Welcome to the 22nd 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.

This year, due to the circumstances of COVID-19, PRAA has restructured the festival into a one-hour prerecorded televised event to be aired (Watch Video):

Saturday, November 14, 2020 7pm-8pm on TeleXitos (Over the Air 44.2, Comcast 394/658, Charter 187, RCN 46, Mediacom 113)

Saturday, November 14 11:30pm-12:30am on Telemundo Chicago
(Channel 44)

Saturday, November 14 9pm-10pm WIPR Puerto Rico Channel 6

Sunday, Nov 15 9:30-10:30am on Telemundo Chicago
(Channel 44)

The concert entitled “Un Abrazo Musical-Chicago Y Puerto Rico ” will be dedicated to healthcare first responders who have been on the front lines and are making sacrifices to support the COVID-19 fight with diligence and determination to keep everyone safe. Additionally, the event will memorialized the late Juan M. Mendez, PRAA’s past Board Chair, for his life time commitment to preserving Puerto Rican culture, heritage, and his many community contributions. 

Make Your Donation Today !

PRAA has a strong history of investing resources in artistic opportunities for musicians and artists, cultural programs, and in times of need. When Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, PRAA quickly organized “Puerto Rico Vive” a relief network on the island to provide resources to those experiencing hardship due to the devastation. Recently, we again rallied support for those experiencing loss due to the ongoing earthquakes in Puerto Rico.

Your donation 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. 

2020 National Cuatro Festival
E-Program Book

Andy Montañez

PRAA strives to “unite people through culture” while also leveraging opportunities and offering resources to enrich the lives of people though the arts. Together we will continue our mission, and use the arts as a means to make a difference. Can we count on you to join us in our efforts?

We ASK that in lieu of your customary NCF ticket purchase that you make a donation TODAY to help us continue our important work.  Invest $500 in music learning where conservatory trained instructors inspire children and youth to grow their musical talents. Invest $250 in arts learning where students explore different media in depth, build portfolios and showcase their artwork through exhibitions.  Invest any amount you can in programs that develop job-skills that our youth can apply in their future workplace.

For Sponsorship inquiries contact Nancy Ward
nancy@praachicago.org or 773-342-8865 x 105