La Rumba in La Peña

Free is good - at least that's what I discovered today. Using one of my handy "different guides" (this time, the SF Chron Pink Section), I stumbled upon a listing for a free event, "Cafe Rumba" at La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley, CA. According to the La Peña Web site, "La Peña is a vibrant community cultural center with a national reputation and a global vision that promotes peace, social justice and cultural understanding through the arts, education and social action." It is that - welcoming, diverse, and very Berkeley.

I arrived at about 3:45, with the musicians already working out their Afro-Cuban songs. Musicians entered and exited the tiny "stage" during the long, rhythmic chants, which had the crowd of around 60 people tapping their tables and clapping with the clave. At times I had a sense of being in a Native American ceremony, with a lot of call & response and chanting. However, contrary to my Saturday experience, I felt welcomed, even though I went it alone. I struck up a conversation with my table-mate to discover that this is an on-going event and that I need to check the Web site as there are many other wonderful events at the center, as well a food and beverages.

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that after living in the Bay Area almost my entire life and in the East Bay since 1989, I had never been in La Peña. I'm intrigued to check out the other events at the center and look forward to being a supporter.

• Life Changing: 2 (enjoyable, but no risk)
• Fun: 3 (would be more fun with friends)
• Easy to implement: 1 (super easy)
• Worthy of repetition: 4 (yep, even by myself)
• Try This: 4 (try this)
• Cost: 1 (dirt cheap)