Connecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program collections, 2015.196.129.2, Connecticut Historical ...

Images(2)

Program: "Recordando a Puerto Rico" Event

Subject Tito Ortiz (Puerto Rican)

Date1992-1993

MediumPaper

ClassificationsInformation Artifacts

Credit LineConnecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program collections

CopyrightIn Copyright

Object number2015.196.129.2

DescriptionProgram for Recordando a Puerto Rico, a CCHAP presentation by various local Puerto Rican artists and musicians. Participants included Tito Ortiz, Alexis Colón, Luis A. Figueroa, and Zaira. The event was held at the ICR offices on Asylum Avenue in Hartford, Connecticut, c. 1992-1993.

NotesSubject Note: A VHS tape recording of this event is accessioned under 2015.196.679a-c. The event was organized by CCHAP in partnership with Tito Ortiz and featured several Puerto Rican artists in Hartford, including Luis Figueroa and his wife Zaira; Tito Ortiz; and Alexis Colon and his dance group Ballet Folklorico Flamboyan. The event was held at the Institute for Community Research offices at 999 Asylum Avenue in Hartford.

Tito Ortiz of East Hartford is a long-time artist, solo performer, and leader of the group Son Borincano. His performances and work in schools combine music and storytelling to involve audiences and children in an exploration of the history and culture of Puerto Rico and include participatory playing of Caribbean instruments as well as historical background. He has presented music residencies at Guakia where he also taught guitar, the Andover Newton School, Massachusetts; Betances and many other Hartford schools; and especially with the Bushnell Partners Program statewide. Tito worked extensively with community groups such as the Webster Correctional Institution, the Cultural Center Without Walls on Park Street, the Artists Against Aids coalition, and the Village for Families and Children where he was employed as a social worker. He also taught art and was exhibited at Capitol Community Technical College in Hartford in a 1998 exhibition celebrating his 20 years of artwork. Born in Caguas Puerto Rico, his biography states “My goal with music and visual art is to bring audiences to a better understanding of the beauty and history of Latino culture. In my solo performances of songs and storytelling I feature my own compositions and the traditional stories of Puerto Rico, accompanying myself on guitar and cuatro. I also play Caribbean music and contemporary Latin jazz with the group that I formed, Son Borincano (previously called Aires Riqueños). We performed at the Bushnell’s Community Open House, among other venues, and had regular gigs at Braza and Bamboleo Restaurants which will continue through 2005. I also play guitar, guiro, and percussion with the David Giardina Jazz Band and Ray Gonzalez’ music groups out of Guakia. My music and presentations are in both English and Spanish, depending on the audience." In 1991, he was photographed for the exhibition “Living Legends” organized by the Cultural Heritage Arts Program of the Institute for Community Research. Known for his portrayal of the well-known folk character Juan Bobo, Tito performed storytelling and music as part of CCHAP’s traditional music series at Charter Oak Cultural Center in 1997.

Additional materials exist in the CCHAP archive for this artist and this event.

Cataloging Note: This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services MA-245929-OMS-20.

Status

Not on view