25th Anniversary - Comite Noviembre

Transcription

25th Anniversary
c o m i t é
m e s
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l a
n o v i e m b r e
h e r e n c i a
p u e r t o r r i q u e ñ a
United by our Puerto Rican pride…Unidos por nuestro orgullo boricua
COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE...mes de la herencia puertorriqueña
Puerto Rican Heritage Month | 2011 Calendar
COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND IS SINCEREST GRATITUDE TO THE SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS OF
PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE MONTH 2011
NEILSEN
CITy UNIvERSITy OF NEW yORK
BRENDA JIMENEz PERALTA
MUNICIPAL CREDIT UNION
WOLF POPPER, LLP
NEW ALLIANCE INSURANCE AGENCy
CON EDISON
EL CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS PUERTORRIqUEñOS
COLGATE PALMOLIvE
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN COMMUNITy COLLEGE
HOSTOS COMMUNITy COLLEGE, CUNy
BRONX COMMUNITy COLLEGE
INSTITUTE FOR THE PUERTO RICAN/HISPANIC ELDERLy
CENTRO DE SALUD COMUNAL DR. JOSÉ S. BELAvAL, INC.
HEALTH PRO MED • LEHMAN COLLEGE • BANK OF AMERICA
BROOKLyN COLLEGE • STAEN ISLAND COMMUNITy COLLEGE
PUERTO RICO CONvENTION BUREAU
MEMBER AGENCIES
ASPIRA OF NEW yORK
EL CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS PUERTORRIqUEñOS
EL MUSEO DEL BARRIO
EL PUENTE
EUGENIO MARíA DE HOSTOS COMMUNITy COLLEGE/CUNy
LA FUNDACIóN NACIONAL PARA LA CULTURA POPULAR
LATINOJUSTICE: PRLDEF
NATIONAL CONGRESS FOR PUERTO RICAN RIGHTS – JUSTICE COMMITTEE
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR LATINO POLICy
PUERTO RICO FEDERAL AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATION
PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE MONTH FISCAL AGENCy
105 EAST 22ND STREET – 7TH FLOOR▪NyC▪10010
(212) 677-4181▪(212) 777-5106 (F) WWW.COMITENOvIEMBRE.ORG
SPECIAL THANKS TO: JOSE ACEvDEO, JAIME BELLO, ELBA CABRERA, LUIS CORDERO, SULIEKA CABRERA
DRINANE, WALLACE EDGECOMBE, CARLOS & CARMEN FERNANDEz, MARTHA LAURENO, JULIA MANDRy,
EILEEN REyES, ALICIA RODRíGUEz, LISA RODRíGUEz, TERESA A. SANTIAGO, ANGEL SANTINI,
LILI SANTIAGO SILvA AND LOURDES R. TORRES
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: ANGELO FALCON, PEDRO JUAN HERNáNDEz,
MARTHA LAUREANO, IRvINE MACMANUS, AND TERESA A. SANTIAGO
© 2011 COMITÉ NOvIEMBRE
ARTWORK By: WILDA GONzALEz
LAyOUT: LUIS CORDERO, CEMIUNDERGROUND.COM
PHOTOGRAPHy: LOURDES R. TORRES, ROBERT FIGUEROA AND ANA ALICEA
EDITOR: TERESA A. SANTIAGO
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MESSAGE ON BEHALF OF COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
For the past 25 years, Comité Noviembre, CN has celebrated Puerto Rican Heritage Month in this country. As we prepared
this 25th anniversary journal one thing was crystal clear Comité Noviembre has made an impact on the history of the Puerto
Rican community both on the mainland and on the island. The very survival and existence of CN over the years has been
made possible by an amazing collective of dedicated and committed individuals and organizations that have devoted their
time and energy to the success and preservation of this organization.
CN is a volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to commemorating and acknowledging the contributions Puerto Ricans
have made to this city, state and nation. CN is composed of ten of the oldest and most prestigious Puerto Rican organizations: the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, ASPIRA of New york, el Museo del Barrio, Eugenio María de
Hostos Community College, El Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños, El Puente, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, the National Institute for Latino Policy, the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights – Justice Committee, and the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration. To commemorate our 25th anniversary, CN is proud to announce that the La Fundación Nacional para
la Cultura Popular will join our ranks becoming the first organization based in Puerto Rico to be part of our Board. This
coordinating body plans and promotes CN’s annual programs and events.
The charge of CN is to create awareness of our rich culture, language, and heritage and to acknowledge and take ownership
of it everyday but specifically during the month of November. The annual theme is developed with the understanding that
beyond celebrating our heritage, it must help to motivate, mobilize and empower our community around critical concerns.
This year’s theme: “Comité Noviembre 25 años…Unidos por nuestro orgullo Boricua - Comité Noviembre 25 years...United by our Puerto Rican pride,” celebrates and pays tribute to the work and accomplishments of Comité Noviembre in the last
25 years. The theme speaks to the spirit, energy and pride of this volunteer organization. Its dedication and commitment to
maintain its mission clear to promote, teach, preserve and create awareness of the rich culture, language and heritage of the
Puerto Rican community both in the United States and Puerto Rico. For 25 years, CN has commemorated the outstanding
achievements of Puerto Ricans in all aspects of life and society. At the same time through its theme it has brought to light
the pressing issues of our community. CN has affected change and garnered results because we have united in our pride as
Puerto Ricans. Because of CN, November is our month to discuss all aspects and issues of our community.
In this milestone year, CN came full circle. It went back to basics to the very essence of who we are as an organization that
is dedicated to educational excellence and leadership development of our young people. CN is thrilled that it has the first
Puerto Rican woman Rhodes Scholar Lisette Nieves as our 2011 Spokesperson. She is a Belle zeller Distinguished visiting
Professor in Public Policy at the City University of New york at Brooklyn College, a social entrepreneur-in-residence at the
Blue Ridge Foundation and on October 5, 2011, she was sworn in as a member of the President’s Advisory Commission on
the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.
In 1987 when CN was established our community was fighting for Latino representation on the NyC Board of education.
Although we have come a long way we have much to do. In October 2010, the Community Service Society released a Policy
Brief entitled: New york City’s future looks Latino where it stated that “Puerto Ricans, particularly males, emerge as the
most disadvantaged youth group in New york City, with rates of school enrollment, educational attainment, and employment lower than any other comparable group, including young black males. Similarly, Puerto Rican women show more
challenges than other female youth. In the past, this finding may have been obscured by research that groups Latino youth
into one broad category. It is time to pay specific attention to the plight of Puerto Rican youth in New york City.”
On this our 25th anniversary Comité Noviembre is challenging itself and each, and everyone, of you, to assist us in launching a mentoring program geared specifically to these at-risk Puerto Rican young men and woman. As a Puerto Rican organization it is our duty and responsibility to save our future. yes, we can make a difference one child at a time.
Photo: Ana Alicea
Comité Noviembre Board Members
This journal also carries interesting, cultural, political and educational information that we hope will be of interest to you.
We pride ourselves in being able to discuss all aspects and issues of our community – with respect, objectivity and pride.
Most importantly, we want to share with you the inspiring stories of our Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad award recipients
– truly exceptional, dedicated individuals who are the unsung heroes of our community and who are making a difference
in not only the Puerto Rican community but society as a whole. The Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad award honors Puerto
Ricans whose pride in their heritage and strength of character have empowered themselves and inspired others to make significant impact on our community. What is important to understand is that these award recipients are chosen by CN from
nominations submitted by the community. The 2011 Lo Mejor recipients are: Humberto Cintron, pioneer, creator and producer of Realidades, Caridad De La Luz, “La Bruja” poet and community activist, David Galarza, Community Specialist,
CSEA, Esperanza Martell, poet, co-founder of Casa Atabex Ache, Carmen Alustiza-Mondesire, pioneer community activist,
Jose Ortiz, Dr. Drum, founder and artistic director of Bombayo, Candy “Warixi” Soto, leader, Ku Karey Spiritual Circle,
and founder of the Taíno Awards and Dr. Anderson Torres, PhD, vice president, Puerto Rican Family Institute.
For the past two and half decades, CN, has created and developed programs all geared to the support and enhancement of
educational opportunities and leadership development for Puerto Rican and Hispanic youth with a cultural twist. These
programs are firmly rooted in the belief, that in order to succeed in life, you must pursue a higher education, give back to
your community through volunteer efforts and know your cultural roots.
Our success story covers 187 scholars awarded since the CN Scholarship program was instituted in 1996 and an additional
10 scholars awarded the Richie Pérez Scholarship for Peace and Justice, since its inception in 2006. All boast a 90% college
graduation rate. Exceptional youth making a difference each day by volunteering and becoming involved in the social, civic
and global issues of their time. The 2011 recipients of both scholarship programs are highlighted in the journal as well as
the names of all of our scholars. you will be inspired by the clear sense of self and strength of character of these incredible
young people that are making a difference early on in their lives.
This year’s benefit event will take place on Thursday, November 10, 2011, at the Ny Hilton in Manhattan and will honor:
Karina E. Alomar, Esq., Alomar & Associates P.C, Angie Benitez, Founder, Susan G. Komen for the Cure/Puerto Rico,
Nestor v. Figueroa, President, Nagnoi, Inc., Jorge Silva-Puras, SBA Regional Administrator for Ny, NJ, PR & USvI, US
Small Business Administration and Lisette Nieves, our 2011 Spokesperson.
The proceeds of this annual event, supports all of our programs and allows CN to provide free programming and information
to the community year round as well as scholarship dollars. Our programs include: two scholarship programs, the annual
Leadership Development – Role Models Forum, conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA
personnel, the Artisans Fair & Exhibit, the Health Fair, the educational trip to Puerto Rico, “Buscando Nuestra Raíces”, the
Day of Community Service & Social Responsibility and food drive, a Three Kings celebration and toy drive, the annual CN/
El Diario La Prensa Puerto Rican Heritage Month Supplement, the production of this commemorative calendar journal, the
artist competition, selection and commission process, the annual educational commemorative poster, selection of a spokesperson, the kick-off celebration and annual benefit event, the Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad and Puerto Rican Heritage
Awards, our website information as well as cultural and health related workshops, forums and events sponsored by CN.
Many events have been planned throughout New york State as well as New Jersey and Puerto Rico to celebrate our rich
culture, traditions and history. CN urges everyone to participate in these events including our 6th Annual Artisans Fair that
will take place on Saturday, November 19, 2011, from 10AM – 9PM at Hostos Community College in the Bronx. On September 29, 2011 CN launched its 25th Anniversary Poster Exhibit at Hostos Community College in the Atrium on the 3rd
Floor. The Poster Exhibit will run until November 30, 2011.
The 16th annual Day of Community Service and Social Responsibility will take place on Sunday, November 21, 2010 from
11AM – 4PM in several locations through the City, in Manhattan at El Museo del Barrio and the UPACA-IPRHE Senior
Center; in Brooklyn at El Puente; in the Bronx at Holy Cross Church and in queens at the Elmhurst/Jackson Heights-IPRHE
Senior Center. On this day CN along with young people from ASPIRA of New york, Inc., El Puente and the Holy Cross
youth group will be conducting a food drive to create Thanksgiving baskets for the poor of New york.
Let us live in the moment of the history that we make each day, standing up for what we believe in and supporting causes
that enhance, promote, preserve, and protect our culture, history, identity, language, community and natural resources. Let
us embrace every day the essence of what it means to be unidos por nuestro orgullo Boricua.
For Comité Noviembre
Teresa A. Santiago, Chairperson
Member Agencies
Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly
ASPIRA of New york
El Museo del Barrio
El Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños
El Puente
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College
La Fundación Nacional Para la Cultura
LatinoJustice PRLDEF
National Institute for Latino Policy
National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights – Justice Committee
Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration
comite novembre 2011
spokesperson & honoree
Lisette Nieves
Lisette Nieves was a 1992 Rhodes Scholar and the first Puerto Rican to
receive this prestigious award. A 1991 philosophy and political science
graduate of Brooklyn College, she also won a Truman Scholarship and
is a graduate of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International
Affairs of Princeton University.
Ms. Nieves was the founding executive director for year Up Ny, whose
mission is to provide urban young adults with the skills, experience and
support that will empower them to reach their potential through professional careers and higher education. Under her leadership, year Up Ny
went from a $250,000 seed grant organization to a $7 million operation
in five years.
Lisette Nieves was appointed the Belle zeller Distinguished visiting Professor in Public Policy at the City University of New york until 2013 and is Social Entrepreneur-inResidence at the Blue Ridge Foundation, a leading nonprofit incubator.
Ms. Nieves was sworn in on October 5, 2011 as a member of President Barack Obama’s
Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. She is the vice-chair
of New york City’s Panel for Education Policy, a trustee of the New york State Teachers’ Retirement System, a member of the year Up National Board, a board member
for the Fund of the City of New york, and a member of the Woodrow Wilson School
Advisory Council.
Ms. Nieves was chief of staff at the Department of youth and Community Development for the City of New york, director of grants management and compliance at the
Upper Manhattan Empowerment zone, and senior program officer for the Corporation
for National Service. Throughout her career, Ms. Nieves has served as a consultant to
nonprofit organizations in strategic planning, program development and management.
Ms Nieves was awarded the 2011 El Diario la Prensa’s Mujeres Destacada Award and
in 2008 the Robin Hood Foundation awarded her a Heroes Award.
For 20 years, Lisette has dedicated herself to the educational and leadership development of young people. “This is our last chance to give young people a shot at a better
life,” she says of her involvement and work. “It’s our last chance to get them thinking
about their values, and what kind of parents and citizens they want to be. To miss this
opportunity is a crime.”
Wilda Gonzalez
Wilda Gonzalez is a Puerto Rican multimedia artist and
painter proud of her Caribbean heritage. Born and raised
in the Bronx, Ms. Gonzalez attended the High School of
Art and Design and continued her studies at the Fashion
Institute of Technology and Parsons School of Design in
New york City. Ms. Gonzalez has, worked as a visual arts
educator for the Children’s Art Carnival since 1988 and for
the past 17 years has been artist-in-residence and art program director at Riverbank State Park in Manhattan. She
has taught art in both public and parochial schools and has
been art instructor for yaffa Productions, ASPIRA of New
york and the Bronx Museum. She is the founder and director of Caribe Anani studio which houses her art work and
where she is inspired to create her work. Caribe Anani also
provides folkloric cultural diversity workshops for children
with special needs, supervised day care programs and art
therapy for children ages, four to seven. Her artistic inspiration is a testament to her Puerto Rican heritage.
Exhibitions
• 2011 Comite November 25th anniversary commemorative poster artist
• The American African Museum 2011 Artcurian Tour
• The Clemente Soto velez Cultural & Educational Center:
Femicide Awareness Exhibit, 2010
• The Artcurian Gallery Artist Speakers Bureau, 2010
• The Rosa Parks Museum Exhibit, 2008
Photo: Ana Alicea
About the Artist
• Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Exhibit, 2008
• The Union Theological Seminary, James Chapel Exhibit,
2007
• The National Museum of Catholic Art & History Group
Exhibit, 2007
• Marriott Hotel Exhibit, 2007
• Comité Noviembre’s Artisan Fair and Exhibit 2007, 2008,
2009 and 2010
• Boricua College Group Exhibit, 2006
• Inspiration Fine Art Group Show, 2005
• The BAAD! Ass Women Group Exhibit, 2005, 2002
• National Art Club Gramercy Park Group Exhibit, 2005
Featured artwork in publications
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Montgomeryadvertiser.com, January 2008
The Birmingham News, January 2008
The Children Art Carnival News Letter, 2005
Bronx Times, 2006
Westchester Woman, 2004
The Journal News Life& Style, 2005
Arte/10 vide Hoy, 2002
Hunts Point Alive Spring Issue, 2002
The Circle & Bronx Net Community Television show Hosted by Rhina valentin 2007
Contact Wilda Gonzalez @ ananiwg@verizon.net or
wildagirl49@yahoo.com
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About the Poster
The Pride - Unidos por nuestro orgullo Boricua
“This painting is based on the beauty, heritage and
ancestry of the island of Puerto Rico and how we
as Puerto Ricans outside of the island translate this
beauty, culture, history into our everyday lives here
in New york and in every metropolis in this country.
How each of these images plays a special role, and
symbolizes, our culture, a mixture of races, Taíno,
Our culture has flourished for centuries and is imbedded in our daily life as we travel throughout the streets
of New york from Spanish Harlem to the Lower East
Side from one borough to the next on the #6 train.
Our pride in our music is depicted in the plena, bomba
and danza dancers. The flamboyan tree and the coqui
are symbols of strength, uniqueness and perseverance. La Marqueta de East Harlem connects us
back to our life here on the mainland and shows how deeply rooted
our culture and traditions are in
our food, places of business and
daily social interaction.
The image of the three kings represents the influence of the Spaniard in our culture and the introduction of Catholicism to Puerto
Rico. The celebration of the Día
de los Tres Reyes is sacred to
Puerto Rico and many other Caribbean and Latin American countries. I wanted to honor the Museo
del Barrio’s Dia de los Reyes procession throughout the streets of
El Barrio preserving this tradition
for our community.
Spaniard and African that define our ancestral roots
and makes us uniquely and proudly Puerto Ricans.
I named this piece The Pride because as an artist and educator I
have the opportunity to conduct
workshops for young people, interact with them and use the elements in this piece to teach them
about Puerto Rican traditions and
history that makes me proud each
day. Instilling, teaching and encouraging this pride and love for
my culture in these young minds
is what I live for and hopefully by
doing this continue to acknowledge, promote and preserve our
culture like Comité Noviembre has charged us to do
for the past 25 years and counting
Wilda Gonzalez
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HISTORY
On July 15, 1987, the Association of Puerto Rican Executive Directors (APRED), a non-profit advocacy consortium of
Puerto Rican community development and human services organizations, hosted the Puerto Rican Dialogue. One of the
topics of discussion was presented by Antonio Pagán then of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, on the coordination of
a calendar of events during the month of November, officially deemed, Puerto Rican Cultural Heritage Month. While the
Commonwealth expressed an interest in serving as the clearinghouse for information on the scheduled events in collaboration with the community-based organizations and individuals represented at the meeting, it was the consensus of the group
that this role be assumed by APRED with the assistance and cooperation of the Commonwealth and the Association of
Hispanic Arts (AHA); thus, the coordinating committee was established. Led by Elizabeth Col6n, then the Executive Director of APRED, the coordinating committee launched an effort to plan activities and develop the first Puerto Rican Cultural
Heritage month calendar of events. As its efforts continued to evolve, the coordinating committee was expanded to include
ASPIRA of New york, and el Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños. Several co-sponsoring agencies, also participated by having their events announced in the calendar, and providing resources to this project including the Institute for the Puerto Rican Hispanic Elderly. The coordinating committee became “Comité Noviembre” (CN). CN’s mission was and still remains
to commemorate and acknowledge all aspects of Puerto Rican life. From the social, cultural, to the educational, economic
and political; as well as creating an awareness of the rich culture, language and heritage of the Puerto Rican community. It
also acknowledges the Puerto Rican community’s numerous contributions to this state and nation. Each year, from its initial
inception through the present, Comité Noviembre has identified an annual theme, developed a calendar of events and poster,
and secured the proclamations from the Governor, Mayor and Borough Presidents.
In 1990 CN encouraged Puerto Rican leaders from New Jersey to form its own chapter of Comité Noviembre and in 1991
Comité Noviembre of New Jersey was incorporated. Motivated by the success of New Jersey, CN conducted three Leadership Symposiums in 1991 and 1992 in New york and one in 1993 held in Boston, Massachusetts with the goal of encouraging dialogue amongst leaders and activists from Puerto Rican communities that would serve to strengthen ties and formally
present the expansion of the celebration of Puerto Rican Heritage Month to other cities and states. These symposiums were
extremely successful and garnered national interest in regional expansion of the celebration of Puerto Rican Heritage Month
under the banner of Comité Noviembre. CN met with Puerto Ricans leaders from Massachusetts, Connecticut and Florida.
Due to the closing of APRED in 1993 the Leadership Symposiums and regional expansion were put on hold.
Upon the closing of APRED which headquartered CN, Teresa A. Santiago assumed the leadership of Comité Noviembre,
and the Puerto Rican Family Institute became its new home and management umbrella. From 1994 to 1997 CN operated
under the auspices of ASPIRA of New york, and in 1998 CN was relocated to its present home for the past thirteen years the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly headed by Suleika Cabrera Driane.
Throughout the years, the membership and efforts of Comité Noviembre continued to expand. While its mission has remained the same, Comité Noviembre added new dimensions to its work focusing on educational excellence, youth leadership development and community service as key goals. Today, Comité Noviembre is the only collaboration of its kind in
the United States which brings together the collective talents and resources of the oldest and most prestigious Puerto Rican
organizations on the northeast: the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, ASPIRA of New york, el Museo del Barrio, Eugenio María de Hostos Community College, CUNy, el Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños, Hunter College, CUNy,
Latino Justice: PRLDEF, the National Institute for Latino Policy, the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights – Justice
Committee, the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, and El Puente. This coordinating body plans and promotes
Comité Noviembre’s annual programs and events.
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Today, although, Puerto Rican Heritage Month is celebrated throughout the United States, it was Comité Noviembre who
formalized the celebration. The recognition and celebration of November as Puerto Rican Heritage Month, has provided
opportunities to bring onto the limelight numerous achievements and contributions of the Puerto Rican community. CN has
been able to bring together the Puerto Rican community by preserving, teaching and promoting Puerto Rican culture and
history. By embracing our strength, respecting our differences and understanding our diverse political ideologies, November has become a time to discuss all aspects and issues of the Puerto Rican community form the cultural, social and civic to
the educational, economic and political with respect objectivity and pride. Comité Noveimbre is proud of its accomplishments and the marks it has made through its work over the past 25 years.
MISSION
CN’s mission is to commemorate and acknowledge all aspects of Puerto Rican life from the social and cultural to the educational, economic and political. The charge of CN is to create awareness of and preserve our rich culture, language, and
heritage specifically for our youth – to recognize and take ownership of it everyday but specifically during the month of
November.
For twenty-five years, CN has created and developed programs all geared to the support and enhancement of educational
opportunities and leadership development for Puerto Rican/Hispanic youth with a cultural twist. These programs are firmly
rooted in the belief, that in order to succeed in life, you must pursue a higher education, give back to your community
through volunteer efforts and know your cultural ancestral history.
CN ANNUAL PROGRAMS & EVENTS
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Two Scholarship Programs
CN Scholarship Awards Program
The Richie Perez Scholarship for Peace & Justice
Annual Leadership Development – Role Models
Forum
Conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, NASA personnel
Educational trip to Puerto Rico, “Buscando Nuestra
Raíces”
Puerto Rican Heritage Month kick-off celebration
Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad Award
Annual benefit event
Puerto Rican Heritage Award
Health Fair
CN SCHOLARSHIP AWARD PROGRAMS
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Artisans Fair & Exhibit
Day of Community Service & Social Responsibility
and Food Drive
Three Kings celebration and Toy Drive
CN/El Diario La Prensa full color Puerto Rican
Heritage Month Supplement
Commemorative calendar journal
Artist competition, selection and commission process
Annual educational commemorative poster
Selection of a spokesperson
Website programs and information
Cultural and health related workshops, forums and
events
In order to secure that our youth have better educational opportunities the CN Scholarship Awards Program (CNSAP) was
established and has awarded $187,000 in scholarships since its inception fourteen years ago, an average of 12 scholarships
a year and with a college graduation rate of 90%. An additional $10,000 has been awarded in the Richie Pérez Scholarship
for Peace and Justice. Each year, the members of the CN Scholarship selection committee are awed by the clear sense of
self and strength of character of these selfless and inspiring young people that are building our communities and making a
difference early on in their lives.
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COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE SCHOLARSHIP
In November of 1996 in celebration of its tenth anniversary of Puerto Rican Heritage Month, the CN Scholarship Awards
Program (CNSAP) was established. To date, CNSAP has awarded 187 scholarships of $1,000. Four years ago, to commemorate our 20th anniversary, CN enhanced the Scholarship Program to continue to award the top two scholars $1,000
scholarships each year until graduation. These scholars must maintain a 3.5 grade point average and documented community work within the Puerto Rican community to continue to receive the 4-year $1,000 scholarship.
THE RICHIE PEREZ SCHOLARSHIP FOR PEACE & JUSTICE
In 2004, the Puerto Rican community lost an advocate, community leader and urban warrior. Richie Pérez was a beloved
activist and leader in the fight for social justice and human rights. He brought integrity and unity to many causes to which
he was committed, which included the struggle for racial justice and against police brutality, Puerto Rican independence and
universal human rights. In his memory, Comité Noviembre has established the Richie Pérez Scholarship for Peace and Justice. The award recognizes Puerto Rican young people for their commitment, activism and achievements in any of the areas
of human rights and social justice. This annual award promotes both the advancement of new leaders, in the movement
for peace and justice and invests in their continued growth by providing support for their ongoing education and political
development. The scholarship recipient will receive a $1,000.
THE COMITE NOVEIMBRE/NASA PARTNERSHIP – ANNUAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT – ROLE MODELS FORUM
To ensure that young adults have the opportunity to meet and interact with professionals in all fields and careers, CN partnered with NASA and established a leadership development forum that took place at Hostos Community College, CUNy in
the middle of the South Bronx. Several Puerto Rican/Hispanic microbiologist, scientist and engineers from NASA Centers
conducted a presentation on Careers at NASA to a group of Latino high school and college students interested in engineering, biology and the study of space. The event was a huge success. Having professionals that looked liked them, spoke
their language and had similar backgrounds at these high level positions at NASA reinforced their career goals and dreams.
Having NASA personnel address these young people reinforces the mission of CN’s leadership development program and
gives these young people a day they will remember for the rest of their lives. These visit give young adults from the inner
city, specifically Puerto Rican and Hispanics, the opportunity to realize that they too can achieve greatness.
ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CULTURAL TRIP TO PUERTO RICO
“BUSCANDO NUESTRA RAÍCES”
Buscando Nuestras Raíces is an adventure into a cultural and educational experience for Puerto Ricans and others who want
to explore the richness of Puerto Rico’s culture, ancestral roots and history. Making this trip a reality was a natural progression of CN’s mission and goals. The itinerary takes into account that many of us, although we visit the island frequently,
rarely visit the cultural and historical sites and landmarks unique to Puerto Rico and renowned throughout the world. It is a
journey participants will remember for many years to come. The third annual Buscando Nuestra Raíces trip is being planned
for the summer of 2012.
PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE MONTH KICK-OFF CELEBRATION
The CN Puerto Rican Heritage Month kick-off event usually takes place each year on the last Thursday of October. At this
event, CN honors Puerto Rican community heroes through Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad Awards, unveils its annual
poster and distributes its journal calendar of event. This event is free for the community. Over 300 key community and business leaders as well as elected officials attend this very festive, musical and cultural event.
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LO MEJOR DE NUESTRA COMUNIDAD AWARD
Through Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad award, CN recognizes outstanding individuals who are the unsung heroes of our
community and who are making a difference in the Puerto Rican communities of this country. Puerto Ricans whose pride in
their heritage and strength of character have empowered themselves and inspired others to make significant impact on the
community are recognized. The recipients of this award are chosen by CN from nominations submitted by the community.
These individuals are honored at the kick-off celebration of Puerto Rican Heritage Month.
CN’S ANNUAL GALA BENEFIT
The CN Annual Gala Benefit was instituted in 1996 at its tenth anniversary to raise funds for its scholarship award program
and other CN educational, cultural and leadership development activities. The event has continued to attract key leaders of
New york’s Puerto Rican community and Corporate America. The gala is scheduled for Thursday, November 10, 2011 at
the Ny Hilton in Manhattan. The proceeds of this annual event, supports all of our programs and allows CN provide free
programming and information to the community year round as well as scholarship dollars.
CN’S ANNUaL PUERTO RICAN ARTISANS FAIR & EXHIBIT
The Artisan Fair & Exhibit was established in 2006, in celebration of Comité Noviembre’s, 20th anniversary. Making this
fair a reality was a natural progression of CN’s goals and mission and made possible by CUNy’s vice Chancellor Ernesto
Malave who passed away in November 2009.
CN invited Puerto Rican artisans from throughout the US and Puerto Rico to participate in this Fair. Over 40 artesanos
puertorriqueños participated and the event boasted an attendance of over 5000 people in this very first Fair in 2006 at Hunter
College and again in 2007. In 2008, the Fair continued to exceed CN’s expectations with over 60 artisans participating and a
steady 5000 people the fair was moved to Church of St. Paul the Apostle in Manhattan. Last year found its home at Hostos
Community College in the Bronx. For the past five years CN has conducted workshops for children and adults, to ensure
that our youth learn about our culture, traditions and folklore. This event, which is free to the community, is advertised as an
opportunity to kick-off the holiday shopping season and purchase unique Puerto Rican original gifts for that special person
on your list and, at the same time support our artesanos.
CN’S ANNUaL HEALTH FAIR
In 2009, CN instituted the First Annual Health Fair that ran concurrently with the Artisans Fair. The Health component
of the Fair was added because of the great number of residents concentrated in the Bronx and neighboring boroughs with
chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity. This year CN will partner with health care
providers to conduct health fairs during the summer as well as in November.
CN’S DAY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Day of Community Service and Social Responsibility, was established in 1995 to coincide with the theme: “The Sprit of
Commitment …The Power of Action. Live it! For the past fourteen years, CN has set aside the Sunday before Thanksgiving
as a day of community service and social responsibility in commemoration of November 19th, traditionally known as Puerto
Rican discovery day or as we like to call it Puerto Rican “encounter” day.
The event began as a day when people participated in several volunteer efforts that aided the Puerto Rican community and
its organizations to show the spirit of commitment and the power of action. Over the years, this event has been a great success and organizations throughout the city have benefited from this collaboration, including homeless and battered women’s
shelters and senior centers as well as individual families. Through this effort, CN has collected coats, clothing, food and
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toiletries for these organizations. In recent years, the food drive has been instituted and CN along with ASPIRA of New
york spearhead the event. This year’s event will take place on Sunday, November 20, 2011 at several locations throughout
the City including at El Museo del Barrio and the UPACA-IPRHE Senior Center in Manhattan, El Puente in Brooklyn,
Elmhurst/Jackson Heights-IPRHE Senior Center in queens and Holy Cross Church in the Bronx, simultaneously from
11AM – 4PM.
FIFTH CN EL DIARIO LA PRENSA SUPPLEMENT
For the past three years, CN in partnership with El Diario La Prensa has produced an 8 to 14 page Puerto Rican Heritage
Month color supplement for the community. This special Spanish-language supplement has a circulation of 57,550 and
readership of over 287,000 daily. CN works with EDLP’s editorial department for content which will highlight CN’s honorees and programs as well as any topic the exclusive sponsor may want to cover.
ANNUAL SPOKESPERSON
Each year, CN selects a spokesperson that is making a difference in this country, empowering others and shaping, not only
our future as Puerto Ricans, but the future of all Americans. They have all played an important role in leaving our unique
imprint in the current and future history of this country.
THEME DEVELOPMENT
Each year, CN selects a theme with a two-fold purpose: to celebrate Puerto Rican Heritage and to motivate, mobilize and
empower our community specifically our youth to take ownership of our culture, traditions and heritage. This year in commemoration of our 25th anniversary an Exhibit was curated that includes all 25 CN posters. The exhibit is currently on view
at Hostos Community College in the Bronx until November 30, 2011.
COMMEMORATIVE JOURNAL/ARTIST/ POSTER
The annual journal calendar becomes a collector’s item because of the articles and historical information that it provides.
These essays and articles, written by community activists, educators, artists and CN members, are published annually in several newspapers ranging from The New york Daily News, El Diario La Prensa, as well as the San Juan Star and El Nuevo
Día in Puerto Rico. The journals are distributed to educational, cultural and community organizations. Over 250 events and
activities are sponsored and held by community based organizations, cultural institutions and government officials throughout New york alone.
Since its inception, the annual CN poster has been in high demand by teachers and educators. The competition to be the
commissioned artist of CN and design the coveted poster has also been exciting throughout the years and has led to the
promotion, acknowledgement and exposure of very talented Puerto Rican artists. The poster is created each year to promote
and inform the public about Puerto Rican Heritage Month and to create an artistic expression of the organization’s theme.
The poster is distributed throughout New york, New Jersey and the tri-state area.
CN WEBSITE – www.comitenoviembre.org
The website provides the history of CN as well as the Puerto Rican community in Puerto Rico and the United States. The
website will serve as an educational vehicle of all those searching for information on the Puerto Rican history and culture
especially educators and students. The website launched in November of 2006 and was designed with the capacity to hold
company logos or messages (web advertising) for sponsors of the website or CN programs. The sponsor of the website will
have prime signage year-round. Due to high printing costs and the world going “green” CN will promote heavily the use of
the website for access to calendar journal information as well as scholarship applications and other educational materials.
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THEMATIC IMPACT ON COMMUNITY
1987 – 2011 SYNOPSIS
1987 “Building on Our Heritage to Create the Future…Our Children Our youth
- Desarrollando Nuestra Herencia Creando Nuestro Futuro…Nuestros Niños y
Juventud,”centered around children and youth bringing to light the critical absence of Latino representation on the New york City’s Board of Education.
1988 “Empowerment…From the Shadows to the Light – De las Sombras al Poder
–Empoderamiento…De las Sombras al Poder” Highlighted participation in the
political process as a tool to bring the Puerto Rican community to the forefront of
American politics and power structures.
1989 “Si No Nos Cuentan…No Contamos…Count On Us! – Si No Nos Cuentan…No Contamos…Cuenten Con Nosotros” dealt with the gross under couinting of Latinos in the past census counts and challenged the Puerto Rican community to stand up and be counted.
1990 “From the Homeland to the Mainland…Los Lasos que nos Unen” Made the
important connection to island roots and the migration to the mainland over the
last nine decades.
1991 “La Mujer Puertorriqueña La verdadera Borinqueña… Asumiendo Nuestra
Historia Tomando Liderazgo en los 90” celebrated the important role of women
in the political and social development of the largest Hispanic ethnic group in the
Northeast region.
1992 “Encounters of the Past…Our Determination to Shape the Future – Encuentros del Pasado…Nuestra Determinación
Para Forjar el Futuro” sought out to encompass the quincentennial commemoration and its specific relevance to the Puerto
Rican community today.
