Activities:

• Viewing Celia Cruz on Smithsonian Website
• Reading and discussing her comments
• Reviewing her life and her importance

Vocabulary:

• bata
• timbale
• bata cubana
• rumba
• danzon

Plan:

1. Begin by having students explore the SI Website.
Smithsonian National Museum of American History website on Celia Cruz

2. Divide into groups:
1. Her life—significant events, world events, and how they relate to her music.
2. Her music—influences, most famous recordings, partners,
3. Her dressing room—How did her history and her life contribute to her costume? What does her sense of costume portray?

3. Have each group be prepared to share what they have learned with the others.

4. Read the oral history (portions if time is short) aloud, having students take turns.

	Understanding Significant Figures: Singer, Celia Cruz  Oral History Interview
	Courtesy of Florida Internationl Library - Diaz-Ayala Collection

5. Discuss:
What does Ms. Cruz mean when she talks about having respect for her audience? (Page 4)
What were her relationships with other Latin musicians?
What effect did events in Cuba have on her career? (Combine this information with the information in lesson 2—Music and Politics)
Discuss costume and performance - how do other musicians use costume effectively or ineffectively?

There are two lesson plans on the Celia Cruz site in addition under Resources.