Art

CSV Gets $250,000 for Building Improvements

The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural Center in Manhatttan's Lower East Side was rewarded with a $250,000 grant to make improvements to its building.
The grant will also allow CSV to do more community outreach through surveys, town hall meetings and interviews to identify and define what needs Lower East Side residents would like to see integrated into the programs and renovation plan of the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural Center; hire a staff member to focus on the center's newsletter and web presence and retain the services of an architect.
Council Member Alan J. Gerson made the announcement recently to a packed audience attending the opening of two exhibitions at the center: Portrait of Loisaida and PSA: Public Service Announcements. The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation rewarded the grant.
Founded in 1993, the CSV Cultural Center is the largest arts incubator in New York City and houses 53 visual artists in working studios, 16 performing arts groups, four theaters and two galleries in its city-owned building.
"This grant will allow us to organize a series of conversations to take place over the next year, between CSV and the occupants of the center and CSV and the broader Lower East Side community, that will shape a Master Facility Planning document and serve as the blue-print on how best to renovate the building in the coming years," said Luis R. Cancel, CSV's executive director, in a statement.
The city-owned building was originally designed as a public school in 1897 and served generations of the local immigrant communities before being converted into a cultural center.

Latino Health

ShowLetter
Originally uploaded by prsuncom

The State of Latino Health and Mental Health
go to www.centropr.org for more info.

No where else
By Samaris Ayala

fiction is the photograph
of our soul
it tells a truth
found no where else

Samaris Ayala is based in the Lower East Side and she contributes her poetry to Puerto Rico Sun. She may be reached at sallypatches@yahoo.com.

Sports

Cotto Magic at MSG
By Ismael Nunez

There seems to be magic when Boxer Miguel Cotto comes to New York City. He’s never lost a fight at the “Mecca of Boxing” Madison Square Garden and he faced his biggest challenge Nov. 10 when he met Sugar Shane Mosley.
The fight started slow for Cotto. Then in the mid-rounds he stood toe to toe with Mosley throughout the fight. Cotto won a unanimous 12-round decision.
For Cotto, it was a real test too.
Mosley did hurt him in the earlier and middle rounds, but eventually did not have enough firepower to KO Cotto. Cotto never lay low. When Mosley moved in for a KO, Cotto kept his guard up and fought back like a fighting rooster.
After the fight, boxing announcer Max Kellerman asked, “Are you ready to fight bigger name opponents?"
Cotto replied, “I'm ready to fight."
The real challenge for Cotto: moving up in the weight class and winning. Let’s see what happens.
Other Puerto Rican athletes making headlines:
Ivan Rodriguez, catcher for the Detroit Tigers, grabbed his 12th gold glove for fielding. A record.
Meanwhile in the National League, there's good news for the NY Mets. Centerfielder Carlos Beltran won the gold glove for fielding.

Ismael Nunez is a freelance writer based in East Harlem who contributes his writings to Puerto Rico Sun.

Tito Kayak

Tito Kayak
Originally uploaded by yasmapaz.

Community Calendar

Second Annual Comite Noviembre
Puerto Rican Artisans Exhibition and Fair
Saturday, Nov. 17
Hunter College of The City University of New York
West Building
695 Lexington Ave., Manhattan
11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Free
For more info, www.comitenoviembre.org

From the Mailbox

Earlier this year, I went to Nashville, Tennessee for a journalism seminar. I took my camera to photoblog, of course. I shot a series of photos of Nashville, and I'm happy to report that one of my photos has been selected to be part of a guide. -- Clarisel

Here's an excerpt of a letter I received from Emma Williams, managing editor, Schmap Guides:

I am delighted to let you know that your submitted photo has been selected for inclusion in the newly released fourth edition of our Schmap Nashville Guide:

Music Row
www.schmap.com/nashville/introduction_neighborhoods/p=2021D05/i=2021D05_6.jpg

Thanks so much for letting us include your photo - please enjoy the guide!

Best regards,

Emma Williams,
Managing Editor, Schmap Guides

at the beach -paper sculpture

at the beach -paper sculpture
Originally uploaded by paper art.

More pictures of paper art's paper sculpture show.

Go to the Oct. 27 entry in this blog for more info. on his current exhibit in NYC or visit his site at flickr.

