NMPRAC Fundraising Gala with Grammy Winner & Salsa Singer Gilberto Santa Rosa & Artist Oscar Luis Martinez

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Celebrating their 2nd annual Raices: A Celebration of Our Roots gala on Sept. 24, Theย National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture (NMPRAC) pulled out all the stops.ย The atmosphere was electrifying, full of Trio music, Bomba and Plena, salsa dancers, andย a fashion show. The night was capped off with one of the best salsa bands in Chicago.ย A list of whoโ€™s who was present and enjoyed some of the best Caribbean food thisย side of Puerto Rico, coffee and quesitos. This was the backdrop for what proved to be aย memorable evening celebrating our vibrant culture.

If that wasnโ€™t enough, Ana Belaval from WGNโ€™s Around Town set the stage for the presentation of the first ever National Puerto Rican Awards called THE CEIBA. Celebratingย his birthday, the first recipient had the original vision to create a museum out of a dilapidated horse stables building, world-renowned artist Oscar Luis Martinez. NMPRAC alsoย opened his long awaited long awaited exhibit, โ€œMetamorphosis of Divine Entanglementโ€.

The second Ceiba Award recipient flew in from Puerto Rico to receive his award, โ€œElย Caballero de la Salsaโ€, Gilberto Santa Rosa. Gilberto humbled by the award, surprised theย audience when he did an acapella rendition of โ€œMi Viejo San Juanโ€.ย The Ceiba award will be given out annually to individuals who have demonstratedย their deep roots in preserving Puerto Rican arts and culture.ย The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture is open Tuesday- Friday 10am-4pm and Saturday 10am-1pm. Information: 773.486.8345, www.nmprac.org

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Photos Credit: Imelda Valencia. 2015 Ceiba Award Recipients: Oscar Luis Martinez and Gilberto Santa Rosa

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