Merengue

Merengue: 2 upcoming festivals, including 2 with tickets on sale.

Merengue is an energetic, upbeat genre characterized by its driving, syncopated rhythm, often featuring accordion, güira, tambora, and bass, creating an infectious, danceable sound. Originating in the Cibao region of the Dominican Republic around 1800, its precise historical roots are debated, possibly stemming from the "upa habanera" dance or the "mangulina" rhythm, and it is also popular in Puerto Rico. Iconic artists like Juan Luis Guerra and Wilfrido Vargas are synonymous with the genre's global appeal. Merengue's cultural significance was recognized in 2016 when it was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.