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Workshop Helps Preserve Puerto Rican Culture

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 20, 2007

VALRICO - Old traditions found new life at a restaurant when the owners offered a workshop for those who play Puerto Rico's national instrument - the cuatro.

Elizabeth Espinosa, who owns Estrella Tropical Latin Grill with her father, Eliseo Espinosa, said hosting the workshop was a way to unite one of the area's largest minority groups and help them define their roots.

"It's about preserving our culture," she said.

A couple of dozen people learned about the cuatro from master cuatrista Alvin Medina.

"A lot of young people in our culture don't even know how to speak Spanish," said Manny Montanez, 18, of Valrico, who taught himself to play the cuatro - a 10-string instrument that resembles a violin-shaped guitar.

Montanez and his cousin, 16-year-old Carlos Figuaroa, attended the workshop to sharpen their skills.

They joined older men and young women eager to break the gender barrier and learn a part of their island's culture.

Espinosa said she hopes to host more cuatro lessons at the restaurant, 1941 E. State Road 60, Valrico.

Yvette C. Hammett

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