Arts

Featured article

"Rotund" and "review" seem to go together. This episode brings you new paintings by Diógenes Ballester, plus a couple of leisurely days in Ballester's hometown of Ponce.

http://rworld.thenextfewhours.com

REMINDER

CINE_REAL: Two exhibitions about film.

* Judith Escalona's "Bx3M: A work in process"
* Hector Canonge's "IDOLatries/IDOLatrías"

Opening Reception: TONIGHT, Thursday, November 8, 6PM - 8PM
Exhibition: November 8 - December 20
Gallery hours: Wed - Sat, 3pm - 7pm

MediaNoche
1355 Park Avenue, entrance on East 102nd Street, Storefront
(the Northeast corner of East 102nd Street and Park Avenue, El Barrio)

For more info, go to the Nov. 3 entry in this blog.

In the Mailbox

PR Freedom Album

The Welfare Poets, The ProLibertad Freedom Campaign, Boricuation, Raza NYC and other concerned organizations and individuals have come together to collaborate on a fund raising project to directly aid the current Puerto Rican Political Prisoners, incarcerated for fighting for the independence and self-determination of Puerto Rico. Additionally, we also want to assist past political prisoners who have been freed and are now attempting to survive in a system where many channels are closed to them, and even possibly future political prisoners.
The Freedom Album with be a musical cd/compilation dedicated to the welfare of our political prisoners. We have united under the name The Puerto Rican Freedom Project.
The Puerto Rican Freedom Project has begun to contact Puerto Rican artists of all genres across the US, on the island and elsewhere to let them know about the project and to initiate the process of song submission. Our desire to get a wide range of Puerto Rican artists from the local grass-rooted bands to those who are mainstreamed and have the eye of the world press. Submissions will be taken until December 31st of 2007 and should be sent initially in MP3 format to Freedomalbum@gmail.com.

Background
The fight for Puerto Rico's Independence goes as far back as indigenous resistance to Spanish occupation. For well over 500 years, countless and nameless individuals have fought for our islands sovereignty. Some have paid the ultimate price with their lives. Others have been held captive, arrested against their will, by a court which held no jurisdiction over their cases and tramples on their international right to fight for the liberation of their homeland, our homeland, Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rican people have been able to free many of our political prisoners.
Our goal is to have the compilation completed by the end of the summer 2008. We have been contacting other Puerto Rican organizations and cultural institutions to assist in sponsoring the proposed project.
For more information
www.ProLibertadweb.com - www.welfarepoets.com or www.myspace.com/thewelfarepoets
www.boricuation.com or www.myspace.com/boricuationonline - www.myspace.com/razanyc


Jose Medina
Director – Promotion/Publicity Committee
Puerto Rican Freedom Project
Cell: 917 843 6419
E-Mail: prfreedompromo@gmail.com
prfreedomproject.org

PRSUN TV in the BETA's

PRSUN TV has been nominated for a BETA (Bronx Excellence in Television Access) award at Bronxnet, which is this community station's version of the Emmys.

The awards show will be tonight at Lehman College, the Bronx. Bronxnet usually airs the show on Channel 67, its signature channel.

Wish me luck.

PRSUN TV was nominated last year for a BETA in the talk show category.

PRSUN TV is a cultural arts show that airs on Bronxnet's Channel 69, the culture channel for independent producers.

Community Calendar

Portrait of Loisaida

The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural Center invites you to join us for the opening reception of two exhibitions:
Opening reception
6:00 - 9:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8
Portrait of Loisaida
CSV Cultural Center invited two accomplished photographers, Clayton Patterson and Marisol Díaz, to capture a community in transition. The Lower East Side of Manhattan, long referred to by its Hispanic residents as "Loisaida", is presently experiencing the shearing forces of gentrification -- multi-million dollar condominium projects sprouting in the midst of neighborhoods that have housed the city's immigrant poor for generations.

This exhibition is an opportunity to discuss the tensions that these economic and social changes introduce in the community, and the photos of Patterson and Díaz, two photographers with impressive histories of documenting this community, share their images of the people, institutions, and architecture of a neighborhood in transition.

