Services Offered
Off-site Venues

The Ballajá

The Ballajá Complex is a 3 – story quadrilateral building with ample balconies, designed with a series of arches, which look towards an interior patio that served as a plaza and covers a reservoir. The large central courtyard has 26,000 sq. feet of usable space, and the collonaded perimeter walkway offers an additional 8,000 sq. feet.

This building was the last and biggest Spanish architectural construction of its kind in America. Its majestic patio of classical proportions and elements, and its main stairway with an ascending gothic dome, makes it one of the most beautiful buildings in Puerto Rico.

In May 1898, during the Spanish – American War, the American army bombarded the complex mak-ing holes 2 – stories high and as wide as the depth of the building. With the defeat of Spain, all of the properties of the Spanish Government were given to the U.S. Government, who between 1938 and 1941, instituted a series of structural changes, such as replacing traditional materials like wood and brick with concrete.

Overall Concept
The theme presented here is that of carnival time in Puerto Rico. Instead of high expenditures on ar-tificial props when Ballajá itself is such a magnificent prop that really needs no embellishment, our ef-forts are devoted to creating a carnival type atmosphere through a combination of entertainers, arti-sans and novelty acts.

During the cocktail period, which takes place in the outer courtyard, the visitors find colorful vejigantes weaving their way amongst them. Mocko Jombis stilt walkers are dancing and cavorting to the ampli-fied sound of the Bomba and Plena group playing outdoors. They will see artisans at their work ta-bles, and the cabezones or "head people" with their gigantic paper maché heads will frolic in their midst as well. When it's time for dinner the carnival figures will lead the procession into the inner courtyard, where over 24,000 square feet of usable space will now be put to good use.

Entrance and Dinner
As the guests enter, in the company of the stilt dancers, the vejigantes and the cabezones, they find a live salsa and merengue band playing the music that Puerto Rico has become so famous for. Lavish food serving stations, including a roast pig on a spit, are to be found in the colonnaded area on either side of the tented courtyard. Votive candle and flower centerpieces cast a glow on the bright tropical colored tablecloths.

The band plays dinner music until about dessert time. In the meantime the cigar rollers have been doing their work and the artisans have set themselves up inside. The visitors notice a couple of men ambling through the tables - these are close-up magicians who will amuse and delight their audience.

Then the fun really begins as four caliente salsa dancers put on an exhibition and subsequently invite the audience to dance the hot salsa and merengue music. The cabezones and vejigantes assist in getting the group out to the dance floor and the night starts swinging.

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