By Connie Shakalis | TheHeraldTimes – Aug 25, 2025
One needn’t be Latino to watch or participate in these free-of-charge celebratory days honoring the late Celia Cruz, on her 100th birthday. Everyone is welcome — townie, gownie, everyone.
Cruz, known as the queen of salsa, is one of the bestselling Latin music artists ever and performed in several films, including “Affair in Havana” (1957) and “Amorcito Corazón” (1960). Born in Cuba in 1925, she relocated to Mexico, then in 1961 to the U.S., becoming a naturalized citizen.
“IU and the Latino studies department really want people to attend”
“It’s kind of my happy place, bringing people together in events,” said Solimar (Soli) Otero, Indiana University professor of folklore and ethnomusicology and of gender studies, director of Latino studies, and editor (among other achievements).
Otero decided to organize the Cruz event and encouraged others to help. She began conversations with a variety of IU departments and the Bloomington community. “IU and the Latino studies department really want people to attend this,” she said.
“I’m an academic. I do like a good lecture,” Otero said, “but this is for everyone and provides multidimensional experiences.”
“Celia Cruz brought different kinds of people together. She also helped create salsa (dancing). This is an opportunity for all people to learn.”
Otero said that Cruz’s estate is even lending the event significant Cruz items such as the Barbie doll, the U.S. quarter and some record covers. (The Cruz estate is touring the U.S. in a different event with an elaborate stock of memorabilia including Cruz’s shiny heeled shoes and range-of-hues wigs.)
“Doctors Frances Aparicio and Rosa Marquetti will speak, which will be wonderful.” Otero said of the two academics whose expertise is salsa, Latina/o studies and specifically Cruz. “Rosa told me that Celia declined ever performing with a band, instead always being a guest artist, so she could control her image.”
Celia Cruz and her influence
Cruz became the face of musical styles such as the guaracha, son and salsa in the U.S. and abroad. In Cuba, guaracha ebbed into a mix of African beats and Spanish tunes, displaying Cuba’s blend of the two cultures. It is often lively and fun-packed and still delights people the world over.
Cuban son or son Cubano is a musical style that evokes romance and is the sound many think of as Cuban. It came before salsa yet uses the opposite rhythm sequences: The dancer rests on the first and fifth beats, not fourth and eighth as with salsa.
Many people remember Cruz singing with the Cuban tropical group Sonora Matancera, which has played since 1924, and Fania All-Stars, the highlight act for Fania Records. New York 1970s burst forth with salsa as the Fania All-Stars made this dance famous offering concerts at progressively bigger hotspots.
Grammys, a Barbie doll, a U.S. quarter
Indiana University’s Celia Cruz extravaganza points out Cruz’s dedication to music as well as to the other arts. A winner of Grammy awards, the Presidential Medal of Arts, being featured on a U.S. quarter, and having a Barbie doll made in her image, Cruz is now a historical figure.
Mattel announced the Celia Cruz Barbie doll in 2021, releasing its limited-edition to honor Hispanic Heritage Month. Its list price was $35, and the doll remains available today.
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The American Women Quarters depict memorable American women from a range of interests, such as suffrage, the arts and civil rights. These women, including Cruz, represent differing backgrounds.
The quarter with an image of Queen of Salsa has a spirited image of Cruz smiling and dancing in a rumba-ready dress. Her well-known saying “¡AZÚCAR!” is inscribed alongside.
Here are the IU events, and they’re free
Events on the Indiana University Bloomington campus include “The Queen of Salsa” in film showings, lectures, exhibits and a musical and dance performance on IU’s “First Thursday.”
Sept. 3, 4 p.m.McCalla Media Gallery, 525 E. Ninth St.Film screening of “Fania All Stars in Africa”
Sept. 4, 6-7 p.m. Everyone is particularly encouraged to attend this.Fine Arts Plaza, 1201 E. Seventh St.”First Thursdays” live performance will be Celia Cruz’s Music and Dance Demonstration, featuring La Salsoteca, Beatriz Capote and Paso A Paso. Capote will lead participants in salsa dancing.
Capote is an associate professor in IU’s department of theatre, drama, and contemporary dance. She trained at the prestigious Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. Her MFA thesis choreography was featured on Bronx NETTV. A Cuban American contemporary dancer, choreographer, she developed Capotechnique/Capotecnica, a technique that mixes traditional Cuban movement with modern dance.
Sept. 5, at various locations and times11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Workshop with scholars Rosa Marquetti and Frances Aparicio, Global and International Studies Building, Room 3067, 355 Eagleson Ave.In Spanish. Registration required. Email spanport@iu.edu.
4-5:30 p.m. Dialogic Lectures by scholars Rosa Marquetti and Frances Aparicio, in the Georgian Room, Indiana Memorial Union, 900 E. Seventh St.
Sept. 5 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. La Salsoteca performance, The Blockhouse Bar, 205 S. College Ave.
Ongoing exhibitsHerman B Wells Library (lobby’s east display case), 1320 E. 10th St.LAMC Cook Music Library, 200 S. Eagleson Ave.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Indiana University celebrates Celia Cruz Queen of Salsa on 100th birthday
