Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center facts for kids
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"Bellas Artes de Santurce"
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| Former names | Centro de Bellas Artes de Puerto Rico |
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| Address | Ponce de León Ave, Parada 22 Santurce, PR 00940 |
| Location | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Coordinates | 18°26′51″N 66°04′09″W / 18.447512°N 66.069267°W |
| Owner | Corporation of the Performing Arts Center of Puerto Rico |
| Type | Concert hall, Opera house, Theatre, Performing arts center |
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| Built | 1970 |
| Opened | April 9, 1981 |
| Construction cost | $11,372,000 |
The Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center (also known as Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferré in Spanish) is a big place in Santurce, a neighborhood in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It's where many different kinds of shows happen. You can watch plays, ballet, operas, and concerts here.
The center was named in 1994 after Luis A. Ferré. He was a very kind person who helped many people. He was also a leader and a former Governor of Puerto Rico.
The center first opened its doors on April 9, 1981. It took ten years to plan and build this amazing place. Since it opened, it has become the most important spot for performing arts in Puerto Rico. Many famous artists have performed here, like Plácido Domingo and the group Menudo. It is also home to the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra and hosts the yearly Casals Festival.
In 2019, the famous musical Hamilton came to the center. Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the musical, even played the main character, Alexander Hamilton. People loved his performance even more than when he first played the role on Broadway! This was not Miranda's first time performing there. Nine years before, he also played a role in his musical In the Heights at the same venue.
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What's Inside the Center?
The Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center has four main halls for shows. It also has two places to eat and a large outdoor area. Each part of the center is special.
Main Performance Halls
- Antonio Paoli Festival Hall: This is the biggest hall in the center. It's named after a famous opera singer from Puerto Rico. It can hold between 1,875 and 1,945 people. This hall has great sound and a large stage. It's perfect for big shows like operas, ballets, popular music concerts, and symphony performances.
- René Marqués Theater Hall: This hall is named after a well-known Puerto Rican writer. It can seat between 748 and 781 guests. The stage is designed for plays and musical shows.
- Carlos Marichal Performance Hall: This hall is named after a respected Puerto Rican designer of stage sets and costumes. It's a smaller, more cozy theater that can seat 210 guests. It has a special arena-style setup.
- Sala Sinfónica Pablo Casals: This symphony hall is named after a Spanish cellist and conductor. He was famous for recording music by Johann Sebastian Bach. This hall cost $34 million to build and can seat 1,300 people. It is the new home for the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra.
Other Areas to Explore
- Juan Morel Campos Plaza: This open area is right in front of the center's main entrance. It's named after a Puerto Rican composer. You can see two beautiful sculptures called The Muses here. It's a great spot for outdoor events and can hold up to 800 guests.
- Sylvia Rexach Theater Café: This café opened in 1988. It's like a small concert hall with a relaxed, nightclub feel. Up to 200 guests can enjoy intimate performances here. The walls are decorated with a special woodcut mural by artist Antonio Martorell. It honors Sylvia Rexach, a famous Puerto Rican singer and composer.
- Las Tablas Restaurant: This restaurant is located in the Juan Morel Campos Plaza. It has a beautiful design that shows "The Beauty of the Caribbean." The restaurant is owned by pop star Luis Fonsi and music producer Tony Mojena. Its menu features delicious local traditional foods.
Art Around the Center
The center is surrounded by many amazing artworks. You can see murals, paintings, and sculptures. The two largest halls have special art displays that make them unique.
- In the Antonio Paoli Festival Hall, on the second floor, there's a large mural called La Plena by Rafael Tufiño. It shows twelve famous Puerto Rican plenas (a type of music) by songwriter Manuel “Canario” Jiménez. This mural was made between 1952 and 1954. It was moved to the center in 1987 after being carefully restored.
- In the René Marqués Hall, you'll find a beautiful stained glass artwork called Form and Tropical Crystals by Luis Hernández Cruz. It lights up the lobby with 5,700 colorful pieces of crystal. These pieces show themes of the sea, the forest, the sky, and the tropical feeling of Puerto Rico.
Near the entrance, you'll see more art. There's a tall aluminum sculpture by Luis Torruella called Melodic Reflection. The main art at the entrance is The Muses. These are two different artworks. One is a group of tall bronze sculptures of female figures in the Juan Morel Campos Plaza, made by Annex Burgos. The other is a large mural on the center's front (pictured above). It's made from concrete and crystal stones and designed by Augusto Marín. Each muse represents different arts and cultures, like music, theater, dance, and painting.
Where is the Center?
The Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center is on Ponce de Leon Avenue in the Santurce area of San Juan. It's close to many shops and homes, which makes the area lively day and night. The center has an underground parking garage with 483 spaces for visitors. Other nearby buildings also offer more parking.
Images for kids
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Kenny G in the Sala Sinfónica
See also
In Spanish: Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferré para niños