PSA: Public Service Announcement
This group exhibition is part of Borimix, the Puerto Rico Fest 2007 celebration of Puerto Rican art and culture. Curated by Miguel Trelles and Rebeca Noriega, it is an exhibition of contemporary public service announcements referring to classic Puerto Rican prints, co-presented by SEA and CSV Cultural Center. There will be a special recognition ceremony at the reception honoring Council Members Alan J. Gerson and Rosie Mendez

For more information, visit www.csvcenter.com

Justice for Jayson

Justice for Jayson
Originally uploaded by prsuncom

Commentary

Senseless Killing of an Unarmed Man in El Barrio
Text and Photo by Ismael Nunez

Friends and family of an unarmed man killed in late October in a road rage incident involving an off-duty police officer are demanding justice. Even the Reverend Al Sharpton has come out in support of Jayson Tirado's family.
Tirado's relatives and friends have questioned why Officer Sean Sawyer was not immediately arrested when he turned himself in after the shooting on Oct. 22. Sawyer has been suspended without pay and is out free, while a grand jury investigates possible charges.
Tirado apparently refused to let the officer's SUV merge with traffic onto an exit ramp in East Harlem. He also apparently gestured at the off-duty officer as if he had a gun.
But Tirado of the Lower East Side didn't have a gun.
And, he was killed anyway. He was only 25.
Elected officials and Tirado's friends and family have voiced their anger of the NYPD's handling of this case. Who wouldn't be angry? There is a little girl without a dad.
According to Sawyer, a born again Christian, he fired because he thought his life was in danger. He then fled the scene because he panicked. Many in the victim's family and Rev. Sharpton, wonder why officer Sawyer was not arrested for leaving the scene of the shooting for 19 hours. Sawyer has said he did not believe that the shots he fired hit anyone.
Charlie King, attorney who was representing the National Action Network, said: “It’s always the same thing we hear from the NYPD when they shoot at unarmed civilians. It’s always a claim of self-defense...How can you make a claim of self-defense when there is no weapon around?"
How can you?


Ismael Nunez is a freelance writer based in El Barrio who contributes his writings to Puerto Rico Sun.

Behind the Scenes -- Bx3M

Behind the Scenes -- Bx3M
Originally uploaded by clarisel.

Our DP Ted

Cine_Real

Community Calendar

CINE_REAL: Two exhibitions about film.

* Judith Escalona's "Bx3M: A work in process"
* Hector Canonge's "IDOLatries/IDOLatrías"

Opening Reception: Thursday, November 8, 6PM - 8PM
Exhibition: November 8 - December 20
Gallery hours: Wed - Sat, 3pm - 7pm

MediaNoche
1355 Park Avenue, entrance on East 102nd Street, Storefront
(the Northeast corner of East 102nd Street and Park Avenue, El Barrio)

For info: www.medianoche.us or 212-828-0401

ADMISSION: Free

Project Descriptions:

Judith Escalona's "Bx3M: A work in process"
Witness firsthand the ongoing editing of this New York City epic. The director and invited guests (Director of Photography Ted Ciesielski and Actor Jaime Sanchez for starters) go through a performative process of editing. Visitors watch and interact with them. Behind the scenes footage also on display.

Hector Canonge's "IDOLatries/IDOLatrías""
An interactive new media work utilizing barcode and readers to bring attention to yet another way women are objectified. Barcode takes us one more step away from seeing these luscious Latinas on boxes, cans,and jars as anything other than their use value. Consumer heaven or hell, depending on which side of the supermarket aisle you're on.

071031img_4080s
Originally uploaded by Ola Lola.

Arte Ríopedrence

Arte Ríopedrence
Originally uploaded by Moliniano.

Arcoiris Vegetal 1

Arcoiris Vegetal 1
Originally uploaded by Luis Mo..

Community Calendar

Jimmy Bosch & Jimmy Ray Bosch
Live Jam and Poetry!!!!!

Thursday, November 1, 7PM - 10PM
PRdream/MediaNoche
1355 Park Avenue, (entrance on East 102nd Street)
El Barrio
(Two blocks away from Museum Mile)

A note from Jimmy Bosch

Father and Son team up with PRdream/MediaNoche (Judith Escalona) for a good cause. On Thursday November 1st, my son and I will be performing together for the first time ever. Jimmy Ray will be reading some of his very own poetry. He has been writing for years and has read at various Barnes and Noble poetry nights as well as for private events such as the Children's Aid Society and the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in the Lower East Side. I will have a quartet to do a jam session along with
guests who arrive to sit in and donate their time.

We will be raising funds for CURA Inc. which is dedicated to saving lives through their many programs and services designed to help the Latino community members who suffer from drug and alcohol abuse problems. CURA Inc. is a 501(c)3, not for profit organization.