1993 “Reconquista ’93: Affirming Our Identity…Preserving Our Community – Reconquista ’93: Afirmando Nuestra Identidad…Preservando nuestra comunidad” dealt with the issue of identity, the unique and distinct mixture of Taíno, Spanish
and African ancestry that makes up the intricate character of the Puerto Rican people.
1994 “Nuestro Poder Puertorriqueño: Usalo! Define Nuestro Destino! Dealt with the untapped power and strength behind
the estimated 3 million Puerto Ricans that live in the United States. 1995 “The Puerto Rican Renaissance: The Spirit of
Commitment…The Power of Action. Live It!” was a call to action to the Puerto Rican community – that now was the time
to realize the future through the power of action.
1996 “United, Moving Forward…The Future is Ours...Unidos, Adalante…El Futuro Esta en Nuestras Manos, urged Puerto
Ricans to unite around the critical issues of preserving our language. CN issued a statement on Language Rights and opposed the English Only Movement.
1997 “In the Mix: voices that Affirm Our vibrant Heritage –voces que Afirman Nuestra Herencia Dinámica,” reinforced
our pride, diversity and multi-generational achievement that are the integral part of the Puerto Rican experience.
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1998 “Puerto Ricans Confronting the Challenges of a Changing World – Puertorriqueños Enfrentando los Retos de un
Mundo cambiante,” urged the Puerto Rican community to examine its readiness and to prepare strategies to face the challenges of the next millennium.
1999 “Puerto Ricans for a New Millennium ... Facing the Dawn of a New Age - Puertorriqueños para un Nuevo Milenio...
Frente al Amanecer de Una Nueva Era,” reflected the anticipation of a community ready for action. The human rights campaign for vieques and clemency for the Peurto Rican political prisoners were highlighted.
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2000 “Understanding Our Past…Defining Our Future - Entendiendo Nuestro Pasado… Creamos Nuestro Futuro,” urged
Peurto Ricans to research and learn about their history in order to understand what was occurring at the time – the role of the
US Navy in viques, the status questions and the release of the FBI “Carpetas/Dossiers” on the Puerto Rican independence
movement.
2001 “Puerto Ricans United for World Peace...Puertorriqueños Unidos Para la Paz Mundial,” honored all of the victims of
September 11th, especially the 800 Puerto Ricans who perished and acknowledged the efforts of the Puerto Rican community during this tragic event in America’s history.
2002 “Salud Boricua,” shed light on the critical health issues in our community specifically HIv/AIDS, cancer, diabetes
and asthma.
2003 “Nuestra Herencia Cultural el Camino al futuro…Our cultural heritage, the path to the future,” challenged the community to honor the past and teach our children about our rich culture and heritage.
2004 “Preserving our Legacy…Cultural Affirmation, Community Empowerment & Social Justice,” honored the grassroots
work and accomplishments of the Puerto Rican community and its pioneers who because of their strength of character and
conviction affected change.
2005 “Boricua! Atesora lo tuyo…Boricua! Treasure what is yours - Preservando Nuestro Legado…Afirmación Cultural,
Poder Comunitario y Justicia Social,” acknowledged the accomplishments of the Puerto Rican community in the fields of
science, medicine, technology and space exploration and demanded the community to take ownership of these contributions.
2006 “Celebrando con Orgullo Nuestra Cultura...Hoy, Mañana y Siempre,” acknowledged and paid tribute to achievements
of the Puerto Rican community in this city, state and nation as well as to the vision of Comité Noviembre that for the past
twenty years has kept its mission alive to promote, teach and create an awareness of the rich culture, language and heritage
of the Puerto Rican community.
2007 “Encuentro Con Nuestra Patria,” challenged each and every one of us to learn about our history both on the island and
mainland, feel proud of who we are and where we come from, and commit ourselves to promoting and teaching others about
our great contributions to this world. It reaffirmed who we are as a people, a community, a nation and that no matter where
we are physically in the world - somos puerorriqueños!
2008 “vive tu cultura...!vive Boricua¡ “Live your Culture...! vive Boricua!,” challenged us to take ownership of our contributions to the fabric of this country. Our achievements as a community have had and will continue to have great impact on
society. We must learn about our pioneers, heroes, scientist, inventions, traditions and history and commit ourselves to promote and teach others about the great contributions Puerto Ricans have made to this country and brag a little in the process.
2009 “Puertorriqueño…De nuestras raíces nace un pueblo,” speaks to the strong foundation of the Puerto Rican community
around the world, of our perseverance, ingenuity, pride and achievements. The theme explores and examines our unique
ancestral roots and the very fabric that makes us Puerto Rican, it acknowledges that aqui y alla, somos todos puertorriqueños – un pueblo.
2010 “Puertorriqueño de alma, vida y corazón,” speaks to the essence of what being Puerto Rican means. It is living breathing embracing our culture, history and identity in our daily lives in everything that we do. It is the recognition from the
bottom of our heart that speaks to our soul that affirms our life as a Puertorriqueño. It is a state of mind, of being that comes
from deep within us that empowers us to affect change and to continue to contribute and make accomplishments to this city,
state and nation.
2011 “Comité Noviembre 25 years...United by our Puerto Rican pride - Comité Noviembre 25 años…Unidos por nuestro
orgullo Boricua,” celebrates and pays tribute to the work and accomplishments of Comité Noviembre in the last 25 years,
to the spirit, energy and pride of this volunteer organization.
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Comité Noviembre Highlights of the Past
Twenty-Five Years
1987
• Comité Noviembre is established by Puerto Rican community leaders.
• Comité Noviembre secures official Puerto Rican Heritage Month Proclamation form the Governor, Mayor
and five Borough Presidents.
1988
•
For the first time in the history of CBS Television a station break
ID was developed using CN’s art work and theme to salute Puerto
Rican Heritage Month. It aired three to four times a day during
November.
•
vISTA and Hispanic magazine both printed information on CN
that informed the Puerto Rican community throughout the nation
about CN activities.
•
El Diarlo la Prensa printed the entire calendar as a pull out section
in their weekend edition of paper.
•
Channel 47 gave a daily listing of activities from CN calendar.
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1989
•
ABC Channel 7 aired PSA for CN featuring actor Jimmy Smits of
the hit television series L. A. Law. The PSA ran throughout No
vember and garnered many requests for the poster and calendar.
•
WPIX Channel 11 also aired PSA saluting Puerto Rican Heritage
Month with Comité’s poster as the artistic background.
•
Channel 47 gave a daily listing of activities from the Comité
Noviembre’s calendar.
Channel 41 featured, CN on the Cenia Beltre show which aired on November 12th.
Tiempo Magazine featured CN on its November 19th show.
On November 17th, Ny Newsday published a community awareness ad listing CN month long activities.
1990
• Musician and activist Willie Colón becomes the first Spokesperson.
• Comité Noviembre of New Jersey is established.
• CBS developed and aired station break with Willie Colón to promote PR
Heritage Month.
• The New york Housing Authority sponsored the musical entertainment
for the celebration of PR Heritage Month in each of the five boroughs
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featuring performances by Johnny Colón and his orchestra.
CN was presented the Governor’s proclamation at a vIP reception prior to the Christmas Extravaganza on
November 10th at Radio City. The proceeds of this event went to the victims of Hurricane Hugo in Puerto
Rico and Governor Rafael Hernández Colón was present.
1991
• Spokesperson: Malín Falú, radio talk show host
• Comité Noviembre joins forces with The New york Daily News and produces the
first Hispanic supplement which eventually leads to the creation of vIvA Magazine.
•
Comité Noviembre organizes first Puerto Rican Heritage Month Leadership
Symposium on December 9, 1991 at the New york Hilton in New york City.
Puerto Rican leaders from around the country attend.
•
Comité Noviembre produces a concert with renowned Puerto Rican singer Lucecita
Benítez at Town Hall in New york City.
•
One of the most sought after CN posters. La Mujer Puertoriqueña La verdadera
Borinqueña is created by artist Ernesto Ramos-Nieves.
1992
• Spokespeople: Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer and New york City Public Schools Chancellor Dr.
Joseph A. Fernandez
• “Puerto Ricans in New york: A Community Organizes…A Photographic Essay,” by el Centro de Estudios
Puertorriqueños and “The ASPIRA of New york Story, Thirty years and Counting…” with information on
the historic ASPIRA Consent Decree are featured in the journal.
• The 2nd Puerto Rican Heritage Month Comité Noviembre Leadership Symposium is held on December 10,
1992 at the New york Hilton.
1993
• Spokesperson: Dr. Antonia Novello,
former Surgeon General of the United States,the first woman
and Hispanic to hold this office.
• The 3rd Leadership Symposium is held
on December 9, 1993 at the Marriott
Boston Long Wharf in Boston,
Massachusetts.
• CN establishes the ‘Lo Mejor de
Nuestra Comunida” Recognition Award.
The first recipients of this award were:
Willie Colón, composer, trombonist and, producer; Miriam Colón, actress, producer,
director and founder of Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, Marina Alvarez, AIDS activ-
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ist; Marc Anthony, singer; Moreno vega, founder, Caribbean Cultural Center/African Diaspora Institute;
Juanita Rodríguez, chairperson, Women’s Action Cluster of Williamsburg & president, Eastern District High
School Parents Association. youth Recipients: Wilfredo Muñoz, Billie Gastic, Carmen Díaz, Krystal Carrasquillo and Angel Ramos
1994
•
Spokesperson: Luis Guzmán, actor and community activist.
•
Comité Noviembre begins the annual tradition of the kick-off
reception at el Museo del Barrio
•
“Why We Took Over the Statute of Liberty,” by Richie Pérez is
featured in journal
•
CN promotes and supports Muevete the Boricua youth
Conference. (1994-1997)
•
Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad recipients were: Adelfa vera –
Committed to the Ideal of Independence; Debbie Delgado-vega
- An Individual and Collective Struggle for Life; Lillian López Parent Advocate For Our Future; Ramón González – Third Generation Activist; Genoveva Clemente - Luchadora por vivienda Digna; Manny Maldonado – Música Against Drugs: “La Cultura también Cura” Father Luis
Barrios - Social Activism and the Church; Isaura Santiago - President: Hostos Community College: Coming
of Age in the Bronx. youth Recipients: Jennifer villegas, Reinaldo Llano, Josefina Ortiz. Comité Noviembre de N.J.: Dennis B. González; Catherine Correa and Reverendo Miguel Mena (In Memoriam).
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1995
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Spokespeople: Salsa Diva La India and actress/activist Lauren
vélez.
•
Comité Noviembre institutes the Day of Community Service and
Social Responsibility the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
•
PSA is developed to promote Puerto Rican Heritage Month.
•
CN works with the National Puerto Rican Coalition on the Boricua
First! effort
“The Puerto Rican Struggle for quality Education, A Short Essay” by Roberto P. Rodriguez is featured in journal.
CN developed a national Puerto Rican Organization Resource Directory.
Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad recipients were: Gil C. Alicea, author,
advocate and orphan of AIDS; Sonia González, community and media
activist; Margarita Rosario, founder, Parents Against Police Brutality; Rosa
Calderón, Latino and youth activist & dean, Intercultural and Community
Advancement, Manhattanville College; Héctor Torres, director, National
Action youth Movement & co-founder, Strictly Ghetto youth Organization;
Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly; The Puerto Rican Cultural
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Heritage House; youth Recipients: Brenda Lugo, Omar Estrada Tortes, Shirley Rodríguez; Ben Ramos; William quintín Ross and Jason Rivera.
1996
• Spokesperson: Jimmy Smits, actor.
• CN celebrates its 10th Anniversary with a gala at the Plaza Hotel in New york City on November 19, 1996
• Gala honorees are: Dr. Antonia Pantoja, Founder of ASPIRA; Goya Foods, Inc.; and Luis A Miranda, President, Miranda y Más
• CN announces establishment of Scholarship Program
• CN issues statement on Language Rights opposing all efforts to make English the official language of any
city state or national government. CN applauded the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals which found that Arizona’s English only law violated the First Amendment Rights of bilingual state employees to use the native
language of the public to communicate.
• Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad recipients were: Betsy Dávila, founder & president, Sociedad Puertorriqueña de queens, Inc.; Dr. Georgina Falú, founder, Universal Business and Media School; José Ithier,
community leader; Debbie Medina, director ethnic publications, New york Daily News; Carlos Pagán,
founder, El Regreso; Rossana Rosado, editor-in-chief, El Diario la Prensa. youth Recipients: Carolina Pérez,
D’wayne Prieto and Daisy Rodríguez.
•
1997
• Spokesperson: “King of Latin music” Tito Puente
• Ruben Blades, Ednita Nazario and Marc Anthony captivate the gala
audience with a performance from the Broadway show Capeman
• Gala honorees are: Miriam Colón, actress; Carlos L. Santiago, vice
president NyNEX; Millie Herández Becker, president & CEO,
Westchester Air; Tonio Burgos, President, Burgos & Associates and
Carlos D. Nazario, Jr., president & CEO, Metro Beer and Soda
Distributors.
Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad recipients are: Lorraine Cortes-vázquez, executive director, ASPIRA, Johnny Irizarry, executive director, Taller Puertorriqueño;
Iris Báez, founder, Anthony Báez Foundation; Dora Delorisses, senior rights
activist and member, Hispanic Senior Action Council; Felipe Morales Millán, director, Touro Collage; Mary Graniela, business and community leader, co-founder
of La Cooperative Metro.youth Recipients: Jeffrey Rodríguez, Joyce Elwick,
Denise Irizarry, Andrew Cruz, Maegan Elizabeth Ortíz, Mariposa: María Teresa
Fernández, poet.
1998
• Spokesperson: Rosie Pérez actress and AIDS activist
• CN awards first scholarships to eight exceptional Puerto Rican students at a cer-
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emony at Con Edison in NyC
• El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico perform at the Gala
• Danny Rivera captivates gala participants with rendition of La
Borinqueña
• Gala Honorees were: Nereida S. Andino, former deputy, Manhattan
Borough President; Jennifer López, actress; Fernando L. Pérez,
senior specialist for Custom Outreach, Con Edison; and Polito
vega, on-air personality for La Mega.
• CN presents José Rivera, then NyC
Councilman with Special Award for his work
on behalf of the Puerto Rican Political Prisoners
Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad recipients were: Judith Hilerio, activist, Lower East
Side; Sonali Santiago-Borges, founder and executive director, Under the Mercy Ministries; Edwin Pagán, co-founder, PM Theatre Community; Joseph Lliso, conductor,
composer, teacher, founder Pan American Symphony Orchestra; Maria Román, founder,
National Puerto Rican Day Parade; Olga Luz Tirado, president, Luz Tirada Communications; Julio Pabón, founder, Latinos Sports, ventures. youth recipients: Amnanda
Hernández, Julian Genera quiñonez, Luz E. Jiménez and Michelle González
1999
• Spokesperson: Felix “Tito” Trinidad, welter weight champion of
the world
• CN receives the first letter from the President of the United States
Bill Clinton, acknowledging Comité Noviembre’s efforts.
• Richie Pérez writes article on the young Lords Party entitled: “We
didn’t drop from the sky: Our people’s struggle created the young
Lords”
CN begins a series of articles on the situation in vieques, Puerto Rico. First article is written by Melissa
Mark-viverito, entitled: Vieques and the U.S. Military: A Struggle for Human Rights.
Gala honorees were: Dr. Antonia C. Novello - NyS Commissioner of Health; Carlos M. Morales, Esq., SvP
and General Counsel, Merrill Lynch & Company; Angelo Figueroa, editor-in-chief, PEOPLE en Español
and The young Lords Party.
Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad recipients were: James Anthony Bello; Alexandria Colón, founder, Share
Latina Project; Rev. Aimee García Cortése, founder, Crossroads Tabernacle; Paul Ramos, community activist & executive director of Betances
Health Unit; Carmen Rivera, playwright; Efraín Suárez, founder, Salsa
Museum and Hall of Fame; Ida Inés Torres, president, Hispanic Labor
Committee; John Serrano, co-director, Latino Artist. youth recipients:
Lesley Martínez; Eliécer Méndez and Aliana Soto.
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2000
• Spokesperson: Dave valentín, internationally acclaimed
salsa jazz artist
• CN continues to focus on vieques with an article entitled:
“Intergeneral Message from vieques: viequenses from
Human Chain around Camp García” in journal.
• Brenda K Star is the evening’s entertainment.
• Dave valentín and yomo Toro give a special performance
at the gala.
• Gala honorees were: Roberto Clemente Jr., Broadcast
Analyst/New york yankees and president, The Roberto Clemente Foundation; Susan Hernández, attorney at
Law; Carol Robles Román, SvP & General
Counsel, Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company and José O. Agiuar, president & CEO, Kleener King
Industries.
Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad recipients were: Myrta Cuadra-Lash, chairperson, East Harlem Neighborhood Based Alliance; Ada Rosario Dolch, principal, High School for Leadership and Public Service; Lester
J. Figueroa, Esq., founder, Latino Civic Association of Staten Island; Sonia Galarza, volunteer and youth advocate; Fernando “Ponce” Laspina, founder, Festival del Grito de Lares; Irvine Rafael MacManus, advocate
for the preservation of Puerto Rican culture; María zapata, volunteer, Circulo de la Hispanidad’s Abused
Women Crisis Intervention Program. youth Recipients: José Corner and Jimmy Ruíz.
Special in memoriam section was dedicated to Adelfa vera, Puerto Rican Nationalista and Paul Ramos –
Healthcare Advocate.
2001
• Spokesperson: Daniel Rodríguez, NyPD Officer and tenor.
• “vieques: Five Centuries of Struggle and Resistance,” article by Robert Rabin, one of the founders of El
Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de vieques is featured in journal.
• CN changes gala dinner to benefit luncheon in observance of the tragedy of September 11th.
• Luncheon honorees were: Selma Betancourt, director of external communications, Health Plus; Dr. Ricardo
R. Fernández, president, Herbert H. Lehman College, Luis Garden Acosta, founder & CEO, El Puente, Inc.,
and Denise quiñones, Miss Universe 2001.
• Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad recipients were: Otilio Díaz, executive director, La Casa de la Herencia
Cultural Puertorriqueña; Toni & Carlos Mendoza, directors, Side Street Kids; Lucy Rivera, president, La Fiesta Folklórica Puertorriqueña, Inc.; Magda yrizarry, chairwoman, ASPIRA of New york. youth recipients:
Milagros Esther Santiago; Julio Cesar Toledo and Alejandro Torres-Hernádez.
• Special recognition was given to the Puerto Rico Emergency Management and Disaster Services Agency for
their assistance in the September 11th tragedy.
• Special in memoriam section was dedicated to: Steve Mercado, Ny Firefighter, president, Ny Emperors
Stickball League.
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2002
• Spokesperson: vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, US Surgeon General Commander,
USPHS.
• Articles featured in the journal were: “Hispanic Health Issues A Priority for New york State” by Dr. Antonia
C. Novello, MD, M.P.H and Dr. P.H. NyS; and “The Latino Health Crisis” by Denis De León, coordinator,
Latino Health advocates and president of the Latino Commission on AIDS.
• Luncheon honorees were: vice Admiral Richard Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, United States Surgeon General Commander, USPHS; Nydia Caro, singer and entertainer; Debbie Delgado vega, founder and chairperson,
Latino Organization for Liver Awareness; Carmen Gómez Goldberg, president, AvET Transit, Inc. and José
R. Sánchez, CSW, ACSW, SvP, Generations+ Health Network.
• Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad recipients were: Sobeida Cruz, regional manager of Public Affairs, New
york Power Authority; Manuel A. Morán-Martínez, writer and producer; Madalena Ramírez, CEO, Helen
Hayes Hospital, Julia E. Rivera, director of community, New york Organ Donor Network; Roberto Sancho,
vP development and external affairs, Bronx Lebanon Hospital. youth Recipients: Marlene Calderón; Neva
Becerril and Juan Carlos Intriago-vélez.
• In Memoriam section was dedicated to: Petra Allende, community activist, “La Alcaldesa del Barrio” and
Dr. Antonia Pantoja, founder of ASPIRA of New york.
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2003
• Spokesperson: Danny Rivera, world renowned singer
• Article by renowned Puerto Rican historian and anthropologist Dr.
Ricardo Alegría, “An Introduction to Taíno Culture and History” is
featured in journal
• CN celebrates the US Navy withdrawal from vieques, Puerto Rico on
May 1, 2003.
• Luncheon honorees are: Dr. Ricardo Alegría, historian/anthropologist;
Honorable Sila Maria Calderón, Governor, Puerto Rico; Danny Rivera,
humanitarian, world renowned Puerto Rican singer; and Rafael Tufiño, el Pintor del Pueblo.
Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad recipients were: Jane Arce¬Bello, youth and cultural rights advocate;
Minerva Chinea, volunteer, youth Survival Coalition; Francisco M. González, president, Bronx Puerto
Rican Day Parade; Jeff Stella, NyPD detective and volunteer, Church of God; Louis M. vázquez M.S.W.,
executive director, RAIN, Inc.; Mary Pérez, elderly rights advocate; Elizabeth C. yeampierre, Esq., executive director, UPROSE; Anna María Torres, executive director, NyS Assembly Puerto Rican Hispanic Task
Force. youth recipients: Elyse C. Bentaces; Nicole Amber Colón and Krystal yvette Marcano.
2004
• Spokesperson: salsa sensation Tito Nieves.
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Actress Rosie Pérez gives heartfelt remarks about Richie Pérez during benefit luncheon.
CN establishes the Richie Pérez Scholarship Award in his honor
Luncheon Honorees are: Orlando Figueroa, Space Mission Director & Deputy Associate
Administrator for Programs, NASA Headquarters; Jorge Ramos, anchor, Telemando 47;
Ada Rodríguez, chief marketing officer, Health Plus; and Richie Pérez (In Memoriam),
former young Lord, community activist, co-founder of the Justice Committee, National
Congress for Puerto Rican Rights.
Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad recipients are: Michael P. Borges, co-founder and associate director, Under the Mercy Ministries; Rev. Rosa J. Caraballo, founder & executive director, Bruised Reed Ministry & Pastor of Grace Tabernacle; William Rodriguez,
World Trade Center Hero; Rosalba Rolón, founder, Pregones Theater; Medina Sediq,
executive director, A Better Bronx for youth; and Alexie Torres-Fleming, founder &
executive director, youth Ministries for Peace and Justice; Arelis Torres, volunteer, Share
(Self-Help for Women with Breast and Ovarian Cancer). youth Recipient: Peter Pagán.
2005
• Spokesperson: Frankie Negrón, singer and entertainer
• CN receives third letter from the President of the United States George W. Bush recognizing Comité
Noviembre for its efforts.
• CN returns to a gala dinner with a celebration at the world famous Copacabana.
• Salsa sensation Frankie Negrón performs at Gala.
• CN institutes a “Silent Auction” at Gala dinner.
• Gala honorees are: Mary E. Medina, executive sirector, Center for Trustee Initiatives & Recruitment, Greater New york Hospital Association; Dennis Rivera, president 1199 SEIU; Monsi C. Román - chief microbiologist environmental control & life support systems design & development group, NASA/Marshall Space
Flight Center; singer Frankie Negrón.
• Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad recipients were: Michelle Centeno, president, National Conference of
Puerto Rican Women; Louis B. Navarro, board member, yonkers Puerto Rican Day Parade; Linda NievesPowell, president & CEO, Latino Flavored Productions, Inc.; Tina Ramierez, founder & artistic director,
Ballet Hispanico; Carlos Recio, chairman, Religious Committee, National Puerto Rican Day Parade; José
vidal, volunteer curator, Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños. youth recipient: Daniel López and Marcus
Rodríguez
2006
• CN launches its official website: www.comitenoviembre.org
• CN celebrates the Tenth Anniversary of the Day of Community Service
and Social Responsibility
• CN institutes its first Annual Puerto Rican Artisans Fair and Exhibit.
• CN develops a Directory of Puerto Rican Artesanos.
• CN announces its first cultural trip to Puerto Rico in May of 2007 en-
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titled “Buscando Nuestras Raices”
Gala honorees are: Lynda Baquero, anchor, NBC 4 New york; Luis Fonsi, international recording artist and
producer; Daisy Martínez, chef; entrepreneur, and Host of Daisy Cooks; and Anthony D. Román, executive
director, American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU.
Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad recipients were: Melissa Colón, vP, Latino Law Student Association,
Cornell Law School; José Dobles, director, youth Programs and Foundation, youth Ministries for Peace and
Justice; Margarita Morales, founder, Asociación Cardiovascular de Puerto Rico; Madelyn Lugo, chairperson,
National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc.; Dr. vincent Gullamo-Ramos, PhD, ACSW, associate professor of
Social Work Columbia University School of Social Work; Gloria Rothchild, volunteer and board member,
Network Organization of Bronx Women, SER of Westchester and 100 Hispanic Women of Westchester;
Dígna Sánchez, consultant/community investment, United Way of New york City. youth recipients: Elizabeth Del valle, Raymond Falcón and Jesús González
2007
• Spokesperson: Ana Ortíz, actress and co-star, Ugly Betty
• CN conducts it first annual trip to Puerto Rico: Buscando Nuestra Raíces,
Sunday August 12 – 20, 2007. Dr. Ricardo Alegría, world renowned
historian and anthropologist gives lecture entitled: The Preservation of
Puerto Rican Culture throughout the 21st Century in Puerto Rico and the
Mainland at El Centro de Estudios Avanzado dePuerto Rico y el Caribe.
• On Wednesday, August 15, 2007, during CN’s the trip the Board of
Directors released a statement supporting the preservation, conservation
and protection of the Northeast Ecological Corridor. CN’s support came at a pivotal point in this effort, six days before the resolution was to be vetoed by the legislature of PR. On October 4, 2007, Governor Anibal
Acevedo vilá signed an executive order establishing a public policy the designation
of the NEC as a nature reserve. CN is proud that it was able to play a small role in
the victory of this nine year struggle.
Renowned Puerto Rican artist Maestro Antonio Martorell creates annual poster entitled Encuentro con nestra patria.
Articles entitled: “vieques: the Struggle Continues,” from the Bulletin of the Committee for the Rescue and Development of vieques and Puerto Rican Identity in the
Diaspora: Why we Continue to be Boricuas by Angelo Falcon are featured in journal
Gala Honorees were: Lisa Thon, fashion designer, yolandita Monge, international recording artist, Dr. Luis
O. Reyes and Dr. Diana Caballero, education activists, and Maestro Antonio Martorell, renowned artist,
poet, author.
Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad reciepients were: Elba Cabrera, arts advocate, community leader and activist, Dr. Luis Laviena, Ph.D. HIv/AIDS activist, Ralphael Muñoz, producer, quest Media Entertainment,
Angel Manuel Santini Palos, event planner, Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, Carmen vegaRivera, executive director, Say yes to Education, Arlene González-Sánchez, commissioner, The Nassau
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County Department of Mental Health, Luis Cordero Santoni, founder, Cemi Underground, Noemi Figueroa
Soulet, producer/director/writer, The Borinqueneers: The 65th Infantry Regiment, Sophia zayas, volunteer,
National Puerto Rican Day Parade. youth Recipient: Brandon Pagán.
Special recognition is given to the Retire 21 Campaign to retire Roberto Clemente’s #21 from being used as
a symbol of respect and honor.
2008
• Spokesperson: Melina León, singer/entertainer
• Journal features articles by Jesús Omar Rivera “El Boricuazo,”
entitled “Perdona el lucimiento, es que soy Puertorriqueño
Excuse me for bragging. But I’m Puerto Rican,” “The Boricua
Factor in American Politics: The Puerto Rican vote and the
2008 Presidential Election, by Angelo Falcon and “Mayor
Archaeological Find in Ponce Puerto Rico,” Teresa A. Santiago.
• Gala Honorees were: Catherine Gonzalez, senior architectural
designer, Thornton Tomasetti, Hector Feliciano, author, The
Lost Museum, Margarita Lopez, community activist, and board
member, NyC Housing Authority, Carlos Alberto, couture
fashion designer, Melina Leon, singer/actress
Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunida reciepients were: Dolores Batista, agent/owner, All State Insurance and
community leader; Lillian Jiménez, filmmaker, interim executive director, Chica Luna Productions; Tato Laviera, author, poet, playwright and community activist; Dr. Lisardo Irizarry, MD, MPH, FACEP, chairman,
Department of Emergency Medicine, Acting Chief Medical Officer, The Brooklyn Hospital Center; Wanda
E. Muñiz, volunteer extraordinaire; Felipe Rangel, artisan and co-founder of Hermandad de Artesanos
Puertorriqueños; Sandra Ruíz, education, women’s issues advocate and chief of staff to the president, Hostos Community College of CUNy; and Carlos “Tato” Torres, artistic director, yerbabuena. youth Recipient
Ashley Falcón
2009
• Spokesperson: Jesús Omar Rivera, El Boricuazo, historian & author.
• Journal articles featured: Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Extraordinary
Journey: from modest beginnings to the highest court in the United States by
Teresa A. Santiago, In the Health Care Reform Debate Puerto Rican voices Must
Unite to be Heard, by Suleika Cabrera Drinane, Statehood, A Civil Rights Issue: A
Matter of Equality, by Rafael Rodriguez and Boricuas in New york City: A Historical Inventory of the Past year and Puerto Rican and the 2010 Census: Si quieres
Frutos, Sacude el árbol, by Angelo Falcon and The young Lords Party: A Celebration of 40 years in Struggle.
• On Saturday, November 14, 2009, Comité Noviembre and Hostos Center for the
Arts and Culture presented for the first time in NyC El Boricuazo in Puertorrique-
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Gala Honorees: – Choco Orta, La Sonera del Milenio, Carlos A.
Picón, curator in charge, Department of Greek and Roman Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Katilia velez, student & community activist,
Inter American University of Puerto Rico, San German, Jesús Omar
Rivera, El Boricuazo.
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Lo Mejor de Nuestra Communidad recipients were: Elisha M.
Miranda, co-founder, Chica Luna and CEO, Sister Outsider Entertainment; Nydia Edgecombe, director, Alumni Relations, Eugenio María
de Hostos Community College, Clarisel González, editor & publisher,
Puerto Rican Sun Communications, Ibrahim González, host of WBAI
-99.5, Melinda González, folk lyric historian and Bombera for Bomba yo!, Rev. Carmen Hernandez, pastor
& founder, Stratford Community Services, Gilda Rivera Pantojas, director, Danza Fiesta, Rafael Riveraviruet, president, Terramax Entertainment, Trinity A. Rivera, volunteer, National Puerto Rican Day Parade,
and, Rosa A. Rosario valentín, community and cultural activist.
Founding member Antonio Pagan, former councilman and NyC Commissioner of Employment dies on
January 25, 2009
2010
• Spokesperson: Olga Tañon, Grammy Award Winner & Latin Pop
Artist
• Journal articles featured: Overview of Puerto Rico’s Political
Parties, National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights Puerto Rican
in the 21st Century Reafirmación de un Pueblo, The Puerto Rican
Connection to the Immigration Rights Movement by Angelo Falcon, Lares Up In Arms: Conflicting Changes and Historical Erasures by Iris zavala Martinez, PhD, Evaluation of the Northern
Gas Pipeline Proposed by the Power Authority Agency of Puerto
Rico: Community Response to Energy Crisis presented by Casa
Pueblo on August 17, 2010 and Julia de Burgos Celebrated by
Carmen D. Lucca.
• Gala Honorees: Oscar Hernández, renowned pianist, arranger & Grammy Award winner, Carlos López
López, Esq., partner, Wolf Popper, LLP; Pedro Julio Serrano, AIDS/Human Rights activist founder, Puerto
Rico Para Tod@s; Julia velez, Esq. MHSA, executive director, Centro de Salud Comunal Dr. Jose S. Belaval, Inc.
• Ricky Martin acknowledges the work of CN and introduces honoree Pedro Julio Serrano
• Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad Recipients: George Torres, founder, Sofrito for your Soul and Capicu
Poetry & Cultural Showcase, Brenda Jimenez Peralta, associate director of Agency Development/North East
Region, Big Brother, Big Sister of America, Jose Santiago, news director WBAI, Lance Rios, president&
CEO, Being Latino, Inc., yesenia Aponte-Meléndez, founder, El Punto de la Montaña, Javier E. Gomez,
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actor/reporter, community volunteer, Frances Lucerna, executive director, El Puente, Anita Antonetty, community organizer and a special recognition to Taller Boricua (Marcos Dimas, Fernando Salicrup and Irma
Ayala), on its 40th anniversary of promoting and supporting community artists and cultural diversity.
A special in memoriam section was created to give homage to CN supporters Ernesto Malave, vice Chancellor for Budget and Finance instrumental in establishing CN’s Annual Artisans Fair and Mayor of Caguas
William “Willie” Miranda Marín crucial supporter in the success of CN’s Annual trips to Puerto Rico.
2011
• CN Calls to Action to Puerto Rican Community – save our future – become a CN mentor, CN is challenging
itself and the community to assist us in launching a mentoring program geared specifically to these at-risk
Puerto Rican young men and woman.
• The Association of Puerto Rican-Hispanic Culture Inc. in partnership with Comité Noviembre presents:
Rafael Hernández & Sylvia Rexach Festival with Julito Cuevas y su Trio los Platinos at the CN 6th Annual
Artisans Fair at Hostos Community College
• Sixth Annual Artisan Fair is dedicated to the memory of Evelina Antonetty
• La Fundación Nacional de la Cultura becomes member of CN
• Launched 25th Anniversary Poster Exhibit at Hostos Community College – 3rd floor Atrium. Exhibit running until November 30, 3011
• Comité Noviembre in conjunction with Taller Boricua and Cemí Underground presented a film screening of
Soñando Con Puerto Rico/Dreaming of Puerto Rico, a Henry Medina Archive presentation on Thursday October 6, at 7PM at the Julia de Burgos Latino Cultural Center Live Music: El Rinón Criollo/Casita de Chema
and Los Instantaneos de la plena.
• Participated in the Second Puerto Rican Artisans Fair of yonkers on October 1, 2011 at the yonkers yWCA.
