Hartford’s Real art Ways revives Puerto Rican Christmas Tradition of ‘Parrandas’
A local arts institution in Connecticut is working to preserve the vibrant cultural heritage of Puerto Rican Christmas celebrations, bringing the joyful tradition of parrandas to a new audience. Real Art Ways partnered with New York-based Latin jazz band Papo Vázquez and the Mighty Pirates Troubadours to recreate the spirited sounds of puerto Rican Christmas Eve in Hartford.
For Puerto ricans in the United States, the holiday season isn’t truly complete without the unique experience of a parranda – a lively, impromptu gathering of friends and family that moves from house to house. Recognizing the importance of this tradition, Real Art Ways sought a way to share it with the wider community.
the Heart of the Parranda Tradition
Papo Vázquez, director of the band, fondly recalled the parrandas of his childhood in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. “The tradition of the parranda is to say ‘this year we are going to your house,’ so one prepares,” he explained with a laugh. “Between December 23 and 25 we are going to stop by your house.”
In Puerto Rico, these gatherings typically unfold late into the night. “So you don’t know when everyone is going to arrive, but your already prepared with food, drinks, all that,” Vázquez added. “So in the middle of the night,when you’re already sleeping,you suddenly hear noises outside.” The surprise arrival of loved ones, accompanied by music and cheer, is central to the experience. “When you look, you see all your family and friends there,” he said. “And then they start singing Christmas carols, and it becomes a big party.” The group then moves on to another home, continuing the celebration throughout the night.
Bringing the tradition to Connecticut
Vázquez approached Real Art Ways with a proposal to host a parranda-inspired event, an idea that resonated deeply with the organization’s executive director, Will K.Wilkins. “It was something he couldn’t pass up,” Wilkins stated. Vázquez’s impressive musical background – having collaborated with legends like Tito Puente, Willie Colón, and Héctor Lavoe – further solidified the partnership. Wilkins,who has known Vázquez for over two decades,also highlighted Real Art Ways’ longstanding commitment to showcasing puerto rican artists.
The challenge, according to Wilkins, was to replicate the interactive and spontaneous nature of a customary Puerto Rican parranda. To encourage participation, Real Art Ways implemented a unique policy: “if you bring an instrument, you get in for free,” Wilkins explained. Attendees responded enthusiastically, bringing a diverse array of percussion instruments, including tambourines, harpsichords, and cuatros, and also various wind instruments.
A Blend of Concert and Celebration
The event, held on December 7, 2024, began with a Latin jazz concert, providing a more structured musical experience. Though, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when Vázquez and the band launched into traditional parranda music. “At the end, when we start playing traditional parranda music, the audience also starts singing with us because they already know all the songs,” Vázquez said. “It’s something very nice.”
The event, captured in a photograph by Shameka Wilson, shows the audience fully engaged, singing and playing along with the band, embodying the spirit of communal joy that defines the parranda tradition. Through this collaboration,Real Art Ways is ensuring that the cultural richness of Puerto Rican Christmas celebrations continues to thrive in Hartford and beyond.