Your presence is required! Please join us from 7 to 10 p.m. as we entertain you with heartfelt poetry and heartfelt music by my son and me. This will be the beginning of a long journey in which my son and I begin to perform together for various causes around the world.

For more information about PRdream call 212.828-0401 or visit their website at www.prdream.com

For more information about CURA Inc. call 973 622-3570 or visit their website at www.curainc.org

Jimmy Bosch

Politics

From the Serrano report:

Serrano's PR Bill Passes Out of Committee

Congressman Serrano’s bill to finally resolve Puerto Rico’s status, H.R. 900, was considered by the House Committee on Natural Resources this week and won passage after several amendments.

Serrano was pleased with the markup and congratulated the members of the Committee on Natural Resources for taking this vital first step in resolving Puerto Rico’s status once and for all. The bill would have the U.S. government ask the people of Puerto Rico a simple question: Do you support the present status or would you like to change the relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States? With the answer to this question, interested parties can begin meaningful negotiations about the future of the relationship between the U.S. and the island.

“There have been many criticisms of my bill from people who oppose change. I worked closely with Mr. Rahall and Mr. Fortuño to craft a compromise bill addressing the concerns of the other side. Unfortunately, their stance seemed to be that there was no concession big enough that would make my bill worthy of their support. I am saddened by this position, because I genuinely believe that we need dialogue and compromise between the two sides to eventually end this colonial relationship—a relationship that no one supports in its current form.

“The Puerto Rican people deserve leaders who will tell them the truth, and lead them into a better future. It is time that we all admit that the colonial relationship with the U.S. and the subjugation that it brings have divided us against one another.

“If we are to move toward a better, empowered future for Puerto Ricans, we must stop the infighting, and work together to solve our status problem. Until that is done, we will never move beyond it. Our heritage, our pride, and our history all call us to do what we need to do to move our people to a bright future.”

The next step for the bill would be a vote on the House floor, although this step has not been scheduled.

'Paper Sculptures'

CarlosNMolinaShow
Originally uploaded by paper art.

by Carlos N. Molina, a member of the Puerto Rico Sun group at flickr

Go support.

Molina reports that about 30 people attended the opening. The show will run until November 21.

Click on the photo for more details.

Albizu Campos

Albizu Campos
Originally uploaded by paper art.

Paper art says: Street art on the San Sebastian Street in Old San Juan. This is Albizu Campos, a national hero.

La Casa's Leticia Rodriguez Continues Legacy
By Ismael Nunez

Leticia Rodriguez, the new executive director of La Casa de la Herencia Cultural Puertorriqueña, Inc. in NYC's El Barrio, is working hard to keep the legacy of this cultural institution alive.
La Casa at 1230 Fifth Avenue is a non-profit community based cultural institution. Its main objective is to promote the development of the Puerto Rican culture and to preserve, enrich and disseminate cultural and literary heritage to the Puerto Rican community and others.
La Casa has a Heritage Library, which includes a collection of books, documents and other materials related to Puerto Rican and Latin American history. Rodriguez said people who visit come to research many different topics. Popular research subjects include Arturo Schomburg, Julia De Burgos, and Simon Bolivar.
La Casa also provides cultural heritage workshops and classes that are open to the public. They include learning how to play cuatro and other musical instruments, dancing bomba and plena, painting, and drawing classes.
Rodriguez is happy to work in El Barrio in an organization with a rich history.
"To come to a community which has so much history is great," she said. "I’m keeping a legacy. I'm continuing the work that this institution has been doing for 27 years."
Last year, Don Otilio Diaz, who led La Casa for more than 25 years, died at the age of 75. La Casa's board introduced Rodriguez as its new executive director at an open house reception in September. On Saturday, October 27, La Casa celebrates its 27th anniversary gala and awards ceremony at the Carlos Rios Reception Hall in El Barrio. This is the first gala under her leadership.
La Casa is located in the same building as El Museo Del Barrio.
La Casa means the house and Rodriguez encourages the public to visit.
"It means we are here for you, to serve you and not to exclude anyone," she said. "We have been here for 27 years and counting."
For more information on La Casa, go to www.lacasapr.org.

Ismael Nunez is an East Harlem based freelance writer who contributes his writings to Puerto Rico Sun.