• Comité Noviembre sponsored workshop: Puerto Rico’s Northeast Ecological Corridor – Our Encanto at
Risk at Taller Boricua on Saturday June 11, 2011
• Co-hosted Artesania en el Barrio the weekend of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, June 11, 2011 at
Taller Boricua 12noon – 6PM
• Co-sponsored event with the Sierra Club of Puerto Rico and the National Puerto Rican Day Parade: Celebrating the Natural Beauty of Puerto Rico in photos and poems, June 8, 2011 at the Nuyorican Poets Café
• Comité Noviembre in co-sponsorship with the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, Inc., and
Salón Literario LibroAmérica de Puerto Rico launched the first annual The Word/ Festival de la Palabra in
Ny at a press conference on Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Ce l eb r ando Lo Mejo r d e Nuestra C o m un idad
Humberto Cintron
Humberto Cintron was born and raised in El Barrio, New york, where he currently
resides. He served four (4) years in the U. S. Air Force (1955-1959), where he taught
electronics at the Guided Missiles School at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado. He received a BA in Sociology from Hunter College, a MA in Urban Studies
from Occidental College in California as a member of the National Urban Fellows,
in 1970. He earned his JD from New College of California, School of Law in San
Francisco at age 54. He has been a pioneering advocate, executive, television producer, journalist, community organizer, fund-raiser, educator and institution-builder
throughout his adult life.
Mr. Cintron served as a founding member of the National Board of Directors of
Common Cause; The Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution; the Puerto Rican Media Action and Education Council; and the National Latino Media Calition.
He has served as consultant to the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity; U.S. Department of Labor; and Head-Start Programs. During this rich and unique career,
spanning over six decades, he has trained over 100 community workers in El Barrio,
and helped launch and sustain a wide variety of projects and programs, including:
The Community Action Programs in Norwalk, Connecticut (NEON); and in El Barrio (MEND); the Community News Service; La Escuelita Del Barrio; Aguilar Senior Citizens Center; Park East H.S.; and East River Houses, in El Barrio.
Mr. Cintron’s activities on the West Coast included community organization with
the Coalicion De Boricuas, in San Jose, and Accion Latina in San Francisco, California. During these years he also served as administrative director of the internationally renouned cultural center and art gallery, Galeria de La Raza/Studio 24, where
he was creator, publisher and editor of ‘Ambiente’ Magazine. In addition, he was
instrumental in organizing the Western Region Puerto Rican Council, bringing together many
Puerto Rican communities from the western United States. After earning his JD, he served as
associate counsel with the unique law office of Bill Martinez, specializing in securing visas for
international musicians and artists from Cuba, visiting the United States.
His previous publications include a novel, ‘FRANKIE CRISTO’, Taino Publishing Co/vantage
Press (1970); the teleplay, ‘NO ORPHANS FOR TIA’, awarded the Silver Medal by the New
york International Tv and Film Festival (WNBC, 1971); an essay, ‘ACROSS 3RD AvENUE:
FREEDOM’, published in the book entitled ‘PUERTO RICAN PERSPECTIvES’ by Edward
Mapp (1972); and a wide variety of scripts for the Public Television Series ‘REALIDADES’,
WNET/Channel 13, New york City (1971-1977) and the series ‘OyE WILLIE’ in the 1980’s.
His most current publication, ‘EL BARRIO’, includes selected works - poetry, plays,
essays,short stories, features a previewof his current work-in-progress: chapters from the sequel to ‘FRANKIE CRISTO’.
He is best known for his pioneering role as host, writer and executive producer of ‘Realidades’
- the first national latino public television series in the history of public television in the united
states, produced at WNET/Channel 13, in New york City.
C el eb r a ndo Lo M ejo r d e Nuestra C o m uni dad
Caridad De La Luz La Bruja”
Caridad De La Luz is a bronx-born performer known as LA BRUJA, considered
one of America’s leading spoken word artists. She is a renaissance woman that
has performed internationally as well as in respected venues such as The Apollo,
The Museum of Natural History, and the famed Nuyorican Poets Café where she
began her career. Ny Times called her “a juggernaut” after the 2009 run of her
musical Boogie Rican Blvd. where she played 7 different characters and wrote the
musical score alongside famed Afro-Rican Jazz artist William Cepeda.
Her acting career has taken her from the stage to film, she has appeared in several
movies including Bamboozled, Down to the Bone, El Vacilon and new film Gun
Hill Road, which features the title track ‘Nuyorico’ and four more of La Bruja’s
songs. Her unique music has crossed over internationally with her debut album
“Brujalicious” and her latest release “For Witch It Stands” both available on
iTunes.
Best known for her captivating performance on Russell Simmons’ HBO Def Poetry Jam, she is the founder of the Latinas 4 Life spoken word movement and
works with youth throughout the country teaching the benefits of self-expression
and art for positive change.
A dedicated artist-activist, La Bruja frequently performs at schools, universities,
hospitals, and community centers around the country. She helped raise funds for
“Stop The Bombs”, part of a successful campaign to close the controversial US
Navy Base on vieques Island, and recorded music for the “No More Prisons” album, which promotes awareness of the negative impact of militarism on today’s
urban youth.
La Bruja has been a longtime activist and participant in the fight against AIDS pro-education
and awareness about the disease. Creator of the “From The Page To The Stage” writing workshop for East Harlem Tutorial Program, she facilitates these workshops at schools and community development centers nationwide.
In the efforts of encouraging thousands to claim the benefits of art, culture, and self-expression, La Bruja continues to support positive change for the hip-hop generation through organizations such as voices UnBroken, World Up, y.A.F.F.A., Pepatian and Latinas 4 Life. After
working with inner-city youth for over fourteen years, she has not only seen a growth in selfesteem amongst young people but continues to be inspired and has become a self-proclaimed
“Poetician” – one who uses poetry to make positive change for all of mankind.
For more information go to www.labrujamusic.com
David Galarza
Over the last twenty years, David Galarza has had the honor and the privilege of working with brilliant activists and community leaders on some of the
most compelling issues and concerns facing our communities in New york
and Puerto Rico.
Currently the communications specialist for the Metropolitan Region of the
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Local 1000, he’s fighting daily
on behalf of thousands of public and private sector workers to demand better wages and benefits, improve safety and health conditions and insure that
workers are treated with dignity and respect.
As a founding member of NY Contra El Gasoducto, he’s working in solidarity with the people of Puerto Rico who are struggling to defeat a costly, unnecessary and destructive 92-mile long gas pipeline. He’s also worked with
the local Ny with UPR solidarity committee to support the students of the
University of Puerto Rico during their historic student strike last year.
David is a longtime member of the National Congress for Puerto Rican
Rights-Justice Committee, where he was mentored by Richie Perez and works
on behalf of victims of police brutality and racial injustice. He’s also a member of the NyC Chapter of the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights and
the NyC Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. He
has served as Treasurer of Latinos for National Health Insurance, a national
organization working with a broader coalition to promote a national health
insurance policy for all.
In his home borough, David is a co-founder of SPAN (Sunset Park Alliance of Neighbors) a grassroots civic group that organized local residents to defeat a plan to build a luxury condo tower on a
low rise residential street. SPAN continues to play a critical role in local zoning issues and works
with other groups to advocate for low income housing.
David has marched, rallied and called for justice for immigrants throughout the city. He has also
worked with local clergy and families to curtail the proliferation of adult businesses in poor neighborhoods. He has continually called on the city and state to end the practice of dumping noxious
facilities like power plants and waste transfer stations in poor, communities of color.
Prior to his work with the labor movement, David worked in the public affairs departments of the
Manhattan Borough President, the New york City Comptroller, the Board of Education and the
Children’s Aid Society.
He began his career as a reporter and editor for several newspapers including The Philadelphia
Inquirer and The Miami Herald. Raised in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, David is married to Inez Cruz, a
public school speech teacher and they have a son, Sean, a college sophomore.
Esperanza Martell, a human rights activist, educator, community organizer,
trainer, life-skills transformative counselor, mother, and poet/artist was born
in Bayamón, Puerto Rico in 1946. At the age of 4, Esperanza came to New
york City to join her mother Maria de Los Angeles Gaitán-Martell. Like many
Puerto Rican children, she faced racism and discrimination which made her
the strong woman who early in life chose the path of justice and transformation. Esperanza has lived in Washington Heights for over 30 years with her son
Amílcar Loi Alfaro-Martell.
Esperanza facilitates healing circles and support groups using her own culturally-based techniques for emotional self-healing and empowerment. Esperanza has been instrumental in the founding of many organizations that have
had major impact in the Puerto Rican community as well as collaborating with
many organizations bringing unity and justice among oppressed communities
and nationalities. She established the Urban Atabex Self-Healing TrainingConsultant and coaching practice is one of the co-founders of Casa Atabex
Ache a Women of Color Self-Healing Center and board member of the Brecht
Forum, and the Marxist School of New york City. She is the coordinator of the
Popular Education Institute, Education for Liberation Workshops: Paulo Freire
Methodology, for the Brecht Forum.
For many years she has offered her skills and experience to many social justice endeavors dealing with
political prisoners, education, health, violence etc, from a class, race and gender perspective. Esperanza
holds a B.A. from the City University of New york and an M.S.W. from Hunter College School of Social
Work. She has published essays and poetry, including “In the Belly of the Beast - Beyond Survival,” The
Puerto Rican Movement: Voices from the Diaspora, Temple University Press (1998). As a Columbia University (2003-2004), Revson Fellow, she studied peace and human rights education from a gender perspective. Esperanza has been honored with many awards recognizing her work in New york and Puerto
Rico. In 2002 the Puerto Rican Working Women’s Organization of Puerto Rico gave her the Peace &
Social Justice Award. Esperanza’s art is the expression of her politics, culture and spirituality. Her Puerto
Rican African/Taíno, ancestors used art magically for healing and to give meaning to their existence.
She emulates and honors them by creating ceramic sculpture from spirit, and total self-expression. She
hand-builds, using traditional imagery and methods. She is inspired by the ocean, stars, every living
expression of the Earth Mother and the struggles and victories of “Mi Gente.” As she puts it in her own
words, “Sí, se puede.” “Hay amor.”
Esperanza Martell
Esperanza’s political, artistic, and professional work have always traveled together; underlined by an undying commitment to justice and the transformation
of the world, expressed in any endeavor she undertakes. She has devoted most
of her life working for the liberation of Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican political prisoners. She teaches community organizing, advices at Hunter College
School of Social Work, serves as consultant for New york City Councilmember
Rosie Méndez and The Bronx Health Link. She specializes in organizational
development, team building, leadership skills, conflict resolution, diversity
training, and alternative healing.
Carmen Alustiza – Mondesíre
Through perseverance and persistence, Carmen Alustiza – Mondesíre
continuously inspires, educates and trail blazes for others to follow.
She dedicates this award to her late maternal grandmother “Mamá”
– Doña Carmen Montalvo Gabriél – who encouraged her to succeed
throughout her childhood.
Carmen is a driving force for the College Discovery Program at Hostos
Community College ‘s Carlos E. González Counseling Center. As a
counselor / professor – adored by her students and highly respected
by faculty and staff – as she also serves in several venues on campus
where leadership is required. Ask anyone at Hostos – her positive
reputation precedes her.
Her rich history has chapters that include trailblazing/foundation
work with her mentor yolanda Sanchez at: CUNy / CCNy’s Office
of Puerto Rican Program Development, Puerto Rican Agency for
Community Advancement (PRACA), East Harlem Council for Human
Services, member of Planning teams for Taino Towers and Boriken
Health Center, along with activism with housing issues and political
campaigns – bringing pro-active Puerto Rican representation to El
Barrio / East Harlem and Lower East Side. She’s “been there and
done that”.
Carmen is a pioneer: first Puerto Rican women to receive the highly competitive,
nationwide federal HHS (formerly HEW) Fellowship / assigned to Regional Office
in San Francisco; participated with a groundbreaking trip to China sponsored by the
US – China Peoples Friendship Association where “Boricuas of El Barrio” – a group
of 21 professionals – who visited China to explore their education and health care
systems for application to our communities; worked with commissioners of social
services programs at various levels of governent – HRA and NySDSS. She is also
an advocate for new immigrant communities.
In a nutshell, Carmen is true “S/hero of our diasporal community.
José Ortiz
Jose Ortiz aka Dr.Drum, a Bronx native, is a self taught
percussionist of Afro Caribbean rhythms. For the past 11 years,
he has been involved with numerous after-school programs
throughout NyC and has developed original curriculum for
teaching percussion to young people.
His students have been on Broadway, Madison Square Garden,
BAM, Museum of Natural History, Symphony Space, United
Nations and much more.
Presently he co-founded and is musical director of Bombayo
Afro-Puerto Rican youth Project. He has collaborated with
many local bomba groups as a lead drummer and co-chaired a
committee for the Bomba Research Conference.
Dr. Drum has shared his musical talent with Corbin Bleu,
William Cepeda song track, “Deepest Fear” and Choco Orta on
the album “Dare to Go Beyond” produced by Revolucion Latina
in 2010. He is mostly known as a community artist advocating
for Afro-Puerto Rican culture.
Shihan Candida Warixi Soto
Candida “Warixi” Soto is a high ranking martial artist, a Taino Bohike, and a
leader in yamocuno yucayeke Taino organization. She has attained doctorates in
Asian studies and Martial Arts, and the title of Shihan. She is a seven time Hall of
Fame recipient in the Martial Arts, author/poet, an activist for human rights, founder
and creator of “Female Alternative Street Tactics (F.A.S.T.)”/“Secure your Child
programs and the Annual Taino Awards, and Anti Columbus Day Bash.
Shihan Candida Warixi Soto was born in Spanish Harlem, New york and raised
between Puerto Rico and the Bronx. Being the eldest of 3, Shihan learned street
fighting at a young age, always having to defend her younger brothers. Watching
“Kung Fu” movies in the 80’s planted a seed for Shihan and watching “Bruce Lee”,
“Angela Mao” and “Sonny Chiba” kick butt gave Shihan the inspiration to train
in Martial Arts. Shihan holds the rank of “Kaiden” in “Miyama Ryu Combat JuJutsu”. This rank is equivalent to 10th degree black belt, and was awarded to Shihan
Candida Warixi Soto by Shihan Antonio Pereira on October 30, 1993. This is the
highest rank awarded in this system.
Shihan Candida Warixi Soto has always known of her Taino heritage. Her father
and mother always acknowledged their multi-cultural ancestry but above it all
they always spoke of their Taino ancestry with fervor and devotion, and her father
made sure to teach her “Ceremony” as a young child. Shihan embraces her Taino
culture. She is a natural healer and is the keeper of the ancient divination art of
“Rock reading”, one of the forms of healing and divination inherited from her Taino
lineage.
In 1996 Shihan became involved with the Taino movement in NyC, she joined
T.A.L.K. Inc. (Taino Ancestral Legacy Keepers) and became the vice president. She
is one of the founding members of ‘Tanama yamocuno yucayeke Taino” and has always had a leadership role
in the tribe. Shihan is called by her Taino name “Warixi” in the Taino community. She has been responsible for
many events, including Taino open mics at “Cemi Underground”, Taino Areitos, ceremonies, The Annual AntiColumbus Day Bashes, Peace gatherings, and the Annual “Taino Awards” which is now going into its fourth
year. The Taino Awards gives recognition to those who are keeping the Taino culture alive through music, art,
photography, arts and crafts, storytelling, dance, education, language, spirituality, research and much more.
Shihan has said that for years she has learned how to hurt, maim, break and even kill, and she now has to
concentrate on how to repair and heal the body as well as the spirit. In her spare time she writes articles, poetry
and books. Her articles and poetry have been published. Shihan enjoys doing arts and crafts and she makes
“Taino Babies”, one of a kind dolls. These one of a kind dolls are prayed over and are made with natural stones
and feathers to enhance their Blessing powers. you can find her at Comite Noviembre’s artisan fair.
She has studied “Feng Shui” (ancient Chinese art of healing and placement) and specializes in clearing clutter,
and balancing/shifting the energy in the home or place of work. She is currently a “Reiki” practitioner (hands on
healing). Shihan has also studied and researched, numerology, aromatherapy, astrology, reincarnation, healing
with energy, and palm reading
Shihan can be reached at Shihan@rock.com or by calling (718) 991-3004
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Dr. Anderson Torres
Dr. Anderson Torres born in Ponce Puerto Rico and raised in the
Bronx. Dr. Torres is a senior-level strategist with a grassroots approach which he has used throughout his 20-year healthcare career
which he began as a psychotherapist. His areas of specialization are
Mental Health, Business Development, and Geriatrics. He is currently the vice president of the Puerto Rican Family Institute, Inc.,
a non profit organization specializing from behavioral health issues
to Head Start programs, throughout New york City, Jersey City and
Puerto Rico. He served as a board member of PRFI until August of
2011. Dr. Torres was nominated by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
and appointed by the NyS Senate to serve on the newly established
Public Health and Health Planning Council in New york which has
a broad array of advisory and decision-making responsibilities with
respect to New york State’s public health and health care delivery
system.
Additionally, Dr. Torres is an adjunct professor at Fordham University and a consultant ROI at US, Inc. Prior to PRFI, Dr. Torres
worked for the visiting Nurse Service of Ny for over eleven years
and director of Health Initiatives for Bon Secours Health System.
He received his Ph.D, Behavioral Psychology from California Coast
University in 2007, his MSW from Hunter College/CUNy in 1990
and his BA in Psychology/Sociology from the City University of
New york City College in 1988.
Dr. Torres is the board chair of “La Feria de Salud,” of the American Diabetes Association, member of the National Association of
Hispanic Nurses for over twelve years, member of the Healthcare
Leaders of New york and board member of the Latino Alzheimer’s
Coalition of New york, Inc., advisor to the Dominican Medical and
Dental Society, Inc., chairman of Rain Inc., chairman of Westchester
Hispanic Coalition on Aging, and member of the National Association of Social Workers. Dr. Torres believes that the “greatest challenges facing the Hispanic community are language barriers, cultural
myths, not being aware of entitlements and options in Geriatrics and
that Hispanic social workers are key to breaking down these barriers.
THE GALA
The CN annual gala benefit was instituted in 1996 at its tenth anniversary to raise funds for its scholarship award program and
other CN educational, cultural and leadership development activities. The event attracts over 300 key leaders of the tri-state Puerto
Rican/Hispanic community and Corporate America. The proceeds of this annual event, supports our two scholarship programs as
well as all of our annual programs and allows CN to provide free programming and information to the com¬munity year round.
Since the inception of the this event, the musical entertainment has drawn and generated much excitement beginning with salsa
sensations victor Manuelle in 1996, Tito Nieves in 1997 and 1999, and El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico in 1998, George Lamond
and Brenda K. Starr in 2000, Frankie Negron in 2005, Luis Fonsi, in 2006, Nelson Gonzalez & His All Star Band in 2007, Melina
León in 2008, Choco Orta in 2009 and Olga Tañon in 2010. Over the years, CN has been honored with the presence and support
of celebrities like: Actors Rosie Perez and Jennifer Lopez, Danny Rivera, On-air radio personality Polito vega and many more.
The gala has also showcased new talents and ventures. Most notably in 1997, Marc Anthony, Ednita Nazario and Ruben Blades
made a special appearance and performed several songs from the Broadway show Capeman.
Each year, CN selects people that are making a difference in this country, empowering others and shaping the future of not only the
Puerto Rican community but for all Americans and this year is no exception. Please join us as we honor a “street smart” attorney,
the first Puerto Rican Rhode Scholar, a breast cancer survivor and found of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Puerto Rico and
new age entrepreneur and the man behind small business development in Ny, NJ, PR and the vI. This year’s event promises to be
a memorable one, full of excitement and surprises, so please join us!
SIXTEENTH ANNUAL GALA BENEFIT
2011 Spokesperson
Lisette Nieves
Belle Zeller Distinguished
Visiting Professor in Public
Policy, CUNY,
Social Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Blue Ridge Foundation
& 1992 Rhodes Scholar
Iris Chacón
Internationally
renowned entertainer
and humanitarian
Nestor V. Figueroa
President
Nagnoi, Inc.
Celebrating 25 years of Puerto Rican Culture and Heritage
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011
The Ny Hilton, New york City
Cocktails: 7PM
Dinner: 8PM
Live Entertainment
Black Tie
Karina E. Alomar,
Esq.
Alomar &
Associates P.C
Jorge Silva-Puras
SBA Regional
Administrator for
NY, NJ, PR & USVI
US Small Business
Administration
Angie Benitez
Founder
Susan G. Komen for
the Cure of Puerto
Rico
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL (914) 263-6599 OR (212) 677-4181
The proceeds of this event will benefit the Comité Noviembre Scholarship Awards Program, the Richie Perez
Scholarship for Peace & Justice and other annual community programs of CN.
The Institute for the Puerto Rican Hispanic Elderly, Inc. is a citywide, multilingual/
multicultural, multi-service non-profit organization. The Institute was founded in
1978 to bridge the gap between Hispanic seniors and the resources, entitlements, and
benefits to which they should have access. The Institute’s mission is to make older
adults “golden years” fruitful, peaceful and fulfilled by directly improving their quality of life. IPR/HE serves over 100,000 Hispanic/minority seniors a year throughout
its central office, 11 senior centers and four subsidiaries, including a mental health
clinic—Clinica Nueva Esperanza (New Hope Clinic).
We serve in the following ways:
Direct Services to Seniors (Multilingual and multicultural)
The Institute serves as an important resource for non-profit organizations, government agencies and businesses throughout the Untied States and Puerto Rico by providing technical assistance, training and consultation in areas such as culturally responsive service delivery and access to minority communities. The Institute founded
the Minority Aging Defense Council, co-founded the Hispanic AIDS Forum, sponsored the Coalition of Hispanic Service Providers and it is a founding member of
Comite Noviembre.
• Information and Referral
• Nutritional Centers
• Entitlement Assistance
• Social/Cultural Activities
• Case Management
• Crime Victims
• Advocacy & Service Monitoring
• Prevention Services
• Social Services
• Counseling Crisis Intervention
• Leadership Training
• Mental Health Services
• Employment Training
• Housing
• Nutrition
• Immigration Counseling
• Translation Services
• Hot Line
• Bilingual Citizenship Classes
Suleika Cabrera, President & Founder and First Vice Chair, Comité Noviembre
Angel Santini, IPR/HE Staff & Coordinator, Comité Noviembre
Institute for the Puerto Rican Hispanic Elderly
105 East 22nd Street, Suite 711, New York, NY 10010 Phone (212) 677-4181; (Fax) 212-777-5106
The Center for Puerto Rican Studies
(Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños) Centro
695 Park Avenue, 1429 Hunter East
New York, NY 10065
(212) 772-5688
http://centropr.hunter.cuny.edu
Director: Dr. Edwin Meléndez
Centro is proud to be a member of Comité Noviembre. Centro congratulates Comité Noviembre on 25 years
of “teaching and creating awareness of the culture, language and heritage of the Puerto Rican community.”
Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños (Centro) is a research institute dedicated to the study and interpretation
of the Puerto Rican experience in the United States by producing and disseminating relevant interdisciplinary
research and by collecting, preserving, and providing access to archival and library resources documenting
its history and culture. We seek to link scholarship to social action and policy debates, and to contribute to
the enrichment of Puerto Rican studies.
Founded in 1973 by a coalition of faculty, students and community leaders, Centro seeks to achieve its
mission by working closely with a network of education, research, archival advocacy and community
based partners. Centro has been housed at Hunter College since 1983; yet, it is a CUNy-wide research
center.
CENTRO LIBRARy AND ARCHIvES
The Centro Library and Archives is the world’s only institution solely dedicated to collecting, preserving
and disseminating the story of the Puerto Rican Diaspora. The collections include over 5,000 cubic feet
of books, newspapers, periodicals, personal papers, government documents, broadsides, programs, oral
histories on video, audio and other video tapes, manuscripts, photographs, prints, recorded music, family
ephemera, and other resources that chronicle the history and contributions of stateside Puerto Ricans.
Housed in the new Lois v. and Samuel J. Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, the Centro
Library and Archives provides services and programs to the scholarly community as well as the general
public. As a support for teachers and researchers, the Archives offer primary materials, available nowhere
else. They can make use of holdings that span the years from 1898 to the present and represent more than
100 collections, including the records of major community and civil rights organizations, the papers of
elected officials, community activists, labor leaders, writers, artists, and more than 40,000 photographic
images.
Artists’ Journey through the
Centro Archives
Pedro Juan Hernández
Senior Archivist
Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College
Researching in the Archives of the Puerto Rican Diaspora at the Center for Puerto Rican Studies (Centro) provides
a unique opportunity to learn about ‘ordinary people, extraordinary lives’ [1] and leading organizations that shaped
and built Puerto Rican migrant communities. But archives like this did not exist before; rather, they mushroomed
as a consequence of the struggles that started during the civil rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s. Then,
different minority groups, like Puerto Ricans, sought ways to understand their history and looked to the past
for lessons that would instill pride in their communities regardless of their class background. They searched for
voices—oral histories, written testimonies, and paper documents—that corroborated their contributions to history.
The significance of creating community archives to preserve and make available documents, and to preserve the
legacy of previous generations, became evident. Since then, these repositories have been democratic spaces open
to the public and that share their treasures with them. In exchange, researchers—among them scholars, students,
filmmakers, genealogists, workers, community members, and artists—will write scholarly publications and essays,
make films and documentaries, reconstruct family histories, develop and mount exhibitions, and create artworks
showcasing the archival materials through which community history can be told and resonate beyond our lifetime.
Throughout the years, the artistic community has actively used the Archives in distinctive and unexpected ways.
“Labor” showcases art created by five outstanding Puerto Rican artists: Antonio Martorell, Juan Sánchez, Nitza
Tufiño, Miguel Luciano, and Melissa Calderón. All of them agreed with gusto to abide by the common goal and
accepted the challenge to select documents from the Archives of the Puerto Rican Diaspora as a source of inspiration
and/or to explore topics that they believed needed further documentation. Though each artist has been shaped by his
or her personal experience, all are committed to sharing Puerto Rican culture and history. Moreover, each artist’s
aesthetic, methods, and media techniques will make possible the creation of a dialogue between the artist and the
audience, and encourage spectators to take a stand on specific topics or issues. There is no doubt that these artists
feel comfortable learning from and working with historical documents. Thus this art exhibition will take us on a
journey created to celebrate the opening of the new Lois v. and Samuel J. Silberman School of Social Work and the
move of the Centro Library and Archives to East Harlem (El Barrio), a neighborhood that historically symbolized
the struggles of the Puerto Rican diaspora and its accomplishments. Certainly this is a unique opportunity and the
first concerted effort in which a group of Puerto Rican artists are working with and finding inspiration in archival
sources about the Puerto Rican migration.
This group of artists has previously used documents from the Centro Archives, the only repository exclusively
devoted to documenting the experience of the Puerto Rican diaspora. For example, Antonio Martorell featured
documents from the Archives in his Guagua Aerea (Airbus) installation for the “Nueva york 1613-1945” exhibition,
organized by the New york Historical Society and hosted by El Museo del Barrio from September 17, 2010, to
January 9, 2011. Juan Sánchez is well known for his collages and video installations depicting historical figures
like Pedro Albizu Campos and Antonia Pantoja and political organizations such as the Nationalist Party and making
constant allusions to Puerto Rico’s independence struggle that are all well documented in some of our archival
collections. Likewise Nitza Tufiño, Miguel Luciano, and Melissa Calderón have used Puerto Rican history and
culture as significant and vital elements of their creative processes and art. Indeed they have shown how art and
history make a good match, and how artists can be powerful messengers in this journey connecting past and present
and looking forward to the future.
The “Labor” exhibition honors our workers, hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans that migrated to New york
City in the twentieth century and more than four million who today live stateside. We are thrilled to see how
this distinguished group of artists has transformed reproductions of photographs, manuscripts, artifacts, and
other documents they selected from the personal papers and records of organizations held in the Archives of the
...continued
Centro Archives
Puerto Rican Diaspora, and has showcased our unsung heroes, our migrants, ‘nuestros trabajadores’ who worked
in the garment and service industries, among many other jobs, and faced discrimination and racism under harsh
socioeconomic conditions. Despite the adversity they faced, Puerto Rican migrants built communities, fought for
justice and equality, brought up families, popularized rice and beans, laughed, danced, and became visible by
contributing to the historical and cultural legacies of the United States. Now is the time for audiences to react to
the art, imagery, themes, and challenges these artists pose. Meanwhile we welcome “Labor” and thank all of those
involved in the exhibition, but especially these creative and talented artists, for highlighting the Centro Archives, its
documents and collections, and placing our migrants’ work and legacy at the center of this exhibition.
Pedro Juan Hernández
Senior Archivist
[1] Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives: A Pictorial History of Working People in New york City is a book by
Debra E. Bernhardt and Rachel Bernstein, published in 2000 by NyU Press.
Antonio Martorell
...continued
Centro Archives
Juan Sanchez
25 Anniversary
th
c o m i t é
m e s
d e
l a
n o v i e m b r e
h e r e n c i a
COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS PROGRAM
Sixteen Years of Success
For the past twenty-five years, CN, has created and developed programs all geared to the support and enhancement
of educational opportunities and leadership development for Puerto Rican youth with a cultural twist. These programs are firmly rooted in the belief, that in order to succeed in life, you must pursue a higher education, give back
to your community through volunteer efforts and know your cultural ancestral history. Focusing on educational
excellence and leadership development is the key to the future of the Puerto Rican community.
In celebration of its tenth anniversary, the CN Scholarship Awards Program (CNSAP) was established. To date,
CNSAP has awarded 187 scholarships boasting a 90% college graduation rate since the inception in 1996. The
scholarships are for $1,000. The selection process is competitive and documented community service is, key to be
selected.
To be eligible for the CN scholarship award, applicants must be of Puerto Rican descent; have a minimum of one full
year of community service experience; be enrolled in an accredited college or university by the Fall of the applying
year and have a B average or better. The application process includes an application form, an essay, two letters of
recommendation, academic transcripts, a short biographical sketch, and a personal interview for finalists.
In 2006, to commemorate its 20th anniversary, CN enhanced the Scholarship Program to continue to award the top
two scholars $1,000 scholarships each year until graduation. These scholars must maintain a 3.5 grade point average
and documented community work within the Puerto Rican community to continue to receive the $1,000 scholarship
for the full four years.
Comité Noviembre selects leaders from various sectors of the community who have demonstrated genuine interest
in the educational excellence of our youth to serve on the selection committee. Currently, the committee members
are: Co-Chairs: Deacon Jaime Bello, Holy Cross Church and Jane Arce-Bello, education and youth advocate; Elba
Cabrera, community leader, Lourdes R. Torres, Director, Grants Administration & Grants Officer, Grants Office,
Division of Academic Affairs, Hostos Community College, CUNy, and Teresa A. Santiago, Chairperson, Comité
Noviembre.
The 2012 CNSAP process is underway. To receive an application please email the contact name and mailing address
to Jaime Bello at jaimebello@verizon.net, or visit our website at www.comitenoviembre.org to download a copy of
the application.
COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
2011
Jonathan Jean-Pierre, Lehigh University
Daynia Vazquez, John Jay College for
Criminal Justice
Lindsay James Soto, SUNy Purchase
Ryan Nieves, Rochester Institute of Technology
Elizabeth Tapia, The College of St. Rose
Miranda Gonzalez, Baruch College
Elisa Galinedez, Hofstra University
Sabrina Vidal, SUNy Cortland
Moriah Elusta, University of Illinois at Chicago
Continuing Scholars
Juan Carlos Tapia, Sienna College
2010
Javier S. Henriquez, Bates College
Kailani Capote, Delaware State University
Paloma J. Martinez, LIM College
Christopher A. Perez, Fordham University
Continuing Scholars
Nicholas Berrios, Farmingdale College
Louis Sanchez, III, NyU
2009
Charles J. Barrios, St. John’s University
Audrey Camejo, Freshman, Mercy College
Altagracia Fontanez, Boricua College
Janine Nazario, Long Island University
Mariliam Padilla, University of Connecticut
Rafferty Rodriguez, Rutgers University
Jaime Soto, College of Mt. St vincent’s
Continuing Scholars
Nicholas Berrios, Farmingdale College
Louis Sanchez, III, Fordham University
2008
Jovan Capote, Adelphi University
Rita Carina Mennuti, SUNy Stony Brook
Vilmarir Pagan, Brooklyn College
Keila Perez, John Jay College for
Criminal Justice
Orlando Rivera, Jr., New york University,
Jennifer Rosario, Hunter College
Louis Sanchez, III, Fordham University
2007
Nicholas Figueroa, Fordham University
Nicholas Berrios, Manhattanville College
Alicia Gomez, Montclair State University
Jasmine Surnarine, Hunter College
David Carlo, Lehman College
Alexis Betancourt, SUNy Purchase
Vida Hernandez, SUNy Albany
Stephen Hernandez, St. John’s University
Adrinna Torres, CUNy
Amaris Torres, University of Wisconsin
Haydee Valentine, Buffalo State University
Shayann Vargas, Old Westbury
Miquel Zapata, Renselear Poly Tech University
2006
Paola Abru, Cornell University
Gabriel A. Cruz Allen, Clark University
Priscilla Jimenez, Brooklyn College
Anabel Moreno, Fordham University
Juan Rodriguez, Baylor University
Christina Rolon, Fordham University
2002
Lisa Algarin, St. John’s University
Katherine E. Butler, Connecticut College
Natasha Hernandez, College of Staten Island
Vanessa Merced, Hofstra University
Wilfredo M. Nieves, San Francis College
2005
Ashley Diaz, Fordham University
Katherine Franco, Manhattan College
Amanda Iris Luna, Georgetown University
Antoinette Martinez, SUNy Binghamton
Giovannia Santos, Ny Technical College
Felix Seda, Trinity College
Pedro Suarez, villanova University
2004
Cristina Arroyo, University of
Central Florida
Ginelle Correra, Binghamton University
Joe Falu, Colgate College
Jessie Lopez, Barnard College
Narelle Lopez, College of New Rochelle
Amanda Moret, Marist College
Vivian Ojeda, Nova Southeastern University
Tiffany Sanchez, Fordham University
2003
Monica Adorno, College of Staten Island
Ariana Alejandro, Fordham University
Christina Bello, John Jay College
Ruth Bernard, Borough of Manhattan
Community College
Nancy Camacho, Hofstra University
Nicole Colon, John Fisher College
Natasha Comas, Cornell University
Eduardo Diaz, Marquette University
Jonathan Garcia, Iona College
Nelson Gerena, Baruch College
Melissa Hernandez, Hunter College
Sylvia Maldonado, Hunter College
Jaymi Perez, Southeastern College
Alvin Poysner, Baruch College
Diego Gerena-Quiñones, Penn State
Andrew Rivera, CUNy
Racine Rodríguez, Penn State
Stephanie Rosado, Baruch College
Leticia Santana, Manhattan College
2001
Christopher I. Aviles, John Jay College of
Criminal Justice
Melissa R. Aviles, Fordham University
Danielle Batista, College of Mount St. vincent
Luis Burguillo, Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University
Cynthia M. Carrion, Hunter College
Jason O. Colón, Brandeis University
Luceliz Diaz, Hoftra University
Rosana Diaz, Manhattanville Collage
Ariana Flores, Rutgers University
Nicole Gomez, Iona Collage
Giselle M. Guzmán, Collage of
Mount. St. vincent
Jessica Hernández, New york University
Luz E. Jimenez, Columbia University
Elaine Luciano, Universidad del Turabo, PR
Joanna Marino, Boston Collage
Lauren M. Martinez, Cornell University
Yajaida Merced, Stoney Brook University
Adam Morales, Syracuse University
Sheena Ortiz, New york University
Lauren Perez, John Jay College of
Criminal Justice
Alejandra J. Ramos, George Washington
University
Chermaine Ramos, SUNy Brockport
Marcia C. Rivera, SUNy Brockport
Victoria D. Rivera, Mount St. Mary’s College
Daniel Romero, vassar College
Jimmy Ruiz, Cornell University
Marc Sánchez, Binghamton University
Crystal Marie Soto, St. John’s University
Celina Valéntin, The College of New Rochelle
Margaret R. Velez, Baruch College
2000
Emily E. Acevedo, Le Moyne College
Paulette Jane Alston, Marist College
Arleny Alvarez, SUNy in Albany
Shamari Aponte, Marymount College
49
COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
Taína Borrero, Hunter College
Elizabeth M. Castro, St. John’s University
Myra Davila, Fordham University
Margarita de Jesús, Baruch College
Michael Fuentes, CUNy
Elizabeth Mc Williams Hernandez,
Bard College
Frances Illo, SUNy Genesco
Johan Marie Lopez, Suffolk
Community College
Ramon Martinez, Iona College
Jennifer Melendez, Baruch College
Stephanie Mendez, Baruch College
Jessica Mercado, New york University
Janelle L. Muñiz, John Jay College of
Criminal Justice
Natalia Ortiz, Weslyan University
Amber Tatiana Peterson, William
Smith College
W. Julian Genera Quiñones, University
of Hartford
Mayrlin Yoiset Rivera, Stoney Brook
University
Trinity Rivera, Pace University
Evelyn Rodriguez, Cornell University
Irene Rodríguez, New york University
Jose Sanchez, Jr., St. Joseph’s College
Michael Anthony Sanchez, Evangel
University
Christina Marie Santiago, St. Joseph’s
College
Angel O. Torres, City College
Lynelle Torres, Fordham University
John Velazquez, SUNy Oswego
50
1999
Mila Ivelisse Bello, Mt. St. Mary’s College
Jason Cosme, SUNy Buffalo
Emma Jane Cruz, St. John’s University
Saul Cruz, Jr., Siena College
Elisa Del Valle, Smith College
Jennifer Fernández, Collage of Mt.
