Minnesota History Center Hosts Concert Highlighting Puerto Rican Culture and History
Pedacito de Tierra performance spotlights stories from the Puerto Rican diaspora in Minnesota
For immediate release
Dated: January 6, 2026
Contacts:
Jack Bernstein, 651-259-3058, jack.bernstein@mnhs.org or Allison Ortiz, 651-259-3051, allison.ortiz@mnhs.org
Location: Minnesota History Center
Led by multi–GRAMMY®-nominated saxophonist José Antonio Zayas Cabán and the {Trés} Chamber Music Trio, with music composed by award-winning composer Angélica Negrón, Pedacito de Tierra layers community voices, electronics, saxophones, and piano to explore belonging, resilience, and cultural memory. This special evening marks part of José Antonio Zayas Cabán’s final tour, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience his celebrated artistry live. Special guest GRAMMY® award–winning saxophonist Miguel Zenón will join the ensemble to perform additional works, bringing global artistry to a concert rooted in local voices.
The evening will feature a private viewing of a companion exhibit reflecting the themes of migration and identity, featuring oral history clips, photography, and artwork by local artist Ricardo Levins Morales. The event will also include a special reading of Daniela y Mateo Viajan a Puerto Rico by Pamela Michelli, a children’s book that brings Puerto Rican culture and landscapes to life for younger audiences.
When:
Thursday, January 15, 2025
6–9 pm
Where:
Minnesota History Center
345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102
Cost:
Free
For additional information, visit the event page. Registration is required. Visit the Pedacito de Tierra StoryMap and watch the Pedacito de Tierra Tour video to learn more about the project.
Funding provided by the State of Minnesota's Legacy Amendment, through the vote of Minnesotans on Nov. 4, 2008, and our generous donors and members.
About the Minnesota Historical Society
The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves, and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs, and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories, and connects people with history.