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Dominican NYC

Dominican Americans are one of New York City’s biggest Latin communities. We are one of the Latin communities that makes New York work.

There are Dominican neighborhoods in Washington Heights/Inwood in Manhattan; around Highbridge in The Bronx; and Corona/Jackson Heights in Queens.

Dyckman St in Inwood is a fun street of Dominican restaurants and bars, especially in summer.

In the Caribbean, Cuban Dominican Puerto Rican, we are each unique but also mixed together. It’s common. It’s normal. It’s time to free ourselves from the colonial mentality and acknowledge that all Caribbeans are one people.

¡Quisqueya!

“Quisqueya” is the Taíno name for the island of Hispaniola. The Dominican Republic was the Indigenous Taíno heartland.

The National Dominican Day Parade is New York City’s big Dominican festival.

National Dominican Day Parade
Dominican Archive

“Compadre Pedro Juan, Baile el Jaleo”

Dominican Festivals in NYC

New York City’s big Dominican celebrations include the National Dominican Day Parade, the Dominican Film Festival, and the FDLA – Fashion Designers of Latin America fashion shows during NYFW – New York Fashion Week.

Dominican New York City

Washington Heights, Manhattan is one of New York City’s Dominican neighborhoods.

Dyckman Street in Inwood is very Dominican. The row of restaurants on Dyckman’s west end, anchored by Mamajuana Cafe, are really fun in summer. The community holds events at 809 Restaurant & Lounge. Bocaditos Bistro on Broadway is a great place to take your parents or a date. The best seat in the house is the couch in the back.

Dominican New Yorkers

Manahatta’s first immigrant was Juan Rodriguez, an African Portuguese who came on a Dutch ship from what is now the Dominican Republic.

Ydanis Rodriguez is a New York City Council member. Adriano Espaillat is the first member of the U.S. Congress with a Dominican heritage.

Romeo Santos and Aventura popularized urban bachata out of The Bronx. Cardi B is a real character, but she is rocking the world with her WAP. Some people are upset (because they can’t get any 😂).

Albania Rosario is an immigrant who didn’t speak English when she came to New York, but she has built Fashion Designers of Latin American (formerly Uptown Fashion Week) into a real part of Fashion Week.

Even if you are not famous, we are one of the Latin communities that makes New York City work. We are essential NYC. Muy orgulloso!

Anna Tonna

December 4, 2012 HISPANIC SOCIETY Washington Heights, NYC The opera singer sang Spanish boleros for the Duchess of Alba (Goya) a lady of Spain, who watched coyly without saying a word -¡New York Latin Culture Sponsor!

Continue Reading Anna Tonna

The Dominican World

Anacaona was a Taíno leader of her people when the Spaniards came. Enriquillo was a Taíno who fought the Spanish. Maria Olofa and Gonzalo Mandinga led the first African rebellion in the Americas on December 25, 1522.

Juan Pablo Duarte is the founding father of the Dominican Republic. Duarte with Francisco del Rosario Sanchez and Matías Ramón Mella are La Trinitaria (The Trinity) who led the independence of the Dominican Republic.

Dominican Culture

Dominican culture is Caribbean which means its relaxed and fun. The UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity recognizes these Dominican cultural traditions:

  • The Cultural Space of the Brotherhood of the Holy Spirit of the Congos of Villa Mella is an African drumming tradition syncretized with the Christian Pentecost.
  • The Cocolo Dance Drama Tradition is a syncretization of African and British cultural themes.
  • Merengue is a folk music and dance tradition from the northern Dominican Republic. It’s often played with accordions. This simple African 2/2 beat is very easy to dance. You just step back and forth and dance as close as you both dare. It is now considered the national dance of the Dominican Republic and one of the Latin dances.
  • Bachata is a popular romantic guitar music and dance. It’s a 4/4 beat danced very close with an upward hip thrust on 4. The modern version of the music was popularized by Aventura and Romeo Santos out of The Bronx. It is one of the Latin dances.

The Dominican Republic celebrates Carnival on weekends during the entire month of February. The season starts in La Vega and ends with the big Carnival in Santo Domingo Carnival.

Most towns in former colonies of the Americas also celebrate patron saint festivals. Every little town has its own traditions. There are local patron saint festivals all year long. They are not tourism lite, but are wonderful expressions of humanity.

Visit the Dominican Republic

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (Pretoperola/Dreamstime)
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (Pretoperola/Dreamstime)

The Dominican Republic is the eastern side of the Caribbean island Hispaniola. It is famous for beautiful beaches, merengue and bachata culture, and happy people. It’s the only place we’ve been where locals will just start singing in front of you. They’re not performing. They’re just happy. It’s natural. It’s Dominican Spirit!

Hispaniola was the Indigenous Taíno heartland. The Taíno called it “Quisqueya” or “mother of all lands.” The Taíno had a highly organized community structure and are remembered for their women leaders. These are both characteristics of New York City’s Dominican community.

The capital city of Santo Domingo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in 1498, it was the home of the first cathedral, hospital, customs house and university in the Americas. The town was arranged on a grid pattern which became the model for cities up and down the Americas. Even New York City’s famed street grid is a copy of Santo Domingo’s.

Merengue is a folk dance from the Northern DR. November 26 is National Merengue Day.

We are a Happy People

Dominican Republic folk dancers (Dlrz4114/Dreamstime)
Folk dancers in traditional costume in the Dominican Republic (Dlrz4114/Dreamstime)
Caribbean NYC

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