MUSIC WORKSHOP SERIES
With a generous grant from the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County, The Puerto Rican Songbook Music Workshop Series has attracted over 175 participants, engaged 12 local musicians and presenters, created new partnerships between GBLN and local arts venues and re-engaged the Puerto Rican and non-Puerto Rican community on the impact of Puerto Rican music in Latin America and beyond. The funding was used to present three free workshops, each highlighting a different Puerto Rican music genre; Boleros, Afro-Boricua, and typical/country music.
Inspired by singer-songwriter, Rick Reyes and developed with support from GBLN, the workshop series has highlighted local demand for cultural programming that highlights Puerto Rico.
“Rick and I collaborated in April 2016 on a fundraising concert to benefit GBLN, and the Puerto Rican Songbook was born,” said GBLN President, Carolyn Gonzalez. But, the two underestimated how much the community longed to hear this type of music. “The concert resonated and we knew that the community wanted more,” said Reyes.
Each workshop revealed more of the pent-up desire for not only listening to Puerto Rican music, but also learning more about Puerto Rican music. Attendees shared videos of the events on Facebook, sharing what they’d learned, with pride. They brought their kids, and volunteered to help in whatever way they could, they wanted more and they wanted to be involved.
“This is a community project from the heart and that’s why it’s bringing people and organizations together,” said Rick Reyes. Carolyn Gonzalez added, “GBLN is committed to nurturing and promoting Latinos, our culture, ideas, talent, and our organizations. It is educational and uplifting.”
The duo has also engaged two local businesses to help to promote and grow the project. American View Productions (AVP), owned by award-winning documentarian Frank Borres, and the creative agency of Arroyo+Steele. AVP is documenting the workshop series, which will be made available online via YouTube, and Arroyo+Steele has developed marketing materials and is utilizing the broad networks of both GBLN and Rick Reyes to promote the events. The CT Post has picked up the series and has featured each workshop in its “Top 50 things to do this weekend,” which attracted attendees from outside the Bridgeport area.
The 2017 Puerto Rican Songbook Concert to benefit GBLN will take place on April 22, 2017 at 8:00PM at the Bijou Theatre in Downtown Bridgeport.
Over 70 Attended on March 11th at the Nest Arts Factory for “Boleros En Borinquen”
Over 40 in attendance on March 4th at the Bridgeport Public Library for “Typically Puerto Rican”
Over 60 in attendance. - Video Clip from Afro-Boricua Event on March 25th at the City Lights Gallery - https://www.facebook.com/PRPFC/videos/1305084316195609/
