Celia Cruz Exhibit at the American History Museum

Beginning this month at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, a retrospective, "AzĂșcar! The Life and Music of Celia Cruz," explores the Cuban singer's life (1924-2003) and five-decade career through costumes, wigs, shoes, photographs, video, and music.

Celia Cruz's career took her from humble beginnings in Havana, Cuba, to the United States, where she became the undisputed "Queen of Latin Music." She was one of the few women to succeed in the male-dominated world of salsa, a musical genre born in New York City that combines Afro-Latin rhythms with blues, jazz, and rock. She made more than 80 recordings and collected five Grammys, the Presidential Medal of Arts and three honorary doctorates. Curated by Marvette Perez, this bilingual exhibition will eventually travel throughout the country.

The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is located on the Mall at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. It is open daily from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and admission is free.

Additional information about the life and career of Celia Cruz can be found in this article from The Washington Post.