The Celia Cruz Centennial Celebration begins Wednesday, Sept. 3, and will include four days of events in honor of Cuban musician Celia Cruz. As her 100th birthday approaches Oct. 21, Solimar Otero, director of the latino studies program, organized a multi-day celebration of her life and music. The celebration will kick off with a screening of “Fania All Stars in Africa” at the McCalla Media Gallery Wednesday at 4 p.m. It will continue with events through Saturday including live music performances, lectures and dancing.
Though not quite Cruz’s 100th birthday, Otero decided to organize the celebration at the beginning of the semester to start the school year with an opportunity to bring people together and celebrate community.
The celebration spanning four days offers many different opportunities to learn about and experience music from Cruz, including a live performance at First Thursdays in the Fine Arts Plaza from Professor Sergio Ospina-Romero, La Salsoteca, Professor Beatrice Capote and Paso a Paso. In addition to this, there will be live salsa music from La Salsoteca at the Blockhouse Bar on Friday starting at 8 p.m. and Saturday starting at 7 p.m.
There will also be opportunities to learn about Cruz through a workshop given by music scholars Frances Aparicio and Rosa Marquetti Torres Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. that requires registration. In addition to this they will be holding a lecture at the Indiana Memorial Union Georgian room on Friday at 4 p.m.
“Celia Cruz's 100th birthday is a perfect reason to celebrate because her life represents one of giving joy, even when times are hard,” Otero said.
Cruz is a Cuban-American musician referred to for many decades as the “queen of salsa” for her unique and soulful voice and style. Originally wanting to become a literature teacher, Cruz found her talent for music after she won a talent show and decided to put her studies on hold to pursue music.
She first became popular in 1950 when she joined the popular orchestra La Sonora Matancera as a replacement for lead singer Myrta Silva. She was the first Black front person to join the group since its start 25 years prior.
After the Cuban revolution, Cruz left Cuba for Mexico and then the U.S., finally settling in New Jersey. Although Cruz was slow to success, she solidified herself as a figure in the salsa scene in the ‘70s and began to collaborate with notable artists, including Johnny Pacheco and Willie Colón.
“Celia's long career was one of collaboration with musicians from all over the world,” Otero said. “She stands out because she was both so generous musically but also always unmistakenly herself through her original voice, dress and style.”
Growing up with a Cuban mother and a Puerto Rican father, Otero is no stranger to salsa music and would often listen and dance to it while doing her chores. It now feels like an homage to her childhood, and she is interested in the traditions that continue through live music and performances.
“La Vida es un Carnaval” (Life is a carnival) is one of Cruz’s most famous songs and to Otero represents the understanding that life is short and we should spread love while we can.
“It's important to celebrate Celia Cruz and her music because she inspired people to come together in community through listening and dancing,” Otero said. “We feel less alone and more connected through her voice.”
The Celia Cruz Centennial Celebration is a chance to learn about music, culture and history in an entertaining way through singing and dancing.
“Her important work as a performer and professional makes her a significant historical figure to revisit,” Otero said. “Her music brings people together from many different backgrounds and cultures to celebrate being alive.”
Editors Note: A correction was made to the headline to reflect the accurate department. The Celia Cruz celebration will be held by IU's Latino Studies department, in partnership with IU's Jacobs School of Music and the Hamilton Lugar School.
