The South Bronx Culture Trail
Festival 2017: Take the Green Train,
a festival celebrating the legacy of activism and community leadership
in the Bronx with 31 visual art, dance, music, theater, spoken word,
artist-led and community-based group projects. All programs are rooted
in social justice themes and designed to positively engage communities.
Events are free and held in community gardens, venues and plazas along
the 4, 5, and 6 subway lines in the Bronx from June 1-11, 2017. Culture
is contagious and it starts with you!
The South Bronx Culture Trail
Festival 2017: Take the Green Train
is presented by Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education, Bronx Music Heritage Center, Dancing in the Streets
in partnership with BAAD!
The Bronx Academy of Arts & Dance, Bronx Culture Collective, City
Lore, En Garde Arts, Lincoln Center’s Boro-Linc, Pregones Theater, NYC
Transit, Partnerships for Parks
and New York City Housing Authority.
The South Bronx Culture Trail is also proud to be a partnered event of the inaugural New York Music Month
in June, the first ever citywide celebration of the past, present, and
future of NYC's music ecosystem. NY Music Month, information about which
is available at NYmusicmonth.nyc, will include a full calendar of
events, resources for musicians, celebrations of the city's music
history, and more, and is an initiative of the NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment
and NY is Music.
The South Bronx Culture Trail
is a community arts and education development initiative established in 2011 by Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education
and Dancing in the Streets
that celebrates and captures key moments in the cultural life of the
South Bronx.Each year a collection of partners are invited to illuminate
a facet of this robust history. This year’s festival theme name, Take the Green Train,
is inspired by the jazz standard by Billy Strayhorn and signature tune
of the Duke Ellington orchestra, “Take the ‘A’ Train” (1941). The title
connotes the color of the Bronx subway lines while also referencing the
activist stance of being green. Festival events are sited in a mixture
of locations throughout the South Bronx to engage multiple communities
and to reclaim public space. In the Bronx, place-making presents itself
in community based organizations, re-imagined vacant lots now serving as
community gardens, streetscapes activated with positive messaging
murals, plazas filled with guerrilla theater, political discussion,
cultural expression and dancing in the streets.
Kicking off the festival on June 1, 4-9:30 PM is the opening reception for exhibition Las Tres Hermanas: Art & Activism
on view June 1-September 6, 2017 in two locations, Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education
and Bronx Music Heritage Center (BMHC).At 6pm,Afro Puerto Rican music and dance group BombaYo
unites the two exhibitions by leading a mobile performance of song,
drum and dance from Casita Maria to BMHC. Theexhibitions pay tribute to
the sisters, Evelina Antonetty, Elba Cabrera and Lillian Lopez, who
settled in the Bronx from Puerto Rico, where they became activists for
the community and the arts.
At Casita Maria, writer Nancy Mercado, art director and graphic designer Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, and illustrator Sabrina Cintron
were commissioned to produce a coloring book, available for free, based on the lives of Las Tres Hermanas.
The pages of the coloring book will be printed large scale and hung on
the gallery walls for attendees to color in during the run of the
exhibition. The exhibit at the BMHC will focus on how the arts were a
tool for social justice and feature archival images from the Center for
Puerto Rican Studies, as well as the personal collections of the sisters
and members of their family. The exhibit will also include artwork
created by artists who have worked closely with the three sisters over
the years.
Together, the exhibitions illustrate how Evelina López Antonetty the
oldest sister was an activist and champion for social causes, Lillian
López the middle sister was among the first Puerto Rican librarians in
the New York Public Library system and was the first Puerto Rican
Administrator and Elba Cabrera the youngest of the three sisters
established herself as an ambassador and advocate for the arts. Opening
the same night in Casita Maria’s Youth and Community gallery is ARTiculation
featuring a social justice focused “Zine” self-published by Casita Maria NDA High School students.
Additional Festival programming includes visual art, dance, music,
theater, spoken word, artist-led and community-based group projects.