St. vincent’s
Elena L. Germán, St. Joseph’s College
Gabriel Gonzalez, Polytechnic University
Denise Irizarry, vanderbilt University
Melissa Ortiz, Utica College of
Syracuse University
Natasha Pérez, University of New Haven
Gabrielle L. Rivera, Goucher College
Denise Rodríguez, University of Hartford
John Serrano, Hunter College
Mario Vargas, Polytechnic University
1998
Karen Almodovar, College of Mount St.
vincent’s
Judy Calderon, Wagner College
Lollie Guadalupe, Middlebury College
Dialma Miranda, Boston University
Rosyln Vallejo, Brandeis University
Joe Vázquez, Haverford Collage
Leah Graniela, Wellesly Collage
Orlando Febo, College of New Rochelle
RICHIE PEREZ SCHOLARSHIP
FOR PEACE & JUSTICE
2011
Eric Acevedo
2010
Eric Cevan Nieves
Miguel Rodriguez, Hostos Community
College
2009
Alisia Victoria Cordero, Lehman College
Pedro Valdez Rivera, Brooklyn College
2008
Katia Reyes
2007
Javier Enrique Bautista, yale University
Renard Correa Jr., Buffalo State College
2006
Leslie Dominicci
Jesus Gonzalez, Hofstra University
COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Jonathan Jean-Pierre is a graduate of FDR High School located in Brooklyn, New york. He presently attends Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. He has been involved with “Beat the Streets” where
he has assisted troubled inner urban youth promoting education with the skills and disciple through
wrestling. He has also participated in “Latino Leader for Tomorrow” where he worked with Latino
youth to create better opportunities in their communities through education and leadership skills.
He has spent much of his formative years providing community service for the “Fivers” Children’s
Foundation a non-profit agency that makes a decade long commitment to underrepresented youth in
Jonathan Jean Pierre New york City. The mission of the organization is to empower children to make positive life choices
through year round character education programs and a residential summer camp which students atFreshman
Lehigh University in tend for ten full years engaging in curriculum that supports leadership development, ethical decision
making, and college access and creates a safe space for creative growth.
Pennsylvania
Daynia Vazquez is a student at John Jay College studying Forensic Psychology. She has provided
community service in the Children’s Ministry at the New Baptist Temple in Brooklyn, N.y. She began as a Teacher’s Aide, gathering the children for prayer, snacks, arts and crafts regarding specific.
Since she has had a great deal of experience in working with children, she felt that the Children’s
Ministry would be a perfect fit for her and her students have been an inspiration for psychological
research in minority children and their families. Daynia hopes to one day become a bilingual psychologist.
Lindsay James Soto
Freshman
SUNy Purchase
Elizabeth Tapia
Freshman
The College of St.
Rose
Lindsay James Soto is a graduate of the High School of Art and Design and presently attends SUNy
Purchase. Lindsay enjoys skateboarding and the life of gaming and graphics. He has recently become
a founding member of a revival hip-hop group which practices skateboarding, break-dancing, lyricism, beat-boxing, research of musical samples, the implementation of graffiti and urban influences
in art. Lindsay hopes to one day be a graphic designer.
Ryan Nieves is a graduate of Arthur L. Johnson High School in Clark, New Jersey and
presently attends the Rochester Institute of Technology. Ryan’s mantra is “breaking limits placed by others” wherein he thrives on breaking barriers placed on him by others. As
a true minority in his community Ryan was considered to be less than others in many areas, particularly academically. His 3.7 academic Grade Point Average proved otherwise. Ryan
has been the recipient of the Presidential Academic Award, All American Scholar Award, USAA
National Science Merit Award, Boys Scouts Raven Award, Speech and Debate Trophies, Medals
and Certificate Awards, Arts Festival Award for Puppetry, Pride Newspaper mention for Community
Service through Puppetry and Dean’s Academic Award from University of New Haven. Ryan is also
involved in sports and music. Ryan’s career goal is to become a computer engineer so as to be able to
expand on the limitations of others through technology.
Elizabeth Tapia is a graduate of Fiorello H. LaGuardia and is presently attending The College of St.
Rose. Elizabeth is a gifted pianist and singer. She aspires to become a positive influence as an opera
singer. She has intimately been involved in numerous Community Service opportunities with the
Girls Scouts of New york, serving as a mentor to new students at LaGuardia High School and a choir
member of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
Daynia Vazquez
Freshman
John Jay College
Ryan Nieves
Freshman
Rochester Institute of
Technology
Miranda
Gonzalez
Pre-Med
Baruch College
Miranda Gonzalez is a student at Baruch College studying Biology. She is a pre-med student with
the goal of becoming a doctor with the aspiration of dedicating part of her practice to serve the underrepresented and unprivileged. She has an affinity for “La Casita de la Salud” a clinic located in
East Harlem. She has volunteered many hours at this site and at the NyU Langone Medical Center.
Elisa Galindez
Freshman
Hofstra University
Elisa Galindez is a graduate of St. Jean Baptiste School and presently attends Hofstra University.
She is studying Music Education and is interested in sharing her love of the arts with younger generations and teach them many forms of expressing themselves. She is a member of the Side Street Kids
Dance Academy and has performed at the New york Salsa Congress.
Sabrina Vidal is a graduate of Aquinas High School and presently attending SUNy Cortland where
she is studying Communications. She hopes to one day serve as an Anchor woman for one of the
News Channels. She has provided community service with the Starlite Dance Studio and has travelled extensively during her performances including traveling to Japan to celebrate her Puerto Rican
Culture. She has also participated in many Puerto Rican Day Parades. In addition to these activities,
Sabrina has volunteered with Assemblywoman Carmen E. Arroyo and Council Member Maria del
Carmen Arroyo in a effort to get Hispanics to understand how important it is to vote.
Moriah Elusta
Freshman
University of Illinois
at Chicago
Moriah Elusta is a graduate of Bogan College Prepatory High School in Chicago, IL. and is presently a student at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She aspires to be a pharmacist and would like
to get involved in pharmaceutical research to learn more and affect the community.
Juan Carlos Tapia is a senior at Sienna College and as a first place recipient of the Comité Noviembre Scholarship in 2008 receives his last scholarship check this year.
Sabrina Vidal
Freshman
SUNy Cortland
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HISTORY
ASPIRA was founded in New york City in 1961 by Dra. Antonia Pantoja to combat the exorbitant dropout rate among Puerto Rican high school youth and became
incorporated in New york State on May 24th, 1965. In 1968, ASPIRA of America
(today known as the ASPIRA Association now based in Washington, D.C.) was
created. Since then, the ASPIRA movement has grown and established additional
SASPIRA associate offices in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico.
MISSION
To foster the social advancement of the Puerto Rican/Latino community by supporting its youth in the pursuit of
educational excellence through leadership development activities and programs that emphasizes commitment to the
community and pride in the Puerto Rican/Latino culture.
VISION STATEMENT
To be the premier Latino youth-serving organization in New york, to the 38%, roughly 1.1 million New york City
public school students who are Latino, aspire to improve their lives and community by exercising their leadership
skills and by achieving educational excellence.
ABOUT ASPIRA OF NEW YORK, INC.
ASPIRA of New york, Inc. serves over 8,000 Latino youth and families annually in the areas of youth development,
educational achievement, leadership and parent engagement. ASPIRA’s current menu of program services, incorporate both in-school and after school programs with over 85% of all services being delivered on school grounds.
These programs and services include:
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Over 25 ASPIRA leadership clubs in High Schools
Drop-out prevention and attendance improvement services in high schools and middle school
SAT preparation courses
College counseling and other advisement services
21st Century Community Learning Centers
After School neighborhood based services in the Mott Haven and Kingsbridge sections of the Bronx
ASPIRA volunteer Initiative Program which links corporate and individual volunteers as mentors androle models for ASPIRA youth
In recent years ASPIRA of New york, Inc. has become active in the arena of small school reform resulting in
the creation of:
The Marble Hill School for International Studies, a small college-preparatory high school focusing on global
awareness and language acquisition.
The Bronx Studio School for Writers and Artists, a small 6th — 12th grade combined middle & senior high
school located in the heart of the South Bronx
ASPIRA of New york is committed to:
• Effectively engaging Latino youth and their families.
• Collaborating with organizations that affect the lives of young people in a positive way.
• Seeking to positively change attitudes among young people and between youth and adults.
• Preparing young people to be leaders and decision makers in all aspects of their lives.
• Working to influence policies and practices that reflect the aspirations and contributions of young people as full
valued members of the communities they live in and of society at large.
ASPIRA OF NEW yORK, INC.
520 Eighth Avenue, 22nd Floor, New york, Ny 10018
(212) 564-6880, (212) 564-7152 (f), www.nyaspira.org
Hector Gesualdo, Executive Director
Hector Artiles, Student Leadership Program
ASPIRA: “to aspire”
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A CALL TO ACTION
SAVE OUR FUTURE – BECOME A CN MENTOR
In 1987 when CN was established our community was fighting for Latino representation on the NyC Board of
education. Although we have come a long way we have much to do. In October 2010, the Community Service
Society released a Policy Brief entitled: New york City’s future looks Latino where it stated that “It is time to pay
specific attention to the plight of Puerto Rican youth in New york City.” (see excerpts from report below).
On this our 25th anniversary Comité Noviembre is challenging itself and each, and everyone, of you, to assist us
in launching a mentoring program geared specifically to these at-risk Puerto Rican young men and woman. As a
Puerto Rican organization it is our duty and responsibility to save our future. If you are interested in assisting CN
with this project or becoming a mentor please email your contact information to cngala2011@comitenoviembre.
org.
New york City’s future looks Latino – Policy Brief
October 2010
Community Service Society
Excerpts
To view full report log on to:
http://www.cssny.org/userimages/downloads/LatinoyouthinNyCOct2010.pdf
• Puerto Ricans, particularly males, emerge as the most disadvantaged youth group in New york City, with
rates of school enrollment, educational attainment, and employment lower than any other comparable group,
including young black males. Similarly, Puerto Rican women show more challenges than other female youth.
In the past, this finding may have been obscured by research that groups Latino youth into one broad category. It is time to pay specific attention to the plight of Puerto Rican youth in New york City.
• The largest group of Latino young people in New york City identify as Dominican (29%), with Puerto Ricans (26%) not far behind. Mexicans are the third largest group (13%). Other Latinos make up 31 percent,
of which the largest groups are Ecuadorians (8 percent of all Latino youth) and Colombians (3 percent of
all Latino youth), with many other nationalities comprising less than 2 percent of the entire Latino youth
population.
• Most Latino youth in New york City were born in the main¬land United States. In total, 64 percent of Latino
youth were born in the 50 states or a U.S. territorial holding (mostly Puerto Rico). Overwhelmingly, most
Puerto Rican youth in New york City were born in the 50 states, with only 8.4 percent born on the island of
Puerto Rico. A majority of Dominican (57%) and Other Latino youth (56%) were also born in the United
States. Only Mexican youth are more likely to have been born abroad (72%).
• Puerto Rican young people, however, who are not immi¬grants—all are citizens by birth and more than 90
percent were born on the mainland United States—stand out for having high rates without a high school
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diploma, while Do¬minican youth have the lowest proportions of those without a high school diploma. The
differences between the Puerto Rican and Dominican communities’ high school rates raise questions about
the effectiveness of schools in Puerto Rican versus Dominican neighborhoods.
• Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, and Other Latinos have similar college-going rates; but these are still far below
those of any other racial group. young female Latinas are much more likely than young Latino males to go
to and graduate from college, across Latino youth nationali¬ties. Dominican young women, 36 percent of
whom achieve at least some college-level study, represent a promising outlier. Nevertheless, the relatively
low rates of college-level education among Latinos raise concerning questions
• The major outliers in terms of engagement are Puerto Ri¬can young people. Puerto Ricans are the least likely
to be employed and most likely to be unable to find work when they actively seek it (unemployed). Most significantly, far more Puerto Ricans are disconnected—both out of school and out of the labor force—than any
other group. young Puerto Rican males show rates of non-engagement in school or work that are far greater
than their male Latino peers. When we add the number of unemployed to the number of disconnected, we
find that one in four (24.1%) Puerto Rican males are out of school and out of work. This figure is higher than
that of black male youth (23.7%), who often receive attention as the population with the greatest barriers to
success, and well over twice that of white male youth (9.5%).
• When we examine school and work rates among Latino youth and young adults, it is easier to develop hypotheses for the dynamics that we see among Mexican young people, who are mostly immigrants, and may
be focused on work rather than school (particularly males). And given that so many Mexican young men
work, the high rates of Mexican female disconnection may be due to voluntary reasons of family caregiver
responsibilities in families where the males are working. Less clear are the reasons that Puerto Rican young
people, particularly males, show such high rates of disconnection in comparison to other Latino groups, such
as Dominicans.
• Puerto Ricans face the greatest challenges of all youth sub-groups, despite the fact that they are overwhelmingly born within New york City. Puerto Rican youth have lower rates of school enrollment, educational
attainment, and alarmingly higher rates of disconnection and poverty than other native-born Latino youth.
Puerto Rican males have rates of in- activity in school and work that exceed those of black male youth, a
population that receives more public policy discussion. We need to think about what targeted social policy
efforts might help this group. A subsequent study of where young Puerto Ricans live might examine the effectiveness of the institutions in those communities, including schools, healthcare, and other supports.
• This data presents clear relationships between poverty and participation in school and work. Puerto Rican
households face greater poverty, and young people from these house¬holds have lower rates of school and
work participation. A bigger question is whether poverty is impacting school and work rates, or the reverse,
although it is possible that these dynamics affect one another, thus snowballing each of these challenges.
Further analysis might examine the geographies of these communities, and the relationships between the
quality of institutions and availability of supportive servic¬es—schools, healthcare, social services—available in them.
COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
mes de la herencia puertorriqueña
17TH ANNUAL
DAY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2010 11AM TO 4PM
IN MANHATTAN
EL MUSEO DEL BARRIO
1230 Fifth Avenue
(@ 104th Street) NyC 10029
UPACA – IPR/HE SENIOR CENTER
1940 Lexington Ave., NyC 10035
IN BROOKLYN
EL PUENTE
211 South Fourth Street
Brooklyn, Ny 11211
IN THE BRONX
HOSTOS COMMUNITy COLLEGE
500 Grand Concourse
Bronx, Ny 10451
IN QUEENS
Elmhurst Jackson Heights
IPR/HE SENIOR CENTER
75-01 Broadway, Elmhurst, Ny 11373
FOOD DRIvE - NON-PERISHABLE FOODS
ITEMS NEEDED TO CREATE A TyPICAL PUERTO RICAN THANKSGIvING MEAL
RICE
GANDULES
CANNED HAMS
BROWN SUGAR/MAPLE SyRUP
CLOvES
CANNED SLICED PINEAPPLES
CANNED yAMS
CANNED vEGETABLES
(CORN, GREEN BEANS MIXED)
5LB BAG OF POTATOES
MAyONNAISE
CRANBERRy SAUCE
GRAvy
STUFFING (BOX)
CANNED FRUITS
(PINEAPPLES, PEACHES, FRUIT
COCKTAIL)
CRACKERS
COOKIES
PERMALOT MILK
SODA
COFFEE
SUGAR
MEDIUM/LARGE BASKETS
NAPKINS
For the past sixteen years, Comité Noviembre has set aside the Sunday before Thanksgiving as a day of community
service and social responsibility in commemoration of November 19th, traditionally known as Puerto Rican discovery day or as we like to call it Puerto Rican “encounter” day. The purpose of the day is to show the spirit of commitment and the power of action. Over the past years, this event has been a great success and organizations throughout
the city have benefited from this collaboration, including homeless and battered women’s shelters and senior centers
as well as individual families.
Community service and social responsibility are the strongholds of the Puerto Rican community. Throughout the
years our experience has shown us that when we dedicate ourselves to improving the quality of life of those around
us, we build a more unified and stronger society. Comite Noviembre urges you to conduct your own food drive at
your work place, church, school or simply participate in this day as a volunteer Live the Spirit of Commitment and
the Power of Action Come Join Us!
Live the Spirit of Commitment and the Power of Action Come Join Us!
vOLUNTEERS NEEDED BEFORE AND AFTER THIS DATE FOR FOOD COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION!
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO vOLUNTEER PLEASE CONTACT
Eileen Reyes, El Museo, 212-660-7160, ereyes@elmuseo.org, Martha Laureano, El Puente, (718) 387-0404 mlaureano@elpuente.us,
Hector Artiles , ASPIRA (212) 564-6880, hector@nyacf.org, Jason Lebron, Holy Cross Youth Group, (646) 305-6547,
Teresa A. Santiago, CN, (914) 263-6599, teresasantiago@comitenoviembre.org
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Highlights of the 17th Annual
CN DAY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE &
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Last year, CN along with youth leadership development and education
organizations of ASPIRA of New york, El Puente and the Holy Cross
youth Group, conducted a food drive of non-perishable foods, to create
Thanksgiving dinner baskets for the poor of New york. The goal was to
create 200 food baskets. The ASPIRA Clubs in 18 high schools around
the entire City of New york conducted food drives at each of the clubs.
The drive collected over 4,500 cans of foods. The items of non-perishable
foods collected created a typical Puerto Rican Thanksgiving meal were:
rice, gandules, canned hams, brown sugar/maple syrup, cloves, canned sliced pineapples, canned yams, canned vegetables (corn, green
beans mixed), 5lb bag of potatoes. The food boxes were prepared and distributed by ASPIRANTES, El Puente Urban young Warriors
and the Holy Cross youth group as well as volunteers the Sunday before Thanksgiving to needy families as well as to the families that
showed up to the three locations that were designated. Last year the event took place simultaneously on Sunday, November 20, 2011,
at several locations throughout the City including the UPACA Senior Center/IPRHE and El Museo del Barrio in Manhattan, Holy Cross
Church in the Bronx, and El Puente in Brooklyn from 11AM to 4PM. The drive exceeded our expectations. Over 4,500 cans of food
were collected by the ASPIRA Clubs allowing for the distributed of over 300 boxes of non-perishable foods and turkeys to families from
the Bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan
The locations this year are:
In Manhattan
El Museo Del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Avenue
(@ 104Th Street) NYC 10029
Upaca - IPRHE Senior Center, 1940 Lexington Ave.
NYC 10035
In Brooklyn
El Puente, 211 South Fourth Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
In The Bronx
Hostos Community College, 500 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10451
In Queens
Elmhurst Jackson Heights
IPRHE Senior Center, 75-01 Broadway
Elmhurst, New York 11373
CN urges each and every one of you to conduct your own food drives in your schools, colleges/universities, work place, churches,
hospitals and supermarkets and help us feed the needy and hungry in our community. It just takes one person to ask the question – the
only thing they can do is say No the best thing that can happen is that we make a solid difference.
In these tough economic times it is very difficult to provide for our own families however community service and social responsibility
are the strongholds of the Puerto Rican community. Throughout the years our experience has shown us that when we dedicate ourselves
to improving the quality of life of those around us, we build a more unified and stronger society.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO vOLUNTEER PLEASE CONTACT
Eileen Reyes, El Museo, 212-660-7160, ereyes@elmuseo.org, Martha Laureano, El Puente, (718) 387-0404 mlaureano@elpuente.us,
Hector Artiles, ASPIRA (212) 564-6880, hector@nyacf.org, Suleika Cabrera Drinane, (212) 677-4182, suleika@iprhe,org, Teresa A.
Santiago, CN, (914) 263-6599, teresasantiago@comitenoviembre.org
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2011 Buscando Nuestra Raíces
FIFTH ANNUAL TRIP TO PUERTO RICO
TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2011 – WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2011
Embassy Suites Hotel and Casino, Isla Verde, Puerto Rico
This trip was an adventure into a cultural and educational experience for Puerto Ricans and others who want to explore the
richness of Puerto Rico’s culture, ancestral roots and history. Making this trip a reality was a natural progression of CN’s mission
and goals. As we planned this trip we took into account that many of us although we visit the island frequently rarely visit the
cultural and historical sites and landmarks unique to Puerto Rico and renowned throughout the world.
As promised the itinerary planned this year took participants into the mountainous area of Utuado to commune with our Taíno
ancestors, see the majestic metropolitan area and landmarks of Ponce and Old San Juan visit the home of the endangered leatherback
turtle the Northeast Ecological Corridor and bath in the healing and rejuvenating waters of Coamo. yes, this trip will once again
be unique, exciting and extremely memorable. Please join us on this incredible journey in the Summer of 2012.
Trip Highlights
• Tour of Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico and Exhibition “Campeche: Mito y Realidad”
• Bienvenida/Welcome Reception, honoring Alumni & Friends in Puerto Rico of Eugenio María de Hostos Community
College, CUNy, vivian Avilés ‘76 , Contributing Editor and Special Projects, Galos Corp. PR & Luis Molina Puerto Rican
Filmaker, and special presentation of his film La Guagua Aerea. Musical presentation by Ana Bayana y su Grupo
• Tour of the historical landmark Hotel Convento and el Salon Martorell
• Tour of the town of Cayey with lunch sponsored by the honorable Rolando Ortiz velázquez, Mayor of Cayey
• visit to the University of Puerto Rico in Cayey and tour of the Dr. Pío López Martínez Museum of Art @ UPR Cayey - La
Casa Frade, permanent museum exhibit by Antonio Martorell, recreates Ramón Frade’s (1875-1954), typical house.
• Noche Bohemia - La Plaza del Mercado Santurce
• Tour of historical building and monuments, Cathedral, City Hall, Parque de Bombas
• Tour of el Museo Masacre de Ponce with presentation on the historic events
• Tour of Museo Casa Paoli with presentations on the life of Antonio Emilio Paoli y Marcano (1871–1946), a tenor who was
the “first Puerto Rican to reach international recognition in the performing arts” and one of the most outstanding opera singers
of all times.
• Tour of the newly renovated Museo de Arte de Ponce
• Explored the Northeast Ecological Corridor, Fajardo, PR, with presentation by Orlando Negron, president of the Sierra Club
of Puerto Rico
• Tour of historical landmarks in Utuado and lunch sponsored by Mayor Francisco Collazo, Municipality of Utuado of Caguana
Indigenous Ceremonial Park/Parque Ceremonial Indigena de Caguana.
• Rejuvenated in the Banos de Coamo
• Farewell Reception & Dinner “Fiesta Navidaña” sponsored by Embassy Suites Hotel & Casino Ballroom – La vista, honoring
Antonio Cabán ‘El Topo,’ Singer, La Tuna de Cayey, Asociación de Padres y Amigos Orquesta Sinfonica Superior, Escuela
Libre de Música Ernesto Ramos Antonini
• Special Dedication to the Memory of Don Ricardo Alegría, historian, archeologist, pioneer and keeper of our Puerto Rican
culture and history.
• Entertainment and musical presentation by Taller Típico Criollo/Ballet Folklorico, Municipio Autónomo de Caguas.
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Buscando Nuestras Raices
August 2, 2011 – August 10, 2011
Prelude
It was magical! It was an unexpected experience brought about by a chance
encounter with a friend at a time when I was trying to balance my personal
budget, which was accumulating a mounting deficit at an alarming rate.
“It’s a bargain,’ he said, ‘only fifty bucks for three (3) tickets. So you save ten
(10) Dollars.”
I didn’t understand the logic.
fifty dollars! Get it?”
He explained;
“you see, they’re actually twenty bucks each; but if you buy three (3), it’s only
I got it; but, I didn’t want to ‘get it.’ Fifty bucks would leave me with two (2) dollars and some change in my pocket; and I
was already in debt for over two hundred dollars ($200).
Luis Cordero, my friend, is a master salesman. (I’ll never understand why he had to close down his old business-The Cemi
Underground (which, by the way, was ½ flight above-ground). I learned that the first day I ever heard of it, and was searching for it in the basement of the building, when he addressed me from upstairs, asking me what I was looking for? But, that’s
another story!
Anyway, the point is that on this day, he walked away with my fifty ($50) bucks and I was left with two($2) dollars and
change, an increased deficit, now standing at Two hundred and fifty dollars($250), and three tickets to a ‘Raffle’ for a trip
to Puerto Rico, which I figured I had a snowball’s chance in hell, to win. With my luck, I expected the two dollars and fifty
cents to disappear mysteriously and I would be left broke, without carfare to get home (let alone ever go to Puerto Rico).
As it turned out, my Metrocard had funds in it; there was a check in the mail for Twenty Dollars ($20) in Royalties, for my
Book Sales; and an invitation to dinner, from my companera, Luz!
I was on a roll!!!...My luck was on an uphill track!!!
A month or so later, I got a telephone call. It was from Luis, he said “yOU
WON!”
So, I bought another ticket for my companera, Luz.
Join us next year!
AND WE JOINED COMITE NOvIEMBRE - y FUIMOS A BUSCAR
NUESTRAS RAICES!!!
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But the trip wasn’t just about visiting Puerto Rico. It was about visiting each other.
Who were we?
The group was composed of a diverse cross-section of folks, primarily Latino(a)s; mostly, but not exclusively Puerto Rican, searching the island of Puerto Rico for elements
of the culture and traditions representative of a people. We were common folks, and
specialty practitioners, such as educators and cultural workers delving into the culture of
the major Latino component of New york City’s Spanish-speaking population. Significantly, a good number of us are Puerto Rican by birth and/or descent, but
having been raised in New york City, we are also equally familiar with
‘American’ traditions and socialization. In addition, we are of different
generations and geographic communities, which, in New york City, suggest different neighborhood cultural influences.
The group included a young lady, thirteen years of age, visiting Puerto
Rico for the first time; a small group of women from Colombia; a young
man, in his late twenties-early thirties, with a camera, clicking away at
everything he saw; a Radio/Television/Media Professional, hostess and
local celebrity; educators; journalists, social-workers and community
activists; and a few Seniors.
Some participants were repeating the trip, having participated in previous years; a tribute to Comite Noviembre.
Our capable Guide was Mr. Angel Santini, who continuously shared his ample knowledge and articulated valuable information about the people, places and activities we
encountered, during the tours. He was particularly proud to share with us the fact that
Puerto Rican women have been among the leaders in winning acclaim in the Miss USA
and Miss Universe Competitions. This, as well as other notable Puerto Rican accomplishments in National and International situations: in Sports, The Arts, and Sciences
(i.e. The Olympics; Professional Baseball; The new Ponce Museum of Art; The Arecibo
Inter-Planetary Observatory); and our peoples’ incredible array of talent.
The tour provided items of general or special interest to everyone and ample time to
explore unexpected things, people and places that inspired spur of the moment attraction
to all. Not only that; but while I wandered the streets in Old San Juan I met an old friend
whom I hadn’t seen in over thirty years. I got home to El Barrio, eager for next year to
arrive, so that I can return & explore whatever I missed this time.
P.S. – I didn’t forget the BEACHES…OR FAMILy…We found some time for that
too…………
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Celebrating Over Four Decades
of Educational Excellence
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College is an institution where diversity is valued as an asset and the commitment to
improve the quality of life in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan is unwavering. Our mission is to provide access to higher education
leading to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility through the development of proficiencies needed for lifelong learning
and success in professional careers or transfer to advanced higher education programs. An integral part of this mission is to
provide transitional language instruction for all English-as-a-second-language learners.
Hostos has a strong reputation for quality teaching, curricular innovation, and support for students. Its flagship programs are
integrally linked to mathematics and the sciences, and its Allied Health Sciences programs have consistently high licensure
pass and employment rates. It has been in the vanguard of curricular innovation with the creation of five joint associate and
bachelor’s admission programs in Chemical, Civil, and Electrical Engineering, Criminal Justice, and Forensic Science with two
other CUNy colleges. Our success in integrating general education competencies into the curriculum has been recognized by the
American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU).
Hostos has experienced the highest enrollment growth of any CUNy college over the past eleven years, increasing 127 percent
from 3,118 in the fall of 2000 to 7,078 in the Fall of 2011. Our students also benefit from a student-faculty ratio that is among
the lowest in CUNy community colleges. Moreover, 92 percent of our graduates find employment within six months of receiving
their degrees or have enrolled at another college to continue their education.
The Continuing Education and Professional Studies Department at Hostos offers academic, workforce, and personal development
courses designed to address the educational, cultural, and economic needs of our service area. Since 2002, the college’s adult
and continuing education program has experienced a 600% growth in its registrations, with 11,000
students benefiting from its programs overall.
In 2010, the college was awarded a five-year federal grant of $7.4 million to establish the Allied
Health Career Pipeline program, which will train 900 public assistance recipients and other lowincome individuals for jobs in the health care field. Our Jobs-Plus project has been nationally
recognized for its success in securing job placements for public housing residents and is scheduled
to be expanded.
Dr. Félix v. Matos Rodríguez has been president of Hostos since July 1, 2009. Trained as a Social
Scientist, he previously held leadership positions in foundations, universities, policy centers, and
branches of government in which he combined scholarship with social policy, advocacy, and
change.
While at Hostos, Dr. Matos Rodríguez is on leave from his tenured position as an Associate
Professor of Black and Puerto Rican/Latino Studies at Hunter College, where he teaches courses
on Caribbean, Latin American, and Latino History. He has also served as director of the Center for
Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter, which is one of the largest and most important research centers in the United States. In addition,
Dr. Matos Rodríguez is part of the History Department at CUNy’s Graduate Center.
Dr. Matos Rodríguez has an extensive publication record in the fields of Women’s, Puerto Rican, Caribbean and Latino Studies
and Migration. He has also served as Secretary of the Department of the Family for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
According to Dr. Matos Rodríguez: “Hostos is often described as a ‘family’ because of the attention we give to each individual
and our commitment to the community we serve. Our mission combines access to higher education with the support needed for
every student to achieve his or her full potential. If you’re seeking a liberal arts or career education in a multicultural learning
environment, Hostos can be your gateway to opportunity and success.”
HOSTOS IS PROUD TO BE A MEMBER AGENCy OF COMITÉ NOvIEMBRE.
Dr. Felix v. Matos Rodriguez, President
Lourdes R. Torres, Comité Noviembre Representative
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College - 500 Grand Concourse Bronx, Ny 10451
www.hostos.cuny.edu
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Fifth Annual Artisans Fair & Exhibit
For the past five years, CN has invited artisans from
throughout the US and Puerto Rico to participate
in this Fair. The number of participating artisans
averages 55. This is the largest Puerto Rican
artisan fair outside of Puerto Rico and the largest
in the US. Over the years, CN has transformed,
Hunter College West Building, the Church of
St. Paul the Apostle and Hostos Community
College into a typical Puerto Rican plaza with a
fountain, palm trees, artists, sculptors, vejigante
mask makers promoting and selling their wares
while musical and cultural acts entertained.
Additionally each year, CN conducts workshops
for children and adults, like mask making, the
history of the three kings’ celebration, Taíno
storytelling in order to make sure that our youth
learn about our culture.
This year we are continuing with this tradition
and expanding the offerings to include
more exhibitors/collectors of Puerto Rican
memorabilia.
In addition, we are partnering with the Association
for Puerto Rican/Hispanic Culture to bring the
Rafael Hernandez/Sylvia Rexach Festival to our
event. This free admission Festival has been
presented annually at the Museum of the City of
Ny and its being presented here in the Bronx and
with Comite Novienbre for the first time.
This year the Fair is dedicated to a great woman
and Puerto Rican activist, the late Evelina
Antonetty, who passed away on November 19,
1984.
