Welcome to the 24th Annual National Cuatro Festival!

The Cuatro is regarded as the national instrument of Puerto Rico and is revered by the Puerto Rican community as an important part of our history. It is recognized and acknowledged as “our guitar” and holds important traditional and historical value. The Emmy Award-winning Annual National Cuatro Festival (NCF) is a unique music event that brings the best Cuatro musicians “Cuatristas” from Puerto Rico and the mainland to Chicago for a one-of-a-kind concert experience. This cultural event highlights the national instrument of Puerto Rico as an important part of our heritage and history.

Each year there is a special dedication and one of the highlights of the concert is an opening performance showcasing students from the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance’s Latin Music Project Ensemble. It is more than a concert, it as a gathering of Chicago’s most long time Latino residents, the Puerto Rican community, and an opportunity to join together with pride to celebrate the beauty of the Chicago’s diversity. Preserving Puerto Rican traditions is at the heart of PRAA’s work and the National Cuatro Festival is a key part of our cultural and educational initiatives.

Over the years the National Cuatro Festival has presented great cuatristas like Yomo Toro, Pedro Guzman, Alvin Medina, Luis Sanz, Prodijio Claudio, Christina Nieves, Manny Trinidad, Emma Colon Zayas, Madibel Delgado, Juradito, Quique Domenech, Javier Mendez, among others. Additionally, great iconic popular and folk music singers/groups such as Victoria Sanabria, Tavin Pumarejo, Odilo Gonzalez, Felito Felix, Andy Montañez, Yolandita Monge, Charlie Aponte, Ismael Miranda, Jose Nogueras, Los Cantores de Bayamon, Mapeye, La Rondalla de Humacao, Puerto Rico Philharmonic, Angel Cucco Peña, Jose Luis Ortiz, Los Hermanos Olvarria, Andres Jimenez, Modesto Nieves, Angel Luis Torruellas, Los Hermanos Sanz and Danny Rivera have graced our stage.

This year due to the pandemic COVI9 19, the Harris Theater has instituted some audience safety protocols.

When you buy a ticket you are helping PRAA !

Your ticket purchase to this year’s National Cuatro Festival will make an even greater impact on the 15,000 children and youth PRAA serves annually through educational music and arts programs.  Performances, exhibitions, and programs have been significantly disrupted due the pandemic and it has altered the way we carry out our mission. PRAA relies heavily on the ability to “socially gather” to raise cultural awareness and resources that enable us to offer high quality, one-of-a-kind music and arts experiences to more than 30,000 participants each year.      

Proceeds from the NCF are reinvested into our year-around music and arts educational programs and other cultural presentations. Your support over the years has been the key to keeping our doors open.

For Sponsorship inquiries contact Nancy Ward
nancy@praachicago.org or 773-342-8865 Ext.# 2