Charlie Cruz and Amarfis to perform at the annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Saturday, September 24 at the Plaza Convention Center 

New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner Jeanette Moy today announced the Thursday, September 15 opening of a Hispanic Heritage Month exhibit at the New York State Capitol. The exhibit celebrates the creative and important Latino contributions to the arts by showcasing works by notable Latino artists of the New York State Harlem Art Collection.

On, Saturday, September 24, from 5 to 9 p.m., the annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration will be held in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center and feature a night of dancing, traditional cuisine, and free live performances by Charlie Cruz, Amarfis, Fulanito, and DJ Boy Boy.

“Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity for us to recognize the significant contributions that the Latino community has made and continues to make in our state and nation,” Commissioner Moy said. “So let us use this month to learn more about Hispanic and Latino history and celebrate the countless achievements of New York State’s Hispanic and Latino community that have enriched our lives and are a vital part of our state’s culture.” 

Hispanic Heritage Exhibit 

This free exhibit places a spotlight on the works of several Hispanic and Latino artists whose works are an integral part of New York State’s Harlem Art Collection. The exhibit is located in the Governor’s Reception Room on the New York State Capitol’s second floor and runs through October 14. 

New York State’s Harlem Art Collection was conceived in 1976 to draw public attention to and celebrate the Harlem art community. In addition to prominent Black artists from the 20^th century, the collection includes notable works by Hispanic and Latino artists, including photographer Adál Maldonado and painter Sita Gomez, which will be featured in the Capitol exhibit. 

The Hispanic and Latino artists in the collection explore societal experiences and document their communities through the lens of cultural identity and diaspora. In addition to Maldonado and Gomez, the exhibit will include the artwork of Roger Cabán, Orlando Condeso, David Cottes, Pablo Romero, and Jorge Luis Rodriguez. 

To learn more about the exhibit, visit https://empirestateplaza.ny.gov/hispanic-heritage-month-exhibition. 

Hispanic Heritage Celebration 

New York State’s annual celebration of Latin culture will feature contemporary, high-energy, live music and dancing, and traditional foods from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, September 24 inside the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. There will be free live performances by Charlie Cruz, Amarfis, Fulanito, and DJ Boy Boy. 

Charlie Cruz was born in Puerto Rico and spent much of his childhood in New Jersey, where he first listened to who would become his music idols: Héctor Lavoe & Frankie Ruiz, visualizing himself at a very young age as the Salsa superstar he is today. Coming from a musical background, his father Fonzy Cruz gave Charlie his first opportunity to work as a backup singer. Charile’s songs, including “Bombón De Azúcar,” “Amarte Es Un Problema,” “Quiero SaberDe Tti,” “Dejame Cambiarte La Vida,” “Amor De Verdad,” “Grita Conmigo,” reached the top of the Billboard Tropical Charts. His album “Tentaciones Vol 1,” was nominated for a Best Salsa Album Latin Grammy in 2020. 

Amarfis Aquino, a vocalist and leader of La Banda de Atakke, was born in Sabana Grande de Boya in the Dominican Republic. From a young age, Amarfis could be found playing pots, pans, and bottles in his uncle’s kitchen. Leaving his native island behind, Amarfis relocated to New York, where he would find his musical home. He built up a strong radio presence with a number of songs making it to Billboard’s Latin Tropical Airplay charts. 

Performance schedule: 

5:00 p.m.        DJ Boy Boy
5:45 p.m.        Fulanito
6:35 p.m.        DJ Boy Boy
6:45 p.m.        Amarfis
7:35 p.m.        DJ Boy Boy
7:45 p.m.        Charlie Cruz 

Free parking is available in the East Garage and the Madison Avenue and Grand Street parking lots. Paid parking is available in the visitor lot underneath the Plaza.

For event updates and additional information, visit empirestateplaza.ny.gov, @EmpireStatePlaza on Facebook, and @plazaevents on Twitter, or call (518) 474-4759.

Sponsors of the Hispanic Heritage Celebration include New York State Office of Mental Health, M&T Bank, SONYMA, Price Chopper/Market 32, Hot 99.1, Renaissance Albany Hotel, and DeCrescente Distributing.