Photos by Robert Figueroa
Sixth Annual Artisan Fair &
Exhibit dedicated to the memory
of Evelina López Antonetty,
(1922–1984)
Known as the “Hell lady of the Bronx” by some, or “The
mother of the Puerto Rican community” by others, Antonetty
was a force to be reckoned with. Arriving alone in New york
at the age of ten, Antonetty was raised and educated formally
in city public schools, and informally, by politically astute
pioneers in the Puerto Rican community. In 1946, Antonetty
worked as a job developer and organizer for District 65, bringing more than 4,000 Spanish-speaking workers into the union.
In 1965, she joined forces with other parents to create United
Bronx Parents (UBP), an organization dedicated to education
and community development in the South Bronx. Recognized
for more than four decades of dedication to the community,
Antonetty received an honorary doctorate in 1970 from Manhattan College. In 2001, a play, Evelina’s Heart was produced
in her honor. In memory of her achievements, the library and
archives of the Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños at Hunter
College, CUNy carry her name.
Fifth Annual Artisans Fair & Exhibit
Photos by Robert Figueroa
Puerto Rican
Legal Defense and
Education Fund
Founded in 1972 as the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, LatinoJustice PRLDEF has played a critical role in
improving the lives and well-being of the now 8 million Puerto Ricans and more than 30 million other Latinos in the United
States. LatinoJustice PRLDEF has worked to secure, promote and protect the civil rights of the Puerto Rican and wider Latino
community, making it a leading civil rights organization and one of the premiere Latino organizations in the country.
EDUCATION RIGHTS: The Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund’s first lawsuit, ASPIRA v. NyC Board of Education, resulted in the groundbreaking ASPIRA Consent Decree which forced the school system to implement bilingual education techniques to effectively instruct students who spoke mostly Spanish. Since then, LatinoJustice PRLDEF has combated
the forced segregation of Latino children in many parts of the country. The group has successfully intervened in desegregation cases in Wilmington, DE; Waterbury, CT; Buffalo, Ny, and Boston, MA. LatinoJustice PRLDEF also brought a lawsuit
challenging a decision to the double the tuition rates for undocumented students at CUNy. A political victory ensued, which
allowed students graduating from NyS high schools to be eligible for State tuition rates.
EMPLOyMENT RIGHTS: In 1972, in two class action suits against the NyC Police Department, LatinoJustice PRLDEF was
able to get the courts to force the department to institute fair hiring and promotional practices which increased the number of
Latino officers and sergeants. Additionally, the group filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations
Board resulting in a $1.075 million settlement on behalf of Latino immigrant employees at a food processing plant. In 2002,
LatinoJustice PRLDEF intervened in an EEOC suit against a Connecticut beauty supply company, for its imposition of an illegal English-only policy against its Latino employees.
vOTING RIGHTS: In 1973, as a result of a LatinoJustice PRLDEF court victory, for the first time in NyC history bilingual
ballots and interpreters, in English, Spanish and Chinese, were provided to parents to vote in the school board elections. The
same legal arguments were applied in the landmark voting rights case, Torres v. Sachs, which required the use of bilingual ballots for all NyC elections. In 1975 the federal voting Rights Act was amended which secured the voting rights of all linguistic
minorities throughout the country. In 1981, LatinoJustice PRLDEF successfully challenged the redistricting plan passed by the
City Council and signed into law by the Mayor, which had been drawn to preclude additional minority representation on the
City Council.
HOUSING RIGHTS: More than 30 years ago, LatinoJustice PRLDEF sued the NyC Housing Authority proving discrimination against Latin and African-American applicants for apartments in three housing projects in Williamsburg. After years of
litigation, the parties agreed to a far-reaching settlement in 2002. In 1977, the group filed a class action suit against a Lower
East Side co-operative which would not make apartments available to Latinos. Since then, LatinoJustice PRLDEF has fought
for the rights of tenants in Brooklyn, against housing discrimination in city-owned apartments and for access rights to housing
in Newark and Hartford.
FROM MIGRANTS’ TO IMMIGRANTS’ RIGHTS: In 1972, the group challenged the State of New Jersey and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for deliberately failing to protect the rights of migrant farm laborers throughout the state. Recently, in
Hazleton, PA, LatinoJustice PRLDEF challenged a virulently anti-immigrant ordinance that fined employers or landlords who
hired or rented to undocumented immigrants and limited all government business to English only. This ordinance had tremendous impact nationally; since it was introduced in June 2006, at least 80 localities have proposed or passed laws modeled on
it. LatinoJustice PRLDEF was successful in blocking the ordinance’s implementation after a federal judge granted permanent
injunctive relief which enjoined Hazleton from putting the challenged ordinance into place.
DIvERSIFyING AMERICA’S LEGAL SySTEM: Since its inception, the organization’s Education Division has been committed to increasing the diversity of the legal profession. LatinoJustice PRLDEF offers preparatory courses for students who
wish to pursue a law degree, along with other education programs.
LatinoJustice PRLDEF, 99 Hudson Street 14th Floor, New york, Ny 10013
Juan Cartagena, Esq. President & CEO, LatinoJustice: PRLDEF
National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights
Puerto Ricans in the U.S: 100 Years and Counting
United for Progress/Aqui Estamos Unidos Progresamos
In 1981, Puerto Rican activists from around the country including the late Richie
Perez, a longtime activist and leader in the struggle for global human rights,
founded the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights (NCPRR).
For more than 20 years the NCPRR engaged in grassroots campaigns in many cities, including a march
on Washington D.C.
The NCPRR is a power resource that was created by the Puerto Rican people’s grassroots struggle - it has
history, legitimacy and weight. Hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours, the rejecting of government
funding, the rejecting of the single, charismatic male leadership model; the promotion of women and
young leadership (women must be at least half of all leadership bodies within the organization), the successful uniting of previously disconnected community forces; the emphasis on learning to use all tactics
and avoid marginalization (community education, working the media, voter mobilization, coalition building, lobbying, litigation, and direct/action); the groundbreaking work around bilingual education, environmental justice, the right to representation, holding elected officials accountable, racial justice, against
police brutality and Puerto Rico’s right to self-determination are part of our legacy.
A reaffirmation of the NCPRR is needed at this point in our history because there is a lack of significant
Puerto Rican voices or representation on the national agenda on issues like bilingual education, the national immigration debate, Puerto Rico Self-Determination, Post-vieques clean-up, No Child Left Behind,
voting Rights & Political Education, Social Discrimination, Economic Justice, Police Brutality, Health
Care Reform and the release of the remaining PR Political Prisoners.
During the weekend of October 8 – 10, 2011 the NCPRR held its ninth national convention in Miami,
Florida
The convention was attended by over 200 people representing Puerto Rico and ten states including Ohio,
Illinois, New york and Pennsylvania. This historical conference represents a historical turning point for
NCPRR. The panels, workshops and plenary sessions addressed how to:
• Help NCPRR determine what works in 2011 and beyond in order to address the many challenges facing
the Puerto Rican people.
• Learn from and build on the experiences of different cities as well as towns across the country where
Puerto Ricans live.
• Effectively utilize the history, name, recognition and credibility of the NCPRR to affect social change.
• Address the issue of organizational life-support and financial stability to make the NCPRR viable in the
new century.
The intergenerational reflection, interaction and a sharing of experiences during the convention helped
determine how NCPRR will identify itself as the continuation of a proud organizational tradition while
simultaneously serving as an effective organizational tool and asset for the next generation of leadership
in our communities across the country. Additionally it will provide a platform to follow as well as methods
for the direct engagement of the next generation of community leaders and unified efforts for making positive social change into the future.
For more information about the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights or to become a member contact:
The National Congress For Puerto Rican Rights - www.puertoricanrights.com
THE RICHIE PÉREZ SCHOLARSHIP FOR
PEACE & JUSTICE AWARD
PURPOSE
In 2004, the Puerto Rican community lost an ally, advocate, community leader and urban warrior. Richie Pérez was a beloved activist and leader in the fight for social justice and human rights. He brought integrity, zeal and unity to many causes
to which he was committed. These included the struggle for racial justice and against police brutality, Puerto Rican independence and universal human rights. As a former young Lord and founding member of the
National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights, Richie was our inspiration and conscience.
Richie wrote and lectured extensively on the Puerto Rican urban experience and as a
professor in the CUNy system taught classes in mass media, US social policy and the
history of the labor and civil rights movements. Richie believed greatly in the power and
potential of young people to create social change. He personally mentored many youth
and believed that the torch of the movement for justice had to be passed on to the next
generation.
In his memory, Comité Noviembre has established the Richie Pérez Scholarship for Peace
and Justice. The award will recognize Puerto Rican young people for their commitment,
activism and achievements in any of the areas of human rights and social justice. This annual award will both promote the advancement of new leaders in the movement for peace
and justice, and also invest in their continued growth by providing support for their ongoing education and political development The scholarship winner will receive a $1,000
scholarship. The application form will be ready for distribution and posted on Comité
Noviembre’s website, www.comitenoviembre.org, in early December.
ELIGIBILTy
• Applicants must Be of Puerto Rican descent
• Document a minimum of one-year active participation and organizing work in a social justice or human rights issue.
• Be enrolled in an accredited college or university by the fall of each year or at the
time of the scholarship award.
• Be between the ages of 17 and 25.
GUIDELINES
• A completed application package must include an application form, essay, two letters of recommendation and a short
biographical sketch. All items must be submitted in one package.
• Letters of recommendation must be from community members who personally know their work, leadership and commitment to social justice and human rights causes.
• Application package must be received or post marked by the deadline dated indicated.
• Application package received or post marked after the deadline date will be disqualified.
• Finalist will be notified in a timely manner.
• A mandatory personal interview will be conducted by the scholarship committee. Finalist will be notified of the interview at least one week in advance. Finalist will not be considered if he/she does not show-up for interview. Other
arrangements will be made for finalist away at college.
• Recipients of the Richie Perez Scholarship Award will be disqualified should any of the following conditions occur: (1)
recipient provides false information on application (2) recipients is not en rolled in an accredited college or university
by the fall or at the time of the award (3) recipient is not of Puerto Rican descent
• Scholarship payment will be made by Comité Noviembre upon recipient of official documentation from college Registrar or Bursar’s Office.
Please contact Martha Laureano, (718) 387-0404, mlaureano@elpuente.us, if you have any questions or to receive
an application form. You can also visit our website at www.comitenoviembre.org
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RICHIE PEREZ SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Eric Acevedo is an 18 year old young man, who is engaged to poetry.
Acevedo wrote in one of his essays “I am Afro-Boricua roots and Nuyorican poetry striving for Puerto Rico’s independence silently.”
His words are all over the El Puente Community, his wisdom and knowledge makes him a mentor and role model to the youth.
Acevedo is currently working on his poetry book entitled El Rice Is
Cooking that describes his experiences living in New york but spiritually living in Puerto Rico. Acevedo enjoys helping the Williamsburg
Southside community residents reach, holistic freedom within them
selves. He creates awareness with a group of other young activist called
the El Puente Scholar.
Acevedo has been a scholar for close to a year, which he states has been
“a knowledgeable experience” because he has learned the essence of activism and has cultivated it to his everyday life. Eric remains poetically
inclined to raising awareness with his poetry. Acevedo wants to become
an English teacher at El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice, where
he is currently a student. Acevedo states the following “The Academy is
my home because, I have learned my value I have learned how to look
into my pass in order to move forward.” Acevedo was and continues to
remain inspired by his peers and role models so he motivated to inspired
the people that surrounds him with “Afro-Boricua roots and Nuyorican
poetry.”
Eric Acevedo
EI Puente—Spanish for the Bridge— is a community-based organization that engages more than 2,000 youth and adult members
each year in the arts, education, public health, environmental justice and social action programs. Founded by Luis Garden Acosta
in 1982 in the Southside of Williamsburg, El Puente harnesses the energy and efforts all the diverse peoplesof Brooklyn, bringing
forward their power to self-determine their individual and collective condition, athome, in their communities, and in the world.
The organization connects community members through their involvement with any or all of the four main divisions: the
Leadership Centers, the Academy for Peace and Justice (a New york City public high school), the Community Health and
Environment Institute (CHE), and the Center for Arts and Culture. While each division has its unique focus and goals, memberleaders and Academy students are nurtured within an integrated, holistic program that draws from all four divisions, developing a
well-rounded social awareness that prompts action and expression. True peace is the natural result of justice, and true justice can
onlybe made possible by comprehension and compassion. We believe that individuals who are just can c constitutenothing but a
just community, and just communities will thus amount to a just and peaceful world.
LEADERSHIP DIVISION
Leadership is the axis of change. Our Leadership Centers offer guidance, nurturing, counseling and training forpeople of all
ages, in conjunction with projects led by CHE and CAC. Originally focused academically on children and young adolescents,
the Leadership Division has launched the Scholars Program, aimed at late teens seeking to reach their full capacity as productive
members of our community and the world. The EI Puente Scholars Program offers more intensive mentoring and academic
support through a year-long program. Please call or visit EI Puente’s headquarters for more information.
Our Leadership Centers offer programs for children, teenagers and adults of all ages. By becoming a member-leader you have the
freedom to visit any center at any time and get involved with the community. Programs are Monday - Friday, 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
El Puente Headquarters / Williamsburg Leadership Center
211 South 4th Street - Brooklyn, Ny 11211
Tel: 718-387-0404
El Puente Leadership Center at Taylor-Wythe Houses
80 Clymer Street - Brooklyn, Ny 11211
Tel: 718-782-5553
El Puente Leadership Beacon Center at MS 50
183 S. 3rd Street - Brooklyn, Ny 11211
Tel: 718-486-3936
El Puente Bushwick Center
311 Central Avenue - Brooklyn, Ny 11221
Tel: 718-452-0404
Scholars Program
COMMUNITY HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT INSTITUTE (CHE)
The Community Health and Environment Institute (CHE) recognizes the intrinsic relationship between the environment and wellbeing and employs an indigenous led, development-oriented approach to health. It promotes a holistic vision of wellness that takes
into account the mind, body, spirit and traditions of our youth and adult members. CHE engages the residents of Williamsburg and
Bushwick by training them to identify and assess barriers to their health and well-being and supporting them in collective self-help
and community action. It also brings together health care providers, government-partnered organizations, and health advocacy
groups to address long-standing health and environmental justice issues facing North Brooklyn and New york City.
CHE programs include:
• Teatro El Puente, New york City’s first and longest running HIv/AIDS and health education theater group;
• A health insurance access and advocacy program for low-income community residents;
• The Espiritu Tierra Community Garden;
• The Green Light District initiative.
El Puente Headquarters
211 South 4th Street – Brooklyn, Ny 11211 – Tel: (718) 387-0404 – Fax: (718) 387-6816 – www.elpuente.us
El Museo Del Barrio, New york’s leading Latino cultural institution, welcomes visitors of all backgrounds
to discover the artistic landscape of Latino, Caribbean, and Latin American cultures through wide-ranging, critically acclaimed, collections and exhibitions, accessible public and educational programs, and
cultural celebrations. A dynamic artistic and community gathering place; El Museo is a center of cultural
pride on New york’s Museum Mile.
After a year-long national search, Margarita J. Aguilar has been appointed to serve as the next Executive
Director of El Museo del Barrio. This is a wonderful homecoming, as Margarita served in the curatorial
department at El Museo from 1998 to 2006. She returns to El Museo, having been the vice President and
Senior Specialist in Latin American art at Christie’s and brings a unique combination of proven curatorial
excellence, with a broad perspective on the Latin American art world. Her extensive knowledge in the
field of colonial, modern and contemporary art of the Americas, and the relationships she has forged with
institutions, artists, scholars, and collectors will certainly serve the mission and expand El Museo’s growing impact in New york, the nation and around the world.
40 years ago, artist and educator Raphael Montañez Ortiz founded El Museo in response to the interests of
Puerto Rican parents, educators, artists and activists in East Harlem’s predominantly Spanish-speaking El
Barrio, who were concerned that their cultural experience was not being represented by major museums.
El Museo has been committed to celebrating and promoting Latino culture ever since. Its permanent collection of over 6,500 objects spanning more than 800 years of Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino art
includes pre-Columbian Taino artifacts, traditional arts, twentieth-century drawings, paintings, sculptures
and installations, as well as prints, photography, documentary films, and video.
From its founding, El Museo has been a place of cultural pride and self discovery for the Puerto Rican
community who founded it, and for the many cultures and communities of the Caribbean and Latin America in New york that it now represents. Come see for yourself all that we have to offer!
Margarita J. Aguilar
Susan Delvalle
Deborah Cullen
Gonzalo Casals
Eileen Reyes Arias
Rachael Harris
Executive Director
Director of External Affairs and Development
Director of Curatorial Programs
Director of Education and Public Programs
Community and Government Affairs Manager
Event Production and Sales Manager
1230 Fifth Avenue (at 104th Street)
New york, Ny 10029
www.elmuseo.org
EL MUSEO DEL BARRIO’S ANNUAL
THREE KINGS DAY PARADE
The 2011 celebration was the largest, most festive and colorful parade in El Museo’s history. We welcomed 3,800
participants, including schools, organizations, community
members, families and performers and nearly 5,000 spectators from across the five boroughs. Parade highlights included, the return or the greatly loved camels, our gigantic
hand-made puppets now in their 2nd year, the celebrated
East Harlem Subway Hero - Carlos Flores, festive floats,
lively music, and performances throughout the parade
route, and the introduction of our new Three Kings Costumes, designed by NyC native and Project Runway star,
Emilio Sosa.
The program began with a special breakfast in El Museo’s
El Café that welcomed the Honorary Kings, Madrinas, Padrinos, local community leaders, supporters, and friends
from across the city. A number of other distinguished
guests joined the event, including NyS Senators José M.
Serrano and Bill Perkins, NyS Assembly Members Robert Rodriguez, José Rivera and Guillermo Linares. Also
in attendance were Deputy Mayor Carol Robles Roman,
Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, New york City Comptroller John C. Liu, New york City Council Speaker Christine C.
quinn, Councilmembers Melissa Mark-viverito, Inez Dickens, and ydanis Rodriguez, and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus vance, Jr.
The 2011 Honorees included dear friends, new and old of El Museo, selected by El Museo’s Three Kings Steering Committee for their
significant contributions to the arts and our Latino communities. Honorary Kings included Emmy Award Winning correspondent on
NBC Lynda Baquero, Julían zugazagoitia, former Executive Director of El Museo who assumed the position of Director and CEO of
the world-renowned Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, MO; and Jesús “Papoleto” Meléndez, poet and long time supporter
of the Three Kings parade, and one of the original founders of the “Nuyorican Poets Movement.”
Honorary Madrinas included Leticia Alanis, Co-Founder of La Union, in Brooklyn, which advances social, cultural, and economic
justice for transnational families; María Alejandro, Program Director at Union Settlement Association, and a staunch advocate for the
Hispanic Elderly, Angela Fernández, who at the time was the Executive Director of Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights
and now serves as Congressman José E. Serrano’s Chief of Staff; Frances Lucerna, Co-Founder of El Puente in Brooklyn which focuses
on community and youth development; and Taina Traverso, artist, curator, arts education advocate and community leader. Honorary
Padrinos included Roberto and Jorge Ayala, brothers and Co-Owners of La Fonda Boricua and FB Lounge, which have become staples
of the El Barrio community; Luis Cordero, Founder of graphic studio Cemi Graphics, Inc., and recent proprietor of Cemi Underground
bookstore; Matthew Washington, Chair of Manhattan Community Board Eleven, and Manager of Friends of the Hudson River Park’s
advocacy efforts; and Daniel Reyes, Director of Programs at yorkville Pantry, where he’s worked since 2003 and launched 24|7 yCP,
New york City’s only acute emergency food pantry.
The Three Kings Steering Committee, always a committed group of people who every year help to make this celebration a success with
their hard work and thoughtfulness included Diana Ayala, Sulieka Cabrera Drinane, María Damato, Teddy Feliciano, Lucía Gómez,
Christine Licata, Torrey Maldonado, Josephine Mangual, Alberto Minotta, Annette Negron, Claudia Plaza, Debbie quiñones, Melanie
Reyes, Alicia Rodriguez, José Rodriguez, Mónica Tavares, Jaritza Taveras, and Carmen vasquez.
Peter quinones and Raphael Morales, who for the last 12 years have become a mainstay of this celebration, once again contributed their
liveliness to the parade as the two beloved Three Kings Day Monks.
The Three Kings Day Celebration was generously supported by the following sponsors: Consolidated Edison, Inc., Deutsche Bank,
Mount Sinai Medical Center, Toy Industry Foundation, The New york yankees, K.I.D.S. Kids in Distressed Situations Organization,
Fashion Delivers Charitable Foundation, Inc. Media Partner: Univision41.
Press coverage was also impressive with media coverage in local and daily newspapers, Tv networks, radio, and online publications,
including The New york Times, El Diario La Prensa, The New york Post, The New york Daily News Manhattan Times, CNN en Español, Ny 1 News, Ny 1 Noticias, WABC Tv, WNBC Tv, WNyW Fox Tv, Telemundo, Univision, NPR Radio, Ny Magazine, and The
village voice.
Please save the date for El Museo’s 35th Annual Three Kings Day Parade and Celebration on Friday, January 6, 2012.
The National Institute for Latino Policy (NiLP) is a 5019C)(3) nonprofit and nonpartisan
policy center established in 1982 in New york City originally as the Institute for Puerto Rican
Policy (IPR). The National Institute for Latino Policy provides a unique approach and voice
to the policy analysis and advocacy needs of the Latino community. Originally focused on the
Puerto Rican community, our work has increasingly included all Latinos and has gone from a
local to a national scope.
The Institute’s approach includes:
•
•
•
•
• Focusing on the intersectionality of Latino policy issues
The use of action-research that is used as an organizing tool for advocacy
A strategy that focuses on the development of local and state level strategies for policy analysis and organizing
The creative and aggressive use of the internet and the media as community education and organizing tools
An emphasis on working in critical policy areas that are underdeveloped or not addressed in the Latino community
In the past year, NiLP’s accomplishments include:
• Leading a major educational campaign to raise awareness of the 2010 Census and its importance to the Latino community. NiLP
has created and coordinated the Latino Census Network, an informational network with 28 of the leading national and regional Latino
organizations in the United States and the leading clearinghouse on Census issues affecting Latinos in the country.. In recognition of
this work, NiLP President has been appointed by the U.S. Commerce Secretary to the Census Advisory Committee on the Hispanic
Population, and he has been elected to the National Steering Committee of the Census Bureau’s Census Information Centers (CIC)
Program.
• Being a founder of the Defend the Honor Campaign that put community pressure on PBS and filmmaker Ken Burn to include the
Latino experience in their 7-part documentary series, The War. NiLP is also part of a group of national Latino organization that have
been meeting with the leadership of PBS to promote greater Latino representation in their programming, staff and governance.
•
Providing an independent and nonpartisan voice analyzing the role of the Latino vote in such media as the New york Times,
Washington Post, El Diario-La Prensa, Shimbun yumiori Newspaper (Japan), CNN, CNN en Español, O Estado de S. Paulo (Brazil),
Univision, Telemundo, Radio Bilingue, Politico, Hispanic Link, Spanglish Magazine, El Nuevo Dia (Puerto Rico), Hofstra University Radio, National Public Radio (NPR), Hispanic Market Weekly, XM Radio, the New Jersey Network and even Comedy Central’s
Colbert Report, among others.
• Working with national Latino coalitions like the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, the National Latino Media Council, the
Defend the Honor Campaign, the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights and others to develop Latino agenda for change.
• Developing one of the most effective national informational networks on the Internet on Latino policy issues through our Latino
Policy eNewsletter, Email Bulletins and National Latino Opinion Leaders’ Surveys.
• Efforts to increase the accountability of philanthropy to Latino and other communities of color through being part of the establishment of the NyC Collaborative for Fairness and Equity in Philanthropy, being part of the Diversity in Philanthropy Project at the
New york Regional Association of Grantmakers and the Foundation Center, and related activities.
•
Putting pressure on CNN to remove a fundraising appeal by Lou Dobbs from their website for the Town of Hazelton to fight
support their anti-immigrant policies. Upon receiving NiLP’s objections, CNN took down the biased ad within a day from the Lou
Dobbs Tonight section of their website.
• Presentations on Latino policy issues throughout the United States. Including at Brandies University, Cornell University, the
Dominican-American National Roundtable Conference in Providence, Rhode Island, the New york Chapter of the Labor Council
for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), the Latino Policy Forum in Chicago, LULAC Annual Conference in Washington, DC,
Northern Illinois University, the Puerto Rican Studies Association 8th Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Proskauer Rose LLP,
Smith College, UBS, the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute Annual Conference in Chicago,the University of Puerto Rico,
and the University of Texas at Austin. Among others.
Angelo Falcón, President
National Institute for Latino Policy (NiLP)
101 Avenue of the Americas, New york, Ny 10013
212-334-5722 Fax: 917-677-8593
info@latinopolicy.org
www.latinopolicy.org
Moving Forward
The Continuing Work Of The President’s
Task Force On Puerto Rico’s Status
By Cecilia Muñoz And Thomas J. Perrelli
The White House (September 15, 2011)
The President’s visit to Puerto Rico in June 2011 is one of many demonstrations of the Administration’s strong
commitment to the Island. The historic visit built on the strong foundation of the work of the President’s Task Force
on Puerto Rico’s Status, which has developed a comprehensive approach to addressing critical issues of importance
to the people of Puerto Rico. Moving forward, the Task Force is closely monitoring the implementation of the recommendations laid out in its report and is planning at least one more summit later this year and several others next
year.
The Task Force’s report issued in March 2011 addressed both political status and economic development in Puerto
Rico. The Task Force’s recommendations regarding status provided a meaningful way forward so that the residents
of the Island can determine their own future. In his arrival address, the President reiterated this commitment, stating
that “when the people of Puerto Rico make a clear decision, my administration will stand by you.”
The President also raised other challenges facing Puerto Rico, including unemployment, education, health care, and
energy. The Task Force’s report outlines some of the tools available through the Administration’s economic plan:
health care reform, broadband expansion, and investments in education and clean energy that help address these
challenges in Puerto Rico. As the President made clear, “Those are the kinds of steps it will take for Puerto Rico to
win the future and for America to win the future.”
Members of the Task Force have visited Puerto Rico on numerous occasions, and conducted important work related
to the report’s recommendations. The U.S. Department of Commerce led a White House Business Council roundtable discussion on the same day as the President’s visit, which was followed the next day by an economic summit
with Puerto Rican leaders to continue the dialogue about how the federal government can work with Puerto Rico to
bolster the economic recovery of the Island. Earlier, in April 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency initiated
the vieques Sustainability Task Force. Working with other Federal partners, key stakeholders in the Puerto Rican
government, and community leaders, EPA has already begun to explore and execute some of the recommendations.
The Task Force is committed to realizing the ambitious goals reflected in its report as vehicles for real progress, to
advance the President’s vision and commitment to the people of Puerto Rico.
Cecilia Muñoz and Thomas J. Perrelli are Co-Chairs of the President’s Task Force on Puerto Rico’s Status
The President’s Task Force on Puerto Rico’s Status
The mission of the President’s Task Force on Puerto Rico’s Status is to provide options for Puerto Rico’s future
status and relationship with the Government of the United States.
The Task Force listened to and considered the views of individuals, elected officials, and other representatives of
the people of Puerto Rico in an effort to ensure that views and positions were objectively considered regardless of
affiliation or ideology. It published its first report in December 2005, and then a second report in 2007. The 2007
Report built on the 2005 Report and carried out “the Task Force’s ongoing mandate to report, no less than every two
years, on progress made in the determination of Puerto Rico’s ultimate status”. The latest report by the Task Force
on Puerto Rico’s Status, whose members were appointed by President Obama, was issued on March 16, 2011.
The President’s Task Force on Puerto Rico’s Status (Task Force) was created by President Clinton in 2000.The Task
Force’s sole focus at that time was to examine proposals for Puerto Rico’s future status and for a process by which
Puerto Ricans could choose a status option. President Bush continued the Task Force’s sole focus on the issue of
political status. The Bush Administration’s Task Force issued reports in 2005 and 2007.
Moving Forward (continued)
On October 30, 2009, President Obama signed Executive Order 13517, which directed the Task Force to maintain
its focus on the status question, but added to the Task Force’s responsibilities by seeking advice and recommendations on policies that promote job creation, education, health care, clean energy, and economic development on the
Island.
The current Task Force was convened in December 2009 with members from every Cabinet agency. It organized
two public hearings in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. to hear directly from a broad cross section of
voices on the issues of status and economic development. Furthermore, hundreds of citizens from Puerto Rico and
the mainland offered input by sending materials through the mail and electronically through a White House public
comment e-mail address. Members of the Task Force and White House staff also met with congressional leaders,
Puerto Rican elected officials, and other interested parties to hear their views.
The March 2011 report presents the Task Force’s recommendations to the President and Congress. The first section
provides recommendations relating to the question of Puerto Rico’s status. Following the discussion of status, the
Report is divided into three sections: (1) economic development overview and economic recommendations; (2) recommendations for building competitive industries; and (3) recommendations with respect to the island of vieques.
Each recommendation in these three sections sets out the specific issue, the recommendation designed to address
that issue, and a realistic timeline for implementing the recommendation.
Comité Noviembre has listed the Status and vieques recommendations for your review since over the past 25 years
these two issues have been the focus of discussion, debate and analysis. Below are excerpts from the Task Force
Report. For a full report please download at http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/Puerto_Rico_
Task_Force_Report.pdf.
Status Recommendations
The Task Force’s public hearings and meetings revealed that status remains of overwhelming importance to the
people of Puerto Rico. This Task Force committed to taking a fresh look at issues related to status without being
bound by prior analyses or limited in the issues on which it focused.
Recommendation # 1: The Task Force recommends that all relevant parties—the President, Congress, and the
leadership and people of Puerto Rico—work to ensure that Puerto Ricans are able to express their will about status
options and have that will acted upon by the end of 2012 or soon thereafter. The government of Puerto Rico has
discussed the possibility of holding a plebiscite this summer that would seek to ascertain the will of the people of
Puerto Rico concerning status. Without taking a position on the particular details of this proposal, the Task Force
recommends that the President and Congress support any fair, transparent, and swift effort that is consistent with
and reflects the will of the people of Puerto Rico. If the process produces a clear result, Congress should act on it
quickly with the President’s support
Recommendation # 2: The Task Force recommends that the permissible status options include Statehood, Independence, Free Association, and Commonwealth. The Report provides descriptions of these options.
Recommendation # 3: Although the Task Force supports any fair method for determining the will of the people of
Puerto Rico, it has a marginal preference for a system involving two plebiscites. This two plebiscite system would
allow the people of Puerto Rico first to vote on the question of whether they wish to be part of the United States or
wish to be independent, and then to choose between the avail¬able status options, as limited by the outcome of the
first vote.
Recommendation # 4: If a plebiscite is chosen, only residents of Puerto Rico should be eligible to vote. This issue
is a difficult one. But on balance, those who have committed to the Island by residing there have strong arguments
that only they should vote on its future. In addition, the complexities of deter¬mining who is eligible to vote among
those of Puerto Rican descent and managing a vote among a population dispersed throughout the United States and
elsewhere would be daunting.
Recommendation # 5: The President and Congress should commit to preserving U.S.citizenship for Puerto Rican
residents who are U.S. citizens at the time of any transition to Independence, if the people of Puerto Rico choose a
status option that results in Puerto Rico’s Independence.
Recommendation # 6: The President and Congress should ensure that Puerto Rico controls its own cultural and linguistic identity. The Task Force recognizes that, if Puerto Rico were admitted as a State, the English language would
need to play—as it does today—a central role in the daily life of the Island.
Recommendation # 7: If efforts on the Island do not provide a clear result in the short term, the President should
support, and Congress should enact, self-executing legislation that specifies in advance for the people of Puerto Rico
a set of acceptable status options that the United States is politically com¬mitted to fulfilling.
This legislation should commit the United States to honor the choice of the people of Puerto Rico (pro¬vided it is
one of the status options specified in the legislation) and should specify the means by which such a choice would
be made. The Task Force recommends that, by the end of 2012, the Administration develop, draft, and work with
Congress to enact the proposed legislation.
Economic Recommendations
The Puerto Rican economy started to slow as early as 2006—two years earlier than the rest of the United States—
leading to the sharpest economic contraction on the Island since the late 1980s. Per capita income remains at less
than one-third that of the mainland, due in part to Puerto Rico’s low employment rate and persistently low rate of
labor force participation. For summary of the extensive economic recommendations developed by the Task Force
please view the full report at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/Puerto_Rico_Task_Force_Report.pdf.
Recommendations for Building Competitive Industries
Once the building blocks of growth are in place, Puerto Rico must look forward to develop a competi¬tive set of
industries that will drive growth and job creation in the decades to come.While we expect Puerto Rico’s own leadership and local stakeholders to be best positioned to articulate an economic development strategy, the Task Force has
identified three industries that could potentially drive long-term growth and job creation on the Island.In particular,
Puerto Rico has a solid foundation on which to grow its clean energy, its role as an economic and tourism hub and
gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America, and its health care industries. For summary of the Task Force recommendations fro building competitive industries please view the full report at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/Puerto_Rico_Task_Force_Report.pdf.
Vieques Recommendations
There is much that the Federal Government can do to improve the quality of life for the people of vieques.The Task
Force’s recommendations encompass issues ranging from health care to environmental issues to tourism.
Recommendation # 1: Superfund Cleanup and Job Training: The cleanup of the former military areas on vieques is
ongoing and expected to last another decade. Since 2005, the U.S. Department of the Navy (Navy) has documented
over 1,700 trespassing incidents into waters around the former bombing range. The Task Force recommends that the
Navy accelerate the pace of the cleanup of unexploded ordnance and address the issue of underwater unexploded
ordnance. The Task Force further recommends that trespassing issues, which are more difficult to resolve because
of jurisdictional limitations, be addressed through a coordinated effort among the Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, EPA,
DOC National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, DOI, and the government of Puerto Rico to develop a
multiagency plan to keep trespassers off the contaminated land and out of the affected waters.
Recommendation # 2: vieques Sustainability Task Force: EPA has recently established the vieques Sustainability Task Force to coordinate Federal and local efforts for comprehensive cleanup and reme¬diation at the closed
military range on vieques. In addition, this task force will develop and implement policies that boost sustainable
economic growth and job creation on vieques. The relevant Federal agencies, such as EPA, Navy, DOI, DOE, SBA,
and HHS, should continue to develop and empower the vieques Sustainability Task Force to expedite resolution of
some of the longstanding issues in vieques and to ensure that Federal projects to address the challenges faced by
vieques are implemented in a timely fashion.
