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Hello The Loisaida,
The Lower East Side is roughly bounded by East 14th Street on the north, by the East River to the east, by Fulton and Franklin Streets to the south, and by Pearl Street and Broadway to the west. It includes areas known today as the East Village, Alphabet City, Chinatown, Bowery, Little Italy. Historically, the "Lower East Side" referred to the area alongside the East River from about the Manhattan Bridge and Canal Street up to 14th Street, and roughly bounded on the west by Broadway.
A tradition that has spanned over three decades is the annual Loisaida Festival, think of it as the culmination of a series of events, workshops, programs and initiatives happening all across the Lower East Side, and historically celebrated on the Sunday before Memorial Day.
Make sure to visit the Peoples LES to learn about experiences happening throughout the neighborhood. And, Save the Date for The 36th Annual Loisaida Festival, on Sunday, May 28th 2023.
Loisaida, we love you!
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LOISAIDA (1974)
Bittman "Bimbo" Rivas
Bimbo's ode to the neighborhood as expressed through his writing of; Loisaida (1974) recounts the "vibe and feel" of the neighborhood's then predominately Latino and immigrant experience during the harsh disinvestment times of the 70's and 80's
We honor and remember Bimbo's art and activism to this day and, we are reminded that his love for our community is here to stay. This is why on May 27, 1992, Avenue C became known as Loisaida Avenue, anchoring the Puerto Rican experience to the history of this now gentrified community.
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May is Lower East Side History Month -- now in its 10th year! Lower East Side History Month is an annual celebration of the rich and diverse history of the Lower East Side.
Lower East Side History Month was launched ten years ago in the hope that a collective celebration of our neighborhood would strengthen our connection to each other and our sense of community. Our history sheds light on our present and can motivate us to continue building a future of mutual support, respect, and inclusion.
We invite you to celebrate the LES with us! Over 70 Lower East Side cultural and community groups, small businesses, and residents will host a variety of public events, exhibits, tours, and learning opportunities.
Celebrations proudly feature Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian American and Pacific Islander, and other community histories of the LES defined by its historical boundaries which includes the East Village, Chinatown, Two Bridges and Loisaida.
Sidewalk Ice Vendor on Stanton Street; Photo by Carole Teller courtesy of Village Preservation.
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ECOLIBRIUM: Ramp Up, Draw Down
Wednesday, May 3rd at 7pm
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Join the ECOLIBRIUM program at The Loisaida Center, in collaboration with Cooper Square Committee and Cycle Architecture + Planning, to participate in a first-of-its-kind community-wide free building energy use and efficiency assessment. This live, hybrid in-person event/web meeting on May 3rd, 2023 will be used to discuss a current U.S. Department of Energy opportunity that could benefit HDFCs, Mutual Housing Associations, Land Trusts, Limited Equity Cooperatives, and housing organizations. Shareholders, board members, and building managers are encouraged to attend! | |
La Cocina de Loisaida: Cinco de Mayo with a Puerto Rican Twist
Thursday, May 4th at 6:30pm
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There's still time to get tickets for this month's La Cocina de Loisaida: Cinco de Mayo with a Puerto Rican Twist lesson! The May 6th date has already SOLD OUT, but tickets are still available for the May 4th class!
Let's get ready for Cinco de Mayo and add a Puerto Rican Twist to the delicacies we all adore from our Mexican Brothers & Sisters!
For this occasion, participants will prepare Pulled Garlic Chicken, Arepa de Maiz, Guacamole & Pickled Red Onions, and Churros.
The dishes we will make are a phenomenal combination of traditional Caribbean Flavors! Learn how to make them with the one and only Maria Bido at Essex Market Kitchen on Thursday, May 4th!
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Fiesta de Cruz en Loisaida
Friday, May 5th at 7pm
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Let us join our voices for the Fiesta de Cruz en Loisaida, on Friday, May 5th at 7pm!