Highlights include The D.O.M.E Experience
“Age of
Unity” on June 2, 8 PM, a program that promotes social and environmental
awareness through music, dance and visual media. Also on June 2 and 9, It’s Showtime NYC!, a program of Dancing in the Streets
that
celebrates and promotes NYC street culture, providing performance and
professional development opportunities to street and subway dancers,
whose unique NYC art form—“Lite Feet”—mixes acrobatics, hat tricks, and
Breakdance elements.
Come watch the mural kings, Tats Cru,
paint the façade of Casita Maria with empowering imagery of Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez’s La Borinqueña,
the first Puerto Rican female super hero June 5-6 and on the 7th at 5:30 PM Miranda-Rodriguez
will be in front of Casita Maria for a comic book signing.
On June 8, 6pm Arturo O’Farrill’s BLITZ, a Bronx-based latin jazz ensemble and form of “guerrilla jazz”, will collaborate with Garifuna musicians Libaña Maraza, Cultural Ambassador of the Bronx Baron Ambrosia with Pull-up Bar of Power, Double Dutch Team The South Bronx Starlights.
June 9 pairs the ambassadors of Mariachi, Mariachi Real De Mexico,
with Music With A Message, 15 performers ages 6-21 who write, produce and perform original songs changing communities one song at a time.
Morning Glory Garden
will host Mobile Print Power
on June 10, 4:30-6:30 PM as they explore community generated ideas for a
just society, while printing designs based on the theme, Rooted in Liberation
andPolice Reform Organizing Project
lead a community discussion.
Rounding out the evening at 7 PM, the Bronx Music Heritage Center
presents Bronx Rising:
One Island, Two Houses
a series that looks into the rich and complicated history of the island
of Hispaniola - today shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The
night begins with a screening of Birthright Crisis, the 2013 award-winning documentary about the plight of Haitians in the DR, followed by a Q&A with director Miriam Neptune
followed by live Dominican roots music with jazz, blues, funk, and rock music by Yasser Tejeda & Palotré.
Closing out the festival on June 11, and in partnership with Lincoln Center’s Boro-Linc, is a free workshop with Jadele McPherson
at Casita Maria and a live performance by Spirit Ensemble
in Msrg Del Valle Square featuring the enchanting sounds of of the mbira, kora, bala, steel pan and bamboo flute.
All events are open to the public and suitable for all ages.
See Festival schedule below for full listing of events.
Quotes
"Casita Maria is incredibly proud to lead the development of the
South Bronx Culture Trail Festival 2017 in partnership with the Bronx
Music Heritage Center and Dancing in the Streets, which celebrates the
borough's rich and diverse culture with Latin jazz, Bomba y Plena,
R&B, Mariachi and Garifuna music and so much more. The Festival is a
testament to the rich and plentiful talent in the Bronx, as well as an
appreciation to the resilient community that continues to give birth to
emerging cultural movements. We are excited, that this year, the South
Bronx Culture Trail Festival 2017 is a part of New York Music Month,
organized by the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, the first
ever citywide celebration of New York’s rich musical heritage."
-Haydee Morales, Executive Director, Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education
“Bringing jazz to people where they live, with community musicians,
making it relevant to the lives they live.” -Arturo O’Farrill,
multi-Grammy award-winning pianist, composer and bandleader, and creator
of BLITZ (Bronx Latin Jazz)
For more information: Contact Luis Pagan, Marketing
& Media Manager at Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education or
visit Casita Maria’s website, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages: @casitamariabx
Schedule*
Thur June 1
Exhibition opening receptions
Casita Maria Galleries, 928 Simpson St, 6 fl
4-6 PM: Las Tres Hermanas:
Art & Activism + ARTiculation
Artists: Nancy Mercado + Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez + High School students from Casita Maria
