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Hello The Loisaida,
During National Hispanic Heritage Month, Loisaida comes alive with a rich history of celebrating our strong Latiné presence and contributions to the rich cultural fabric of our neighborhood. Since 1968, Loisaida has been at the forefront of this cultural celebration and we are proud to continue being a strong Hispanic led and operated organization.
This is a deep meaningful time as it marks the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile follow closely with their independence days on September 16th and September 18th, respectively. Additionally, October 12th is recognized as Indigenous Peoples Day.
At Loisaida, Inc. Center, we take great pride in our Hispanic heritage and warmly invite you to join us in our festivities. As we celebrate, it's essential to acknowledge the significance of 'El Grito de Lares' to Puerto Ricans in New York City. This historic event in Puerto Rican history, marked by a call for independence in 1868, resonates deeply with our community. Throughout this month, we'll immerse ourselves in art, cuisine, and music, embracing the diversity of Hispanic heritage in our beloved Loisaida. We invite you to take part in one or all of the amazing events celebrating our heritage these coming days and weeks.
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In honor of Latin Heritage Month
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Loisa is bringing puro sabor to the Latin kitchen with upgraded seasoning blends, spices, and cooking sauces - and they're just getting started. Loisa is a Latin-owned business born out of the homes of co-founders Kenny Luna and Scott Hattis. As they both prepared to start families, they embarked on a mission to make Sazón and Adobo without artificial ingredients so that they could proudly pass on their families' Dominican heritage foods onto their children. The name Loisa was inspired by Loisaida and the products its community uses to cook their food every day.
As part of their ongoing commitment to community, Loisa donates 2% of sales each month to a social or food justice organization. For Latin Heritage Month, they have chosen to support us at the Loisaida, Inc. Center!
Check out Loisa's website for their blog post about our organization and programs.
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"This month, our 2% for Justice organization is The Loisaida Inc. Center, a Puerto Rican-founded multipurpose space and multidisciplinary community development organization located in Loisaida. The arts and culture collective highlights the rich culture, heritage, and contributions of the Puerto Rican and Latin American community in NYC. Many of the historic photos you'll find in this article and across our campaign both on and offline are from the Loisaida Center's archives." | |
September 5th – October 2nd
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This contemporary photography exhibit is based on the work showcased in Lower East Side Preservation Initiative's photo journal books, “East Village: Lens on the Lower East Side” and "LES: Lens on the Lower East Side.” These collections of beautiful photographs of the historic East Village/Lower East Side capture the spirit of today's residents, workers, and visitors against a backdrop of the area's rich and wonderful historic buildings, and show how the neighborhood's streets - capes are not only beautiful and irreplaceable, but also serve to enrich and enliven everyday modern life.
Lower East Side Preservation Initiative’s - LESPI’s - mission is to preserve Manhattan’s historic Lower East Side by documenting and mapping the area’s historic streetscapes, increasing awareness of the community’s important history and architecture, and rallying residents, city officials, and the NYC Landmarks Commission to landmark local historic districts and individual buildings. Without protection our beautiful historic streetscapes will be lost to demolition and overdevelopment.
Loisaida, Inc. addresses the serious economic and social disenfranchisement of poor and low income Latino residents, with employment and training opportunities, comprehensive youth development initiatives, as well as neighborhood revitalization activities that positively highlight the rich culture, age, and contribution of the Puerto Rican and Latin American community in this city.
Photographers’ Panel:
Thursday, September 28th, 6:30 - 8:30pm
Location:
Loisaida, Inc. Center (710 East 9th Street, New York, NY 10009)
Photographers:
Don Freeman, Alan Gastelum, George Hirose, Onno de Jong, Ryan John Lee, Marlis Momber, Iliana Ortega, Janko Puls, Brian Rose, Federico Savini, Ciaran Tully
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Leila Mattina Indigo Dyeing Workshop
Saturday, September 23rd – 1pm
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On Saturday, September 23rd at 1pm, artist Leila Mattina will lead an indigo dyeing workshop where participants will learn how to use indigo pigment. Mattina will also facilitate a seed exchange and share instructions for growing indigo in small spaces.
Participants are welcome to bring one fabric scrap made of natural fibers for dyeing. Please do not bring large or bulky items like towels or bedding.
This workshop is presented on the occasion of the exhibition Geografía(s) del Jiquilite al Añil.
