Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center

08/20/2026

Another 3rd Thursday at the Farmers Market in Daley Plaza. Bringing more salsa gorda to liven up your lunch break. All vinyl set by Omar Torres-Kortright. Free Dance Class by María Luisa at 12:00 pm. Produced by James Ramos. Join us!

08/07/2026

As we wrap up another incredible summer, our hearts are full.

Thank you to every young musician who showed up ready to learn, listen, create, and support one another. You reminded us that talent shines brightest when it’s paired with discipline, curiosity, generosity, and joy.

To our families: thank you for trusting Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center with your young artists once again. Your encouragement, countless rides, flexibility, and belief in what music can do made this summer possible. We are deeply grateful to have shared this journey with you.

A special thank you to our extraordinary teaching artists— Jairo, Charly, and Nathan—for leading with excellence, patience, and genuine care. You challenged our students while creating an environment where everyone felt seen, supported, and inspired.

And to our partners at After School Matters thank you for your continued trust and investment in Chicago’s young people. Year after year, you make opportunities like this possible, and we are proud to continue building this work together.

This summer reminded us why we do what we do. The music was beautiful, but what we’ll remember most is the community that formed around it—the friendships, the laughter, the commitment, and the shared belief that these young artists have something important to say.

Thank you all for making this an unforgettable summer. We can’t wait to see where this journey takes you next. Photos by Herminio Rodriguez. “Summertime”, a classic reinterpreted by our talented summer interns.

07/30/2026

Barrio Bugalú. Puro vinilo. Pure vinyl.
Este y todos los últimos viernes del mes, celebramos la salsa como debe ser: ¡en vinilo!

DJ Guate, DJ Agúzate y Dr. Vinilo pondrán a girar los clásicos toda la noche.

Clase de salsa con Jackie y Rafa a las 6:45 p.m.

Tapa de cortesía para quienes lleguen temprano.

Entrada 2x1 por tiempo limitado disponible ahora mismo en el enlace: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/barrio-bugalu-tickets-1993769872359

¡Ven a bailar, compartir y mantener viva la cultura del vinilo!

This and every last Friday of the month, experience salsa the way it was meant to be heard—on vinyl!

Featuring DJ Guate, DJ Agúzate & Dr. Vinilo spinning classic salsa all night long.
- Salsa lesson with Jackie & Rafa at 6:45 PM
- Complimentary small bite for early arrivals.
- Limited-time 2-for-1 available now through the link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/barrio-bugalu-tickets-1993769872359

07/23/2026

Chicago’s next generation of Afro-Caribbean jazz artists is already here, creating new music, honoring tradition, and carrying it forward.

Thank you to WGN TV for sharing the story La Cantera Latin Jazz with the city. The future sounds incredible. Song: “El Bori” by Jonathan Suazo.

Notes and chords make the song, but for a budding band it's the listening that makes the music. If you've ever walked past the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center (SRBCC) on the city's North Side and slow down just for a minute, there's a good chance you'll hear it long before you see it.

07/15/2026

July isn’t over… and neither are we.

Join us as we close out the month with four opportunities to experience music, local and touring artists, and community.

💃 July 16 – Salsa en la Plaza at Daley Plaza’s Farmers Market (12 PM) - FREE
🎷 July 17 – La Cantera Monthly Residency at The California Clipper (6:30 PM) - FREE before 7:00 pm.
🎺 July 18 – Las Guaracheras (direct from Colombia!) with opening set by La Cantera at SRBCC (8 PM) FREE
💿 July 31 – Barrio Bugalú – an all-vinyl BYOB salsa dance party at SRBCC (6 PM)

Whether you come to one or all four, help us celebrate another month of Afro-Latin culture, emerging artists, and community in Chicago.

Let’s finish July dancing. See you there. ❤️🎶

LatinJazz BarrioBugalú LaCantera LasGuaracheras ChicagoEvents SupportLocalArts

07/13/2026

Yesterday, our community raised $5,370 for earthquake relief in Venezuela, with donations destined to Cruz Roja Venezolana and World Central Kitchen

That total only tells part of the story.

More than 40 musicians donated their performances, including Richard Peña La Cantera fuegodecumbiaband Chicago Samba Tamanaco Tambor and CepillaoBand Food for 100 guests was donated by ArePA George Jose Rios and Ponce Restaurant . Designers, sound engineers, technicians, volunteers, and organizers contributed their expertise, while Segundo Ruiz Belvis opened its doors and donated the venue. Together, our community contributed an estimated $20,000+ in donated time, talent, food, equipment, and services to make this event possible.