Community Calendar

The Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) and the En Foco Touring Gallery present an evening to meet photographer Enid Alvarez at her Puerto Rico Series exhibition in Pregones Theater’s lobby gallery on November 7th in conjunction with BCA’s First Wedensdays/Bronx Culture Trolley. Alvarez will be on hand from 6-8 p.m. to greet her visitors and talk about her work which will be on view through December 9th.

For more info. www.bronxarts.org

games

games
Originally uploaded by davelightseer.

Lajas, Puerto Rico

Featured news report

Pets hurled off bridge in Puerto Rico
By OMAR MARRERO, Associated Press Writer
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Animal control workers seized dozens of dogs and cats from housing projects in the town of Barceloneta and hurled them from a bridge to their deaths, authorities and witnesses said Friday. Mayor Sol Luis Fontanez blamed a contractor hired to take the animals to a shelter.
"This is an irresponsible, inhumane and shameful act," he told The Associated Press.
Fontanez said the city hired Animal Control Solution to clear three housing projects of pets after warning residents about a no-pet policy. He said the city paid $60 for every animal recovered and another $100 for each trip to a shelter in the San Juan suburb of Carolina.
Raids were conducted on Monday and Wednesday, and residents told TV reporters they saw the animal control workers inject the animals.

OLD HOUSE

OLD HOUSE
Originally uploaded by suapr.

Vejigante de Loiza

Vejigante de Loiza
Originally uploaded by paper art.

CEIBA VEJIGANTE

CEIBA VEJIGANTE
Originally uploaded by suapr.

In the Mailbox

OPENING NIGHT!
A One Woman Art Exhibit
By Puerto Rican Lower East Side Artisan:
Isabel Christina Rivera-Almonte

Thursday, October 11, 7-9 p.m.

Isabel C. Rivera-Almonte is an accomplished Puerto Rican Artisan. Her art expresses many aspects of Puerto Rican history and culture. All of her beautiful and important art will be in display.

This will be the first time that Isabel's total works will be on display.

Enjoy wine n cheese soft music , a wonderful crowd of people, artist, poets, musicians, photographers, live radio show.


Boricua College
186 N. 6 Street (Williamsburg area)
Brooklyn, NY, 11211
Tel:1718-782-2200
L Train Bedford Ave Stop
One stop from 14th street @ 1st Avenue

This is a Boricuation.com sponsored event!

--
Jose Medina
Boricuation.com

Tania Ochoteco

Tania Ochoteco
Originally uploaded by prsuncom

Frees Herself with Art, Community and Big Hopes
By Robert Waddell

In 2002, Bronx actress Tania Ochoteco was taking classes at the Raul Julia Training Unit of the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre and working with dramatists.
Today, she works for a Bronx politician, but she is not all about politics. She is still an artist at heart who is pursuing her love for acting and writing.
“I have gained more experience and joined a company," she said about her acting. "I’m a member of the Puerto Rican Intercultural Drama Ensemble, the Pride Theatre Company and I’ve had the opportunity to work with Frank Perez, Eugene Rodriguez, Rene Valentin, Lou Torres.”
She studied with the late artist Raul Davila and did a staged reading of Nuyorican poet Pedro Pietri’s play “Come in We’re Closed.”
Serving her community in the Bronx is important to her. She’s currently deputy director for Council Member Annabelle Palma of the Bronx.
“It’s a great j-o-b because it’s in my community, the Bronx," she said. "I’m able to do something in a direct or indirect way that’s helping the community, so I’m happy about that."
She enjoys the flexibility this job gives her as she acts and writes.
“It’s been really good, but the results are only as good as the effort,” she said. “I’m happy with where I am so far, for the experience I’ve gained and for what I have to look forward to.”
Ochoteco considers herself an up and coming artist who is still paying her dues.
“She’s a wonderful actress,” said actor and playwright Eugene Rodriguez. “And as a person in the community, her heart is in the right place. She knows her lines and takes direction well.”
In a performance of Rodriguez’s “San Juan Shakespeare Company,” Ochoteco played Cindy who is a new actress that wants to perform with established actors. Ochoteco said she could relate to this character.
In addition to acting, Ochotecto said she is also learning the art of playwriting. She wants to write about her experiences in a memoir entitled “Memoirs of a Wifey.”
“This project involves a plethora of issues,” she said. “It involves immigration, deportation. It’s a very intimate piece of work. It brings me back to a difficult and interesting time in my early 20s…I’m so excited about it. Just when I think I don’t have any more energy, I start writing, and I’m filled with adrenaline. The next thing you know it’s 3 a.m. and I have to get up at 7 for work. I’ve been tired, but it’s good tired. I’ve been productive.”
The term “wifey” refers to a woman who lives with a man without being legally married. “It’s an urban term for shacking up,” she said. “A lot of people can relate…marriage is slowly diminishing. There's a lot of women who have their partners and their children and that’s what it is.”
She described her six-year experience as life changing.
Out of a love story comes the intimate experience when one is left alone, she said. There are no divorces or alimony.
“There’s redemption in this story,” she said. “There are experiences in life that mark you for a long time.”
Ochoteco said the story is about freeing herself from a difficult situation and gaining redemption.
“In the next five years,” Ochoteco said, “I hope to have a lot more productions under my belt; I hope to be doing film; and I hope to be part of a movement that is putting our efforts to open more spaces for artists to put up their work.”