This event will take place at the 9th Street Community Garden (703 East 9th Street). In the case of rain, the event will take place across the street at the Loisaida, Inc. Center (710 East 9th Street). This event is co-presented by Abrons Arts Center and the Loisaida Center.
Geografia(s) del Jiquilite al Añil is the first U.S. solo exhibition featuring new work by La Residencia artist Leila Mattina. Through practice and process-based works, Mattina Gregory shares her research on the cultivation and processing of the añil (indigo) in Puerto Rico, and its connections to the Caribbean and Latin America.
This exhibition is hosted at Cuchifritos Gallery & Project Space (Inside Essex Market, 88 Essex St #21, New York, NY 10002), open Wednesday through Saturday, 12–6pm.
Image by Leonardo Laboy
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American Boricua – Wanda Benvenutti
Saturday, September 23rd – 2pm
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Join us at La Sala de Pepe (73 Avenue C, New York, NY 10009) on Saturday, September 23rd, 2pm for the opening reception of photojournalist and writer Wanda Benvenutti's AMERICAN BORICUA, a modern visual history of Puerto Rican life cross North America.
El Grito Cafecito
in partnership with Loisaida Center
at La Sala de Pepe y Foto Espacio
Site-visit, café, and conversation at 2pm.
Saturday, Sept. 23 at 2:00 pm
Short 30 min. Exhibition Overview of AMERICAN BORICUA w/ Wanda Benvenutti
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Saturday, September 30th – 11:30am
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Kick of Hispanic Heritage month by learning how to make the Puerto Rican National Dish - Arroz con Gandules as well as Pernil and Yuca con mojo de Ajo y Cebollas. These dishes are traditional favorites in Puerto Rico and you will learn how to make them with ease! The classes will be approximately 1.5 hours long and include time to savor the dishes you prepare together as a group. There are still some tickets left for the final Hispanic Heritage Celebration class on September 30th, get them while they're still available!
La Cocina de Loisaida is a monthly in-person cooking class series presented by The Loisaida Center and Essex Market, where longtime Lower East Sider and home chef María Bido shares authentic Puerto Rican recipes and cooking techniques. Each month we’ll explore a new batch of family favorites, all based in Puerto Rican flavors and using ingredients from Essex Market.
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Uprooted Exhibition Opening
October 5th, 6:00 - 8:30pm
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Join us at the Loisaida Center (710 East 9th Street, New York, NY 10009) on Thursday, October 5th at 6pm for the opening reception of Uprooted.
Uprooted explores the disconnect immigrants, migrants and the children of immigrants experience in the multitude of spaces and cultures they occupy. We’ve gathered multiple lens-based artists that have developed projects exploring their roots. Through their work, we are able to see the impact immigration has on people from varying backgrounds. We are able to see the different ways in which artists acknowledge and honor their ancestry.
The exhibition highlights themes of identity, ancestry, assimilation, erasure, and belonging through the lens of multiple New York City based photographers. Through exhibition, the collective diaspora is actively reclaiming their roots, challenging and redefining what it means to be American, exploring methods in which the celebration of multiculturalism can keep customs intact, and honoring their collective diversity.
Participating Artists
Kamal Badhey, Wendy Correa, Cristina Ferrigno, Lissy Alta, Judyta Grudzien, Roxana Hurtado, Maylyn 'Zero' Iglesias, Ryan John Lee, Destiny Mata, Carmen Mojica.
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2nd Annual Lower East Side Hispanic Heritage Festival
October 7th & 8th
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Loisaida, Inc. Center has partnered with LES Sports Academy to organize the 2nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Festival at Dry Dock Park and Playground, completely free and open to our community.
There will be a youth basketball tournament, live music and entertainment, Hispanic food, local vendors selling arts, crafts, and clothing items. For our seniors there will be open domino tables, community resources, and more!
If you are a non-profit or small business and want to be a part of this event, please fill out this form.
Dry Dock Park & Playground - 10th Street and Avenue D
Saturday, October 7th, 12-5pm
Opening Ceremonies at 12pm with DJ and live music, youth basketball tournament, old timers dominos, local arts & crafts, merch, food, and more.
Sunday, October 8th, 12-5pm
Live music, old timers dominos, local arts & crafts, merch, food, championship games, and closing ceremony.
