By Ann Mintz, Reading Terminal Market

In September, Reading Terminal Market celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month, working in partnership with two culturally-specific organizations: AfroTaino Productions, and Raices Culturales Latinoamericanas.

Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Rosa Diaz

Afrotaino Productions was founded in 2005 by Rahsaan Lucas and Marangeli Mejia Rabell, who share a passion for the arts and a commitment to serve as agents of change in their community. They facilitated an appearance by Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Rosa Diaz. Diaz can be heard on Pandora’s Latin Alternative/Folk streams and on NPR’s Latino USA. On September 14, her lovely voice filled the Market, accompanied only by a guitar and a violin.

The second Hispanic Heritage Month event took place on Sunday, September 28th. This was organized by Raices Culturales Latinoamericanas, which specializes in providing Latin American music and dance performances and tailored cultural arts education programs.

Arconet Strings Program Chamber Ensemble, a professionally led youth chamber ensemble, took Market patrons on a musical journey across Latin America.  Arconet Strings is led by Venezuela-born viola virtuoso Adriana Linares, whose commitment to community outreach has taken her from venues as diverse as Carnegie Hall and Old City Philadelphia’s First Friday Gallery Walk.

The young musicians who performed at the Market performed chamber music with a Latin twist, including tangos, rhumbas, bossa novas and fandangos,   from Puerto Rico, Brazil, Cuba, Spain, and beyond. Two of these talented musicians are currently students at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music.

Hispanic Heritage Month takes place between September 15 and October 15^th. Reading Terminal Market’s programming will continue in October with a performance by the Mexican folkloric dance troupe, Yaretzi. This too was organized with the invaluable assistance of Raices Culturales Latinoamericanas.

Music @ the Market is an ongoing program; more information at www.readingterminalmarket.org