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Pinecrest Gardens, in partnership with the Celia Cruz Estate, is presenting the Celia Cruz Centennial Celebration, the first tribute commemorating the 100th anniversary of Cruz’s birth.
The unique event features a historic exhibition, open through Feb. 2, and live concert performances on Jan. 31, Feb. 1 and 2, headlined by international recording artist Lucrecia with Celia Cruz All Stars.
“It is because of the Village of Pinecrest and other supporters that this centennial celebration is made possible,” said Pinecrest Mayor Joseph Corradino.
“We are honored to host this extraordinary event in our village and celebrate the legacy of Celia Cruz, who continues to inspire generations through her music and spirit,” the mayor added.
“Through this partnership, we’re thrilled to offer South Florida audiences a glimpse into her unparalleled legacy, featuring some of her most beloved works and personal artifacts. It’s a fitting tribute to a woman who gave the world so much joy and whose music still resonates within our community,” said Cristina Blanco, Pinecrest Gardens executive director.
Celia Cruz was born in 1925 in Havana, Cuba. She rose from an impoverished childhood to become an international superstar. She passed away on July 16, 2003, at the age of 77 in Fort Lee, NJ.
As the world prepares to celebrate the singer’s centennial – Cruz’s image graces a U.S. Mint Quarter released in the fall of 2024 – Pinecrest Gardens will honor Celia’s “golden years” with La Sonora Matancera. This period from 1950 to 1965 includes the glitz and glamour of Havana’s famed nightlife and Cruz’s success as an Afro-Cuban woman in a male-dominated music industry.
Why Pinecrest Gardens?
The Village of Pinecrest and Pinecrest Gardens, formerly known as Parrot Jungle, hold a special place in the heart of Celia Cruz’s legacy. Known for its lush landscapes and rich cultural heritage, Celia had a deep affection for this destination, having visited several times. Pinecrest Gardens serves as a fitting backdrop to honor her life and contributions to music.
“This exhibition marks the first event for the Celia Cruz Centennial Celebration, and the Village of Pinecrest and Pinecrest Gardens will be the host because it’s a city that Celia loved. She was in this venue a couple of times, doing photo shoots,” said Omer Pardillo-Cid, Celia Cruz Estate executor. “When people come to this exhibit, they’re going to see an intimate Celia setting, a replica of her sequin dress, original documents including her birth certificate, shoes she started wearing in the ’60s that were very unique, and beautiful images of Celia.”
Centennial Exhibition: Celia Cruz’s Golden Years with La Sonora Matancera
Visitors to Pinecrest Gardens will have the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of Celia Cruz through an exquisite collection of historic photos, personal documents, archival video, costumes (including her custom-made platform high heels), and other memorabilia. Curated by Cristina Blanco and Omer Pardillo-Cid, the exhibit showcases the singer’s life in Cuba, focusing on her years as La Sonora Matancera’s lead singer.
Among the exhibit’s many highlights: the blue dress with “rumbera” style sleeves, a calf-length cotton dress with white stitching that Celia wore in performances at famed Sans Souci and Tropicana nightclubs.
Historic photographs include Celia as a child during her first communion, Celia performing on stage alongside legendary Cuban entertainers Benny Moré, Rolando Laserie, and Celeste Mendoza, and waiting to board a flight in Havana on July 15, 1960, for a gig in Mexico. Cruz was in Mexico during the Castro takeover and never returned to her homeland.
In curating the exhibit, Blanco drew on her love for traditional Cuban music, inherited from her father, a 1950s radio announcer in Cuba. After reading a Celia Cruz biography, she worked closely with the Cruz Estate to identify and track down special items to include in the exhibit, borrowing them from private homes and collections. One of her favorites is a 1959 Bohemia magazine cover featuring Celia’s portrait created by famed Cuban caricaturist Juan David.
“Curating this exhibition is very personal to me. It brought to life the stories of music artists and the glamour and splendor of an unrepeatable era,” Blanco said. “It was very special to learn, listen and connect with my Cuban heritage.”
The display spotlights Celia Cruz’s life and enduring influence on music and culture and ends with this quote from the singer: “Music has been my hope; it gave me the courage to rise from poverty and touch the universe.”
Centennial Concerts: Celebrating with music and dance
The centennial celebration will culminate in a three-night concert at Pinecrest Gardens, on Jan. 31, Feb. 1 and 2, featuring acclaimed Cuban singer Lucrecia (as Celia) with the Celia Cruz All Stars. Each performance takes place in Pinecrest Gardens’ historic Banyan Bowl, an acoustically stunning amphitheater under a spectacular geodesic dome.
The Celia Cruz Centennial concerts kick off the 2025 Tropical Nights at Pinecrest Gardens live music series.
Pinecrest Gardens is located at 11000 SW 57 Ave.
Subscription and single tickets are available at www.pinecrestgardens.org/tropicalnights. More information is available at www.pinecrestgardens.org; info@pinecrestgardens.org or 305-669-6990.
