South Bronx Culture Trail Festival 2017
- By Gail Heidel, Associate Director of Creative Arts Programs
- •
- 11 May, 2017
- •
Take the Green Train
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.
Supported by / Apoyado for:
The South Bronx Culture Trail is Presented by / El Camino a la Cultura del Bronx es presentado por
Children at the Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education are bowing, stomping and vocalizing…and some are even pressing. All that is music talk for playing the violin, dancing, singing and piano playing. Casita Maria is music, arts and so much more. We are building tomorrow’s leaders. When a child enters Casita’s doors they are coached, nurtured and supported. They are taught self-reliance and responsibility, all while learning the joy of music.
This is what you make possible every time you donate to our programs. Today, on #Giving Tuesday, share your joy of music with the children of the South Bronx and East Harlem and watch us create the leaders of the future.
Entering its sixth year, #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. Since its inaugural year in 2012, #GivingTuesday has become a movement that celebrates and supports giving and philanthropy.
Casita Maria (The Little House of Mary) was founded in 1934 to help Puerto Ricans in East Harlem. It is the first and oldest Latino charity. That mission continues today as we stand in support of Puerto Ricans following Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and as we extend our hands and hearts to our sister islands in the Caribbean and to Mexico following the earthquake.
Please give generously to relief efforts established via national and community organizations that can get the relief to the people who need it the most.
Locally, supplies needed for the humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico can be dropped off at Mothers on the Move, 928 Intervale Avenue, at one of eleven centers at Urban Health Plan or Hispanic Federation.
Casita Maria will be convening with partner organizations for a coordinated and sustained effort moving forward as Puerto Rico will require long-term assistance to address the devastation ahead.
Water, power, fuel, food and life-saving supplies must reach them fast. We stand in solidarity with elected officials who are advocating swiftly and strongly in this matter. We ask for your help.
We will continue to keep you posted about how, as a community, we can help moving forward and we thank you in advance for your generosity.
Arriba corazones!
Casita María (La Pequeña Casa de María) fue fundada en 1934 para ayudar a los puertorriqueños en El Barrio. Es la primera y más antigua organización en benéfica de los latinos. Esa misión continúa hoy cuando apoyamos a los puertorriqueños después de los huracanes Irma y María, y extendemos nuestras manos y corazones a nuestras hermanas islas en el Caribe y a México después del terremoto.
Por favor dé generosamente a los esfuerzos de ayuda
establecidos a través de las organizaciones nacionales y comunitarias
que pueden obtener el alivio a las personas que más lo necesitan.
Localmente,
los suministros necesarios para la crisis humanitaria en Puerto Rico,
pueden ser dejados en Mothers on the Move, 928 Avenida Intervale, en uno
de los once centros del Urban Health Plan o la Federación Hispana.
Casita
María se reunirá con las organizaciones asociadas para un esfuerzo
coordinado y sostenido, ya que Puerto Rico requerirá asistencia a largo
plazo para enfrentar la devastación que se avecina.
Los
suministros de agua, electricidad, combustible, alimentos y salud deben
alcanzarlos rápidamente. Estamos en solidaridad con los funcionarios
electos que están abogando con rapidez y firmeza en este asunto. Pedimos
su ayuda.
Continuaremos
manteniéndole informado sobre cómo, en comunidad, podemos ayudar a
avanzar y le agradecemos de antemano por su generosidad.
Arriba corazones!
