As fireworks and applause erupted over the final chord of Verde Luz in a rendition by the legendary Silverio Perez, an exclamation point was put at the end of what was already a monstrous success of an event, cementing the new and improved Noche Puertorriqueña as a cultural statement for Baldwin School.
Leading up to Friday, November 14, the Baldwin field had been quietly and spectacularly adorned for the unknown: an upscaling of the long lost Noche Puertorriqueña, of which the extent was unbeknownst to most. Soundchecks were undergone the day of, and it quickly became apparent that the event had a special potential. Booths were set up along the perimeter of the field, and when the night dropped into full swing, they were all inundated with unrelenting lines- a testament to the popularity of the occasion. The field itself was crowded, bustling with the collective energy of everyone it could possibly fit, all dressed and outfitted appropriately for the night. A Puerto Rican flag of larger-than-life proportions was hung from the front of the CRIB. It grabbed the attention of all who approached the field- catching the light just right, it set the tone for the evening in bold and emphatic fashion. The statement was clear: that night, everyone was there to appreciate Puerto Rico.
Performances began with that lingering sense of unity- first the OECC stole the hearts of all attendees, followed by second grade and the elementary Glee club. The myriad bands of the night started after, with performances of “Capullito de Alelí”, “Cachita”, “Piel Canela”, and “Vamanos P’al Monte” to name just a few songs. The audience was no doubt entranced by a student passion that bled into their music. This passion hit a stride of sorts with two back-to-back Bad Bunny songs, “Lo Que le Pasó a Hawaii” and “Baile Inolvidable”. The student connection to such songs was undeniable, and this was indicative of a powerful individual expression for the student body.
Noche Puertorriqueña came to a close with a performance from the distinguished personality Silverio Perez, who classed up the event with a powerful and delicate cover of “Verde Luz”. Accompanied by the DP Music guitarists, Perez’s performance had a chilling poignance to it as an end to the night. He had brought his own guitar, a nylon-string acoustic with ample road wear and even more beauty, and the performance was preceded by one of the most incredible spectacles Baldwin has pulled off in recent memory, that being a ten minute or so drone show. Children ran to get a better view, parents and staff alike gathered under at least 25 flying machines as they spun, whirled, and took the shape of a glowing, multicolored Puerto Rico with a heart right where the school was. If there was one image from the night that stuck with each and every attendee, it was that.
In the process of creating such a memorable night, Baldwin tapped into self expression at a time that made an event of this caliber feel opportune, exigent, and important. As a result of this placement, whether circumstantial or not, the night felt educational, emotional, and sublime to say the least. A standard was set that day, one that Baldwin has always made it a priority to achieve. In welcoming Noche Puertorriqueña to a new generation of students, Baldwin has further staked its claim in fostering a new generation of excellence.
