Co-Founders’ Letter introducing our 2026 Programs
Thanks for your support!

Amigos de Raíces Culturales,

As we celebrate our 35th anniversary in 2026, we will grow our ongoing programs in the Raíces Cultural Corridor from Washington, DC to Philadelphia to Boston! Whether you donate $5 or $500, every little bit helps because the first 35 donations will be matched. Be a part of these exciting programs with your generous donation!

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1. Noche de Bohemia Series (in collaboration with AMLA at Esperanza): After a successful 2025 season presenting Latin romantic music, Guatemalan dance, Argentinian tango, Peruvian culture, the Colombian Barranquilla Carnival, and Christmas in Latin America, we kick off our 2026 season in February with a focus on chocolate and its place today in the Americas. Think about that delicious chocolate truffle or Mole Poblano or cup of hot chocolate! Yummy!

2. Artists-in-Residence: We have coordinated tours with visual and performing artists from Latin America who have presented their expertise in traditional culture to enthusiastic audiences in our Cultural Corridor from Harvard and Yale to community organizations and museums in the Philadelphia and Washington, DC areas. 2025 artists featured Guatemalan dancer and researcher Alejandro Rax and Marimba Talmuc’h Huitan. More artists are planned for 2026 to increase this vital contact between tradition bearers and our communities.

3. Feria del Barrio 2026: The Community Stage (in front of Taller Puertorriqueño) in September. We manage this area that provides closer interaction with the performers through workshops and an opportunity to join in! Feria 2025 featured an improvised “controversia” between two Puerto Rican trovadores and music from pianist Zyra María González backed by our musicians in Raíces Boricuas, and a Colombian cumbia workshop courtesy of Maribel Egea and her group Son Colombia Las Américas!

4. Programs in Washington, DC area and beyond: our next program in this area will take place at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond in March and will feature a Guatemalan sawdust rug crafted by Ubaldo Sánchez and marimba music. Details to follow!

Our achievements of the past 35 years would not have been possible without your ongoing support and encouragement. Thank you for believing in our mission and for standing with us as we strive to make a difference in the lives of our Latinx/Latiné communities!

Saludos,

Michael Esposito and Yolanda Alcorta
Co-Founders/President and Vice President

with our colleagues on the Raíces Board of Directors: Ervin Cardoza, Tania Guerrero, Christina Hollinsed, Liliana Caracoza

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About Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas

For 35 years, Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas has promoted, increased awareness, and celebrated all that is rich, dynamic and beautiful in Latin American culture. We do more than simply present music, dance, and visual arts performances and workshops: we explain and give context to these art forms to educate groups of all ages.

We present in schools, universities, museums, businesses, government agencies, and community festivals with artists from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, the Caribbean region, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. We also develop lecture-presentations explaining these colorful and diverse traditions. Contact us at info@raicesculturales.org for more information and how we can develop a successful program for your audience!

We accomplish our mission with programs in Philadelphia such as the Noche de Bohemia and Feria del Barrio (as a sponsoring organization), our ongoing partnership with the Down Jersey Folklife Center at WheatonArts, and our Washington, DC activities including at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and the Mid-Atlantic Grain Fair. Your generous contribution helps us build on these programs and increase our reach to both Latino and non-Latino audiences. As always, thank you for your support!