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The 36th Annual Loisaida Festival – Recap
Sunday, May 28th, 2023
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In keeping with our annual tradition, this year’s Loisaida Festival represented a culmination of the year-round programming that has taken place at the Loisaida Center, highlighting new and ongoing partnerships that serve individuals of all ages and backgrounds living in the Lower East Side and beyond.
This year's festival featured main stage performances by Eljuri, Kinto Zonó, Lower East Salsa, and NaboriNyah. The day's activities were hosted by DaSo, along with TeTxtié as virtual hosts.
The Loisaida Festival attracts over 15,000 visitors annually from all walks of life—families, long-time and new residents, neighbors, and visitors from the surrounding boroughs, and the larger Tri-State Area. Each year the festival’s main stage and pre-festival activities are graced with the presence of distinguished organizational leaders, elected and government officials, top tier musical entertainers and performers.
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Local Events & Opportunities | |
¡Grita! CABORCA’s Fiesta Commemorating a Legacy of Resistance
Saturday, September 23rd at 8pm
at Flamboyán Theater at The Clemente Center
Experience a vibrant tribute to the dream of Puerto Ricans for independence from Spain, democratic reforms, and the abolition of slavery that El Grito de Lares represented in Zoetrope’s play at Abrons and at The Clemente’s after party through music and dancing.
Artwork by/Arte por Estefanía Rivera Cortés, Agitarte www.agitarte.org
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12th Annual LUNGS Harvest Arts Festival
Friday, September 29th – Sunday, October 8th
In the Lower East Side
Since 2011, the LUNGS Harvest Arts Festival has been closing out the community garden season with a multi-day celebration of art, music, poetry, puppets, workshops, theater, opera, dance, spoken word, drag performances and fun! And it’s all FREE!
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U.S. Army Field Band Soldiers' Chorus
Wednesday, October 4th at 7pm
at Perelman Performing Arts Center
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Loisaida Fall Festival
Saturday, October 7th – 2pm
On East 3rd Street between Avenue B & Avenue C
In the Lower East Side
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Founded in 1979, Loisaida, Inc. offers year-round, accessible arts & culture programming that celebrates the rich heritage of the Lower East Side and its Puerto Rican and immigrant communities. Through its multi-purpose space, the Loisaida Inc. Center provides opportunities to emerging artists and creators working in diverse disciplines, promotes a vibrant social and community life, and serves as an incubator for self-sustainable initiatives.
Stay Connected!
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You are receiving this email because of your outstanding commitment to the Puerto Rican and LatinX Cultures and the preservation of our heritage in New York City. Thank you. | |
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Arts & Culture = Social Services
Consider supporting our work by making a tax-deductible donation today.
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Loisaida Inc. programs are supported in part by public funds from the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus (BLAC) in partnership with the City Council and the office of the New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and the New York State Legislature, City Councilwoman Carlina Rivera, NYS Assembly Member Harvey Epstein, the Manhattan Borough President's Office and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
We would like to acknowledge the support of the Hispanic Federation, Trinity Church Wall Street. The Howard Gilman Foundation, The Stonewall Foundation, The Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation, The Promesa Foundation, and MOSAIC Foundation at the New York Community Trust.
Thank you!
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Loisaida Inc. Center Staff:
Alejandro Epifanio - Executive & Artistic Director
Paul G. - Ecolibrium Program Coordinator
Promise Gladys Jimenez - Administrative Assistant
Alex-Nicole Edwards - Marketing Associate
Vitor Fraga - Videographer
Julián Garnik, - Editor
Photographers: Mike Herrera, Matthew Chavez, Deena Ismali, Daphne Rynders,
Horacio Peña - Sound/Audio Engineer
Chunbum Park - Web Designer
VR Creative - Web Development
Teaching Artists:
Gerardo Morantes, Julia Justo, Pedro Alomar, Rosa Velez, Espartaco Albornoz and Marta Rosario-Dann, Chun Park, Michael Herrera
Acacia Network Staff:
Lymaris Albors - Chief Executive Officer
Raul Russi - President
Angel Santini - Special Programs VP
Gabriela González - Communications Director
Acacia Network Inc. - Finance & Compliance
Loisaida Inc. Board:
Kaleb H. Sanchez, Wilfred Renta, Anthony Rivera, Angel Cruz, Angel Audiffred and Deborah Quiñones
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Loisaida Inc. is a federally certified 501(c)(3) charitable organization and an affiliate of the Acacia Network | | | | |
