Penn State DuBois To Host Latin Music Night with Rick Reyes on Sept. 16

Singer-songwriter and storyteller Rick Reyes will bring an evening of original songs, Puerto Rican roots, Latin rhythms and life stories to Penn State DuBois on Wednesday, Sept. 16.

Latin Music Night with Rick Reyes and Company will begin at 6 p.m. in Hiller Auditorium. The performance is free and open to the public and is hosted by the Penn State DuBois Campus Activities Board.

A songwriter, producer and storyteller, Reyes was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and spent much of his childhood in the countryside of his parents' native Puerto Rico. There, he developed an appreciation for traditional Puerto Rican folk music and Jíbaro music, traditions that would later influence his work as a musician.

Reyes returned to Bridgeport with his family at age 13. As he adjusted to life there, he began writing his thoughts, impressions and observations in journals as a creative outlet. After his father bought him a guitar, Reyes taught himself to play and eventually began setting his poetry to music, beginning his journey as a songwriter.

His songwriting draws from his personal experiences and explores themes including struggle, determination, social justice, freedom, equality, acceptance and hope. Musically, Reyes combines traditional Puerto Rican influences with sounds including American rock, salsa, merengue and Latin jazz.

Throughout his career, Reyes has created and performed with several musical groups, including Cosmic Jibaros, the Pasofino Social Club, and Novela sin Tiempo. His work has explored the connections between musical traditions while using songwriting and storytelling to share experiences rooted in Puerto Rican culture.

Latin Music Night is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Sept. 16 in Hiller Auditorium at Penn State DuBois. Admission is free.

For more information or to request accommodations, contact Penn State DuBois Student Engagement at studentactivities@psu.edu or 814-375-4764.