WEMU and the Michigan Theater present a free screening of the first installment of new PBS documentary "Latin America USA" and a discussion with multi-talented Afro-Cuban music figure Bobby Sanabria on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.

WEMU's block of Latin music, featuring Cuban Fantasy and Brazilian Sol (airing on Saturdays between 7 and 11 p.m.), led to the station being selected to host the screening, which comes five days before the series' broadcast premiere.

"Latin Music USA" is a documentary series and multimedia project produced by WGBH in Boston for Hispanic Heritage Month, exploring how Latin music has influenced jazz, rock, blues and country music. The first installment of "Latin Music USA" focuses on the rise of Latin jazz, mambo and cha cha chá and discusses how Latin music infiltrated R&B and rock 'n' roll during the 1960s.

Watch the "Latin Music USA" trailer:

Following the screening, percussionist, composer, educator and historian Bobby Sanabria, who served as a consultant for "Latin Music USA," leads a Q&A session moderated by WEMU music director Linda Yohn. Sanabria, raised in the South Bronx by Puerto Rican parents, was a protégé of Latin Music king Tito Puente and a graduate of the Berklee College of Music and has since become a prominent leader in Afro-Cuban and jazz circles, recognized as one of the premiere scholars of “la tradición.”

Bobby Sanabria talks about Cuban music:

Chrysta Cherrie is the entertainment producer/copy editor for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at chrystacherrie@annarbor.com or 734-623-2526, and follow her on Twitter @chrystacherrie.

Can't attend the local screening? Browse air times on PBS or watch online.