Latin music exhibit, ‘American Sabor’ spices up HistoryMiami

By Fernie Ruano Jr.

 

 Oye mi gente: Se formó tremendo rumbón at HistoryMiami (101 W. Flagler St., 305-375-1492), adonde “American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music”, a Smithsonian traveling exhibit featuring iconic artists such as Celia Cruz, Carlos Santana and Israel “Cachao” Lopez, spotlights each artist’s influence on the American music scene and the cultural impact they had on the cities they rose to stardom from.

Celia Cruz: 'American Sabor' features plenty of the late singer's artifacts.

 

  Featuring a bevy of photographs and concert posters that might get your abuelita to yell, “Hay Juanito te recuerdas cuando íbamos a Guanabacoa a bailar?”, “American Sabor”, created by the EMP Museum and the University of Washington, covers everything from cha cha cha to reggaetón in it’s glimpse into the work of Desi Arnaz, Selena and Daddy Yankee.

 

  With the focus on five cities – New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Antonio and Miami – the exhibit includes guided listening stations, so abuelito  can groove to “Santa Isabel de las Lajas” on a 15-foot dance floor, if he’s not busy checking out exclusive artifacts from the Celia Cruz Estate.

 

And if you grew up in the 305 to the 1980’s Miami-sound, “American Sabor” has you covered with an ample serving of nuestro Willy Chirino.  You might even find “Oxigeno” in the working jukebox, after you’ve burned off the soles of your dancing shoes and  indulged in a Latin music history lesson with plenty of sabor.

 

Oh, and before you leave the house with abuelo and abuelita tell your 14-year-old to think about abandoning the Play Station and heading over to HistoryMiami on Sept. 6  for a salsa competition open to dancers age 13-17. The winners will receive $10,000 worth of scholarships from the Ford Motor Company.  

 

Quieres más? Latin Music and Miami, a free panel discussion featuring percussionist Tito Puente Jr.,  ‘Miami Sound’ innovator Carlos Oliva and songwriter Jorge Luis Piloto, will explore the history and impact of Latin music in South Florida on October 4 at 2 p.m. Hours of operation: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday 12-5 p.m.