International Arrivals » Latino

Highlights for National Hispanic Heritage Month: Week 3

First Person American — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:35:19 +0000

José Arcadio Limón (1908 – 1972) was a pioneering modern dancer and choreographer born in Mexico. Limón moved to New York City in 1928 where he studied and performed with Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman. Ten years after he began dancing, Limón premiered his first major choreographic work Danzas Mexicanos. He was drafted in 1943 and served several years in the United States Army Special Services. When the war ended, Limón founded The José Limón Dance Company in 1946 with Doris Humphrey as artistic director. In 1947, The José Limón Dance Company had its debut performance at New York’s Belasco Theater. The New York Times hailed as Limón “the finest male dancer of his time” and favorably reviewed the choreographic works of both Limón and Humphrey. Some of the classic works Limón created are There is a Time, The Moor’s Pavane, Psalm, Misso Brevis, and A Choreographic Offering.

Limón died of cancer in 1972, but his company continued, becoming the first modern dance company to survive its founder’s death. Now led by Carla Maxwell, who worked closely with Limón before becoming artistic director in 1978, the company celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2006. The company expanded its reach during the 1980’s and 1990’s. In 1985, the Limón Institute was formed as a component of the José Limón Dance Foundation to oversee the licensing of Limón dances and to offer classes in Limón Technique. In 1994, the company established a formal presence in San Jose, California, performing annually and conducting education and outreach activities. When on tour, the company conducts programs including master classes teaching Limón style and repertory, workshops, lectures and pre and post performance talks that educate participants in Limón history and tradition. The achievements of the Limón Dance Foundation include inaugurating the U.S. State Department’s International Exchange Program with a tour to South America in 1954. The company became the first dance company to perform at Lincoln Center, in Philharmonic Hall. In 2008, the José Limón Foundation received the National Medal of Arts, and was recognized for its innovative contributions to American modern dance for over half a century.

Jose Limon Celebration Day
Monday, September 27, 2010
Experience the life of one of America’s greatest choreographers, Mexican-born José Arcadio Limón . The day includes an interactive telling of Limon’s life story developed specifically for young audiences, a repeated biographical film showing, and participating workshops that highlight his unique dance vocabulary and techniques.
www.flushingtownhall.org
Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Boulevard, 2-5 p.m., free

Reading Carlos Monsiváis in New York
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Carlos Monsiváis was one of Mexico’s most important public intellectuals. For more than 40 years, he served as an indispensable chronicler of Mexican arts, culture and politics. When he died on June 19, 2010, he left an enormous legacy as a writer, critic and patron of popular arts. This homage to Monsiváis will feature a round table discussion with Rafael Barajas “El Fisgón” (Cartoonist for La Jornada), Jean Franco (Professor Emeritus, Columbia University), Rubén Gallo (Professor, Princeton University), Carmen Boullosa (New York-based Mexican Writer). This event will be in Spanish and followed by a reception. This presentation is co-sponsored by Fordham University’s Latin American and Latino Studies Institute (LALSI).
http://www.fordham.edu
Fordham University, Lincoln Center Campus, 113 W 60th St, 7 p.m., free admission, email mahieux@fordham.edu

Tambuco Percussion Ensemble
Thursday, September 30, 2010
This avant-garde drumming group, and a three-time Grammy nominee, Tambuco is renowned for its wide-ranging repertoire and creative interpretations, spanning structuralist percussion music, drumming, and avant-garde sound interpretation. Formed in 1993 by four musicians, Tambuco has recorded and performed with the Kronos Quartet, Michael Nyman, Orquesta Filarmónica de la Ciudad de México, and many others.
http://www.symphonyspace.org
Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 94th, 7:30 p.m., $15-34

Highlights for National Hispanic Heritage Month: Week 2

First Person American — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 19:49:10 +0000

Hispanic Heritage Month Festival continues and we’d like to share more of the unique and festive activities. From music to a corn cooking demonstration, we’ve got our picks for the week.

