The North End Music & Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC), a 501(c)(3) community music school and performing arts center, will present Nuestras Raíces, a virtual fundraising concert to commemorate LatinX Heritage Month, on Sunday, October 4, at 6 p.m.
The online concert featuring LatinX faculty artists will benefit the nonprofit’s annual fund, a critical income stream for sustaining performances and programming that empowers artists of all ages and abilities throughout the global public health crisis.
Nuestras Raíces will showcase the artistic prowess of NEMPAC’s very own classical guitarist, Jhon Alvarado, tenor, Josaphat Contreras, mezzo-soprano, Alexandra Dietrich, as well as pianist, Jose Soto. Community members can purchase general admission ($25), NEMPAC student/faculty admission ($15), and tickets with song dedication ($75 for guitarist or vocalist, $125 for pianist and vocalist) at nempacboston.networkforgood.com/events/23331-nuestras-ra-ces.
Upon the purchase of a ticket and song dedication, a patron can select a composition from Nuestras Raíces in honor of a loved one and share a personalized message that one of the performers will read aloud.
Patrons may submit a song dedication from the list below through Thursday, September 24:
- “Un día en la vida” – Lyrics by Humberto Vargas/Music Walter Flores | Performed by Jose Soto, Pianist, and guest Vocalist Maria Amalia Quesada Chavarria
- “Deja correr el tiempo” – Lyrics by Julian Marchena/Music Jose Soto | Performed by Jose Soto, Pianist, and guest Vocalist Maria Amalia Quesada Chavarria
- “Callaloo” – By Walter Ferguson | Performed by Jose Soto, Pianist, and guest Vocalist Maria Amalia Quesada Chavarria
- “Suite Popular Brasileña” – By Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos | Performed by Jhon Alvarado, Classical Guitarist
- “Estrellita” – By Mexican composers Manuel Ponce and Daniel Daniel Catán | Performed by Josaphat Contreras, Tenor
- “Comprendo” – By Mexican composers Manuel Ponce and Daniel Daniel Catán | Performed by Josaphat Contreras, Tenor
- “Dalla sua pace” – Aria from Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” translated into Spanish | Performed by Josaphat Contreras, Tenor
- “Granada” – By Mexican composer Agustín Lara | Performed by Alexandra Dietrich, Mezzo-Soprano
- “Amor bendito” – By Puerto Rican composer Juan Ríos Ovalle | Performed by Alexandra Dietrich, Mezzo-Soprano
- “Del cabello más sutil” – By Spanish composer Fernando Obradors | Performed by Alexandra Dietrich, Mezzo-Soprano
“We seek to welcome our audience into the rich sound and history of music that is Latinidad, a shared culture that is not limited to one or two traits and instead represents the diverse heritage found throughout Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean,” says Alexandra Dietrich, artistic director of Nuestras Raíces. “Our LatinX faculty artists represent these regions and are excited to celebrate LatinX Heritage Month with their NEMPAC family and the Boston community at large. ¡Esperamos que disfrutes de la música!”
Dietrich will emcee the online performance alongside Sherri Snow, NEMPAC’s executive director. Throughout the concert, patrons will hear testimonials from community members reflecting on what NEMPAC has meant to them amid the pandemic.
All monies raised by Nuestras Raíces’ ticket sales, song dedications, and donations will go directly to NEMPAC’s annual fund, an income stream that finances the day-to-day operations of the 501(c)(3)’s community music school and performing arts center. This funding source sustains NEMPAC’s arts programming and professional performances, including but not limited to private music instruction for youth and adults, school partnerships, and free public concerts.
“NEMPAC will invest all funds raised by Nuestras Raíces into accessible, high-quality performances and programming that continue to nurture the next generation of artists, honor the traditions of live performance, and propel professional artists’ careers forward in the North End, Charlestown, and surrounding Boston neighborhoods,” says Sherri Snow, NEMPAC’s executive director. “Community donations to this virtual fundraising concert will allow NEMPAC to continue to adapt its programming and performances amid the pandemic, and in doing so, fuel our shared vision to make the arts accessible to all.”