Recommendation # 3: Solid Waste Strategy: EPA launched the Puerto Rico Recycling Partnership in col-laboration
with the Puerto Rico Solid Waste Management Authority and the Puerto Rico Environmental quality Board. The
main goal of the partnership is to establish a comprehensive waste reduction, com¬posting, and recycling program
throughout Puerto Rico.The Task Force recommends that the work of the partnership include vieques.
Recommendation # 4: Health Care for Residents of vieques: HHS should work closely with the gov¬ernments of
Puerto Rico and vieques to improve the quality of health care for the residents of vieques. The Task Force believes
that a needs assessment should be completed to identify the most effective and efficient way to ensure that the
people of vieques receive the care, including expertise in environmental medicine that they need. In the near term,
the Task Force recommends that HHS assist vieques and PRDOH in exploring two programs that could improve
the health care on vieques. First, HHS and Puerto Rico should explore funding for health centers under the Health
Center Program established by section 330 of the Public Health Service Act. vieques could partner with an existing
health center to apply for health center funding. Second, HHS and Puerto rRico should esplore CAH designation.
Certain facilities participating in Medicare can become critical access hospitals, which are eligible for reimbursemtn
based on 101 percent of reasonable costs for treatment of Medicare beneficiaries. The HHS Regional Office should
continue too work with PRDOH to determine if the Centro de Salud de Familia facility in vieques meets the statutory requirements for CAH designation.
Recommendation # 5: Clean and Renewable Energy Options: The Task Force recommends that DOE begin exploring renewable energy opportunities to make vieques a Caribbean Green Island. As a first step, DOE should continue
its work with the Puerto Rico and vieques governments to reduce the amount of energy used through efficiency
measures such as solar water heaters, weatherization improvements, appliance rebate programs, and other proven,
cost-effective technologies. In addition, the Task Force recommends that DOE, with the support of the vieques Sustainability Task Force, work with vieques to consider clean, renewable energy options that would lower electricity
rates for businesses and consumers and create new jobs. Such options should include distributed renewable generation that could provide backup power in emergency situations and deployment of highly energy efficient vehicles.
Recommendation # 6: Watershed Protection of Bioluminescent Bay: The Task Force recommends that EPA develop
a plan to protect Mosquito Bay, an ecologically unique bioluminescent bay in vieques. EPA has solicited proposals
from eligible entities for the development of site-specific innovative demon¬stration projects that would reduce
sediment, pesticide runoff, and/or nutrient loading in Mosquito Bay.
Recommendation # 7: Green Hospitality Initiative: EPA has launched a green hospitality initiative in partnership
with Puerto Rican government agencies, such as the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.The Task Force recommends
that vieques be included in the agreement to encourage third-party green certification for its hotels and restaurants.
The Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration represents the Government
of Puerto Rico before federal, state, and local governments, promotes Governor Fortuño’s economic and public policy initiatives to achieve a better
quality of life for the four million U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico, and advises
local government agencies and municipalities on issues of interest to Puerto
Rico before the federal government.
As such, the Washington office is the primary liaison between Puerto Rico’s
officials, the White House, Congress, and the federal agencies. Additionally,
the office interacts with national organizations representing Governors from
other states, including the National Governors Association (NGA) and the Southern Governors’ Association to
advance Puerto Rico’s interests. Like many other states, Puerto Rico’s focus areas include economic stimulus and
development, transportation funding, energy, health care including Medicare and Medicaid, as well as issues that
affect veterans and our national defense.
PRFAA Washington Roles and Responsibilities
• Articulating and advocating gubernatorial and Puerto Rico-related policy positions to Members of Congress and
their staff, the White House, federal agencies, state offices and national organizations.
• Collaborating with the Resident Commissioner to assist him in his duties as representative in Congress of the 4
million U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico, a constituency more than six times greater in size than that of any other U.S.
Congressman.
• Serving as a primary focal point in the nation’s capital for the Governor, the Governor’s staff, and senior state
officials.
• Providing guidance and support to individuals, businesses, municipalities and other organizations in successfully
navigating the federal grants process.
• Providing status reports on federal initiatives and representing the island’s priorities in Washington, D.C.
• Communicating with national, regional and specialty media on issues of importance to the Governor and Puerto
Rico.
• Serving as a point of contact for state citizens and businesses in their contacts with the Washington, D.C. community.
During the first four months of 2009 alone, PRFAA has provided critical support in advancing the Federal agenda of
more than a dozen Puerto Rico Government Cabinet members and agency heads, as well as Puerto Rico legislative
leaders and mayors. The agency has played – and continues to play - a critical role in helping to secure hundreds
of millions of dollars in federal funding for vital infrastructure, public security, health, and education programs,
among others. As part of these efforts, the agency also embarked this year on an intensive round of workshops held
throughout the island, aimed at helping agency and municipal government staff - as well as staff from non-profit
organizations- compete successfully for available federal grant and funding opportunities.
PRFAA REGIONAL OFFICES
In addition to the Washington office which serves as the government’s primary liaison in the nation’s capital, PRFAA also has regional offices that are responsible for forging close relationships with our stateside communities.
Over the last 70-plus years, the regional offices have evolved from providing guidance to Puerto Rican migrants, to
promoting cultural awareness, to helping the community get involved in the political process. Today, the emphasis of the regional offices is on three main areas: economic development through promotion of business ventures
between the Island and U.S.-based Puerto Rican communities; education and empowerment to bridge the stateside
Puerto Rican youth’s educational gap through a partnership with the University of Puerto Rico; and leadership
development through partnerships with local community organizations. All the regional offices’ operations are
consolidated in two geographical hubs and the central office in Washington, D.C.
PRFAA - NEW YORK OFFICE: This office covers the Northeastern Corridor: New york, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. It provides services to over
two million Puerto Ricans. Established in 1930, this office is the oldest office of the Government of Puerto Rico
in the United States.
John Santana, Regional Director; Reyes Rodríguez, Senior Community Officer
135 West 50th Street, 22nd Floor, New york, Ny 10020; (212) 252-7300; Fax: (202) 726-9957
PRFAA - MIDWEST OFFICE: This office, first established in 1948, covers the Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio,
Kentucky, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North & South Dakota, and Iowa. It serves approximately 500,000 Puerto Ricans. 2511 West Division, Chicago, Illinois 60622, (773) 365-0071; Fax: (773)
365-0072
25 Anniversary
th
La Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular, (The National Foundation for Popular Culture), is a non-profit organization incorporated in August
1996. The mission of the La Fundación is to advance the development of
Puerto Rican popular culture through study, research, promotion and sponsorship of events specifically geared to cultural interest and performers.
La Fundación’s goals are to research, study, file, produce publications, catalogue, disclose, compete, conserve, produce, promote, exhibit, exchange and
disseminate information, knowledge and the history of Puerto Rico’s popular, classical and folkloric culture.
La Fundación’s archives hold and preserve an extensive collection of records
in all formats, including radio recordings, interviews, photos, negatives, videos in various formats, advertising propaganda, magazines, works of art,
paintings and other popular culture collectibles.
In line with its objectives, the organization encourages and promotes the
knowledge of popular culture, serving as a resource for research and source
of information to artists, musicians, students, teachers, communicators in
all branches (including journalists, publicists and public relations), writers,
scriptwriters, producers of shows, historians, sponsors as well as governmental and educational organizations.
Javier Santiago, Founder and Executive Director
Mailing Address
Apartado 9023971,
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00902-3971
Location
Calle Fortaleza #56
viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901
info@PRpop.org
(787) 724-7165; (787)725-2498 (f)
25 Anniversary
th
c o m i t é
m e s
d e
l a
n o v i e m b r e
h e r e n c i a
In Memoriam
Don Ricardo Alegria - 1921 - 2011
Dr. Ricardo E. Alegria:
Guardian and Advocate for
the Culture of Puerto Rico
By Irvine Mac Manus
Dr. Alegria’s multifaceted sixty years of leadership in the fields of archaeology, anthropology, and historic preservation, and his lifelong commitment to
the Arts and Letters, has placed him as one of the outstanding men of the 20th
century. His pioneering work with Dr. Irving Rouse of yale was significant in
establishing the archaeological record of the earliest indigenous inhabitants of
the islands of the Caribbean. The extent of his invaluable contribution to the
study, scholarship, excavation, restoration, and exhibitions of archaeological
sites has provided a generation of young students with a richer understanding
of the indigenous cultural history of the Caribbean. While serving as Director
of El Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, Alegría created the guidelines for
the preservation of the Old City of San Juan and Ponce and implemented a
program of historical preservation of public buildings and plazas. Incentives
were introduced to encourage private owners to rehabilitate historic residences
utilizing appropriate colonial designs and materials. During his eighteen year
tenure as Director, he established the collections of the Institute which today
includes over eight hundred paintings, thousands of prints and posters, and over
five-thousand Santos and archaeological objects.
Dr. Alegria’s significant achievements have placed him in the company of such
distinguished figures as Governor Nelson Rockefeller, Senator William Fulbright, President John F. Kennedy, Pablo Casals,
and Governor Luis Munoz Marin, founder of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It was in 1955 that Ricardo Alegria and
Nelson Rockefeller became acquainted. Nelson Rockefeller, using the Institute as a model, established The New york State
Council on the Arts, and was instrumental in writingthe legislation which created the National Endowment for the Arts and
the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Alegria’s enormous and unique contributions have earned him important recognition,honors, and awards. He was awarded
the Frankle Prize by the National Endowment for the Humanities, presented to him at a White House ceremony by President and Mrs. Clinton. UNESCO awarded the Gold Picasso Prize for the creation of the City of San Juan’s Historic World
Heritage Site. On Dr. Alegria’s seventy-fifth birthday, he was awarded the Smithson Medal by the Smithsonian Institution
for fifty years of extraordinarycontributions to the Arts and Letters and World Culture. Among the accomplishments of Don
Ricardo Alegria is the creation of some 18 museums: including El Museo de Antropologia,Historia y Arte y el Centro de
Investigaciones Arqueológicas de la Universidad de Puerto Rico:El Archivo General, and La Biblioteca de Puerto Rico.
From 1955, Alegría established The following museums: Museo y Parque Histórico de Caparra, Museo de Arquitectura
Colonial, Museo de la Familia Puertorriqueña del Siglo XIX, La Casa del Libro, Museo de Bellas Artes de Puerto Rico,
Museo de la Farmacia, Convento de Santo Domingo, Museo de Imaginaría Popular;Museo del Indio, Museo del Grabado
Latinoamericano, and in 1992 El Museo del Las Americas. Dr. Alegria’s publications include such important works as,
Historia de Nuestros
Dr. Ricardo E. Alegria continued
Indios:Descubrimiento, Conquista y Colonización de Puerto Rico, the Ball Courts andCeremonial Plazas in the West Indies
published by yale University Publication in Anthropology; Juan Garrido, el Conquistador Negro en las Antillas, Florida,
México y California. And Flo Pineiro de Riveras’s Arturo Alfonso Schomburg- A Puerto Rican quest for His Black Heritage, published by el Centro de Estudios. Dr. Alegria’s award winning films include: La Fiesta de Santiago Apóstol en Loiza,
La Buena Herencia, La Plena, and La vida de Cristo Según el SanteroFlorencio Caban.
Don Ricardo has organized many important exhibitions over the decades. Including such exhibitions as Esculturas de los
Indios Tainos presented during the visit of their Royal HighnessesKing Juan Carlos and queen Sophia of Spain. He also
contributed scholarly essays to L’Art Taino presented at el Musee Du Petit Palais, Paris, and Taino, Pre-Columbian Art and
Culture of the Caribbeanat El Museo del Barrio, New york. His stateside accomplishments are perhaps not as well known,
as are hisextraordinary achievements on the Island Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.He led efforts to develop educational
programs to assist the over 2 million Puerto Ricans whomigrated to the United State’s major cities, such as New york,
Philadelphia, Chicago, and smaller cities on in the East coast in Massachusetts and Connecticut, and as far as Hawaii.Dr.
Alegria was keenly aware that few education opportunities were being made available to first, second and third generations
of Puerto Ricans from the largest wave of migrations to the states during the 1940s, thru the 1960s. Dr. Alegria focused
his attention to helping guide institutions of higher learning in creating Puerto Rican Studies Departments at a number of
universities, including Lehman College and Hunter College of the City University of New york, and theBuffalo Campus
of the State University of New york among others. Among the collaborations which he was instrumental in forging with
Non- Profit organization during the 1960s, were such critical cultural organizations as El Museo del Barrio, La Casa de la
Herencia Cultural Puertorriqueña, the Puerto Rican Heritage Museum in District 5 in the South Bronx, and theCenter for
Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College. Collaborations were also forged with a significant number of America’s great museums, especially The Metropolitan Museum of Art,The American Museum of Natural History, both in New york and with
The Smithsonian Institution, in Washington D.C.
The relationship with the Metropolitan Museum of Art began decades ago when Dr.
Alegria and A. Hyatt Mayor, curator of the Department of Prints and Drawings, established a workingpartnership which eventually led the Metropolitan to acquire important works by such artists as:Lorenzo Homar, Myrna Baez, Carlos Raquel Rivera,
and Rafael Tufino.This collaboration stimulated interest in the Puerto Rican Graphic
Arts and led to the creation of The First Festival of Graphic Arts of Latin America
and Puerto Rico, presented in the galleries of The Convento de los Dominicos in Old
San Juan.
The Art Heritage of Puerto Rico: Pre-Columbian to Present: an exhibition of 1973,
was jointlyorganized by el Museo del Barrio and the Metropolitan Museum. The exhibition was curated byMarta Moreno vega, then Director of El Museo and I, then serving as Assistant MuseumEducator at the Met’s Department of Community Programs
in the Education Division. It was in the early research phase of organizing the show that I became totally engrossedIn the Art
History of Puerto Rico, and which led to a working partnership and friendshipwith Dr. Alegria which continues to this day. It
was Dr. Alegria whom I met during this time, who assisted me identifying institutions, collections, artists and cataloguecontributors that would be incorporated in the first comprehensive bilingual catalogue produced by the Metropolitan Museum.
The Art Heritage exhibition was an extraordinary opportunity to present to New york museum audiences over five centuries
of Puerto Rican Art History at an emerging community museum and at America’s premiere art museum.The exhibition came
about because Thomas Hoving, Director of the Met was respondingto the cultural ferment taking place in New york during
the turbulent 1960s.The Metropolitan had presented Harlem on My Mind, an exhibition of the history of Black Americans
based on the photographs of James van Der zee, from the collections of the Studio Museum in Harlem, and the Schomburg
Library. This exhibition would in retrospect dramatically change the way museums across Americathought about their local
African –American communities and the role of museums in the late 20th Century. The exhibition drew tens of thousands
of African-Americans to the Met-many for the first time, and sparked an activist generation of artists, educators and community arts organizations.
Dr. Ricardo E. Alegria continued
I was asked to curate an exhibition that would focus on the art history of Puerto Rico,which was approved by the Board of
Trustees of the Metropolitan in 1970. Among the scholars writing for the book were: Dr. Ricardo E.Alegria, Director of the
Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, ( I.C.P.), Emilio Diaz valcarcel, historian, and Arturo v. Davila, art historian at the University of Puerto Rico. Maria E. Somoza wrote the over 40 artists Biographies. I was responsible for negotiating loans, editing
the catalogue and for commissioning both Lorezo Homar and Rafael Tufino to create the silkscreen exhibition posters that
would be distributed in schools and libraries in the New york area. A two-day symposium held at both El Museo del Barrio’s
space at 106th Street and Third Avenue, and at the Uris Education Center of the Metropolitan Museum, drew hundreds of
educators, and students to the bilingual conference. The major media, bothprint and electronic reviewed the show at both
locations. The art critics from The New york Times, Peter Schjeldahl and John Canaday, both wrote reviews during the run
of the exhibition. Schjeldahl titling his “Surprise from Puerto Rico”, referring to the Jose Campeche’s portrait of Governor
Don Miguel Antonio Ustariz (1789), and Canaday wrote: “ Puerto Rican Art Show Proves Its Rich Heritage”. Over 80,000
people visited the exhibition at the Met galeries, and nearly 20,000 local residents of El Barrio saw the show.
El Museo del Barrio would later move to its permanent Fifth Avenue location in at 104th Street in 1977, while I was serving as President of the Board of Trustees. In recognition of the cooperation with the Institute, in helping to organize the Art
Heritage exhibition, the Metropolitan Museum organized an exhibition of Twentieth Century Art from the Collections of
the MMA, which was curated by Henry Geldzahler, Curator, of the Department of XX Century Art, and Ernesto Ruiz del
la Mata, who was a special assistant to the Resident Commissioner, and I. This show was presented at El Convento de los
Dominicos and viewed by nearly 20,000 people.
Dr. Alegria also stimulated a relationship with La Casa de La Herencia Puertorriqueña,over a period of 25 years. Working with Otilio Diaz, its director, developing public programs celebrating Puerto Rican literature, History and music, often
collaborating with Musica de Camera, a performing arts organization founded by Eva De La O. Musica de Camera, which
would become an important contributor to the New york classical music scene over it 31 year history, offering opportunities
to Puerto Rican composers and musicians, as well as Latin American music creators and peformers.
I was also able to help Don Ricardo in obtaining the assistance of the Metropolitan Museum, in enlisting the cooperation of
Julie Jones, curator of the Department of Pre-Columbian Art, when she brought the Taino Idol from The Dominican Republic, and in the Rockefeller Collection for the Taino Sculpture exhibition at the Centro de Estudios Avanzados.
Don Ricardo and I collaborated on many projects overt he decades. We worked on the exhibition of Taino Sculpture, presented at El Centro De Estudios Avanzados de Puerto Rico y El Caribe during the quinto Centenario, and the rehabilitation
and restoration of el Antiguo Cuartel de Ballaja, and the preparations for the creation of El Museo de Las Americas.
Don Ricardo asked me to identify an exhibition design specialist to design the installationsfor the permanent galleries of the
exhibition of The Folk Arts of the Americas. I suggested a former colleague from the Metropolitan Museum: vincent Cuilla.
Don Ricardo spent many weeks going over every detail of the exhibition design, eventually he and Don Ricardo selected a
series of wallsize glass enclosed cases and installation elements that would allow visitors to view of hundreds of magnificent
folk arts, which Don Ricardo was able to assemble from contacts from countries of the Americas.
Dr. Alegria and the National Endowment for the Arts
Dr. Alegria worked with Bess Lomax Hawes, Director of the Folks Arts Program at the National Endowment for the Arts
to establish the National Heritage Awards to recognize the community of individuals who were the primary exponents of
Afro–Puerto Rican traditions in Music and dance.Individuals such as the Famila Cepeda, and traditional folk artists that
were being championed by Walter Murray Chiesa, I.C.P. Folklorist, were nominated, and able to receive national and
international recognition.
In the 40 years that I have known Don Ricardo and his wife: Mela Alegria Pons, my admiration for their remarkable contributions has continued to grow. I came tounderstand how vitally important has been their commitment to Puerto Rico,
its people, and its history, to strengthening the identity of its citizens and in building a lasting legacy, which has impacted
thousands of lives both in Puerto Rico and the United States.
Calendar of Events
NYS GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO ISSUANCE OF PROCLAMATION OF PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE MONTH
NYC MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG ISSUANCE OF PROCLAMATION OF PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE MONTH
MONTH LONG EVENTS
Comite Noviembre and Hostos Community College presents Comite Noviembre’s 25th Anniversary Poster
Exhibit. A restrospective of 25 years of posters commemorativing Puerto Rican Heritage Month, curated by Juan
Fernando Morales and Teresa A. Santiago. Hostos Community College - 500 Grand Concourse - Atrium – 2nd Floor,
Bronx, NY. Exhibition on view until November 30, 2011. Visit www.comitenoviembre.org.
El Museo del Barrio presents El Museo’s Bienal: The (S) Files 2011, El Museo’s sixth biennial of the most innovative,
cutting-edge art created by Latino, Caribbean, and Latin American artists currently working in the greater New York area.
This year’s edition spreads all over the city, showcases 75 emerging artists in seven different venues. Exhibition ends
Sunday, January 8, 2012. Curated by Elvis Fuentes, Rocío Aranda-Alvarado, and Trinidad Fombella, El Museo del Barrio;
and guest curator Juanita Bermúdez, Biennial of the Central American Isthmus. Voces Y Visiones: Signs, Systems &
The City. This installation in the Carmen Ana Unanue Galleries, drawn from our Permanent Collection, features works
with an urban sensibility that deploy pared-down building blocks of shape, color, and form to express revealing worldviews.
On view until December 11, 2011. Las Galerías at El Museo del Barrio: 1230 5th Avenue at 104th Street, NYC. Museum
hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 11AM – 6PM/Sunday 1PM – 5PM; Free Extended Gallery Hours on Wednesday’s 6PM – 9PM.
Suggested donation: Adults $9, Students and Seniors $5, Members and children under 12 Free. Free every Third Saturday
of the month and for Seniors on Wednesdays. For more information call (212) 831-7272 or visit the website www.elmuseo.
org.
Additional venues for The (S) Files 2011:
Satellite Location # 1: Lehman College Art Gallery, Bronx. This show features imagery by a number of artists that share
an affinity for illustration and the narrative force of images. Thinking of the exhibition as a picturesque walk through the city,
it conceptualizes the street as a kind of visual library; an opportunity to sample people, objects, costumes, and cityscapes.
Featuring Patricia Belli, Alexis Duque, Gerard Ellis, Felipe Galindo, Julio Granados, Jonathan Harker, Gisela Insuaste,
Sandra Mack-Valencia, Leonor Mendoza, Carlos N. Molina, Felix Morelo, Ohne Titel, VJ Demencia, Elena Wen. On exhibit
until January 6, 2012. Gallery hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 10AM–4PM. Free admission. Lehman College Art Gallery, 250
Bedford Park Blvd West, Bronx, NY 10468. For more information: (718)960-8731.
Satellite Location # 2: Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance. This exhibition focuses more specifically on local graffiti
writers and their newer “canvases,” focusing on artists of various generations and their contemporary contributions to street
aesthetics. Their art explores the re-use of objects including street signs, cardboard, objects caught in the ocean, and plastic
bags. An ephemeral installation extends the exhibition into a park in Northern Manhattan. Featuring Dister/Dister Rondon,
Feegz / Carlos Jesús Martinez Dominguez, Edwin González-Ojeda, J. Manuel Mansylla (in Northern Manhattan park),
MARE139/Carlos Rodriguez, Antonia A. Perez, TOO FLY/Maria Castillo, Rider Ureña. On exhibit until November 16, 2011.
Monday - Friday, 11AM–5PM by appointment. Free Admission. Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance, 178 Bennett Avenue, 3rd
Floor, New York, NY 10040. For more information, call (212) 568-4396.
Satellite Locations # 3: BRIC Rotunda Gallery, Brooklyn. The artists in this exhibition have created gestures that
address social interaction, economic reaction, and the street as stage or object worthy of aesthetic intervention. Featuring
Javier Bosques, Alicia Grullon, Las Hermanas Iglesias, Jessica Mein, Rafael Sánchez and Kathleen White, Rafael Sánchez,
Armando Mariño, Nicoykatiushka. On view until January 8, 2011. Gallery Hours:Tuesday - Saturday, 12PM–6PM. Free
admission. BRIC Rotunda Gallery, 33 Clinton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201. For more information, call (718) 683-5604.
The Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture presents La Enramá, a multi-media installation (photography, videos,
musical instruments, crafts) highlighting Afro-Dominican culture along the southern coast of the Dominican Republic. The
centerpiece is a recreation of an enrramada, a shelter without walls common in the Dominican countryside that, depending
upon the season, serves as a storage shed for seed and farming implements or a venue for community meetings, domino
matches, religious observances and, most importantly, for drumming and dancing. Humble in structure, the enrramada
is of vast importance, socially and spiritually, to Domincan culture. Exhibition designed by Juan Fernando Morales with
photographs by Juan Aguirre, Marino Corniel, Wallace Edgecombe, Amabell Rodríguez, and Carlos Sanabria. Curated
by Marino Corniel and Wallace Edgecombe in collaboration with folklorist Leonardo Iván Dominguezand musician Pedro
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Raposo. Exhibition on view until November 12, 2011. Gallery hours Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM and Saturday 10AM-2PM. Free
Admission. The Longwood Art Gallery is located at Hostos Community College, 450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street in
the Bronx. For information call (718) 518-4455.
Society of the Educational Arts, Inc. (SEA), Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center, and Don Q Destilería
Serrallés presents ART EXHIBIT: BOLA, hit, roll & bounce. Works of artists in all disciplines dwell on the ball, its physical
attributes, the various contexts in which it is used, and its symbolic associations. Exhibition on view from November 15 to
30, 2011. LES Gallery at Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center, 107 Suffolk Street, 1st floor, NYC. Admission:
Free. For more information call 212-529-1545 or visit www.sea-online.info.
Society of the Educational Arts, Inc. (SEA), Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center, and Don Q Destilería
Serrallés presents Carry-On: Puerto Rico Inspected. Thirty-five contemporary artists from Puerto Rico explore portability
in this exhibit that highlights the creative and resourcefulness of creating pieces in the Caribbean Island, for display around
the world. The main requirement: ingenious portability for efficient transportation. Exhibition on view from November 15
to 30, 2011. Abrazo Interno Gallery at Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center, 107 Suffolk Street, 2nd floor,
NYC. Admission: Free. For more information call 212-529-1545 or visit www.sea-online.info.
The Americas Society presents Antonio Manuel: I Want to Act, Not Represent! One of the most important Brazilian
artists of the 1960s and 1970s, this is the artist’s first solo show in the United States. Curated by Claudia Calirman and
Gabriela Rangel, the featured paintings, installations, films and photographs will highlight Manuel’s significant role in
performance and post medium art, emphasizing Manuel’s work as a powerful liberating force from political repression.
Exhibition closes Saturday, December 10, 2011. The gallery is free and open to the public Wednesday through Saturday,
12-6PM.The Americas Society, 680 Park Avenue, NYC. For more information visit www.americas-society.org.
SUNY/Empire State College, Metropolitan Center presents VIVA AMERICA! A celebration of Hispanic Heritage featuring
works by current students, alumni and guest artists. Raul Manzano, curator. Empire State College, Livingston Gallery, 177
Livingston St. 6th floor, Brooklyn. Free Admission. For more information, visit www.esc.edu.
Instituto Cervantes presents Los mundos de Gonzalo Torrente Ballester. Celebrating the hundredth anniversary
of the birth of Torrente Ballester, this exhibition presents a faithful portrait of the renowned Spanish writer. Exhibition on
view until December 13, 2011. Instituto Cervantes, 49th Street NYC. Free Admission. For more information: www.nyork.
cervantes.es.
Kouros Gallery presents “Tissue of Life”, wood sculptures by Pilar Ovalle. Pilar Ovalle Vergara is a Chilean artist
and attended the Instituto de Arte Contemporáneo in Santiago. An itinerary exhibition currently at The Embassy of Chile
in Washington, DC. Under the auspices of Direccion de cultura del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Chile. On view
until November 19, 2011. Gallery Hours: Tues - Sat: 10:30AM- 6PM. Free Admission. Kouros Gallery, 23 East 73rd St NYC.
Contact: 212-288-5888 or visit www.kourosgallery.com
The Bronx Museum of the Arts and the Consulate General of Spain in New York presents MUNTADAS:
INFORMATION>>SPACE >> CONTROL. An exhibition of Catalan artist Antoni Muntadas’ work. Born in Barcelona,
Spain, Muntadas has lived and worked in New York since 1971, and is best known for his multimedia works and public art
installations that address social and political issues. Exhibition ends Sunday, January 15, 2012. Curated by Jose Roca.
The Bronx Museum of the Arts, 1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx. Museums hours: Thursdays to Sundays, 11AM to 6PM;
Fridays until 8 PM. Suggested admission: adults: $5.00, students : $3.00; members and children under 12: Free; Seniors
free on Fridays. For more information, visit www.bronxmuseum.org.
Praxis Gallery presents The Sum of the Days/La suma de los dias, solo exhibition of Martin La Rosa, featuring the
artist’s most recent paintings. On view until December 3, 2011. Free Admission. Praxis Gallery, 541 West 25th Street,
NYC. Visit: www.praxis-art.com.
Consulate of Argentina presents Maria Susana Dos Santos: Paintings. Exhibition opens November 4 through
November 23. Exhibition on view Mon. to Fri. 11AM-5PM. Consulate of Argentina, 12 West 56th Street, NYC. Free
Admission. For more information: www.congenargentinany.com.
El Centro De Estudios Puertorriqueños presents Labor, an exhibition of works inspired by CENTRO’s archives, focusing
on the labor experience of the Puerto Rican Diaspora. Admission: Free. Centro Library and Archives, 2180 Third Avenue @
119th Street, NYC. For information visit centropr.hunter.cuny.edu or call (212) 396-6545.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2011
COMITÉ
NOVIEMBRE
ANNUAL
PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE MONTH
KICK-OFF EVENT, honoring the unsung
heroes of our community through “Lo
Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad” Awards.
El Museo del Barrio, 2130 5th Avenue at
104th Street,NYC. 6PM. By invitation
only. For more information call (212)
677-4181.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2011
Repertorio Español presents La Verdad
Sospechosa by Juan Ruíz de Alarcón,
directed by Pedro Salazar. Lies, love,
friendship, the power of money and the
world of appearances are only some of
the multiple themes presented in this
classic comedy by Juan Ruíz de Alarcón.
“La verdad sospechosa” (The Suspicious
Truth) presents the funny lies and tangles
plotted by Don García, a young man that
returns to Madrid after finishing his studies
in Salamanca, and caused mostly by his
desire to court the woman he has fallen in
love with. “The Suspicious Truth” is without
a doubt Ruíz de Alarcón’s best and funniest
comedy. Presented in Spanish. Live English
translation available. The Gramercy Arts
Theatre, 138 East 27th Street, between
Lexington & Third Avenues, NYC. 11AM.
Tickets begin at $26, with discounts
available for seniors, students, children and
groups. For reservations, call (212) 8892850 or www.repertorio.org.
Pregones Theater presents FLY-BABIES
• PIOJOS, a new musical comedy conceived
and directed by Rosalba Rolón with musical
director Desmar Guevara. In a world full
of class divisions,misunderstandings and
wars there is something common to all
humankind: LICE - otherwise known as
fly babies! And the time has come to sing
their adventures.In Pregones’ signature
style, this new comedy will keep your
feet tapping! Baroque music, rock, tango
and cha-cha create a fitting musical
atmosphere for the persecution, treatment
and eventual survival of lice throughout the
world and accross centuries. Presented
in Spanish & English with titles. Pregones
Theatre,571-575 Walton Avenue, Bronx,
New York 10451. 8 PM. Admission: $29$40. For more information call (718) 5851202 or visit http://www.pregones.org.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011
The Puerto Rican Family Institute
presents Halloween October Moon Food
Tasting Fiesta with food, drink, dancing,
zumba, lots of fun and surprises.
Chairing the event is former Food Network
Chef Alex Garcia of New York City’s Nuevo
Latino restaurant Calle Ocho and the newly
opened Copacabana, with some of New
Jersey’s favorite restaurants. Proceeds of
the event will benefit the PRFI’s New Jersey
programs. Westin Hotel, 479 Washington
82
Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07310. Take
PATH to Newport Station. 6 PM – 10:00
PM. Tickets: $65. For more information
visit www.prfi.org or call Migdalia RiveraTaratunio (212) 414-7836.
Americas
Society
and
Columbia
University presents: The Politics of
Camouflage in Artistic Practices from
the 1970s. This day-long symposium
explores the development of artistic
practices as a result of political oppression
in Latin America and internationally during
the 1960s and 1970s. Throughout this
era, artists dealt with politically complex
issues in their artistic production through a
variety of styles and media. These aesthetic
explorations include the “New Objectivity,’’
geometric abstraction, socially-engaged
art, media-related and investigative
projects, and, finally, conceptual, body, and
performance art. Moderator: Alexander
Alberro (Barnard College), Introduction:
Claudia Calirman and Gabriela Rangel
(Americas Society). Speakers: Nicolás
Guagnini
(Barnard
College),
Judith
Rodenbeck (Sarah Lawrence College),
Sergio Bessa (Bronx Museum), Irene
Small (University of Illinois) and Michael
Asbury (Chelsea College of Art and Design,
University of the Arts London).12:30–5PM.
Admission: Free. Columbia University,
612 Schermerhorn Hall, 1190 Amsterdam
Avenue, New York, NY. For more information
visit www.americas-society.org.
Repertorio Español presents No Hay
Mejor Amigo, Ni Peor Enemigo directed
by José Zayas. Written by Bronx-based
Puerto Rican playwright Carlos Serrano,
“No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy” tells
the story of an acclaimed professional
Latino baseball player who is cornered by
fame and who debates between his success
and personal convictions. A production
that puts forward the lives of two heralded
heroes, the baseball player and his brother,
a member of the U.S. Marines whose lives
bring us to question, What would I choose?
Fame or personal conviction? Presented in
Spanish. Live English translation available
.The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th
Street, between Lexington & Third Avenues,
NYC. 3 & 8PM. Tickets begin at $25, with
discounts available for seniors, students,
children and groups. For reservations, call
(212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
Mestizo Dance Company with Harold
Gutierrez and his Band returning in a
new program of MUSIC & DANCE from
the coasts of COLOMBIA with rhythms
like CURRULAO, PORRO, CUMBIA,
MAPALE and SALSA Colombiana.
Thalia Spanish Theatre, 41–17 Greenpoint
Avenue, Sunnyside, NY. 8PM. Admission:
$25. For information call (718) 729-3880 or
visit www.thaliatheatre.org.
Nuyorican Poets Café presents Friday
Night Poetry Slam. The Nuyorican
Friday Night Poetry Slam is pretty popular
and fills up fast, so please get in line
early. (suggested arrival latest 9:15pm).
Nuyorican Poets Cafe 236 East 3rd Street
(Between B & C). 10 PM. Admission $10.
For more information, please call (212)
505-8183 or visit www.nuyorican.org.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2011
El Centro De Estudios Puertorriqueños
hosts the Puerto Rican Studies
Association Conference on the Current
State of the Field of Puerto Rican
Studies.
10AM–6PM. Room W615,
Hunter College, 68th Street and Lexington
Avenue, West Building, 6th floor. Open to
the Public. Conference Luncheon Fee: $20.
Registration: Pamela Proscia, pproscia@
hunter.cuny.edu or call 212-772-5715.