Robert Waddell is a Bronx-based freelance writer who contributes his writings to Puerto Rico Sun.

la coca

la coca
Originally uploaded by anaivette64.

UnBuenCamino

UnBuenCamino
Originally uploaded by TatoBrujo.

Casa de las banderas

Casa de las banderas
Originally uploaded by Jorge Rodriguez.

Guayama, Puerto Rico

Hostos - Viejo San Juan

Hostos - Viejo San Juan
Originally uploaded by paper art.

Rincón, Puerto Rico

Rincón, Puerto Rico
Originally uploaded by Oquendo.

In the Mailbox

News from the Artists Foundation
_______________________________________________
FROM www.freepress.net

Dear Media Reformer,

If you're getting this e-mail, you already know that universal, affordable high-speed Internet access is critical to our future.

Unfortunately, most of us have been left out of the debate over the future of the Internet that is happening right now in Washington. High-priced lobbyists have no trouble bending the ears of lawmakers in Washington. But you and I rarely get the
chance to be heard.

That's about to change. On Wednesday, Senator Kerry is holding a hearing on improving Internet access for all Americans. He has pledged to listen to your ideas and respond via the SavetheInternet.com blog. It is crucial that you add your voice to this debate.

Join Senator Kerry in a Conversation about the Future of the Internet: www.savetheinternet.com/blog

"It's almost hard to wrap your head around the fact that seven years into this century, more Americans than not have either no Internet access at all or are still stuck on dial-up," Senator Kerry writes. "It seems like so long ago that the buzzword was the 'information super-highway,' but much of America is still
bouncing down a country lane. That is just unacceptable."

America continues to fall further behind the rest of the world when it comes to fast, affordable Internet access. That's because we don't have a national broadband policy dedicated to bringing the benefits of the Internet to everyone.

Share Your Ideas About How to Connect America: www.savetheinternet.com/blog

"Previous generations put a toaster in every home and a car in every driveway as signs of economic progress," Senator Kerry explains. "To stay competitive, we should strive to do the same with nationwide broadband. Our economy, our businesses and our
families are counting on us to deliver."

This could be the start of a truly public conversation of what the future of the Internet should look like. Please join us and share your comments and ideas.

Onward,

Timothy Karr
Campaign Director
Free Press
www.freepress.net
www.savetheinternet.com

P.S. Please help spread the word about this important
initiative. Tell your friends today:
www.freepress.net/content/taf_fpan

El mega aguacate

El mega aguacate
Originally uploaded by yasmapaz.

El Morro's Defense

El Morro's Defense
Originally uploaded by donnacorless.

El Morro's Defense. San Juan, Puerto Rico. Digital watercolor artwork by Donna Corless.

'East Harlem Focus'

Hope Community, Inc. and Manhattan Neighborhood Network
to Screen Documentary: “East Harlem Focus”
@ MNN Studios, 537 West 59th Street
Wednesday, September 19, 6:30 p.m.


On Wednesday, September 19th, Hope Community, Inc. - in partnership with Manhattan Neighborhood Network - will screen its documentary, "East Harlem Focus: A Community Facing Transition." The screening will be held at 6:30 pm at MNN Studios, 537 West 59th Street, followed by a 30-minute public discussion on gentrification and displacement in East Harlem.


Background

Produced by the Hope Community’s community programs department, “East Harlem Focus” is the culmination of a 12-month, community-based research project that documented a neighborhood threatened by rapid and transformative change.