The Fiestas de Cruz are a devotional celebration where the Holy Cross is glorified through traditional songs of the Catholic religion that date from the Middle Ages and have been jealously preserved by the simple devotion of the faithful Caribbean devotees of her.
For more information, contact The Loisaida Center at info@loisaida.org or (646) 726-4715.
There is limited seating available, so please RSVP in advance!
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Teens Take the Met!
Friday, May 12th, at 5pm
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Grab your friends and take over The Met for the night. Drop in for teen-only activities across the Museum, including art making, performances, music, and more. Discover what you can also do at over 35 NYC cultural and community organizations.
Doors open at 5pm. Teens Take The Met! is free and open to all teens 13+ with a middle or high school ID. Just show up or RSVP now to get a free ticket to beat the line. If you're a chaperone who'd like to come with a group of 10 or more teens, please email teenprograms@metmuseum.org for instructions.
Make sure to check out The Loisaida Center's activation during the event, a dance piece titled Against the Current, in the Charles Engelhard Court (Gallery 700, Floor 1) at 5:30pm!
Against the Current is a “Dance on Camera'' and live performance piece performed by Loisaida's youth, choreographed by Loisaida Inc. teaching artist Yaraní del Valle, and inspired by the exhibition Water Memories, currently on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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The 36th Annual Loisaida Festival
Sunday, May 28th, 2023
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El Bohio Murals - East 10th Street Makeover
Curated by Thrive Collective x Projectivity.
Featuring art by Nico Collazo, Cram Concepts, Danielle Mastrion, Charlie Elo, Will Power, Jodi Dareal, Michela Muserra, Marissa Molina, Al Diaz, and Christian Penn.
LES + Art + Culture = LoisaidaTV
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Open Calls & Opportunities | |
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Let's Reconnect over Coffee: Hamilton Fish Park Service Plan
Wednesday, May 17th, 3-5pm
Let’s re-connect! After being closed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hamilton Fish Park Library has decided to open our doors ahead of our projected renovation in the Fall, due in no small part to demand from you, the community!
Come join us for an open conversation with our staff and other community partners, where we'll discuss our current service model, provide information on other non-profits offering resources in the area, and talk about ways in which we’ll be staying connected with the neighborhood once we close again.
We'll also be giving a sneak peak at what the newly imagined space will look like in two years. So, let's reconnect and catch up!
Registration is recommended but not required. Coffee will be provided on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.
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New York League of Puerto Rican Women, Inc. Scholarship
Applications due by May 26th, 2023
The New York League of Puerto Rican Women are accepting applications for their 2023 Scholarships. These financial awards are granted annually to undergraduate Puerto Rican women selected for their academic excellence and service to the community. To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be currently matriculated as a college student in an accredited institution of higher education, having earned a minimum of 12 accumulated credits and a GPA of 3.0 with no failing grades
- Submit a resume
- Submit an essay that includes the applicant’s educational and career goals, and demonstrates service to the community
- Provide an official college transcript
- Provide two (2) letters of recommendation from professors, college advisors, employers, or supervisors
- Submit a high resolution 4″ by 6″ (minimum size) color headshot photo, jpeg format, of the applicant in appropriate business casual or professional attire, with a neutral background, for inclusion in our Commemorative Journal
- Be available to attend an interview with the Scholarship Committee
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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 Garin - Ecolibrium Program Coordinator
Catiria Ayende - Administrative Assistant
Yarani del Valle - Program Manager
Alex-Nicole Edwards - Marketing Associate
Julián Garnik, Vitor Fraga - Videographer & Editor
Melvin Audaz - Photographer
María Torres - MUJER Program Coordinator
Teaching Artists:
Lucrecia Novoa, Rénoly Santiago, Andy Martinez,
Julia Justo, Stefen Reed, Roxana Torres, Pedro Alomar, Rosa Velez, Espartaco Albornoz and Marta Rosario-Dann
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 | | | | |
