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Biography Ricardo Urena – Cultural activist! born  san carlos Dominican Republic  june 14 1959'''

With a BA in History and Anthropology from Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo Ricardo Urena is at present writing his book on Dominican culture in New York, USA. Born in the neighborhood of San Carlos, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Ricardo Ureña dedicated his adolescent years to sports and cultural activities. He had an outstanding participation in the XII Central American and Caribbean Games held in the Dominican capital city in February 1974 as a dancer with the Folklore ensemble which performed the opening and closing the event. At the age of 16 he was chosen to lead the Association of Community organizations of the National District in light of his engagement as founding member of his neighborhood Association of San Carlos.

Towards strengthening his knowledge in the folk area in late 1974 Ricardo joined the Folk Academy of pioneer Professor René Carrasco thus becoming part of Carrasco’s Folklore Ballet theater. In 1977 he participated in the IV National Folk Festival in Barquisimeto Venezuela. In 1980 Ricardo worked as Folk dance instructor at Politécnica María de la Altagracia in the neighborhood of Villa Duarte, an educational institution led by Sisters of Charity of Cardinal Sancha. Also in that year, along with other fellow folklorist Ricardo is among the founding group of the René Carrasco National Dance Academy in the ruins of San Francisco, named after the acclaimed professor and pioneer of Dominican folk dance.

In 1986 Ricardo was part of the technical support team of the cultural delegation of the Federation of Art and Culture for Central American Games for Santiago RD 86. In 1987 Ricardo participated in the Latin American Culture Conference in Brazil as presenter about Dominican culture and instructor for workshops on Merengue, Bachata and other Dominican afro rhythms, creating great excitement in participants.

In late 1988 Ricardo Ureña moved to the city of New York, and decided to organize a meeting with other dancers of traditional music to work in depth the different aspects of Dominican culture. In 1990, together with several fellow artists Ricardo founded the Folk dance ensemble BATEY, which has dedicated to present music and traditional dances from the Dominican Republic. He also has focused on organizing workshops and conferences on the African cultural heritage in Dominican culture in schools and community organizations in the tri state area.

In 1991 Ricardo worked for La Plaza at Alianza Dominicana Inc. in Northern Manhattan, where he created the first folk group of this community-based organization. He also organized numerous patriotic and cultural activities there.

In 1994 Ricardo organized the Traditional Dominican Dance ensemble for the Charitable and Cultural Association Father Billini in Queens, where he worked as instructor and director for nearly two decades. Also in 1994 Ricardo organized El Maní for the Caribbean Cultural Center, a show case of popular religiosity in Dominican Republic. He was also hired by the institution to deliver workshops on Afro-Dominican music and dance in public schools in New York City.

Along with Professor Martha Ellen Davis Ricardo Ureña organized the event Llegó La Virgen in 1995, sponsored by the Ethnic Art Center and Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture, an event based on the traditions of salves and Palos of Villa Mella, Dominican Republic. In 1996 he was part of the group of activists who organized and started off the first festival of traditional Dominican culture in the United States Quisqueya on the Hudson.1997 Ricardo participated in the SOS Festival in Barcelona, Spain and arranged a performance for the Dominican Association in Cataluña, Spain.

In 2000 Ricardo joined the organizing committee for Carnaval del Boulevard in Northern Manhattan. In 2005 he was afro-Dominican dance instructor for Culturarte. In 2006 he was dance instructor at Park Theatre en Unión City NJ.

Ricardo Urena is a founding member of Bohemia Arte Vivo and the Honest Dialogue movement of the Bronx Council on the Arts. He has participated in several shows and cultural events such as Dominican Roots, Quijombo, Batey Macorix, as well as outstanding participation in several videos like Fulanito’s Guayando, Aventura’s Su Veneno, and the film Alejo Bachata.

With a long history of involvement and organizing in Dominican parades in the tri state area Ricardo Ureña also worked as Community and Tenant Organizer for about 14 years for the Community Association of Progressive Dominicans ACDP in Northern Manhattan. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ricardo urena (talk • contribs) 20:08, 12 April 2019 (UTC)