27 Dec Philadelphia Organization Spotlight: Ritmo Lab Productions

BY ANDRE CHERRY

The cinéSPEAK Journal publishes a monthly Philadelphia Organization Spotlight highlighting a  local film or moving image focused organization, business, or collective doing unique and  impactful work.

Philadelphia is home to a diverse Latinx creative community. Ritmo Lab is a music, arts and cultural production company, based in Philadelphia, with the goal of celebrating Latinidad. Ritmo Lab (RL) is the Latinx, woman-owned creation of founder Alba Martinez, a multi-talented visionary who launched RL to produce her music and community arts projects.

Martinez, who has roots in Puerto Rico, has called Philadelphia her home for over three decades. She’s a musician, songwriter, and lawyer who left the corporate world in 2020 to fully dedicate herself to the arts and to social impact. Her production company strives to increase the appreciation and inclusion of Latinx artists and communities in the creative economy.

RL’s mission includes producing music and multimedia projects that celebrate Lantinidad. cinéSPEAK asked Martinez about RL’s recent work, the organization’s vision for Philadelphia, and the current opportunities for folks looking to get involved with RL.

cinéSPEAK: What impact do you hope your organization has in the Philadelphia community?  

RL: I hope Ritmo Lab helps people connect with the city’s Latinidad in new and different ways, and brings people together.  

cinéSPEAK: What is unique about your organization within the Philadelphia landscape?  

RL: We are highlighting and celebrating a community that is vibrant, growing, and full of talent, but which is often overlooked.  

cinéSPEAK: Can you share one thing that the general public might not know about your organization?  

RL: We just released an arts-filled short film project called La Guagua 47 which portrays the Latinx community in the way I, and others that love this community, know it and see it.  

La Guagua 47 tells the story of how a young migrant, who is alone in a new unfamiliar city, begins her search for others of Latinx heritage. The woman discovers a way to travel to “the heart of the Barrio, a place that radiates a sense of home, tradition, culture, and belonging” via the iconic SEPTA #47 bus.  

The 47 bus runs through parts of North and South Philadelphia. As described on the Ritmolab website, “It is a historic transportation route that connects the seemingly disparate Latinx communities across the city that takes her there.”  

La Guagua 47 is a visually stunning short film bursting with Latin music and dance with different Philadelphia neighborhoods on prominent display throughout the entire journey. It tells a powerful story of how public transportation, the 47 bus, connects people and communities of Hispanic and Latin descent together keeping their cultures and traditions alive. It can be viewed on YouTube as well as on the La Guagua 47 website. 

The short film premiered on September 15th, which is the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month, to a sold out crowd at the Perelman Theater at The Kimmel Center.  

RL: [The film] also has a sister video called “Journey to La Guagua 47,” where some of the lead creators speak about the process. The premiere at the Kimmel was filled to capacity! Over 450 people came out to enjoy the film and support us!  

On the La Guagua 47 website, Alba explains, “By promoting diversity, collaboration, and social integration, this project stimulates creativity and fosters an inclusive understanding of our history as we build a more socially and financially healthy, vibrant, and resilient Latino community for all.”  

cinéSPEAK: Can you share something exciting that is coming up for your organization?  

RL: In the next year, we will be producing a music project we are calling Sounds of Latin Philly, to highlight the musical talent in our city and the rich culture and traditions that inspire them.  

cinéSPEAK: What are some of the opportunities at RL that folks can get involved in?  

RL: We are interested in getting to know multidisciplinary artists including film and video makers that either have a Latinx background, or have an interest in doing a project connected to Latinidad.  

cinéSPEAK: What is the best way folks who are interested in these opportunities to contact  RL?  

RL: Please introduce yourselves by writing to us at ritmolabmusic@gmail.com! 

*Featured Image: Still from La Guagua 47. Image credit: David Heitur.

Would you like your organization to be featured in a future spotlight? Please fill out the  Philadelphia Organization Spotlight form. The cinéSPEAK Journal maintains sole discretion over  the publishing of any information provided via the form.Questions: journal@cinespeak.org.

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Andre Cherry’s love of storytelling compels him to create art. He is a cinéSPEAK Fellow, background actor, and writer. His screenplays have placed within the Austin Film Festival and Stowe Story Labs. Andre, who originally hails from the Chicagoland area, quickly grew to love Philadelphia after moving to the area in 2014. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Illinois State University.