Mobile Performance from Casita Maria to BMHC
6-6:30 PM: BombaYo
Bronx Music Heritage Center, 1303 Louis Nine Blvd
6:30-9 PM: Las Tres Hermanas: Art & Activism
Poetry by Humberto Cintrón and other special guests
Fri June 2
Msgr Raul Del Valle Square / Hunts Point 6 Train Plaza
4 PM: It’s Showtime NYC!
5-7 PM: People Power Movement
8 PM: The D.O.M.E Experience
Sat June 3
Graham Triangle / 137th Street and 3rd Ave
2-8 PM: The South Bronx Youth Leadership Council
2 PM: The Mitchel Residents Group
3-5 PM: Mobile Print Power + People Power Movement
5 PM: Nene Ali
5:30 PM: Legacy Women
7 PM: Lady Moon & The Eclipse
Sun June 4
Promenade from Westchester Square Train Station Park / Owen Dolen Park to BAAD!
1:00 PM: BAAD! + Slim Ninja
BAAD! 2474 Westchester Ave
2 PM: Music With A Message
Mon-Wed June 5 – 7
Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education, 928 Simpson St
Tats Cru: Mural painting, June 5-6, 10 AM - 6 PM
Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez: La
Borinqueña
comic book signing June 7, 5:30 PM
Thu June 8
Msgr Raul Del Valle Square / Hunts Point 6 Train Plaza
6 PM: BLITZ with collaborating artists Libaña Maraza + Baron Ambrosia + The South Bronx Starlights + Limitless
Fri June 9
Roberto Clemente Plaza / 149th and 3rd Ave
5 PM: Melissa Calderon + It’s Showtime NYC!
6 PM: Mariachi Real De Mexico
7 PM: Music With A Message
Sat June 10
Andrew Freedman Home, 1125 Grand Concourse
10 AM-5 PM En Garde Arts Harbored
Open Rehearsal
Morning Glory Garden, 1219 Hoe Avenue
4:30-6:30 PM: Mobile Print Power + Police Reform Organizing Project (PROP)
Bronx Music Heritage Center, 1303 Louis Nine Blvd
7 PM: Bronx Rising:
One Island, Two Houses
Birthright Crisis
+ Q&A by Director Miriam Neptune + music by Yasser Tejeda & Palotré
Sun June 11***
Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education, 928 Simpson St
2 PM: Jadele McPherson workshop
Msgr Raul Del Valle Square / Hunts Point 6 Train Plaza
3 PM: Spirit Ensemble
Presented in partnership with Lincoln Center’s Boro-Linc
Ongoing, June 1-30, 2017
Pregones Theater, 575 Walton Avenue
El Bolero Was My Downfall
*All events rain or shine. Visit casitamaria.org for rain locations.
CASITA MARIA CENTER FOR ARTS & EDUCATION
is the
oldest Latino charity in NYC, founded in 1934. The South Bronx-based
community arts and educational organization presents diverse,
contemporary visual and performing arts and education programming for
all ages. www.casitamaria.org
BRONX MUSIC HERITAGE CENTER (BMHC)
was founded by
the Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco). The
BMHC is committed to preserving and promoting Bronx music, cultivating
Bronx artists, spurring neighborhood revival and providing free cultural
programs for the community. whedco.org/arts/bmhc-lab
DANCING IN THE STREETS
is a South Bronx based
organization that develops movement-based projects through long-term
social practice initiatives, integrating rigorous inquiry, artistic
exploration, deep community engagement, and the nurturing of emerging
urban artists. dancinginthestreets.org
BAAD! / THE BRONX ACADEMY OF ARTS & DANCE
creates,
produces, presents, and supports the development of cutting edge and
challenging works in contemporary dance and all creative disciplines
that are empowering to women, Latinos and other people of color, and the
LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) community.baadbronx.org
BRONX CULTURE COLLECTIVE (BxCC) is a network
committed to preserving and amplifying the cultural community and legacy
of the South Bronx. bronxculturecollective.nyc
CITY LORE
documents, presents, and advocates for
grassroots cultures to ensure their living legacy in stories, histories,
places, and traditions. citylore.org
EN GARDE ARTS
produces bold, unconventional, and
innovative multimedia and interdisciplinary theatre that marries content
