WASHINGTON(Reuters) - The National Museum of American History honored the undisputed Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz, with a lifetime achievement award Thursday for excellence in music.
The Cuban diva donated one of her tight-fitting costumes, a wig and a pair of gold lame high-heeled shoes, which the museum said it hopes to put on display in the near future.
Cruz's orange-red and white polka dot dress will join the artifacts of other great American music stars, such as Ella Fitzgerald and Cole Porter.
The Grammy Award-winning salsa singer has lived in the United States since 1961, when she left Cuba following the revolution led by Fidel Castro.
Cruz has sung for audiences for more than 50 years, recorded more than 70 albums and played cameo roles in films such as ''The Mambo Kings'' and ``The Perez Family.''
She started touring internationally in 1951 with the legendary Cuban band Sonora Matancera.
Cruz is the second Latino artist to have artifacts in the museum's collection. Puerto Rican Tito Puente last year donated a set of kettle drums.
Responding to criticism that it did not represent Latino culture adequately, the Smithsonian Institution announced Wednesday the creation of a center to promote Hispanic art.
Reuters/Variety
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18:39 10-16-97