambo and the guaguancó, and I can't sit down. Immediately, my feet were tapping, shoulders swaying… Shortly after, Tito said to the crowd, "We may not have a dance floor here, but I encourage you to stand up and dance, or go to the side areas and enjoy the show!"
So, I said to myself, “How weird would it be if I just got up, went over to this little side area, and just danced? Alone? In a room full of people sitting? Seriously though, how are they just sitting?!
Could I do it without feeling ridiculous? Would that be absurd? Oh, whatever! I have to try!”
And so I tried. I looked around and saw no one else dancing, freaked out, and for a second I almost decided to sit back down. I kept fidgeting with my sweater sleeves and my hair because it was hot in there, and I was feeling nervous. Yet, I said, “Nah! With your whole self… Honor that you are here dancing, and DANCE! The worst that could happen is you end up being a joke on a random social media page, and life is too short for that to matter! The music is too good! This is truly a special moment.”
Soon enough, a lady came by and said, “I’m gonna stay with you for a bit! This is way more fun!” Then, another happy patron excitedly shouted, “LET’S DANCE!,” grabbed my hands, and danced the classic “Oye Como Va” with me. One of the ushers stood near us, too, enjoying the moment. A woman seated in the accessibility area next to us was watching all of us with a grin from ear to ear, turning back and forth from watching the spectacular musical performance to seeing us all have a wonderful time, just “vibin'” as they say.
Well… apparently everyone else saw me dancing! As they were being ushered out of the theatre after the performance, so many people stopped to say, “Was that YOU dancing the whole time?! I saw you! Oh my goodness, you were so good! You were having so much fun!”
I was. I was “in it to win it.” I was in it to feel it. And I was in it to force myself to choose joy fully... rather than in crumbs... To take up space doing something I really love (I think if I weren't a painter, I'd be a dancer), and to honor myself physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually.
We celebrated the magic within this amazing event and within the dedication that the Stockton PAC has for bringing a diverse array of musical talent and engaging performances to enrich this South Jersey community. Tito Puente Jr. and His Latin Jazz Ensemble brought history, legacy, mambo, and more to the PAC that night, showing patrons exclusive footage of a documentary he and his team are working on that covers the life and legacy of his father, Tito Puente, affectionately known as “El Rey de los Timbales.” We were also treated to showcases of the various instruments in his ensemble as the musicians did solos on the congas, the timbales, the bass, the saxophone, and more. In between these solos, Puente Jr. gave us a vibrant history lesson on the Afro-Caribbean roots of these luscious rhythms.
There was an important lesson wrapped up in the festive air of the night, though, and it is that in these moments where the world feels uncertain but life must go on, it is imperative to choose joy whenever possible in your life. These are times when we, as humans, come face to face with the concept of duality as we hold both sorrows and triumphs in the palms of our hands, courageously moving forward with whatever fortitude we can muster within. This is the time when joy combined with experiencing the arts becomes vital sustenance, like a tall glass of crystalline water on a blazing summer day.
And so I leave you with this—a reminder of what that night cemented in my spirit, and what the love in Tito Puente Jr.’s dedication to his music inspired me to feel once more:
Whenever possible, choose the joyous thing.
Wherever possible, engage with the arts.
However possible, learn from the arts… and let the arts fill your cup with humanity.
Your life will improve exponentially as your compassion for the human experience flourishes. Most importantly, take a leap of faith in the direction of living your life to the fullest. You never know where your dancing shoes may go!
—Tania Pomales
Are you feeling moved by the music too?
Support local arts and culture by attending events at your local theatre, arts center, or historical site—and by showing up for the artists in your community.
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Let’s keep choosing joy—together!
