“¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa” Will Premiere in the Museum’s Temporary Exhibition Space at the National Museum of American History
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino will open “¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa” Saturday, April 18, in the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Presented in English and Spanish, the multimedia exhibition explores the rhythm, movement and shared heritage of salsa music in the United States.
Spanning four thematic sections and featuring nearly 300 objects, “Puro Ritmo” traces salsa’s roots from the dance halls of Havana to the clubs of New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and beyond. The exhibition situates salsa within major moments in U.S. history, including Caribbean migration, the evolution of jazz and the influence of Afro-Cuban rhythms on rock ’n’ roll, disco and house music.
“‘Puro Ritmo” tells a vital chapter of the American experience that has been shaped by movement, migration and global exchange,” said Jorge Zamanillo, director of the National Museum of the American Latino. “Salsa is not simply a Latin genre; it’s become a great American musical tradition.”
A centerpiece of the exhibition is the debut of five ensembles and four pairs of shoes worn by Celia Cruz, celebrated worldwide as the Queen of Salsa. Gifted by the Estate of Celia Cruz, these pieces are now part of the Latino Museum’s permanent collection. The outfits will rotate throughout the exhibition’s two-and-a-half-year run, offering visitors multiple opportunities to experience Cruz’s vibrant stage presence. Among the featured items are dresses dating to 1970, a cape designed by Irma Peñalver and a 2002 ensemble by Willy Mena, as well as distinctive performance shoes, including pairs with dramatic cantilever heels.
In addition to Cruz, the exhibition highlights iconic figures such as Tito Puente and Eddie Palmeri, alongside influential artists, including Arsenio Rodríguez, Graciela, Ray Barretto and Willie Colon. It also explores the industry-shaping impact of Fania Records and its cofounders, Jerry Masucci and Johnny Pacheco.
Through loans from Smithsonian museums, individuals and institutions, “Puro Ritmo” features objects connected to Puerto Rican music promoter Héctor Maisonave, who expanded salsa’s touring circuits across the United States, and to producer Harvey Averne, whose work helped elevate Latin music to Grammy-winning recognition.
As the National Museum of the American Latino continues to grow, it is deepening its collecting efforts to build a permanent collection that reflects the breadth of U.S. Latino history and culture. In the years ahead, the museum will expand its acquisitions to preserve the stories, objects and artistic legacies that define the American Latino experience.
About the National Museum of the American Latino
Established by Congress in 2020, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino honors the dreams, challenges and triumphs of U.S. Latinos and elevates their stories within the nation’s narrative. The museum also creates transformative experiences, fosters a deeper understanding of American history and culture, and connects communities nationwide. Visit the museum’s exhibitions at the Molina Family Latino Gallery in the National Museum of American History or at latino.si.edu. Follow @USLatinoMuseum on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.