Bronx Zoo presents Boo at the Zoo, all
day Halloween activities. 11AM– 4:30PM.
Admission: $19-25. Special: A child dressed
in an animal costume can go free with a
full priced paying adult. Only one offer per
family. For more information or directions to
the Zoo visit www.bronxzoo.com.
Lexington & Third Avenues, NYC. 3PM.
Lehman College presents Latin Jazz
Masters: PAQUITO D’RIVERA and
the MAMBO LEGENDS ORCHESTRA.
Paquito D’Rivera is a true master of Bebop,
Afro-Cuban and Latin Jazz. The winner
of nine Grammy Awards, he is the only
artist to have won such a distinguished
achievement in both Classical and Latin
Jazz categories. The Mambo Legends
Orchestra is comprised of former members
of the Tito Puente Orchestra. Led by famed
bongocero Johnny “Dandy” Rodriguez
and musically directed by conguero
and arranger José Madera, the band is
dedicated to keeping the ‘50s and ‘60s
Palladium-era sound alive as it explores
new musical concepts. Lehman Center
for the Performing Arts, Bedford Park Blvd
West, Bronx. 8 PM. Tickets: $50, $45, $35.
For more information or to purchase tickets,
visit www.lehmancenter.org.
Thalia Spanish Theatre presents Mestizo
Dance Company with Harold Gutierrez
and his Band returning in a new program
of music & dance from the coasts of
colombia with rhythms like currulao, porro,
cumbia, mapale and salsa Colombiana.
$25-$30. For information call (718) 7293880 or visit www.thaliatheatre.org.
Repertorio Español presents En El
Tiempo de las Mariposas, A new play
by Caridad Svich based on Julia Alvarez’s
novel, directed by José Zayas. “In The
Time of the Butterflies” is the story of the
courageous Mirabal sisters (Patria, Minerva
and María Teresa) from the Dominican
Republic. The sisters inspired resistance
cells throughout the country against the
dictatorial regime of Gen. Rafael Leónidas
Trujillo. The ‘butterflies’, their secret code
name, were brutally murdered by the regime
in 1960. Presented in Spanish. Live English
translation
available.
Recommended
for adult audiences. The Gramercy Arts
available for seniors, students, and groups.
For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or
www.repertorio.org.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2011
Bronx Zoo presentsBoo at the Zoo, all
day Halloween activities. 11AM– 4:30PM.
Admission: $19-25. Special: A child dressed
in an animal costume can go free with a
full priced paying adult. Only one offer per
family. For more information or directions to
the Zoo visit www.bronxzoo.com.
Repertorio Español presents Locuras
en Wichita by Lina Gallegos, directed
by Luis Fernández. Winner of the 2009
MetLife ‘Nuestras Voces’ National Latino
Plays Initiative, “Locuras en Wichita” is
an unconventional romantic comedy.
An elegant Puerto Rican woman and an
irreverent Mexican man fall in love when
they meet at an assisted living center in
Wichita, Kansas. Despite their children’s
disapproval and fueled by their newfound
love, the couple embarks on adventures
that disrupt the center’s assumed tranquility.
The play explores the lives and loves of two
Americans who were warehoused but who
find happiness. The Gramercy Arts Theatre,
138 East 27th Street, between Lexington
& Third Avenues, NYC. 2:30 PM. Tickets
begin at $25, with discounts available for
seniors, students, children and groups. For
reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.
repertorio.org.
Thalia Spanish Theatre presents Mestizo
Dance Company with Harold Gutierrez
and his Band returning in a new program
of music & dance from the coasts of
Colombia with rhythms like currulao, porro,
cumbia, mapale and salsa Colombiana.
$25-$30. For information call (718) 7293880 or visit www.thaliatheatre.org.
Repertorio
Español
presents
Luis
Fernández in No Eres Tu, Soy Yo,
Venezuela’s most popular Stand Up
Comedy Show. After interviewing over
one thousand women through his radio
show titled “Sexo Sentido” (Sex Sense),
Fernández believes he has gathered the
most scientific sample of facts that provide
answers to the questions of; What do
women want? How to better understand and
make them infinitely happy? The show will
throw light on these questions and clarify
why we fall in love, have sex, get married,
commit adultery, get divorced and start all
over again in order to find our soul mate.
PRESENTED IN SPANISH ONLY (No
live translation). Recommended for adult
audiences. The Gramercy Arts Theatre,
& Third Avenues, NYC. 6:30PM. Tickets
begin at $25, with discounts available
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2011
World Music Institute presents Flamenco
Festival Gitano with Diego El Cigala.
Superstar Diego El Cigala is contemporary
flamenco’s most compelling voice. A
passionate singer, he has collaborated
with many of the most important names in
flamenco, and is known for his pioneering
work in fusing flamenco with Latin American
music forms such as bolero, Afro Caribbean
jazz, and tango. His collaborations with
Latin jazz icons Jerry Gonzalez and Bebo
Valdés are revered as breakthroughs in
flamenco and Latin jazz. In this program, he
will feature songs from his “Cigala & Tango”
album, which was recently nominated for a
Latin Grammy award. Town Hall, 123 West
43rd Street between 6th and 7th Avenues,
NYC. 7PM. Tickets $45-$65. Information:
(212) 545-7536 or www.worldmusicinstitute.
org.
Young Roots Presents Los Monstritos,
New Wave Percussion form the Barrio
Zone, featuring Matthew González,
Oreste Abrantes, Jason González and
Kyle Matthews with guest star Yomo Toro,
David Fernández, musical director. Los
Monstritos is an ensemble of young, virtuoso
percussionists who hurtle headlong into a
variety of latin musical genres – from plena
to bachata , from bomba to boogalu, salsa,
rumba and meringue, but with their own
twist reflecting the hip-hop and reggaeton
rhythms of their neighborhoods. They
are: NelsonMatthews scion of one of the
great families of Afro-Puerto Riocan music.
Oreste Abrantes, a Cuban-Puerto Rican
powerhouse conguero, Jason González
bongo virtuoso and Kyle Matthews
grandson of the Afro-Puwerto Rican
folklorist Emilio Escobar. They are joined
in their debut concert by the legendary,
one-and-only cuatro virtuoso Yomo Toro,
accompanied by Aurora & Qrquesta Zon del
Barrio. Los Monstritos are pupils of some
of the greatest Latin percussion masters
in New York. Their music is sometimes
hip, sometimes steeped in nostalgia…
and it explodes into the future. Repertory
83
Theater, Hostos Community College/
CUNY, 450 Grand Concourse at 149 St.
The Bronx, NY. Excerpt presentation, Bronx
Cultural Trolley - 6PM. Admission: $15; $7
for students and seniors Tkts & info: 718518-4455; tkts online: www.hostos.cuny.
edu/culturearts. Directions: 2, 4, 5, Bx1,
Bx19 to Grand Concourse and 149 St.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2011
New York 10451. 1:30 PM. Admission:
$29-$40. For more information call (718)
585-1202 or visit http://www.pregones.org.
El Museo presents Action Actual: The
(S) Files 2011. The annual evening of
performance art and actions returns to
El Museo, highlighting artists featured in
El Museo’s Bienal: The (S) Files 2011.
Ongoing performances throughout the night
by Juan Betancurth, Alicia Grullón, René
Juan de la Cruz-Napoli a.k.a. VJ Demencia,
Irvin Morazán, and Rafael Sánchez and
Kathleen White. Presented as a part of
Performa 11. El Museo del Barrio, 1230
Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029. 6:30
PM. Admission: FREE. RSVP required at
www.elmuseo.org/calendar.
Taller
Boricua
presents
Salsa
Wednesdays with Orquesta La Tipica 73.
Weekly
dance with DJ Broadway Spinning Salsa,
and live music. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Ladies and Gentleman are $10 until
6:30PM. After 6:30PM Gentlemen are
$15. Taller Boricua at The Julia de Burgos
Cultural Center, 1680 Lexington Ave.
(between 105th St & 106th Street). Contact
Taina Traverso for reservations and general
information: 646.331.8956. Visit www.
tallerboricua.org.
The Americas Society presents violist
Roberto Diaz. Roberto Diaz, President of
the Curtis Institute of Music, has appeared
as an orchestral soloist and recitalist in
major cities around the globe, working
with many of the leading conductors and
composers of our time. He will perform an
all-Brahms recital with the pianist Kwan
Yi.. 7 PM. Free. The Americas Society, 680
Park Avenue, NYC.For more information
visit www.americas-society.org.
84
Society of the Educational Arts, Inc.
(SEA) and Baruch College presents
Short Night/Noche de Cortos. An evening
of short films showcasing: La Mancha.
Sacarias, a fisherman, finds himself at sea,
immersed in memories of his old friend
Chago. Directed by Cristian Carretero
and Gerardo Vega. Winner of Best Short
Film and Best Actors at Cinefiesta 2009.
Revolving Doors. A man returns to Harlem
after being released from prison. He goes
back home, but no one answers the door.
He soon realizes that he is being followed.
Directed by Cristian Carretero. Beginning
in the End. A troubled couple live in an
old house in the outskirts of NYC. George
spends endless hours in the basement,
working on his paintings. His neglected wife,
Angel, has something important to tell him.
Directed by Cristian Carretero and Winner
of Best Actress in Cinefiesta 2011.El Vecino.
A young woman new to the neighborhood
has a problem: her loud, womanizing male
neighbor seems to appear everywhere she
goes, and she can’t stand him. When she is
forced to interact with him, he turns out to
be not what he seems. Or is he? Directed
by Michelle Malley-Campos. Sonríe. Henry
is a grouchy, irritable and overall unhappy
birthday clown. As he complains about
everything, he realizes 8-year-old birthday
girl, Coral, has a frown just as long as his.
He takes it upon himself to do whatever it
takes to make this girl smile. Directed by
Michelle Malley-Campos. Baruch College,
55 Lexington Ave. Room VC 6-210, NYC.
7PM. Admission: Free. For information, visit
www.sea-ny.org or call (212) 529-1545.
Consulate of Argentina presents Maria
Susana Dos Santos: Paintings. Opening
reception. 6 PM. Consulate of Argentina, 12
West 56th Street, NYC. Free Admission. For
more information: www.congenargentinany.
com.
Repertorio Español presents El Color
del Deseo by Nilo Cruz, directed by Michel
Hausmann. “The Color of Desire is set in
politically turbulent Havana circa 1960. Its
characters are Americans and Cubans,
expatriates, revolutionaries and theater
people, all adjusting (or not) to the country’s
rapid change. At its heart is the erotically
charged relationship of an American
businessman and an out-of-work Cuban
actress -- a relationship that becomes a
metaphor for their countries’ ruptured love
affair.” - The Miami Herald. Presented in
Spanish. Live English translation available.
Recommended for adult audiences. The
Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th
NYC. 7 PM. Tickets begin at $26, with
and groups. For reservations, call (212)
889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.
their adventures. In Pregones’ signature
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011
Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture
presents LOS MONSTRITOS … FROM
THE BARRIO ZONE (DECONSTRUCTING
THE ‘HOOD). This ensemble of young,
virtuoso percussionists (backed by Zon del
Barrio with Aurora Flores) hurtle headlong
into a variety of Latin musical genres – from
plena to bachata, from bomba to boogalu,
salsa, rumba and merengue. Along this
journey, they give the music their own
sensibilities and rhythms of their urban
neighborhoods. Los Monstritos are: Nelson
González, son of one the great musical
families of the Puerto Rican Diaspora;
powerhouse conguero; Jason Gonzalez
who studied with renowned percussionist
Anthony Carillo; and Kyle Matthews whose
great, great grandfather Emilio Escobar
was a well known plena musician. They
are alumni of the legendary Boys & Girls
Harbor music school and pupils of some
in the city. Their music is sometimes hip,
sometimes steeped in nostalgia…while
always exploding into the future. Hostos
Center for the Arts and Culture, 450 Grand
Concourse at 149th Street in the Bronx.
7:30PM. For information and tickets call the
box office: (718) 518-4455 or visit Hostos
Box Office on Monday - Friday, 12:30 - 6:30
p.m.and two hours before showtime.
NYC. 8PM. Tickets begin at $26, with
New York 10451. 8PM. Admission: $29$40. For more information call (718) 5851202 or visit http://www.pregones.org.
(Between B & C). 10PM. Admission $10.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2011
El Museo presents El Barrio Today
Walking Tour.
El Barrio Today Arts
Cluster invites you to come explore our
neighborhood. Highlights include the Graffiti
Wall of Fame, Julia de Burgos Boulevard,
local murals and much more. All tours
leave from El Museo’s lobby. The El Barrio
Today Arts Cluster is comprised of local
organizations that have joined forces to
raise awareness about the cultural richness
of the area. Note: In the event of inclement
weather, a guided tour of El Museo’s
Permanent Collection will be offered in
lieu of the El Barrio Today tour. 11:30AM1PM. Admission: FREE. RSVP Required.
El Museo del Barrio – Lobby. 1230 Fifth
Avenue, New York, NY 10029. Call: (212)
831-7272 or visit www.elmuseo.org.
Repertorio Español presents Mi Bebe
es un Héroe (My Baby is a Hero) by the
Scaramouches Theatre. A puppet play for
children about a prince named Azulito, who
along with his beloved Princess Perlita,
who happily await the arrival of their first
baby. Not But not all is happiness when
the villainous and mischievous Cuchiflin,
plans to steal the Prince’s baby. Presented
in Spanish with Simultaneous English
translation available.The Gramercy Art
Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between
Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 12 Noon.
Admission: $25 with discounts available
for Seniors, Students,and Groups. For
repertorio.org.
The Society of the Educational Arts,
Inc. (SEA) presents The Legends of
the Enchanted Treasure by Manuel
Moran. In this bilingual (English and
Spanish) show, four children discover an
old enchanted chest full of magical tales
and surprises from the indigenous people
of the Americas. The tales are brought to
life as the children discover the wonders
in the enchanted chest. It includes work
from Puerto Rican puppeteer, José
López (2 times winner of the UNIMA-USA
Citation of Excellence Award, the “Tony” of
Puppetry.) Teatro SEA at Clemente Soto
Vélez Cultural & Educational Center, 107
Suffolk Street, NYC. 3PM. Admission: $15
children/$18 adults. Tickets Online: https://
web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/878325.
For
more information call 212-529-1545 or visit
www.sea-online.info.
New York 10451. 3PM & 8PM. Admission:
TEATRO IATI presents El Mandatario
Idiota by Walter Ventosilla. The sun risesand with it the whims of a totalitarian
ruler. When Jeremias, a butler, enters the
chamber of the world’s leader, the routine of
servitude and power begins as it has every
morning for time immemorial. A parchment
holds all the instructions to be followed by
the loyal Jeremias, but as the omnipotent
ruler creates laws to suit his every wish,
his once perfectly established throne is
threatened. Immersed in poetry and the
absurd, “El Mandatario Idiota” paints a
bleak yet comical picture of power and those
who serve it--an intellectual exploration
of philosophies that have transcended all
historical eras. IATI Theater, 64 East 4th
St NYC. 3PM. Tickets $20-$25. Visit: www.
teatroiati.org
Tiempo de las Mariposas, a new play
translation
available.
Recommended
www.repertorio.org.
World Music Institute presents Festival
Flamenco Gitano! Jose Maya and
Company
Jose Maya, one of the most explosive
dancers in Spain today, presents the New
York premiere of the powerful program
“Red”. NYU Skirball Center, 566 LaGuardia
Place at Washington Square South, NYC.
8PM. Admission: $55, $65; students $20.
For more information, call 212-545-7536 or
visit www.worldmusicinstitute.org.
presents LOS MONSTRITOS … FROM
THE BARRIO ZONE (DECONSTRUCTING
THE ‘HOOD). This ensemble of young,
virtuoso percussionists (backed by Zon del
Barrio with Aurora Flores) hurtle headlong
into a variety of Latin musical genres – from
plena to bachata, from bomba to boogalu,
salsa, rumba and merengue. Along this
journey, they give the music their own
sensibilities and rhythms of their urban
neighborhoods. Los Monstritos are: Nelson
González, son of one the great musical
families of the Puerto Rican Diaspora;
powerhouse conguero; Jason Gonzalez
who studied with renowned percussionist
Anthony Carillo; and Kyle Matthews whose
great, great grandfather Emilio Escobar
was a well known plena musician. They
are alumni of the legendary Boys & Girls
Harbor music school and pupils of some
in the city. Their music is sometimes hip,
sometimes steeped in nostalgia…while
always exploding into the future. Hostos
Center for the Arts and Culture, 450 Grand
Concourse at 149th Street in the Bronx.
7:30PM. For information and tickets call the
box office: (718) 518-4455 or visit Hostos
Box Office on Monday - Friday, 12:30 - 6:30
p.m.and two hours before showtime.
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2011
NYC. 2:30PM. Tickets begin at $26, with
Lehman College presents Compañía
Flamenca José Porcel: The Beauty
and Passion of Gypsy Flamenco Music
and Dance! José Porcel brings together
an array of elite dancers, spectacular
live musicians, and authentic vocalists to
deliver their newest show Gypsy Fire. The
company’s lavish costumes, evocative
dance moves, and spectacular soloists
will leave you breathless. Lehman Center
West, Bronx. 4 PM. Tickets: Tickets: $40,
$35, $25. . Children 12 and under:$10. For
more information or to purchase tickets,
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Repertorio Español presents Luis
Fernández in No Eres Tu, Soy Yo,
Venezuela’s most popular Stand Up
Comedy Show. After interviewing over
one thousand women through his radio
show titled “Sexo Sentido” (Sex Sense),
Fernández believes he has gathered the
most scientific sample of facts that provide
answers to the questions of; What do
women want? How to better understand and
make them infinitely happy? The show will
throw light on these questions and clarify
why we fall in love, have sex, get married,
commit adultery, get divorced and start all
over again in order to find our soul mate.
PRESENTED IN SPANISH ONLY (No
live translation). Recommended for adult
audiences. The Gramercy Arts Theatre,
138 East 27th Street, between Lexington &
Third Avenues, NYC. 8PM. Tickets begin at
$25, with discounts available
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2011.
The Americas Society presents Instituto
Superior de Arte del Teatro Colòn
(ISATC). The Teatro Colón is one of the
Americas’ leading opera houses, and its
Instituto has been educating young artists
for decades. A group of ISATC musicians
will perform opera favorites.The Americas
Society, 680 Park Avenue, NYC. 7PM.
Admission: Free with RSVP; members
priority. For more information visit www.
americas-society.org.
The Alliance for Young Urban Design and
the Arts (AYUDA for the Arts) presents An
Evening of Tapas, Mojitos and Salsa at the
new Copacabana. The evening begins for
all in the Copa Supper Club with a tapas
buffet and top shelf beverages. VIP ticket
will entitle you to a special 5-course dinner
with wines by Celebrity Executive Chef
Alex Garcia. The experience continues
at the Nightclub at the Copa with dancing
to live Salsa. There will be lots of mojitos,
with terrific raffles and prizes. Tickets: $50
advance online sales/$60 at door. $100
VIP-advance on-line only. Proceeds go
toward scholarships and programs to
help the creative young students from
urban neighborhoods develop their artistic
potential. Copacabana, 268 West 47th
St., Corner of 8th Ave NYC 10036. 6:3011:30PM. Tickets: $50-$100. For more
information call (917) 968-4191. For online/
advance sales visit www.AyudaArts.org.
Repertorio Español presents El Quijote.
A carnivalesque adaptation of Cervantes’
masterpiece. Through Don Quijote’s
adventures, the production presents the
illusion of an utopian world with a festive
and colorful spirit. El Quijote is a polyphonic
play in which many different genres such as
comedy, tragedy and farce collide to form a
carnival-like and vibrant Don Quijote that is
rich in its musicality.” The play is a collection
of 12 scenes that present different stories
based on the original text of Cervantes.
The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East
27th Street (between Lexington & Third
Avenue), NYC. 11AM. Admission: $25$50 with discounts available for Seniors,
Students,andGroups. For reservations, call
SEA, City Lore and Bowery Arts &
Sciences in association with Nuyorican’s
Poets Café presents A White Wing
Brushing the Building: Poetry in NYC
Communities. Funded by the Rockefeller
Foundation with a grant to the Bowery Arts
& Sciences and City Lore, the project will
focus on the poetry of cultural communities.
The title, “white Wing,” refers to the
projections of the poems that are an integral
part of the projects as well as the live poetry
readings. A reading of Jorge Brandon’s
poetic tribute to Roberto Clemente, El Astro
de Carolina. will also take place. Featuring
poets: Sandra Maria Esteves (host); Tato
Laviera; Lois Griffith; Jesús “Papoleto”
Meléndez; Louis Reyes Rivera; and
surprise guests. Nuyorican Poets Café, 236
E. Third St., NYC. 7-8:30 PM. Admission:
Free. For more information call 212-529-
1545 or visit www.sea-online.info.
Repertorio Español Presents: La Gringa,
by Carmen Rivera and directed by Rene
Buch. María arrives in Puerto Rico and is
very excited about seeing “her homeland.”
As she visits her uncle in Puerto Rico she
is faced with many questions about being
Puerto Rican. La Gringa is a story about
cultural identity and family. The Gramercy
Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between
Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM.
$25 - $55. For reservations, call (212) 8892850 or www.repertorio.org.
New York 10451. 1:30PM. Admission: $29$40. For more information call (718) 5851202 or visit http://www.pregones.org.
presents Pioneros y Visionarios: Puerto
Ricans Who Made a Difference: Antonia
Pantoja: ¡Presente! Film presentation
and Q&A with Lillian Jimenez (Producer),
Digna Sánchez (Activist, Collaborator),
and Professor Blanca Vázquez. 6–8PM.
Admission: Free. Centro Library and
Archives, 2180 Third Avenue @ 119th
Street, NYC. For information visit centropr.
hunter.cuny.edu or call (212) 396-6545.
(SEA) and O.P. Art presents a night
of Poetry, Performance and Visual Art.
A Multimedia Performance that includes
poetry by New York City’s Latin@ avantgarde elite artists, incorporating spoken
word, dance, music, visual effects and mix
media art exhibit. Clemente Soto Vélez
Cultural & Educational Center, 107 Suffolk
Street, Room 309, NYC. 6PM – 11PM.
Admission: $5.00. For more information call
212-529-1545 or visit www.sea-online.info.
Taller
Boricua
presents
Salsa
Wednesdays with Papote & Tommy’s
Lower East Side Salsa. Weekly dance
series with DJ Broadway Spinning Salsa,
and live music. Comida Criolla and drinks for
purchase. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Ladies
and Gentleman are $10 until 6:30PM. After
6:30PM Gentlemen are $15. Taller Boricua
at The Julia de Burgos Cultural Center,
1680 Lexington Ave.(between 105th St
& 106th Street). Contact Taina Traverso
for reservations and general information:
646.331.8956. Visit www.tallerboricua.org.
(SEA),Baruch College, and the Paul A.
Feit Memorial Fund of Baruch College
(CUNY)
presents Under My Nails
(U.S. Premiere. An erotic thriller built
from the emptiness and the blurred past
of its protagonist, this story is colorful
and musical, and set within the cultural
aspects of some Caribbean groups in New
York. Baruch Performing Arts Center, 55
Lexington Ave (entrance on 25th St.) NYC
7PM. Admission: Free. For information, visit
www.sea-ny.org or call (212) 529-1545.
The 4th Annual Latin American Piano and
Song Festival NYC. Cesar Reyes, Director
and Founder. Piano works from Cuba,
Dominican Republic, Mexico, Argentina
and Brazil with Pianists Angelina Tallaj,
Michiyo Morikawa and Cesar Reyes. 8PM.
Admission: $15, students $10. Greenwich
House Music School, 46 Barrow Street
NYC. Visit: www.latinopiano.blogspot.com
COMITE NOVIEMBRE SIXTEENTH
ANNUAL BENEFIT CELEBRATING
TWENTY FIVE YEARS OF PUERTO
RICAN HERITAGE MONTH.
2011
honorees are Karina E. Alomar, Esq.,
Alomar & Associates P.C, Angie Benitez,
Founder, Susan G. Komen of Puerto
Rico, Iris Chacón , internationally
renowned entertainer and humanitaria.
Nestor V. Figueroa, President, Nagnoi,
Inc., Jorge Silva-Puras, SBA Regional
Administrator for NY, NJ, PR & USVI,
US Small Business Administration and
Lisette Nieves, Belle Zeller Distinguished
Visiting Professor in Public Policy, CUNY
& Social Entrepreneur-in-Residence,
Blue Ridge Foundation who is also
our 2011 Spokesperson. Black Tie.
Reception 6:00 PM followed by Dinner
7:00PM. New York Hilton, 1335 Avenue
of the Americas (between W 53rd Street
and W 54th Street), NYC. For more
information or tickets contact Teresa
Santiago at (914)263-6599.
Repertorio Español presents La Casa
de Bernarda Alba by García Lorca,
directed by René Buch.Bernarda Alba
attempts to dominate and control her five
unmarried daughters. In this repressed
environment, Lorca creates an explosion
of hatred, jealousy, despair and passion.
Performances presented in Spanish
simultaneous English translation via
headphones available for an additional
$3.00. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138
East 27th Street (between Lexington &
Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. Admission:
$25-50 with discounts available for
repertorio.org.
Ricans Who Made a Difference: The
Legacy of Frank Bonilla. A film that
highlights Dr. Frank Bonilla’s commitment
to giving voice to Latinos and other
populations underrepresented in academia
and turning the Center for Puerto Rican
Studies at Hunter College into the most
vital scholarly and community resource of
its kind.. Film presentation and Q&A with
Eduardo Aguiar (Producer) and Camille
Rodríguez (Friend, Collaborator). 5:30–
7PM. Admission: Free. Centro Library and
Archives, 2180 Third Avenue @ 119th
Ricans Who Made a Difference: Pura
Belpré. The life and legacy of Pura Belpré,
the first Puerto Rican librarian in the New
York Public Library system, who pioneered
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the library’s work with the Puerto Rican/
Hispanic community. A talented author and
storyteller, she wrote and re-interpreted
many Puerto Rican folk tales. Film
presentation and Q&A with Eddie Aguiar
(Producer) and Professor Lisa Sánchez.
7–8:30PM. Admission: Free. Centro Library
and Archives, 2180 Third Avenue @ 119th
Corina Bartra & her Azu Project. Corina
Barta embraces the driving rhythms of South
American music the lando, the festejo,
the baiao and links them with standards
of American jazz and Pop renditions to
make a joyous celebration of joy & rhythm.
8PM. Admission: $10. University of the
Streets, 130 East, 7th St, NYC. Visit: www.
corinabartra.com
El Instituto Cervantes presents book
launch of Hambre de libertad. Memorias
de una embajadora republican by Isabel
Oyarzábal. (Original Title: I Must Have
Liberty) Isabel Oyarzábal (b. Málaga,
1878, d. México, 1974) was renowned for
her diplomatic efforts and her role in the
feminist struggle and labor negotiations.
In 1936, she went on an exhaustive
lecture tour of the United States, seeking
support for the Republic, and denouncing
the lack of international solidarity and the
unwillingness of Western democracies to
confront fascism. After the defeat of the
Republic, she fled with her family to Mexico,
where she remained until her death. I must
have liberty reflects on the experience of
her early years in exile, when much of her
valuable legacy was accomplished. Her
autobiography has now been translated
into Spanish, seventy years after its first
appearance in New York. The memoir will
be read by the writer Aurora Luque and
by Bibiana Aído, UN advisor on women’s
rights and former Minister of Equality of the
Spanish Government. Auditorium, Instituto
Cervantes, 211-215 East 49th Street, NYC.
Free admission. 6:30PM. For information
call (212) 308-7720.
88
Franklin 54 Gallery + Projects presents
the opening of “Naturalia” photography
on aluminum by Elisa Pritzker. Reception
for American, born in Argentina Elisa
Pritzker exhibiting works in the Project
Space related to her natural surroundings.
6PM. Franklin 54 Gallery + Projects, 526
West 26th St, #403. Free Admission. Visit:
www.thefranklin54gallery.com
Pan American Musical Art Research,
Inc (PAMAR) presents Latin American
Cultural Week Opening Celebration with
Ogans , Eddy Marcano Acoustic Trio , Los
Chamanes and Natalia Bernal. Ogans, an
11-piece Brazilian band based in NYC,
consists of world-class Brazilian musicians
who play Afro-Brazilian rhythms and a mix
of Brazilian pop and samba, funk, hip-hop,
reggae, salsa, and merengue. Venezuelan
conductor and violinist Eddy Marcano is
recognized as one of the leading exponents
of his instrument throughout the South
American continent. Los Chamanes
serves up a musical fusion rooted in Latin
American folklore and Nueva Cancion.
Vocalist Natalia Bernal represents a new
wave of Latin American musicians who
are interpreting jazz, pop, and the music
of their native countries with a distinctive
fusion of Latin roots and world influences.
8PM. Admission: $10. Hiro Ballroom, 88
9th Avenue, New York, NY. Tickets at door
(opens 6 PM) or at www.ticketweb.com.
Nilko Andreas at Carnegie Hall. Nilko
Andreas, Classical Guitar. Angelica de
la Riva, Soprano and Ricardo Martinez
conducting The Azlo Orchestra. Works by
Revueltas, Alba Potes (World Premiere),
Villa-Lobos, Gomes, and Ponce. 8PM.
Tickets: $50 $100Weill Recital Hall at
Carnegie Hall, 57th St and Seventh Ave,
NYC. Visit: www.carnegiehall.org
teatroiati.org
presents Hostos Repertory Company’s
Chain Reaction, a bilingual p[lay about
Antonio Pantoja and the everlasting impact
of one community leader by Tere Martinez,
Produced and directed by Angel Morales.
The plays shows Antonia Pantoja, the Puerto
Rican community leader, giving a lecture
about her life and work. Interspersed are
scenes about Yojaira, a Hostos Community
College student, who feels frustrated and
powerless as she faces academic and
personal challenges. At the same time,
back in the Dominican Republic, Yojaira’s
grandmother meets Hector, a successful
Puerto Rican engineer in the United
States. By taking the audience from the
present to the past this paly tells the story
of how these three lives connect through
the powerful and everlasting work of one
community leader. Repertory Theater,
Hostos Community College/CUNY, 450
Grand Concourse at 149 St. The Bronx, NY
12:30PM & 7PM. General Admission: $10
CUNY Students, faculty and staff free with
ticket. Box Office & Info: 718-518-4455,
Tickets available online: www.hostos.cuny.
edu/culturearts. Directions: 2, 4, 5, Bx1,
Bx19 to Grand Concourse and 149 St.
Puerto Rico’s Humanitarian Call
An AIDS Crisis Fundraising Event
6pm - Midnight
Julia de Burgos Latino Cultural Center
1680 Lexington Ave. @ 105th St.
Tkts $20
contact: Yesenia (347) 335- 4123
PINTA presents the symposium Agustin
Fernandez: New Voices Interpret an
Artistic Voyage from Cuba to Paris to
New York. Presenters: Susan Aberth,
Associate Professor of Art History, Bard
College ; Rocio Aranda, Curator, El Museo
Del Barrio Elizabeth Cerejido, Independent
Curator; Abby McEwen, Assistant Professor
of Art History & Archaeology, University of
Maryland. Discussant: Edward Sullivan,
Helen Gould Sheppard Professor in the
History of Art; Institute of Fine Arts and
College of Arts and Sciences. Open to the
public but RSVP required. Institute of Fine
Arts, 1 East 78th Street, New York Loeb
Room. 11AM. For more information, visit
www.pintaart.com.
PINTA Art Fair 2011. PINTA is a unique
event exhibiting annually – for sale through
participating galleries – the best of Latin
American art, coinciding with Christie’s and
Sotheby’s Latin American art auctions and
with important exhibitions in museums and
cultural institutions in New York City. 7 West
34th Street, at 5th Avenue,New York, NY
10001. General Admission $25, Student
$10, Groups (8+) Reduced price $15. 2PM8PM. For more information, visit www.
pintaart.com.
The Society of the Educational Arts, Inc.
(SEA), during its 6th Annual BORIMIX:
Puerto Rico Fest presents the Gala
Performance of the World Premiere of
DC-7, The Roberto Clemente Story, a
musical about the life and legacy of the
Baseball Hall of Famer and humanitarian.
In DC-7, a bilingual musical with English
and Spanish book and lyrics, three of the
most influential characters in Clemente’s
life meet at his funeral. Their stories
transport the audience to Clemente’s
early years in Puerto Rico, his time with
the Montreal Royals and his 18-year
tenure with the Pirates. This musical also
dramatically depicts the era of the Civil
Rights Movement and how it affected his
life as a Black Hispanic. Through all his
trials and tribulations, Clemente triumphed,
becoming a legend on and off the field. This
World Premiere production stars Modesto
Lacén (Off Broadway’s Celia The Musical
and La Barbería) as Clemente, Lorraine
Velez (Broadway’s Rent) as Vera, Josean
Ortiz as Martino, and Manuel A. Morán
as Ramiro Martínez. Teatro SEA, 107
Suffolk Street, NYC. 8PM. Tickets: $100.
Buy online: https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/
pr/878345. For more information: www.
teatrosea.org, www.borimix.org or (212)
529-1545.
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
Flamenco & Lorca, a new program of
flamenco music and dance, in a homage
to the great poet Garcia Lorca in the 75th
Anniversary of his death. With Andrea del
Conte Danza Espana and special guest
artists from Spain. Thalia Spanish Theatre,
41–17 Greenpoint Avenue, Sunnyside, NY.
8PM. Admission: $25. For information call
(718) 729-3880 or visit www.thaliatheatre.
org.
Lexington & Third Avenues, NYC. 8 PM.
North / South Consonance presents
Tangos and More! Pianist Max Lifchitz
performs tangos and danzas by composers
from Cuba, Argentina, Brazil and the U.S.
Christ & St Stephen’s Church, 120 West
69th St (bet Bway & Columbus). 8PM. Free
admission. For more information: 212-6637566 or www.northsouthmusic.org.
