28th National Cuatro Festival Puertorriqueño

Performance Run Time: Approximately 3 hours, including intermission. The Puerto Rican Arts Alliance proudly presents the 28th Annual National Cuatro Festival Puertorriqueño, celebrating this year's theme, "Nuestro Cuatro, Baile y Tradición" (Our Cuatro, Dance, and Tradition). This powerful celebration invites audiences into the spirit of Puerto Rico’s plazas, where music, and dance, come together to honor the island’s rich cultural heritage. This year’s festival will feature a special appearance by Areyto Ballet Folklórico Nacional de Puerto Rico, one of the island’s premier folkloric dance groups. Traveling from Puerto Rico with an ensemble of more than 30 dancers and musicians, El Areyto will bring the traditions of Puerto Rican folklore to life through breathtaking choreography, storytelling, and live music. Their performance will showcase the beauty, resilience, and significance of Puerto Rico’s traditional dances while celebrating the traditions that have connected generations of Puerto Ricans across the island and diaspora. The festival will also spotlight the deep-rooted traditions of jibaro music, Bomba and Plena, honoring their enduring role as expressions of Puerto Rican identity, resistance, and joy. Through movement and rhythm, audiences will experience the communal spirit that has defined Puerto Rican cultural life for centuries. At the heart of the festival remains the Puerto Rican cuatro, the island’s national instrument and the guiding voice of this annual celebration. Renowned cuatristas, including Christian Nieves, Modesto Nieves, Ricardo Villanueva, Ricky Torres and PRAA’s very own Jose Carrasquillo, alongside other distinguished musicians, will showcase the expressive beauty and versatility of the cuatro through performances that blend tradition and innovation while honoring the musical legacy that continues to unite generations. More than a concert, Nuestro Cuatro, Baile y Tradición is a celebration of Puerto Rico’s living cultural heritage and a tribute to the music, dance, customs, and stories that continue to shape our identity and strengthen the bonds between tradition, community, and future generations. About Puerto Rican Arts Alliance The Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA) is a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting Puerto Rican arts, music, and culture through education, exhibitions, performances, and community engagement. Since 1998, PRAA has empowered youth and audiences through innovative arts programming, including the Emmy Award-winning National Cuatro Festival, while inspiring cultural pride, artistic growth, and cross-cultural understanding. Visit PRAA.org to learn more.