North America / Puerto Rico
In April 2000, the third Sunday of March was instituted as the National Zalsa Day under Law #100 of the Senate of Puerto Rico
History
The National Zalsa Day was created in 1984 by Pedro Arroyo, Z-93 Programming Director, who always had the desire to celebrate an event where the talent of popular salsa music, its composers and performers would be recognized, to present it to the great public that loves this tropical genre.
Since its first year, the great event has seized a public eager to enjoy this live music.
The support was total and it immediately positioned itself as the annual concert of the people of Puerto Rico and visitors from other countries.
Since its inception, the National Day of the Zalsa was dedicated to some figure of this genre, as a recognition of their talent and their roots in the public.
- 1984 – Dedicated in life to the Sonero Mayor, Ismael Rivera
- 1985 – Rafael Ithier of the Great Combo of Puerto Rico
- 1986 – Tito Puente and Santitos Colón
- 1987 – Hector Lavoe
- 1988 – Andy Montañez and Gilberto Santa Rosa
- 1989 – Celia Cruz and the Sonora Ponceña
- 1990 – Willie Colón and Tite Curet Alonso
- 1991 – Bobby Valentín, Oscar D’ León and the composer Gloria González.
- 1992 – For the Best 5 Trumpets of Puerto Rico: Elías Lopés, Charlie Sepúlveda, Juancito Torres, Mario Ortiz and Luis “Perico” Ortiz
- 1993 – Celebration of the Tenth Anniversary of the National Day of the Zalsa, dedicated to the Salsero People 1994 – Ray Barreto and Adalberto Santiago
- 1995 – “Sunset Duels”
- 1996 – Dedicated to reunions: Classic Ensemble, Tito Nieves, Luis “Perico” Ortiz and Rafael De Jesús, El Gran Combo; Andy Montañez and Roberto Rohena; Sonora Ponceña with Luigi Texidor and Yolanda Rivera.
- 1997 – To the salsa town
- 1998 – Jerry Masucci
- 1999 – Cheo Feliciano
- 2000 – Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz
- 2001 – Eddie Palmieri
- 2002 – Ruben Blades
- 2003 – Johnny Pacheco and Roberto Rohena
- 2004 – Quique Lucca, Papo Lucca and Willie Rosario
- 2005 – Tommy Olivencia and Roberto Angleró
- 2006 – Los Hermanos Lebrón and posthumous tribute to Charlie Palmieri, Tito Rodríguez and Ray Barretto
- 2007 – Ismael Miranda, Ramón Rodríguez, Raphy Leavitt and Sammy Marrero
- 2008 – Larry Harlow and Manny Oquendo
- 2009 – Celebration of the release of Tite Curet Alonso’s work on Puerto Rican radio. Dedicated to Louis Garcia.
- 2010 – Johnny Ortiz. Special recognition to Héctor Maisonave and Ángel Luis Córdova García “Paleco”.
- 2011 – Elvin Torres from Costa Brava, Luisito Ayala from Puerto Rican Power, Paquito Guzmán, Tito Allen and Luigi Texidor
- 2012 – Posthumous tribute to Frankie Ruiz. Dedicated to the Zodiac Orchestra and the Latin Corporation.
- 2013 – Posthumous tribute to Pedro Arroyo, former director of Z-93. Special recognition to Edwin Morales from La Mulenze, Pedro Brul, Pedro Conga from Orquesta Internacional and Cano Estremera.
- 2014 – El Gran Combo, Joe Rodríguez de La Terríca, Justo Betancourt and Meñique
- 2015 – Gilberto Santa Rosa receives the first National Zalsa Day Star Award. Dedicated to Sammy “Rolo” González, Mickey Cora, Nacho Sanabria.
- 2016 – Eddie Palmieri receives the second National Zalsa Day Star Award. Dedicated to Lalo Rodríguez and Tito Rojas.
National Zalsa Day 2020
On March 8, the 37th edition of the National Salsa Day will be held at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
We often hear that salsa in Puerto Rico is not having a good time or that the atmosphere is not what it used to be. However, each time before. However, every time National Salsa Day is announced, everything changes.
Those who live on the island rub their hands to wait for the big moment and those who arrive from abroad begin to check plane tickets and schedule a little vacation.
In 2020 it will not be the exception. The station Z93 announced a tremendous salsa billboard with Eddie Palmieri, Sonora Ponceña, Oscar D’ León, Ismael Miranda, Lalo Rodríguez and India.
In addition, Tony Vega, Ray de la Paz, Tito Rojas and NG2 have been confirmed as part of the great salsa party. This has caused fans on social networks to begin to express themselves with different opinions about the chosen artists.
Perhaps the balance tilts favorably towards the more classic salsa and not so much towards the proposals of the youngest (except NG2), but let’s see how this formula works for Zeta.
The Crazy Owl, a popular Puerto Rican radio host, announced that tickets can be purchased on the Ticket Center website (tcpr.com/). So you are already warned.
If you want to give yourself the pleasure of enjoying salsa on the Isla del Encanto itself, this may be your chance.
- V.I.P platinum $225.00
- Area / V.I.P
- Open bar / open bar
- Quick access / Fast Pass
- Private bathrooms / private bathrooms
- Official T-shirt / official t-shirt
- V.I.P arena $75.00
- Numbered seat / reserved seating
- Quick access / fast pass
- Private bathrooms / private bathrooms
- General admission $15.00
- Christmas offer only 1000 tickets
For more information:
- Ray Barretto: Rican/Struction of a Masterfor the year 1979 - August 28, 2025
- Music as a Tool for Collective Emotional Control - August 28, 2025
- Juancito Torres: The National Trumpet of Puerto Rico - August 28, 2025