The research team interviewed with over 30 neighborhood residents to capture their observations, opinions, and feelings about East Harlem. The team also drew from a wide range of sources — including the U.S. census, records from three city agencies, and private data on real estate sales — to describe and analyze demographic trends and flows of investment in local real estate.

“The goals of the research project were to identify and explain changing forces, highlight concerns of local residents, and propose practical courses of action for positive future development,” explained Hope’s Executive Director, Robin LeBaron. “We hope the film and panel discussion will shed new light on the issue of displacement and lay the foundation for an alliance with local partners to preserve East Harlem’s historic standing as a vibrant, affordable neighborhood for working class families.”

In addition to the video, Hope staff produced an accompanying published report available online at www.hopeci.org. For more information visit: www.hopeci.org/program_EHF.php.

source: MNN

Community Calendar


Assemblyman Jose R. Peralta
District 39, Queens
In Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic & Latino Book Fair of NY

Opening Sept. 21, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 22, 12 to 8 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 23, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dedicated to Gregory Rabassa
(Translator of "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

@ Renaissance Charter School
35-59 81 St., Jackson Heights, Queens
(7 train to 82nd St, two blocks to 37th Ave. & 81st St., next to the public library)

In cooperation:
Hispanic & Latino Cultural Center of NY
Journalists & Writers for Tourism, Art & Culture
Latin American Immigrant Alliance

Coordinated by Juan Nicolas Tineo
jtineor@gmail.com
718 458-5367/718 710-6154/718 335-1339)

El Morro, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

El Morro, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Originally uploaded by Rafael Dorantes.

Community Calendar

6th LOISAIDA CORTOS LATINO FILM FESTIVAL

GALA RECEPTION
Friday September 14,7 p.m. to midnight
Hip Hop Culture Center (at the Magic Johnson Theater)
2309 Frederick Douglass Boulevard @ 124th Street, 2nd Floor
Harlem
Suggested Donation $20
Please rsvp to info@loisaidacortos.com

FILM FESTIVAL PREMIERE
Sunday September 16, 5 to 10 p.m.
La Plaza Cultural Community Garden
9th Street and Ave. C
East Village
Free Admission

LCLFF’s annual presence at the garden enriches the surrounding residential and business community both artistically and financially — as artists and festival-goers stream into the area to shop, eat, and experience the best of Latino culture.

For more information, go to www.loisaidacortos.com.

Gathering Around the Plaque

Gathering Around the Plaque
Originally uploaded by mamarazzi1.

Check out mamarazzi1's photo set titled "Tito Puente Post Office" at flickr.

Spotlight

Post Office in El Barrio Dedicated to Tito Puente
By Ismael Nunez

In East Harlem, there’s a street, there's a school, there's talk of having a statue one day, and now there's a post office that bears his name: Tito Puente.

After all, Puente is considered one of Latin music’s greatest band leaders and musicians. A plaque was recently unveiled in Puente’s memory and it hangs in the lobby of the post office at 167 East 124 Street.

Congressman Charles Rangel, who had introduced the bill to have the post office dedicated in Puente's honor, was among those who attended a Sept. 10 ceremony to celebrate.

“Tito Puente was more than a musician, more than a ambassador," Rangel said. "The personality he had (brought) people of different colors and cultures together.

"Young people and adults will have the honor of knowing who this person was, and people who knew him can share who this great musician was," he said. "Most importantly, (they will know) that he loved people."

Patricia McGovern, spokeswoman for the postal services in the New York Metro Area, said, “It’s a great honor to have this building dedicated to him. Many are not aware he was born/raised in the neighborhood. This dedication was solely appropriate."

As the dedication shifted to the Taino Towers Crystal Ballroom where live music filled the air and Latin food was served, several community people shared their thoughts.

"It is great; the best thing currently to have happened in this community was to name a building in his honor," said Charley Diaz, head of the Stickball Hall of Fame. "I know and the community knows there will be more dedications like this taking place."

Nina Olson, director of Development/Publicity/Community Outreach for the Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts, described Puente as "an amazing profound musician/bandleader."

"He took this music all over the world," she said. "He was also very concerned about musical education. The conservatory was one of the sponsors for the Tito Puente Scholarship Fund, the conservatory was a favorite of his. His generosity, his music, the conservatory will continue to educate the next future generations of musicians."

