WHO WE ARE

Spontaneous Celebrations is run by an active and committed staff, board, and volunteer team composed of community residents, students, artists, parents, business-people, activists, and organizers who reflect the diversity of the surrounding communities.

Key Staff

 

De’En Tarkpor

Administrative Director, is responsible for, surprisingly enough, the administration and operation of Spontaneous Celebrations' facility, events, and programs. De'En started in October 2015 as the Financial Assistant and is now mastering the unique procedures and structures of this wonderful place. She has over 15+ years in the Finance & Administration field.

Gerry Lake

Our Bookkeeper, grew up in Boston and holds two degrees from Boston College including a BA in Accounting and an MBA. He has over twenty years experience in accounting and financial positions, mostly in financial services. Over the last few years, Gerry has done a lot of work for non-profits including Community Works and Spontaneous Celebrations. He also serves on the board of the Cooperative Artists Institute.

 
 

Spontaneous’s Board of Directors

Want to get in touch with the board? Send us an email here.

Paula Cantor

Paula has been a teacher for over 25 years, 14 of those in Jamaica Plain. She is currently a member of the Programming Committee and has been involved with Spontaneous since 1996. Paula has been involved with planning and volunteering for Lantern Parade and Wake Up the Earth for many years.

Kalamu Kieta

Kalamu Kieta has been involved with Spontaneous Celebrations for a number of years as a volunteer and board member. Having lived in Roxbury his entire life, he strives to reconnect with the diverse roots of Spontaneous and maintain healthy and productive relationships with community members. He views Spontaneous as a place of wonder and creative potential. Creating a community of like-minded individuals that work towards the common good.

A versatile artist, Kalamu has experience in detailed drawings, paintings, sculptures, wood carvings, installations, and mixed media. Through his art, he seeks to engage the viewer in an ongoing equilibrium that reflects the ebbs and flows of everyday life.

Linda Muir-Robinson

Linda Muir-Robinson is an accountant with a Newton-based foundation and has assisted Spontaneous with financial record-keeping for many years.

Marieke Rosenbaum

Marieke Rosenbaum is a long-time Spontaneous Celebrations volunteer/participant and Jamaica Plain resident. Daughter to co-founder Femke Rosenbaum, Marieke was raised participating in Spontaneous’ festival arts programming – from stilts to lanterns to fundraising to community meals. She has been working in public health program and research implementation locally in Boston and globally in Peru and East Africa since 2005.

Zafiro Patiño

Zafiro Patino, a visionary co-founder of Spontaneous Celebrations, has dedicated her life to creating impactful connections between art, culture, and community activism. Born in Argentina in 1961, Zafiro’s journey led her to the city of Boston in 1983, where her passion for social change and creative expression would find its purpose.

Rosalba Solis

As a co-founder of Spontaneous Celebrations Rosalba’s involvement goes back to the beginning. She retired from Boston Public Schools in 2019 as a Performing Arts Bilingual Teacher, and throughout those years she brought her skills, expertise and connections to SC as a volunteer.  She organized a fundraiser for the JP Arts Center in 1991, co-founded the Lantern Parade, directed the SC Festival Arts Program in middle schools in 1994, directed the La Pinata and SC collaboration involving 100 children in the First Night parade, and led the SC/La Pinata 5-year collaboration with Forest Hills Cemetery bringing Mayan elders to run the Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos ceremony. 

Danielle Sommer Kieta

Danielle Sommer Kieta is an affordable housing consultant and small business owner.  She is a life-long resident and participant in the JP/Roxbury community and a graduate of Boston Public Schools and Bowdoin College. In the years since graduating, she has dedicated her time and career to community, including Spontaneous Celebrations where she  has worn many hats, from staff member and program creator, to volunteer. She believes it’s important that Spontaneous continue to represent and reflect the diversity of our neighborhoods and is happy to help serve as an advocate for art and community in Jamaica Plain and Roxbury.

Roberto Chao

Born in Uruguay, Roberto studied art in the School of Art of Montevideo.  He left the oppression of the military junta of his country in 1970, to explore Europe to not return. He finished a B. of Art from Puerto Rico and a M. of Art from Mexico City. He arrived at The Piano Factory, South End, in 1984. His two children were born there.  Twenty two years teaching art at the public schools of Boston and beyond. Creating community art programing every year since 1985, he has practically worked at every community non-profit at the Boston area. Many City, State and non-profits grants and art awards, art shows and performances.  JP resident since 1999.