with community and inspires dialogue and debate about the salient
issues of our time. engardearts.org
LINCOLN CENTER’S BORO-LINC
partners with cultural
organizations in each borough to offer free, family-friendly
performances, workshops, and exhibitions by Lincoln Center resident
organizations and community-based artists to bring world-class family
programming to all five boroughs. Major support for Boro-Linc is
provided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Generous support facilitated
by The Honorable City Council Members Jimmy Van Bramer and I. Daneek
Miller Lead Corporate Support is provided by Time Warner Additional
Corporate Support is provided by DISNEY. lincolncenter.org/borolinc
Partnership for Parks
is the public-private program
that supports and champions a growing network of leaders caring and
advocating for neighborhood parks and green spaces. We equip people,
organizations and government with the skills and tools they need to
transform these spaces into dynamic community assets. cityparksfoundation.org/partnerships-for-parks
PREGONES THEATER AND PUERTO RICAN TRAVELING THEATER
continue
to champion the many riches of Latino theater as a distinct tradition;
nurture the development of extraordinary artists and new works; seed
local neighborhoods with responsible leadership and revitalization; and
galvanize generations of diverse artists and audiences. pregonesprtt.org
THE MAYOR’S OFFICE OF MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT
encompasses
the key economic and creative sectors of film, TV, theater, music,
advertising, publishing, digital content and real estate as it relates
to these industries. www.nyc.gov/mome
NYC TRANSIT
is the largest public transportation agency in North America and one of the largest in the world. web.mta.info/nyct/facts/about_us.htm
NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY (NYCHA)’s mission is
to increase opportunities for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers by
providing safe, affordable housing and facilitating access to social and
community services. nyc.gov
SOUTH BRONX CULTURE TRAIL ADVISORY COUNCIL
MEMBERS:
Bill
Aguado, Alex Aponte*, Arthur Avilés, BG183* (Tats Cru), Benny Bonilla*,
Richie Bonilla, Américo Casiano*, Henry Collins, Alvan Colón Lespier,
Robert Crespo*, Simon Dove, Jason Dunchin, Elizabeth Figueroa, Ricky
Flores*, Adam Green, Elizabeth Hamby, Rolando Infante, Yianna Justo,
Michael Kamber, Melissa Libran, John MacElwee, Elena Martínez, Kerry
McLean, Kathi Pavlik, Danny Peralta, Hatuey Ramos-Fermín, Anita Reyes,
Marta Rivera, José Rodriguez, Rosalba Rolón, Rafael Salamanca, Jr.,
Bobby Sanabria, Lisa A. Sorin and GrandWizzard Theodore*.
HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBERS:
Antonio Sergio Bessa,
Nancy Biberman, Marcos A. Crespo, Rubén Díaz, Sr., Jorge Popmaster
Fabel,* Al Quiñones, Tina Ramirez*, Angel Rodriguez*, Robert Sancho*,
Eric Soto and Dave Valentin*. *Casita Maria Alumni
The South Bronx Culture Trail
is supported by Booth Ferris Foundation, Con Edison, Lily Auchincloss Foundation, The New York Community Trust, New York Housing Authority (NYCHA), Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundationand public funding from Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; Rafael Salamanca Jr., Councilmember for the 17th District of the New York City Council, representing the South Bronx; New York City Department of Cultural Affairs;
and the National Endowment for the Arts. Special thanks to Elba Cabrera and Joe Conzo Jr.
for their collaboration in presenting Las Tres Hermanas
at Casita Maria Gallery and Bronx Music Heritage Center, to SoBRO
for the support in accessing Roberto Clemente Plaza and the Venture Center, Ghetto Film School / Digital Bodega
for filming and post production work and Bronx CoWorks
for providing their space as a rain location.