Joe Conzo, who is in charge of the “Tito Puente Legacy Project” at Hostos Community College in the Bronx, said, “He would’ve loved this dedication; he’s watching it now."

As the band started to play some Puente's classics, Conzo said, “He’s playing the drums, leading the band, he’s still with us in spirit and heart."

Ismael Nunez is a freelance writer based in El Barrio who contributes his writings to Puerto Rico Sun.

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Cemi Underground is a new cultural haven in El Barrio.

Check out today's New York Daily News:

www.nydailynews.com/latino/2007/09/12/2007-09-12_culture_store_in_east_harlem_attracts_cu.html

'Encuentros'

'Encuentros'
Originally uploaded by prsuncom

Joe Falcon and Bobby Gonzalez Form a Marriage of Music and Poetry
By Robert Waddell

Bassist Joe Falcon and poet Bobby Gonzalez describe their collaboration as a mélange and merger of poetry, various styles of Latin music and Taino and jibaro traditions. They join words and melody in their soon to be released CD “Encuentros” or Encounters. They bring years of personal experience to the genre and form a marriage of poetry and music.

“An Encuentro (an encounter) is something that comes together,” said Falcon, “either naturally or because you seek it; could be a friendship or an encounter with your past.”

Falcon stands at his bass and sways his body, playing fine mellow tunes to Gonzalez’s poetry, which talks of Puerto Rican and Taino culture. Falcon gives a smooth touch of jibaro cords as Gonzalez's tenor tells of ancient Taino gods in a contemporary setting. And Alto saxophonist Ricardo Strobert adds and improvises ideas, Falcon said.

“I’m always careful to acknowledge our African ancestry,” Gonzalez said, “and our Spanish culture...I was told by my mother that there are ‘African, Spanish and Taino spirits walking behind you so you should honor all of them.’ ”

In one of Gonzalez’s poems, he honors a Taino goddess called Atabex-gurra-pita, which is the goddess of the waters like the Yoruba Yemaya.

“Our culture is still here," he said. "We are still a dynamic force in the Caribbean and the United States. I want to communicate pride and love in who we are today that will empower people if they know this history.”

Falcon takes Gonzalez's words and conceives music that fits. For example, Falcon and Gonzalez take listeners to the past or a different place as with “El Yunque,” the Puerto Rican rain forest.

They both describe the feeling within their collaborations as surreal.

“Something far out, something real and unreal,” Falcon said. “The form is not direct. There’s no straight line. There are many lines.”

And, they are adding a jibaro and Taino contribution to this genre.

Falcon reads Gonzalez’s poetry, grabs onto an image and flies with the music.

Falcon recalled that he first saw Gonzalez in the Highbridge section of the Bronx, where he was giving a talk on the history of the Taino. And what struck Falcon were the images.

Falcon said he plays improvisational salsa that doesn’t speak to one approach or style. He lives up to Duke Ellington’s definition that music should go beyond category.

“I could play just one style,” said Falcon, “but if I’m not careful, we arrive there without really wanting to be and we’re boxed in. If you stick to only one style then you’re stuck to that one style.”

And Gonzalez's poetry compliments the music.

Gonzalez said his words come from his family traditions of going to El Barrio on the weekends, eating rice and beans and listening to salsa. They also come from Native American pow-wows and his Taino roots.

The poetry songs take the listener on a voyage,” said Gonzalez, who grew up in the Bronx. “This voyage takes them through the past, present and future.”

Falcon and Gonzalez said “Encuentros” tells and re-tells personal and collective Puerto Rican stories. Their poetry and musical come together, forming a dance that has a touch of jibaro, Taino, salsa, jazz, poetry and collective discovery.

“In a way, I’m fulfilling my fantasy of being the lead singer in a rock band,” Gonzalez said of "Encuentros."

Robert Waddell is a freelance writer from the Bronx who contributes his writings to Puerto Rico Sun.

For more information, visit www.bobbygonzalez.com.
Coming soon
Friday, Sept. 28
"ENCUENTROS" A jazz/poetry collaboration featuring Bobby Gonzalez (poet), Joe Falcon (bass) & Ricardo Strobert (saxaphone/flute) Admission: $10 at Cemi Underground in East Harlem. Visit www.cemiunderground.com.

IMG_2751

IMG_2751
Originally uploaded by clarisel.

@ Cemi Underground in El Barrio

Boats to Build

Boats to Build
Originally uploaded by silversldr.