The New Britain Museum of American Art presents a day of programming celebrating Puerto Rican culture on Saturday, April 18, 2026. These programs are related to The Museum of the Old Colony, which is the inaugural exhibition of Puerto Rico In Focus, a multiyear initiative at the New Britain Museum of American Art that centers Puerto Rican art and histories within the context of an American art museum.
Visitors of all ages are invited to the Museum’s Access for All Community Day | ¡Viva Puerto Rico!, featuring performances, art-making activities, an Artist Talk, and delicious food from Borinquen Bakery from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Museum Admission is free from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 18.
Adults ages 21+ are invited to the Museum After Dark (MAD) Party | Chinchorreo at the Museum on Saturday, April 18, 8-11 p.m. Enjoy a night out with dancing, drinks, delicious food, and more! Tickets are on sale now!
Access for All Community Day | ¡Viva Puerto Rico!
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Free Admission 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
All ages welcome!
Schedule:
11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Café Takeover by Borinquen Bakery
Your local family-owned Puerto Rican Bakery serving the community high-quality and authentic foods. Founded in 2001, our bakery was born out of passion for sharing the flavors and traditions of our Isla del Encanto.
11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Circulo de Voces
Join artist Xenia Rubinos for an intimate workshop exploring our individual and collective voices. Together we will reimagine the choir as a public service, like a library or park, centering the voice as a primary tool for connection and collective transcendence. Inspired by the group vocalizations in Cuban Rumba and Puerto Rican Bomba. Everyone who wants to explore their voice is invited to join!
11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Let’s Co-Create an Exhibition Inspired by Pop Art! (Learn More)
Inspired by the exhibition, Pop! American Art in the 1960s, students will use printmaking techniques to bring new ideas to life. With cARTie, our original works of art come together inside a mobile art museum exhibition set to travel all over our state in Summer of 2026.
12:30-1:30 p.m. | Bomba + Plena Interactive Performance by Bomba de Aqui
Bomba de Aquí is a vibrant Afro-Puerto Rican cultural organization based in Holyoke, Massachusetts, dedicated to preserving, educating, and uplifting the rich traditions of Puerto Rican Bomba. Rooted in ancestral rhythm, resistance, and community, Bomba de Aquí creates spaces where culture is not only performed—but lived, taught, and passed on. Led by cultural practitioners and community leaders Brendaliz Cepeda and Saúl Peñaloza.
2-3 p.m. | Artist Talk by Pablo Delano (Registration Required)
Join Pablo Delano for an Artist Talk about his current exhibition The Museum of the Old Colony.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Drop-in artmaking: Studio A
Vejigantes-inspired artmaking
All Day | Drop-in self-directed games in Landers House, such as Dominos and Cartas Españolas
Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program. Additional support provided by New Britain Commission on the Arts and Murphy Charitable Contributions Committee, Legrand/Wiremold.
Learn more at https://secure.nbmaa.org/access/4-18-26
Museum After Dark (MAD) Party | Chinchorreo at the Museum
Saturday, April 18, 8-11 p.m.
Ages 21+ only
Enjoy a night out with dancing, drinks, delicious food, and more!
A chinchorreo is a traditional Puerto Rican weekend bar-hopping party where friends and family travel between casual, rustic roadside bars known as chinchorros. Participants feast on local fried snacks (frituras) and drinks, enjoying live music and a lively, festive atmosphere.
What to expect:
- A complimentary welcome drink and gift
- Bar stations with different specialty cocktails, including Mojitos, Piña Coladas, Rum Punch, a Beer Garden, plus a full cash bar.
- Café Takeover and vendors selling handmade, locally sourced goods
- Dancing with music by DJ Ortiz
- Games to play in Landers House, such as Cartas Españolas and Dominoes
- Multiple photo ops created by local artist Angela Godoy
Tickets:
Early Bird (available through April 7): $35 Members, $45 non-Members
Starting April 8: $45 Members, $55 non-Members
Add on: Salsa Dancing Class and Dinner for +$30
Members, +$40 non-Members
Salsa Class with Mosaïque Dance Company 5-6:30 p.m.
Exclusive Authentic Puerto Rican Dinner 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Get your tickets at https://secure.nbmaa.org/mad-25-26/april-26
