Community Calendar

Nuyoricans on the Move
A panel discussion on new research on Puerto Ricans in New York and Northeast on May 7 at Hunter College

(Click on image to see larger)

Artist Spotlight: Decimista Lourdes Perez

Lourdes Perez, born in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico, is described as a prolific contemporary recording artist, songwriter, composer, arranger, poet, vocalist and guitarist. She is also one of few female decimistas (writers of décima, a specialized form of Spanish poetry). Lourdes’ music – often conjuring comparisons to the soulful world music genres of cante jondo, morna and fado –draws from her jíbara (Puerto Rican mountain) roots and a socially conscious genre of Spanish/pan-Latin American music called nueva trova or nueva canción.
For more about Perez, go to:

http://www.unitedstatesartists.org/Public/Interviews/2007/LourdesPrez/index.cfm.

http://www.lourdesperez.com/home.html

http://www.myspace.com/lourdesperezmusic

The Sunrise and the Tower

The Sunrise and the Tower
Originally uploaded by Luis Angel Molina Quiñones.

Nuyorican Poetry is 'ALOUD & ALIVE'

The Town Hall presents
8 p.m. Tonight
Nuyorican Poets Café Third Millennium Celebration:
ALOUD & ALIVE AT 35!

This special evening of spoken word and music hosted by Rosie Perez and Flaco Navaja is sure to be a wild and joyous evening featuring many of the leading voices in the poetry & spoken word movement, including: La Bruja, Sandra María Esteves, Reg E Gaines, Carlos Andrés Gómez, Tato Laviera, Mariposa, Jesús Papoleto Meléndez, Nancy Mercado, Kirk Nugent, Willie Perdomo, Ishmael Reed, Ntozake Shange, Quincy Troupe, accompanied by the infectious Boricua Roots music of Yerba Buena. Come hear their powerful voices, dance to their music, and celebrate the 35th anniversary of a world-renowned literary movement!

For prices and more information, go to http://www.the-townhall-nyc.org/pages/calendar/may.html

Originally uploaded by Luis Angel Molina Quiñones.

Palacete Los Moreau

Palacete Los Moreau
Originally uploaded by Hector Melendez.

Reading Corner

South by South Bronx, a novel by
Bronx native Abraham Rodriguez

"When Puerto Rican ladies' man Alex awakes one morning to find a mysterious woman in his bed, he assumes he's suffered another embarrassing blackout. He soon learns, however, that Ava is no one-night stand--in fact, he's never met her before. As her story begins to unfold, and her reason for appearing in his bed emerges, it is not just Alex's life that she risks, nor her own, but the entire character of the South Bronx . . ."

Abraham Rodriguez was born and raised in the South Bronx. His first book, The Boy without a Flag, was a 1993 New York Times Notable Book of the Year. His novel Spidertown won a 1995 American Book Award and was optioned by Columbia Pictures. His next novel, The Buddha Book, was published by Picador in 2001. He currently lives in Berlin, Germany.

Rodriguez is back in New York City promoting his newest book.

You can meet the author at 6 p.m. tonight at Cemi Underground in East Harlem. Free admission. Go to www.cemiunderground.com for more information.

Rodriguez will return home to the South Bronx next week as part of the Bronx Culture Trolley activities. He will be reading from his book at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Longwood Art Gallery at Hostos Community College. Free. Visit www.bronxarts.org for more information.

The book, published by Akashic Books, is also available online. Go to http://www.akashicbooks.com/sxsb.htm. Akashic Books is a Brooklyn-based independent company dedicated to publishing urban literary fiction and political nonfiction by authors who are either ignored by the mainstream, or who have no interest in working within the ever-consolidating ranks of the major corporate publishers.

Rodriguez can't be ignored.

"A street poet like Bob Dylan, Abraham Rodriguez has woven a lyrically inventive and sophisticated noir, worthy of the people he champions. Full of unforgettable one liners, South by South Bronx manages to film a neighborhood filled with beauty, danger, and magic. One fearless, hell of a literary mystery novel." --Ernesto Quinonez, author of Bodega Dreams

Rodriguez has gotten some rave reviews for his writings. Check out Akashic's site.

Here's a link to an article about Rodriguez that appeared in the New York Daily News:
http://www.nydailynews.com/latino/2008/04/30/2008-04-30_author_abraham_rodriguez_delves_into_bar.html

Bronx PR Parade Celebrates 20th Year

The Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade is this month and there is a lineup of activities leading up to the big day. This is the 20th anniversary of the Bronx parade, which will be celebrated on May 18 along the Grand Concourse.
On May 9, the Crowning for Miss Puerto Rico will be held at 7 p.m. at Hostos Community College on E. 149th Street on the Grand Concourse. This event is open to the public. Entrance is $10.
There will also be a festival on May 10 at White Plains Road between Lafayette and Story Avenues, starting at 12:30 p.m.
The parade’s route is between 176th street and 167th streets. Ceremonies will begin at 11:30 a.m. and the parade kicks off at 1 p.m.
For more information, visit www.bronxprparade.com or call (646) 401-4787.

(photo by Milagros Gonzalez aka bajounpalmar)

Here's footage from the PRSUN TV archives of last year’s Bronx parade.


-- Clarisel Gonzalez, producer

Show me the way!!!

Show me the way!!!
Originally uploaded by ΡπΙρΣπ.

Community calendar

Centro de Estudios Puertorriquenos
Hunter College
Presents

between the air, the bark, and the green...where all things go...

An exhibition by
David Antonio Cruz


itneverwaswhatyouthoughtitcouldbe,lovingmewasnevermeanttobesoeasy
Oil canvas, 2007
David Antonio Cruz

On view until Friday, June 27

Reception tonight from 6-8 p.m.

Gallery hours
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.

www.centropr.org