Jazz at Lincoln Center presents The
Music of Astor Piazzolla. A celebration of
the great Argentinean tango master Astor
Piazzolla, featuring multi-instrumentalist
Paquito D’Rivera who has brought an
unprecedented focus on tango’s relationship
to jazz, and on Piazzolla’s central role in its
development. Bandoneon master Daniel
Binelli, among guest artists. D’Rivera’s
most recent album, Tango Jazz, featured
2011 Grammy nominee and Buenos
Aires native Pablo Aslan on bass and will
provide the foundation for his Rose Theater
concert. They are joined by Piazzolla’s
former pianist, Pablo Ziegler, drummer Pipi
Piazzolla (Piazzolla’s grandson), and many
more. Nabate Isles hosts a free pre-concert
discussion with Paquito D’Rivera, Pablo
Aslan, Pipi Piazzolla, and Pablo Ziegler,
nightly at 7pm. 8PM. Discount Code
“Jazz25”. Rose Theatre-Lincoln Center
for the Performing Arts, 70 N Broadway,
NYC. Customer Service Phone Line:
212.258.9877.
Night Poetry Slam.Hosted by Mahogany
Browne. The Nuyorican Friday Night Poetry
Slam is pretty popular and fills up fast, so
please get in line early. (suggested arrival
latest 9:15pm). Nuyorican Poets Cafe 236
East 3rd Street (Between B & C). 10PM.
Admission $10. For more information,
please call (212) 505-8183 or visit www.
nuyorican.org.
Grand Concourse at 149 St. The Bronx,
NY, 7PM. General Admission: $10 CUNY
Students, faculty and staff free with ticket.
Box Office & Info: 718-518-4455, Tickets
available online: www.hostos.cuny.edu/
culturearts. Directions: 2, 4, 5, Bx1, Bx19 to
Grand Concourse and 149 St.
¡MUEVETE! is back for its 13th Annual
¡MUEVETE! Youth Conference. This
year’s conference, entitled “I Am. We Are…
¡MUEVETE!” is focused on the identity of
young people, our community, and our future
as an organization. The conference will take
place from 8AM to 4PM at the BronxWorks
Betances Cornerstone Community Center,
547 E. 146th St., Bronx, NY.
Find us on Facebook at
MUEVETEYOUTHCONFERENCE
the participating galleries – the best of Latin
American art, coinciding with Christie’s
and Sotheby’s Latin American art auctions
and with important exhibitions in museums
and cultural institutions in New York City.
7 West 34th Street, at 5th Avenue, New
York, NY 10001. General Admission $25,
Student $10, Groups (8+) Reduced price
$15. 12PM-8PM. For more information, visit
www.pintaart.com.
Jazz at Lincoln Center presents The
Music of Astor Piazzolla. A celebration of
the great Argentinean tango master Astor
Piazzolla, featuring multi-instrumentalist
Paquito D’Rivera who has brought an
unprecedented focus on tango’s relationship
to jazz, and on Piazzolla’s central role in its
development. Bandoneon master Daniel
Binelli, among guest artists. D’Rivera’s
89
most recent album, Tango Jazz, featured
2011 Grammy nominee and Buenos
Aires native Pablo Aslan on bass and will
provide the foundation for his Rose Theater
concert. They are joined by Piazzolla’s
former pianist, Pablo Ziegler, drummer Pipi
Piazzolla (Piazzolla’s grandson), and many
more. Nabate Isles hosts a free pre-concert
discussion with Paquito D’Rivera, Pablo
Aslan, Pipi Piazzolla, and Pablo Ziegler,
nightly at 7pm. 8PM. Discount Code
“Jazz25”. Rose Theatre-Lincoln Center
for the Performing Arts, 70 N Broadway,
NYC. Customer Service Phone Line:
212.258.9877.
New York 10451. 3 & 8 PM. Admission:
Repertorio Español presents Nobel
Prize Winner Gabriel García Márquez’
Cronica de una Muerte Anunciada
(Chronicle of a Death Foretold). Directed
by Jorge Alí Triana.A spectacular wedding,
a savage scandal, and a murder to which
an entire Latin American town appears to
be an accessory to the fact.The Gramercy
Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between
Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 3PM.
Admission:
$25-$50
with
discounts
available for Seniors, Students,andGroups.
www.repertorio.org.
teatroiati.org
90
Puerto Rico Fest presents the World
Premiere of DC-7, The Roberto Clemente
Story, a musical about the life and
legacy of the Baseball Hall of Famer and
humanitarian. In DC-7, a bilingual musical
with English and Spanish book and lyrics,
three of the most influential characters
in Clemente’s life meet at his funeral.
Their stories transport the audience to
Clemente’s early years in Puerto Rico, his
time with the Montreal Royals and his 18year tenure with the Pirates. This musical
also dramatically depicts the era of the Civil
becoming a legend on and off the field.
Teatro SEA, 107 Suffolk Street, NYC. 8PM.
Tickets: $30.00 online/$40.00 at the door.
Buy online: https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/
pr/878345. For more information: www.
teatrosea.org, www.borimix.org or (212)
529-1545. Group rates available.
the participating galleries – the best of Latin
American art, coinciding with Christie’s
and Sotheby’s Latin American art auctions
and with important exhibitions in museums
and cultural institutions in New York City.
7 West 34th Street, at 5th Avenue, New
York, NY 10001. General Admission $25,
Student $10, Groups (8+) Reduced price
$15. 12PM-7PM. For more information, visit
www.pintaart.com.
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
Anniversary of his death. With Andrea
del Conte Danza Espana and special
guest artists from Spain. Thalia Spanish
Theatre, 41–17 Greenpoint Avenue,
Sunnyside, NY. 8PM. Admission: $27-30.
For information call (718) 729-3880 or visit
www.thaliatheatre.org.
translation
available.
Recommended
Lexington & Third Avenues, NYC. 2:30PM.
www.repertorio.org.
NY League of Puerto Rican Women, Inc.
Networking Luncheon, Thanksgiving
Food Drive and Christmas Toy Drive,
Tosca Marquee, 4034 East Tremont
Avenue, Bronx, NY; 12Noon - 4PM, $50/
per person reserve by 11/4/11.
(SEA) and El Diario presents the Book
Presentation: Por Senderos de la
Descolonización, Autorretratos. Author
Manuel Rodríguez Orellana discusses why
he chose the paths that seek Puerto Rico’s
decolonization and independence. His
recollections of life guide the reader through
the historical events that shaped his vision
of homeland. Chanin Language Center,
Hunter College, Hunter West B126, E. 68th
Street at Lexington Avenue, NYC. 1PM.
Admission: Free. For more information call
Thalia Spanish Theatre presents Flamenco
& Lorca, a new program of flamenco music
and dance, in a homage to the great poet
Garcia Lorca in the 75th Anniversary of
his death. With Andrea del Conte Danza
Espana and special guest artists from Spain.
$27-30. For information call (718) 729-3880
or visit www.thaliatheatre.org.
becoming a legend on and off the field.
Teatro SEA, 107 Suffolk Street, NYC.
6PM. Tickets: $30.00 online/$40.00 at the
door. Group rates available. Buy online:
https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/878345.
For more information: www.teatrosea.org,
www.borimix.org or (212) 529-1545.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2011
Centro Cultural Dominicano presents
Dominican Impressionist Folk Painting
Exhibit with a Cultural Literary
Interactive Presentation. The exhibit
will present bucolic scenes by well known
Dominican painters and poetry reading.
6:30-8PM. Free Admission. Centro Cultural
Dominicano, 619 West 145th Street, Suite
201, NYC. For more information: www.
neighborhoodlink.com/org/cccdom/.
Repertorio Español presents Carmen
Rivera’s La Gringa, directed by René
Buch. A young woman travels from NYC
to Puerto Rico to meet her family and
discovers her roots. Her misconceptions
are transformed as she learns that being
Puerto Rican is a matter of the heart and
spirit. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East
Avenue), NYC. 11AM. $20 - $35. For
repertorio.org.
Taino Naboria Society and District
Council 37 Puerto Rican Heritage
Committee is proud to present its 3rd
Annual Art Exhibition. Showcasing
Contemporary and Pre - Colombian Arts of
the Antilles for Puerto Rican Heritage Week.
Cultural Program and Light refreshments
will be served for Grand Opening from
12pm to 6pm
125 Barclay Street, New York, NY 10007
Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting
Ceremony from 6pm to 8pm
Repertorio Español presents En El Tiempo
de las Mariposas, a new play by Caridad
Svich based on Julia Alvarez’s novel,
directed by José Zayas. “In The Time of the
Butterflies” is the story of the courageous
Mirabal sisters (Patria, Minerva and María
Teresa) from the Dominican Republic. The
sisters inspired resistance cells throughout
the country against the dictatorial regime
of Gen. Rafael Leónidas Trujillo. The
‘butterflies’, their secret code name,
were brutally murdered by the regime in
1960. Presented in Spanish. Live English
translation
available.
Recommended
www.repertorio.org.
(SEA), Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural
& Educational Center, and Don Q
Destilería Serrallés presents BORIMIX
Visual Arts Exhibits Opening & BORIMIX
Awards Ceremony. Visual Art Exhibits
Opening Night at BORIMIX 2011 is also the
Festival’s Official Opening Night and Awards
Ceremony. A special night that celebrates
art, culture and unique individuals whose
outstanding contributions to their fields
sets them apart, and thus are awarded with
the 2011 BORIMIX Award. Abrazo Interno
Gallery at Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural &
Educational Center, 107 Suffolk Street, 2nd
floor, NYC. 6:30PM. Admission: Free. For
Christie’s Latin American Paintings.
Annual Auction of Latin American
paintings.
Christie’s, Rockefeller Center NYC.
6:30PM. Visit www.christies.com.
World Music Institute presents Latin
Icons of the World: Lila Downs, “Sins
and Miracles”. For over a decade, Lila
Downs has toured the world, performing her
dramatic reinvention of traditional Mexican
music and original compositions fused with
blues, jazz, soul, and African roots. Some
would classify Lila as a Mexican artist,
but there is no real way to categorize her
music except to say that it is a distinctive
and exciting blend of international sounds.
With her soaring voice, she takes her
audiences on a musical journey that is
always fascinating, simultaneously edgy
and strong, yet sumptuous and graceful.
8PM. Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium/
Perelman Stage, 57th Street and 7th
Avenue, NYC. Admission: $45-$65. For
tickets, CarnegieCharge (212) 247-7800 or
visit www.worldmusicinstitute.org.
The Institute for The Puerto Rican /
Hispanic Elderly Senior Action Council
presents 34th Annual Empowerment
Conference
for
Hispanic/Minority
Seniors: Road to Wellness: Healthy,
Strong, Informed, Engaged, United.
91
All day conference touching key topics
impacting seniors such as Health Care,
Social Security, Financial Security, Chronic
Disease Management, Civic Engagement,
Hunger and Food Security, Emergency
Management, Immigration and more.
Columbia University - Alfred Lerner Hall,
West 115th Street and Broadway, NYC
(Train: #1 to 116th Street or buses: M4,
M60, M104, M11). 8AM–3PM. Admission:
Free. Call or email Angel Santini for
additional information at 212-677-4181/
angel.santini@iprhe.org.
Christie’s Latin American Paintings.
paintings.
Christie’s, Rockefeller Center NYC. 10AM
& 2PM. Visit www.christies.com.
repertorio.org.
Taller
Boricua
presents
Salsa
Wednesdays with Orlando Marin The
Last Mambo King & Orchestra. Weekly
dance series with DJ Broadway Spinning
Salsa, and live music. Comida Criolla and
drinks for purchase. Doors open at 5:30
p.m. Ladies and Gentleman are $10 until
6:30PM. After 6:30PM Gentlemen are
tallerboricua.org.
(SEA),Baruch College, and City Lore
presents We Like It Like That. Featuring
original interviews with legends, this
documentary explores the story of the Latin
Boogaloo era. A roundtable discussion
with Latin Boogaloo musicians will follow.
Baruch College, 55 Lexington Ave. Room
VC 6-210, NYC 7PM. Admission: Free. For
information, visit www.sea-ny.org or call
(212) 529-1545.
92
Sotheby’s Latin American Art Sale.
paintings. Sotheby’s, 1334 York Avenue,
NYC. 7PM: Session 1. Visit www.sothebys.
com
Sotheby’s Latin American Art Sale.
paintings. Sotheby’s, 1334 York Avenue,
NYC. 10AM: Session 2.
Visit www.
sothebys.com .
The 4th Annual Latin American Piano
and Song Festival NYC. Cesar Reyes,
Director and Founder. A musical journey
from South America to the Caribbean of the
most powerful composers and troubadours.
5:15PM. Admission: Free. Woody Tanger
Auditorium, Brooklyn College Library, 2900
Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY. Visit www.
latinopiano.blogspot.com
and Society of the Educational Arts
(SEA) presents Clemente Soto Vélez:
A Revolt Through Letters.
Film
presentation and Q&A with Joelle González
Laguer, (Producer) and Anyta Soto Canino
(Artist,Granddaughter). 6–8PM. Admission:
Free. Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and
Educational Center, 107 Suffolk Street,
NYC. Part of BORIMIX Puerto Rico Fest
2011. For information call El Centro at (212)
396-6545 or SEA-NY at (212) 529 –1545.
repertorio.org.
(SEA) and Taller Boricua presents a Book
Reading: Meditations/Meditaciones –
Bronx/Salsa and performance by Los
Ritos Nuyorriqueños. Based on the texts
of Charlie Vázquez’s bilingual poemario
“Meditations/Meditaciones - Bronx/Salsa,”
followed by “Los Ritos Nuyorriqueños”,
a live performance that includes candlelighting, light incense burning and audience
participation. 7PM. Admission: $5. For
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
presents Puerto Rican Heritage Month
Celebration. Borough President Ruben
Diaz Jr invites you to enjoy an evening of
music and delicious tapas of Puerto Rico
as he honors community leaders and
their accomplishments. Kismet Caterers,
1995-99 Westchester Avenue (3 Blocks
South of Parkchester Train Station).
6–8PM. Admission: Free. For information
or RSVP:Call (718)590-3522 or email
lroldan@bronxbp.nyc.gov.
Grand Concourse at 149 St. The Bronx, NY
12:30PM. General Admission: $10 CUNY
Repertorio Español presents Nobel Prize
Winner Gabriel García Márquez’ Cronica
de una Muerte Anunciada (Chronicle of
a Death Foretold). Directed by Jorge Alí
Triana.A spectacular wedding, a savage
scandal, and a murder to which an entire
Latin American town appears to be an
accessory to the fact.The Gramercy Art
Admission:
$25-$50
with
discounts
www.repertorio.org.
Suffolk Street, NYC. 8PM. Tickets: $30.00
online/$40.00 at the door. Group rates
available. Buy online: https://web.ovationtix.
com/trs/pr/878345. For more information:
www.teatrosea.org, www.borimix.org or
(212) 529-1545.
translation
available.
Recommended
www.repertorio.org.
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
org.
Grand Concourse at 149 St. The Bronx,
NY, 7PM. General Admission: $10 CUNY
Comité Noviembre presents the 6th
Annual Comité Noviembre Puerto
Rican Artisans Fair & Exhibition. In
keeping with its mission to promote
Puerto Rican culture and art, Comité
Noviembre has invited Puerto Rican
artisans from Puerto Rico and the United
States to participate in its sixth annual
Puerto Rican Artisans Fair by promoting
and selling their wares while typical
Puerto Rican food is sold from kiosks
and musical acts entertain throughout
the day. There will also be workshops
for children such as mask making, the
history of the Three Kings’ celebration,
Taino story telling and much more!
Come, have fun, learn about our culture,
and do your holiday shopping purchasing
unique gifts. Hostos Community College,
Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture, 405
Grand Concourse at 149th Street, Bronx,
NY. 11AM – 9PM. For more information
please visit www.comitenoviembre.org.
The Association for Puerto Rican/
Hispanic Culture, Inc., in association
with Comite Noviembre presents
Rafael
Hernandez-Sylvia
Rexach
Festival.
Annual concert of Puerto
Rican composers featuring Julito Cuevas
y su Trio Los Platinos, guitarist Julio
Rosaly and poet, author and singer
93
Carmen D. Lucca. Comite Noviembre’s
6th Annual Puerto Rican Artisan’s Fair
and Exhibit, Hostos Center for the Arts
and Culture (third floor gymnasium) 450
Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York
10456. 3:30PM. Admission: Free. For
more information, contact aprhculture@
verizon.net.
El Museo presents SUPER SABADO!
– Cuentame! Celebration Oral History.
This month El Museo will be cherishing
the words and stories of the past, as well
as empowering future generations to share
their own. Create your own puppets to
tell your stories, and enjoy Spoken Word
programs for teen and adults later in the
day. Special guest appearances include the
Bilingual Birdies with Quiara Alegia-Hudes,
author of Welcome to my Neighborhood.
11AM-9 PM. (Please note: Galleries are
open from 11AM – 6PM). Admission: Free.
El Museo del Barrio. 1230 Fifth Avenue,
New York, NY 10029. Visit www.elmuseo.
org or call (212) 831-7272 for details.
Los Pleneros de la 21 & SEA in
association with Bruckner Bar & Grill
presents ¡El sancocho musical DE
LOS PLENEROS DE LA 21! New York’s
favorite Puerto Rican music ensemble, Los
Pleneros de la 21, brews up a special batch
of its delectable musical stew bringing
Bomba, Plena and more live music, where
you can get down Boricua style all night
long! Bruckner Bar & Grill, 1 Bruckner Blvd
at 134th Street, Bronx, NY.3PM. Admission:
$10. For more information or to purchase:
212-427-5221, www.losplenerosdela21.org
94
El Museo presents OH, SNAP! Find your
voice at this two-hour spoken word workshop
for teens led by super-cool performance
poet Caridad de la Luz “La Bruja.” For ages
13-18. 4 PM-6 PM. Admission: FREE. El
Museo del Barrio. 1230 Fifth Avenue, New
York, NY 10029. Call: (212) 831-7272 or
visit www.elmuseo.org
Lehman College presents SALSA
PALOOZA featuring Tito Nieves, La India
and Domingo Quiñones. Three of the
most successful and popular Salsa artists
will perform hit after hit of their amazing
careers. Lehman Center for the Performing
Arts, Bedford Park Blvd West, Bronx. 8 PM.
Tickets: Tickets: $60, $55, $45. For more
information or to purchase tickets, visit
www.lehmancenter.org.
El Museo presents SPEAK UP! Voces
from the Movement . SPEAK UP!: Radical
Views on the Mic - The Fall 2011 Season
of our popular spoken word series will be
hosted and curated by poets and authors
Tito Luna, LaTasha N. Nevada Diggs and
María Rodríguez-Morales, featured in the
newly-released anthology Me no Habla with
Acento: Contemporary Latino/a Poetry. We
encourage you to come early and sign up
for our open mic raffle for the opportunity to
share your own poetry onstage before each
program begins. María Morales hosts an
evening of fresh faces and contemporary
voices in today’s spoken word movement.
Def Poetry’s Anthony Morales features
alongside Nancy-Arroyo Ruffin, Jennifer
“Skye” Cabrera and Maegan Ortiz. 6:30
– 8:30 PM. Admission: FREE-- RSVP
Suggested.
El Museo del Barrio. 1230
Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029. Call:
(212) 831-7272 or visit www.elmuseo.org
(212) 529-1545.
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
WHEDco’s Bronx Music Heritage
Center and Hostos Center for the Arts
& Culture present Gilberto “Pulpo”
Colón, Jr. and his orchestra Ensalada
de Pulpo In a tribute performance by
Bronx Music Legends. Gilberto “Pulpo”
Colón, Jr. has been one of the leading
figures in the world of salsa for over four
decades. A pupil of the legendary Eddie
Palmieri, he played at the epicenter of
salsa’s “Golden Age” while recording and
performing with the likes of Rafi Val’s La
Diferente, Pete “Conde” Rodríguez and
Kako’s All Stars. In 1975, Pulpo joined
Hector Lavoe’s band as pianist and
musical director, serving in that capacity
for 16 years. Pulpo has also played with
each of the “Big 3”, The Tito Puente
Orchestra, The Tito Rodríguez Orchestra
and the Machito Orchestra. This concert
is part of WHEDco’s Bronx Music
Heritage Center Tribute Performances
by Bronx Music Legends. Repertory
Theater, Hostos Community College/
CUNY, 450 Grand Concourse at 149
St. The Bronx, NY 7PM. Admission by
free ticket Info and tkts: 718-518-4455,
www.hostos.cuny.edu/culturearts. Made
possible by Bronx Lebanon Hospital,
NYC Department of Cultural Affairs,
WHEDco. Events arranged by Ángel
Rodríguez.
COMITE NOVIEMBRE SEVENTEENTH
ANNUAL DAY OF COMMUNITY
SERVICE
AND
SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILITY.
For the past
seventeen years, Comité Noviembre has
set aside the Sunday before Thanksgiving
as a day of community service and
social responsibility in commemoration
of November 19th, traditionally known
as Puerto Rican discovery day or as we
like to call it Puerto Rican “encounter”
day. The purpose of the day is to show
the spirit of commitment and the power
of action. CN is conducting a food
drive of non-perishable foods to create
Thanksgiving dinner baskets for the poor
of New York. CN is working to provide
turkeys for 300 foodbaskets which will
be distributed by volunteers the Tuesday
before Thanksgiving to needy families.
TURKEYS ARE NEEDED, as well as
dry food goods . Food dropoff points
at several member organizations: EL
MUSEO DEL BARRIO, 1230 5TH Avenue
(between 104th and 105th Street), NYC;
IPRHE UPACA SENIOR CENTER, 1940
Lexington Avenue (between 119th and
120th Street), NYC; EL PUENTE, 850
Grand Street Campus at Bushwick Ave,
Bklyn; and others. 11AM - 4PM. For more
information, visit www.comitenoviembre.
com.
PM. Admission: $29-$40. For more
information call (718) 585-1202 or visit
www.pregones.org.
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
(212) 529-1545.
& Third Avenues, NYC. 6:30 PM. Tickets
repertorio.org.
repertorio.org.
NYC. 11 AM. Tickets begin at $25, with
Taller
Boricua
presents
Salsa
Wednesdays with Jimmy Delgado’s
Orchestra with Renzo Padilla on vocals.
Weekly dance series with DJ Broadway
Spinning Salsa, and live music. Comida
Criolla and drinks for purchase. Doors open
at 5:30 p.m. Ladies and Gentleman are $10
until 6:30PM. After 6:30PM Gentlemen are
tallerboricua.org.
¡Feliz Día de Acción de Gracias! – Happy
Thanksgiving!
Winner Gabriel García Márquez’ Cronica de
una Muerte Anunciada (Chronicle of a Death
Foretold). Directed by Jorge Alí Triana.A
spectacular wedding, a savage scandal,
and a murder to which an entire Latin
American town appears to be an accessory
to the fact.The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138
Third Avenue), NYC. 3PM. Admission: $25$50 with discounts available for Seniors,
Students,and Groups. For reservations, call
96
(212) 529-1545.
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
org.
translation
available.
Recommended
www.repertorio.org.
SEA, Boricuation Cultural Foundation
and International Coquito Federation/
SoulFrito Nuevo presents LES Coquito
Master Qualifier 2011. Enjoy a tasting
of the famous Puerto Rican “Coquito”
(Rum and Coconut) Holiday drink. Event
participants will vote to choose the best
recipe, and the winner(s) will be entered in
the Coquito Master 2011 Qualifier. Dancing,
music, food and artisan vendors will also
be present in celebration of Puerto Rican
Heritage Month! Clemente Soto Vélez
Cultural & Educational Center, 107 Suffolk
Street, 1st Floor, NYC. 5:30PM – 8PM.
Admission: $5.00. For more information call
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
(212) 529-1545.
Repertorio Español presents El Color del
Deseo by Nilo Cruz, directed by Michel
repertorio.org.
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
(212) 529-1545.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2011
Winner Gabriel García Márquez’ Cronica
de una Muerte Anunciada (Chronicle of
a Death Foretold). Directed by Jorge Alí
Triana.A spectacular wedding, a savage
scandal, and a murder to which an entire
Latin American town appears to be an
accessory to the fact.The Gramercy Art
Admission:
$25-$50
with
discounts
www.repertorio.org.
Taller
Boricua
presents
Salsa
Wednesdays with Orchestra Broadway.
Weekly dance series with DJ Broadway
Spinning Salsa, and live music. Comida
Criolla and drinks for purchase. Doors open
at 5:30 p.m. Ladies and Gentleman are $10
until 6:30PM. After 6:30PM Gentlemen are
tallerboricua.org.
Rivera’s La Gringa. Directed by René
Buch, a young woman travels from NYC
spirit. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East
Avenue), NYC. Performance 11AM & 1PM.
Admission: $25-50 with discounts available
for seniors, students, children and groups.
www.repertorio.org.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2011
directed by René Buch. Bernarda Alba
$25-50 with discounts available for seniors,
students, children and groups.
For
repertorio.org.
97
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2011
translation
available.
Recommended
Lexington & Third Avenues, NYC. 11
AM. Tickets begin at $30, with discounts
www.repertorio.org.
(212) 529-1545.
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
org.
98
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011
Repertorio Español presents Mi Bebe
es un Héroe (My Baby is a Hero) by the
Scaramouches Theatre. A puppet play for
children about a prince named Azulito, who
along with his beloved Princess Perlita,
who happily await the arrival of their first
baby. Not But not all is happiness when
the villainous and mischievous Cuchiflin,
plans to steal the Prince’s baby. Presented
in Spanish with Simultaneous English
translation available.The Gramercy Art
Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 12 Noon.
Admission: $25 with discounts available
for Seniors, Students,and Groups. For
repertorio.org.
Third Avenue), NYC. 3PM. Admission: $2550 with discounts available for seniors,
students, children and groups.
For
repertorio.org.
(212) 529-1545.
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
Repertorio Español presents Pilar Rioja.
Pilar Rioja is known worldwide as the Queen
of Spanish Dance. Rioja performs to live
music with flamenco guitarists and Spanish
cantaores. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138
Students, Children and Groups. For
repertorio.org.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011
translation
available.
Recommended
Lexington & Third Avenues, NYC. 2:30PM.
www.repertorio.org.
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
(212) 529-1545.
Third Avenue), NYC. 6:30PM. Admission:
$25-$50 with discounts available for
Seniors, Students, Children and Groups.
www.repertorio.org.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2011
repertorio.org.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011
repertorio.org.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011
Admission:
$25-$50
with
discounts
www.repertorio.org.
and the Puerto Rican Legal Defense
and Education Fund presents Méndez
v. Westminster: For all the Children /
Para Todo los Niños. Film presentation
and Q&A with Sandra Robbie (Producer)
and Juan Cartagena (President, Latino
JusticePRLDEF). 6–8:30PM. Admission:
Free. Hunter College, 68th Street and
Lexington Avenue, Faculty Dining Room,
West Building, 8th Floor, NYC. For
information visit centropr.hunter.cuny.edu
or call (212) 396-6545.
Taller
Boricua
presents
Salsa
Wednesdays.
Weekly dance series
with DJ Broadway Spinning Salsa, and
live music. Comida Criolla and drinks for
646.331.8956. Visit www.tallerboricua.org
for orchestra playing.
translation
available.
Recommended
www.repertorio.org.
Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 7PM.
Admission:
$25-$50
with
discounts
available for Seniors, Students,and Groups.
www.repertorio.org.
99
repertorio.org.
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
org.
repertorio.org.
repertorio.org.
Instituto Cervantes/Proyecto Nueva
York Hispánico / Columbia University
presents
the film screening of
Subterraneans (2010), directed by Gaspar
100
Orozco y Karina Escamilla. Short film
on Mexican performers who see playing
Norteña music in the subways of New York
more than a way of life: it is an expressive
vehicle that reflects their experience as
immigrants in this country and gives them a
sense of identity in a radically new society.
Caught between a yearning for the country
they left behind and the hope of building a
life in a new society, this small community
of norteña musicians is the manifestation
of an identity in transformation. They are
a living symbol of the Mexican immigrant
experience in New York City. After the
screening, there will be a Q&A with both
filmakers as well as musical performance
by the protagonists of the documentary.
Part of the Hispanic New York Film and
Video Festival. Auditorium, Instituto
Cervantes, 211-215 East 49th Street, NYC.
Free admission. 6:30PM. For information
call (212) 308-7720.
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
www.repertorio.org.
repertorio.org.
repertorio.org.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2011
cantaores. The Gramercy Art Theatre,
138 East 27th Street (between Lexington
& Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. Admission:
www.repertorio.org.
repertorio.org.
Taller
Boricua
presents
Salsa
Wednesdays.
Weekly dance series
with DJ Broadway Spinning Salsa, and
live music. Comida Criolla and drinks for
646.331.8956. Visit www.tallerboricua.org
for orchestra playing.
Tiempo de las Mariposas, A new play
translation
available.
Recommended
www.repertorio.org.
El Museo presents SUPER SABADO!
Target Free Saturdays at El Museo –
Super Holidays! Super Sábado goes Super
Crazy with Super holiday festivities! Come
celebrate with us as we say adios to the old
year. El Museo del Barrio, 1230 5th Avenue,
NYC. 11AM-9 PM. Please note: Galleries
are open from 11AM – 6PM. Admission:
Free. Visit www.elmuseo.org or call (212)
831-7272 for details.
events at a variety of sites around the city.
At each qualifier contestants compete to
make it to the December 17, 2011 new and
improved Coquito Crawl finals in El Barrio.
Winners will be announced at El Museo
Del Barrio during the holiday concert. El
Museo del Barrio, 1230 5th Avenue, NYC.
4 PM-5:30PM. Admission: Free. Visit www.
elmuseo.org. Contact: coquitomasters@
gmail.com or (212) 831-7272.
Lehman College presents PARRANDA
NAVIDEÑA featuring Odilio Gonzalez “El
Jibarito de Lares,” José Miguel Class
“El Gallito de Manatí” and Yomo Toro.
This must-see concert features the unique
jíbaro music from the mountains of Puerto
Rico and offers the historical reunion of
three celebrated masters of the genre,
Yomo Toro, José Miguel Class “El Gallito de
Manatí” and Odilio Gonzalez “El Jibarito de
Lares.” Joining them will also be Estampas
de Borinquen, Estercita Figueroa, William
Guzmán, and many more! Lehman Center
West, Bronx. 8PM. Tickets: $45, $35, $25.
For more information or to purchase tickets,
repertorio.org.
translation
available.
Recommended
www.repertorio.org.
repertorio.org.
El Museo presents The 2011 Coquito
Masters – Winners Announced. Are you
the next Coquito Master? It’s the Coquito
Masters 10th Birthday! The International
Coquito Tasting Federation is taking the party
on the road with Coquito Master Qualifier
101
www.repertorio.org.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2011
repertorio.org.
¡FELIZ NAVIDAD!
Repertorio Español presents La vida
en los Esclavos Unidos (Life in the
United Slaves). Saulo García, author
and performer, touches on themes such
as the financial crisis, healthcare in the
U.S.A., immigrants’ jobs and the lifelong
trauma left after the interview for a visa
at the U.S. Embassy. Presented only in
Spanish (No English translation available).
Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street
(between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC.
7PM. Admission: Tickets start at $30. For
repertorio.org
Repertorio Español presents La vida
en los Esclavos Unidos (Life in the
102
United Slaves). Saulo García, author
and performer, touches on themes such
as the financial crisis, healthcare in the
U.S.A., immigrants’ jobs and the lifelong
trauma left after the interview for a visa
at the U.S. Embassy. Presented only in
Spanish (No English translation available).
Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street
(between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC.
7PM. Admission: Tickets start at $30. For
repertorio.org
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012
¡FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2012
El Museo de Barrio presents Día de los
Tres Reyes/Three Kings’ Day Celebration
Parade. El Museo del Barrio celebrates
its 35th Annual Three Kings Day Parade.
Watch our honorary Kings, Madrinas,
Padrinos, and thousands of school children
as this popular procession makes its way
throughout the streets of El Barrio with
live camels and sheep, music, dancing,
and parrandas! The 2012 parade’s theme
will focus on “La Cultura de Compartir”
highlighting the giving and sharing aspect
of the Three Kings tradition, along with the
historical, cultural, musical and culinary
heritage associated with the celebrations.
Admission: Free. 10:30AM –1PM. For
more information call (212) 831-7272 or
visit www.elmuseo.org.
The Society of the Educational Arts/La
Sociedad Educativa de las Artes, (SEA)
presents Los Tres Reyes Magos/The
Three Kings. On January 6th2011, the
light from a star will lead the Three Kings
to Teatro Sea to celebrate one of the most
important Latin American Holidays for
children, El Día de Los Tres Reyes Magos/
Three Kings Day. On this day, the first
thousand kids to arrive at Teatro Sea will
personally meet The Three Kings as well
as receive a free gift/toy. Teatro SEA, 107
Suffolk Street (between Rivington Street
and Delancy Street) NYC. 3:00 PM – 6:00
PM. Free. For more information visit www.
sea-online.info or call (212) 529 – 1545.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
EL PUENTE presents the 24th Annual
Three Kings Celebration. El Puente
celebrates with food, music and a stage
performance retelling the story of the Three
Kings, teaching our children the values of
sharing and caring in our community and
preserving our cultural traditions. Every
child leaves with an age appropriate gift.
850 Grand Street Campus at Bushwick Ave,
Bklyn. 11211. Two Shows: 1 PM & 5 PM.
Admission: Free. For more information
visit www.elpuente.us or call (718) 3870404.
WHEDco’s Bronx Music Heritage Center
Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture
present
Gilberto “Pulpo” Colón, Jr.
and his orchestra
Ensalada de Pulpo
In a tribute performance by Bronx Music Legends
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Repertory Theater
Hostos Community College/CUNY
450 Grand Concourse at 149 St.
The Bronx
Admission by free ticket
Info and tkts: 718-518-4455
www.hostos.cuny.edu/culturearts
2, 4, 5, Bx1, Bx19 to Grand Concourse and 149 St.
Made possible by Bronx Lebanon Hospital, NYC Department of Cultural
Affairs, WHEDco. Events arranged by Ángel Rodríguez.
Gilberto “Pulpo” Colón, Jr. has been one of the leading figures in the world of
salsa for over four decades. A pupil of the legendary Eddie Palmieri, he played
at the epicenter of salsa’s “Golden Age” while recording and performing with the
likes of Rafi Val’s La Diferente, Pete “Conde” Rodríguez and Kako’s All Stars. In
1975, Pulpo joined Hector Lavoe’s band as pianist and musical director, serving in
that capacity for 16 years. Pulpo has also played with each of the “Big 3”, The Tito
Puente Orchestra, The Tito Rodríguez Orchestra and the Machito Orchestra. This
concert is part of WHEDco’s Bronx Music Heritage Center Tribute Performances
by Bronx Music Legends.
103
104

25th Anniversary - Comite Noviembre

Transcription

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