Muevete ya: ‘American Sabor’ still serving up a lesson, moving hips at HistoryMiami

By Fernie Ruano Jr.

 

Oye mi gente: Are you in the mood for a history lesson on legendary Cuban singer Celia Cruz, while you break out with your best salsa moves in Downtown Miami before you walk over to the AmericanAirlines Arena for the Marc Anthony concert this weekend?

If so, the place to be is HistoryMiami (101 W. Flagler St., 305-375-1492), where “American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music”, a Smithsonian traveling exhibit featuring iconic artists such as Cruz, Carlos Santana and Israel “Cachao” Lopez, spotslights each artist’s influence on the American music scene and cultural impact they had on the cities they rose to stardom in.

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

Featuring a bevy of photographs and concert posters that might get your Cuban uncle to yell, “Oye, Maria 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 your abuela  can shake it to “Guantanamera” on a 15-foot dance floor, if she’s not checking out exclusive artifacts from the Celia Cruz Estate.

And if you grew to up in the 305 to black beans and 1980’s “Miami-sound”, “American Sabor” has you covered with an ample serving of nuestro Willy Chirino.  You might even find “Soy” in the working jukebox, after you’ve burned off the 750 calories from the Cuban sándwich and batido de mamey, working what your mama gave you and feeding your face silly with a Latin music history lesson with plenty of sabor.

And if that isn’t enough to get you up and dancing, 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 Saturday, October 4 at 2 p.m.

Hours of operation: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday 12-5 p.m. 

Do you want to know more about this 305-reeking, beach-bumming, Cuban food-obsessed dude? Well, then.. You can connect with Fernie @wordbyfernie (Twitter) and Fernie Ruano (Facebook). Who knows? If he really likes you, he might even give you his email.