KINGSTON – For the first time, the City of Kingston will celebrate Puerto Rican Day with movies and music on June 9-10, 2023.
“In honor of the 3.2 million inhabitants of Puerto Rico, and the over five million US residents of Puerto Rican birth or heritage, and in celebration of their history, heritage, and culture, I am pleased to host the first Puerto Rican Day in the City of Kingston,” said Mayor Steven Noble. “I thank the City’s Director of Arts and Cultural Affairs for putting together a wonderful event with film, music, and art. I look forward to this two-day celebration of Puerto Rican culture.”
Funded by the City of Kingston’s ARPA Community Events Grant program, Puerto Rican Day celebrations will kick off with a free screening of Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story at UPAC on Friday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m. The event will feature a pre-show performance by storyteller, musician, and educator David Gonzalez.
On Saturday, June 10, the Puerto Rican Day festivities continue with the Music in the Parks/Movies Under the Stars series hosting two musical performances, a live art performance, and a movie at TR Gallo Park.
The Alessandra Latin Band featuring Laura Gonzalez will perform from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the Pablo Shine Latin Jazz Band will perform from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. followed by the movie Selena at 8:30 p.m.
Nancy Ostrovsky’s live art performance will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and stay for all the entertainment.
“My music and artwork are inspired by a variety of sources — the flora and folklore of my native Puerto Rico and the African presence, manifested in the music and spirituality, brought to the island by the African slaves during the age of colonization,” said Shine, a Kingston resident.
“I’m originally from a very poor neighborhood in Puerto Rico where there was music all around me, and now am so happy to be contributing the music of my heritage to the Kingston arts scene. I hope everyone will come out and celebrate our special day with us,” said Gonzalez.
All Puerto Rican Day events are free and open to the public.
