The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) will mark the highly anticipated return of its renowned Performing Arts Series on Saturday, March 21, 2026, with a headline performance by internationally celebrated Latin jazz artist Tito Puente Jr. Photo: HLSCC

With only 420 seats available, patrons are encouraged to secure their tickets early. Photo: HLSCC

For more than twenty years, the Performing Arts Series has served as a cultural heartbeat for Tortola, connecting the Virgin Islands to distinguished international performers while strengthening HLSCC’s role as one of the region’s leading performing arts centres. According to HLSCC, in a press release, its revival represents a renewed commitment to artistic excellence and reaffirms the College’s place at the intersection of education, creativity, and community engagement.

The return of Puente Jr!

Puente Jr last performed at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium on January 12, 2013, during the eighteenth season of the Series, delivering an electrifying concert still remembered as a defining moment in the programme’s history, HLSCC stated.

Born in New York City and of Puerto Rican heritage, Puente Jr. continues the global legacy of his legendary father – Tito Puente – by blending Afro-Cuban rhythms, Caribbean musical traditions, and classic jazz elements with a spirited contemporary style. His 2026 return offers residents and visitors an exceptional opportunity to experience elite Latin jazz in an intimate setting.

“When we spoke about bringing the Performing Arts Series back, we knew the moment had to feel historic,” said Linette Baa, Performing Arts Coordinator at HLSCC. “Tito Puente Jr. represents excellence, legacy, and global cultural impact. His music connects generations, cultures, and communities, which is exactly what we want the Series to embody as it returns.”

A chance to interact with Puente Jr

Ahead of the concert, HLSCC will host a Student Outreach and School Engagement session on Friday, March 20, featuring an interactive educational encounter with Tito Puente Jr. The outreach supports the College’s mission to inspire youth, expand access to arts education, and nurture emerging cultural leaders across the Territory.

“The return of the Performing Arts Series is the renewed commitment to our mission as a college,” said Dr Richard W.E. Georges, President of HLSCC. “The Student Outreach with Tito Puente Jr is a powerful extension of that mission, grounded in the belief that meaningful contact with the arts builds confidence, sparks imagination, and shapes the next generation of cultural contributors. This concert is one of many experiences we are reintroducing as we strengthen HLSCC’s role as a centre of learning, inspiration, and community life in the Virgin Islands. We are excited for what this revival represents and hope it is only the beginning of many special moments to come.”

Tickets will be available online at https://events.hlscc.edu.vg/ with limited quantities offered at J&C Trading Ltd and the HLSCC Campus Store. With only 420 seats available, patrons are encouraged to secure their tickets early. Each purchase directly supports arts education, student development initiatives, and cultural programming across the Virgin Islands, helping to sustain the Performing Arts Series for generations ahead.