One of the events we’re looking forward to is the corn cooking demonstration with Mexican chef and food historian Zarela Martinez. Maize, or corn, is Mexico’s lifeblood, as the country’s history and identity are entwined with it. The mainstay of the Mexican diet was, and still is, the tortilla, made from corn. The tradition continues today with little change. The kernels are cooked with lime to remove the husk and then ground on a stone slab with a grinding stone. The dough is formed into little round balls and then patted out by hand into thin round cakes or wrapped in a corn husk, the tamale, to then fill and eat. The versatility of the tortilla as a wrapper in endless. They are used for tacos and enchiladas, among native Mexicans, tortillas are commonly used as eating utensils, as a plate as in a tostada, and much more. We’re looking forward to learning (and tasting!) more this week.

Shakira
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
After a four-year absence from New York stages, superstar Shakira returns to the Big Apple with her latest hits, “She Wolf” and “Waka Waka,” and never-tiring hips.
http://www.thegarden.com/events/shakira-910.html
Madison Square Garden, 8 p.m., $10-$150

Zarela’s Mexican Corn Kitchen
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Mexican chef and food historian Zarela Martinez explores the relationship between Mexico’s indigenous cultures and corn with this lecture and cooking demonstration. A tasting of four featured dishes, catered by Zarela’s Restaurant, will follow the demonstration.
http://www.nmai.si.edu
Smithsonian National Museum, 1 Bowling Green, 6 p.m., free admission with reservation: NMAI-NYprograms@si.edu

Issac Delgado
Friday, September 24, 2010
Cuban salsa singer Issac Delgado presents his new album, “L-O-V-E,” which fuses Afro-Caribbean rhythms with elements of bolero and jazz as he re-creates of Spanish hits recorded by Nat (King) Cole in Latin America.
http://www.nysec.org
Concert Hall, New York Society for Ethical Culture, 2 W. 64th St., 8 p.m., $35-$55.

Ely Guerra
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Mexican alt-rock icon Ely Guerra returns to NYC with her newest album, ‘Hombre Invisible,’ she’s collaborated with 30 Seconds to Mars and La Ley, been on the cover of Time with Julieta Venegas and has become an alt-rock icon in Latin America.
http://www.lprnyc.com
Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker Street, 7 p.m., $25

New York International Latino Film Festival

First Person American — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 01:38:51 +0000

Launched in 1999, the New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) is now the premier Urban Latino film event in the country. The NYILFF’s mission is to showcase the works of the hottest emerging Latino filmmaking talent in the U.S. and Latin America, offer expansive images of the Latino experience, and celebrate the diversity and spirit of the Latino community. Programming includes the flagship film festival in NYC, new music and art showcases, family and community events, scholarships for aspiring filmmakers, and a nationally recognized short film competition in partnership with HBO.

New York International Latino Film Festival
July 27 – August 1, 2010
Individual Tickets: $12
Discount Matinee Tickets: $9
Festival Badge: $100
Location: The Roosevelt Hotel 45 East 45th Street @ Madison Avenue
More Info: http://nylatinofilm.com/index.html

Do you know of cultural events happening around NYC this summer? Please share them, post a comment, or email us, we’d love to post your ideas!

DiverseCity Art Opening

First Person American — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 04:40:05 +0000

An art exhibit that opens Saturday at the International Rescue Committee (IRC)’s St. George office celebrates Staten Island’s diversity with works by 10 Island artists, including Sara Signorelli, Nick Fevelo and David Zukas.

The exhibit, “DiverseCity: An Artistic Celebration of Immigration, Cultural Identity and Creating Home,” curated by COAHSI’s Ginger Shulick, represents a collaboration between IRC Staten Island and Art Connects New York. Latino Folklorico performs Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at 5 Central Ave., also in St. George.

“DiverseCity: An Artistic Exploration of Immigration, Cultural Identity, and Creating Home.”
Curated by Ginger Shulick

Opening reception: Saturday, April 17th, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm
Location: IRC Staten Island – 120 Stuyvesant Place, Suite 412, Staten Island, NY 10301
(a five-minute walk from the Staten Island Ferry St. George Terminal)
Admission: Free

Light refreshments will be served.