If you weren’t able to join us yesterday, you can still be part of this collective effort (link to bio - 🇻🇪). Every additional donation builds on this extraordinary gift from our community and helps provide urgently needed relief for families in Venezuela. ——————————
Ayer nuestra comunidad recaudó $5,370 para apoyar los esfuerzos de ayuda humanitaria en Venezuela.

Pero esa cifra cuenta solo una parte de la historia.

Más de 40 artistas donaron su talento sobre el escenario. Arepa George Cantina Jose Rios y Ponce Restaurant donaron comida para 100 personas. Diseñadores, técnicos de sonido e iluminación, voluntarios, organizadores y el equipo del Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center aportaron su tiempo, experiencia y recursos para hacer posible este evento. Además, nuestro centro cultural abrió sus puertas y puso sus instalaciones al servicio de esta causa.

En conjunto, estimamos que nuestra comunidad aportó más de $20,000 en tiempo, talento, alimentos, equipos, espacio y servicios donados para convertir este esfuerzo en una realidad.

Si no pudiste acompañarnos ayer, todavía puedes ser parte de esta cadena de solidaridad. Cada donativo que recibamos a partir de hoy multiplica el enorme regalo que nuestra comunidad ya hizo y ayudará a brindar apoyo urgente a las familias afectadas en Venezuela: https://givebutter.com/together-for-venezuela-exqszw

07/12/2026

Today, we show up for Venezuela. 🇻🇪❤️

In times of heartbreak, community is our greatest strength.

Join us this afternoon at the Segundo Ruiz Belvis for Together for Venezuela—an afternoon where music, culture, and solidarity become action. Every ticket, every donation, every shared moment will help bring relief to families recovering from the devastating earthquake.

If you can’t be with us, please consider making a donation using our “There in Spirit” ticket option or help by sharing this post. Someone in your network may be looking for a way to make a difference today.

🕒 Today, Sunday July 12 | 3–6 PM
📍 4048 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago

Let’s remind our Venezuelan brothers and sisters that they are not alone. Together, we can turn compassion into hope. Band schedule is here:
3-3:20 (20min)
Richard Peña and his trio

3:20 - 3:25 (5min)
Meditation

3:35 - 3:55 (20min)
La Cantera

4:00 - 4:20 (Procession – 20min)
Chicago Samba

4:30 - 4:50: (20min)
Fuego de Cumbia

5:00 - 5:25 (25min)
Tamanaco Tambor

5:35 - 6pm (25min)
Cepillao’ Band
🇻🇪❤️

07/07/2026

An ad-hoc volunteer collective of local arts presenters and advocates has come together to raise funds for the Venezuelan earthquake relief. This group has curated a powerful event featuring cultural voices from across the community. All proceeds will support the local rescue and redevelopment efforts in Caracas-La Guaira resulting from this month’s devastating double Earthquakes.

The event will take place in the Segundo Ruiz Belvis

Participating artists confirmed to date are: Richard Peña Equilibrio, La Cantera , Chicago Samba fuegodecumbiaband Tamanaco Tambor and the CepillaoBand

The organizers bring together this international chorus of voices to express solidarity with people in Venezuela who are hard hit by natural disasters.

The program will raise funds for the Cruz Roja Venezolana and World Central Kitchen

07/07/2026

After careful consideration, we have decided to postpone our July 11th concert with Richard Peña Equilibrio Jazz Trio. With our community mobilizing around the Together for Venezuela benefit on Sunday, July 12, along with several important cultural events taking place throughout the weekend, we believe postponing the concert is the most responsible decision.

Your July 11 ticket will be honored for Together for Venezuela, taking place at SRBCC on Sunday, July 12, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Richard Peña will open the benefit with his Equilibrio Jazz Trio, joining a powerful lineup of local artists raising funds for earthquake-relief efforts in Venezuela.

You may choose either of the following options:

• Use your existing ticket for Together for Venezuela on Sunday, July 12
• Request a full refund for your July 11 ticket

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and deeply appreciate your understanding and continued support of Richard Peña, SRBCC, and our broader cultural community.

You can also catch Richard Peña free of charge at the Chicago Latin Jazz Festival produced by Jazz Institute of Chicago on Friday, July 10. We hope you will join us this weekend, whether at the festival, the Together for Venezuela, A Chicago Cultural Relief Benefit, or other important community gatherings such as the Barrio Arts Festival in Humboldt Park, organized by our friends at The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture