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Entries in Events (12)

Monday
Jan242011

HISPANIC PANIC!: ROOTS

 

HISPANIC PANIC!, New York City’s avant-garde and experimental Latino reading series, has been featured on CUNY-TV’s Spanish-language culture show “Nueva York,” as well as in the Daily News. Starting the New Year on a nostalgic note—come hear and see five writers and poets discuss their “roots” via creative memoir, poetry, and fiction. 

 

Pay no mind to the snow! We've got work to do! Stories to tell and poems to read!

 

 

 

 

Readers include Mexico City-born writer and theater wizard Ricardo Abreu Bracho, Dominican Republic-born poet and writer Jimmy Lam, Cuban-born poet and artist Orlando Ferrand, and J Skye Cabrera of the NYC Latina Writers Group. Our featured guest readers will be PANIC! reading series veteran Tod Crouch and Jani Bomba Rose of the highly-acclaimed, Bronx-based "Acentos Review and Poetry Showcase."



Organized and hosted by Charlie Vázquez.


Info: http://www.firekingpress.com/


The writers:


J Skye Cabrera

J Skye Cabrera is a Bronx-based spoken word artist and a member of the NYC Latina Writers Group. Her poem “Changó Sings to Oshún” was just published in the Best of PANIC! anthology. She’s a Scorpio and likes the underground. 


Tod Crouch

Tod Crouch has written seven plays, eight novels, and countless chapbooks. His articles are featured in such magazines as Next Door, Yesplease, and Crack. Tod’s contributed interviews to the KGB bar website and currently writes for the Flabulous web series. His work has also appeared in The Best of PANIC! anthology and he maintains a blog on Wordpress entitled the Pod of Tod.


Orlando Ferrand

Orlando Ferrand is an interdisciplinary and multimedia artist born and raised in Cuba who has performed in Cuba, Mexico, Spain, and the United States, where he wrote, directed, and designed the opera Still Life with Daniel, the Lonely Mutant, with music by composer Charles Bryan Rulon. Hi work has also been displayed and performed at the Leslie/Lohman Gay Art Foundation, NYC, the MassMOCA, the Miller Theater at Columbia University in NYC, Princeton University Sony Theater for the Performing Arts, The Memorial Hall at Pratt Institute, Nuclear Poetry, Hispanic PABI!, the Washington Square Church, the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, the GMHC Art Gallery, and La Mama. Orlando Ferrand has been featured in poetry and essay anthologies and literary magazines across the US such as The Best of PANIC!, 2010, Why We Wrote, 2010, Linden Lane Magazine, 2010, OtroLunes Literary Hispanic Magazine, 2009 and In the Desert Sun, 2010.

Orlando collaborated with interdisciplinary artists such as Bertolt Brecht’s disciple Heiner Müller, Japanese Designer Masako Ogura, theater directors Liuba Cid and Marvin Willis, composer and percussionist Daniel Druckman, Jr., First Avenue Ensemble, photographers Rick Castro and Marcelo Maia, and computer Artist John Stolberg from the Walt Disney Studios, and graduated from the Instituto Superior de Arte, Cubanacán, La Habana, Cuba in 1992 (University of Arts, Cubanacán, Havana, Cuba) and from the University of Havana in 1992. He won a scholarship at Columbia University and City College of CUNY toward the completion of his MA/MPhil. in English Language, Comparative Literature and Linguistics, after having been granted political asylum in the US on September 29th, 1992. Citywalker, his first collection of poetry, was released in April, 2010 by PublishAmerica, Inc., and is available in soft cover and eBook through Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble bookstores and Borders. 

http://www.orlandoferrand.com/


Jimmy Lam

Dominican by birth, Caribbean by choice, and gringa by accident, jimmy lam writes poetry, short stories, memoirs, political and cultural analysis and essays. He studied at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo School of Humanities and obtained a BA in English and French. Recently he completed an MA in International Relations at City College. His writing has appeared in the Dominican Republic, New York and on the web in El Listín Diario, El Nuevo Diario, Antologia de la Literatura Gay Dominicana, Colour Life Magazine, Vanity Fair, the Village Voice, Siempre, Dominican Today and Cielonaranja.com. 

Jimmy’s essay, “In Defense of Pleasure: Sensuality and Eroticism in Dominican Women Writers in the US,” appeared in the anthology Mujeres de Palabra. Most recently his poetry was featured in Mary, a literary quarterly, and The Best of PANIC!. His book Sexile is scheduled for release in the late spring of 2011. He lives in Jersey City with his partner Oskar and is writing an interminable memoir, Neurosis of My Own.


Jani Bomba Rose

Jani Bomba Rose is a Nuyorican poet and performer, born in Spanish Harlem and raised in the Bronx. She went from the public school system to an elite Upper West Side Manhattan private school, where she developed a love for Plath and Method Man both of whom she identifies with down to her core. She is an Acentos Fellow and host of the Latina Empowerment series, brought to you by Social Sofrito. She writes, performs and takes the stage to share her love of art and words, survival of the psyche, motherhood, life, love and the Nuyorican experience.


Charlie Vázquez

Charlie Vázquez is a radical Bronx-bred writer of Cuban and Puerto Rican descent. His fiction and essays have been published in various anthologies, such as the iconoclastic volumes Queer and Catholic (Taylor & Francis, 2007) and Best Gay Love Stories: NYC (Alyson, 2006). His writing has also appeared in print and online publications such as The Advocate, Chelsea Clinton News, New York Press, and Ganymede Journal. Charlie hosts a monthly reading series called PANIC! (in the East Village), which focuses on unusual and original fiction and poetry. He is a former contributor to the Village Voice’s Naked City blog and a retired experimental musician and photographer. His second novel Contraband, was published by Rebel Satori Press in spring 2010, and his third, Corazón, is wrapping up for future publication. He is also working on a short story collection and co-editing a gay Latino fiction anthology with novelist and cultural producer Charles Rice-González. 

Wednesday
Dec082010

Voices Unbroken Invites You to Share your thoughts with Anabel Palma...

  

Event Co-Sponsored by Voices Unbroken. Click to learn more

 

 

Sunday
Nov282010

Next event: Graffiti Legends & Me... Art for the Park 2010

Next weekend

Legendary grafitti artists' work will be displayed and auctioned while I have the honor of sharing my poetry 

 

 

BombaRose with TatsCru at 106 & Park

Bio

Nicer
BG183How & Nosm

Dmotes

 

Daze


Crash


Click to visit the Park Performing Arts Center

At Park we believe that access to the arts is an essential component to every child’s well-being.  Consuming and practicing forms creative expression is a means to understanding identity, culture and humanism in a global society.  Through arts education, students acquire the skills and awareness that are necessary for personal success and making contributions to their communities and others.   

Our philosophy is informed by research insights on involvement with the arts.  For example, young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours on three days each week for at least one full year are:

  • 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
  • 3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools
  • 4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair
  • 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance
  • 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem

And, young artists, compared to their non-artist peers, are likely to:

  • Attend music, art, and dance classes nearly three times as frequently
  • Participate in youth groups nearly four times as frequently
  • Read for pleasure nearly twice as often
  • Perform community service more than four times as often

We offer a wide range of children and youth programming.  Our community based Folk Arts initiative brings guest artists to our in-school and after-school programs.  And our highly-regarded arts faculty offer a variety of classes at all skill levels for children and adults. Recent offerings include: 

 

Strategic Revitalization Plan.

  • Children's Visual Art
  • Ballet
  • Hip Hop Jazz
  • Theater for Children
  • Broadway Voices
  • Latin Dance for Children and Adults
  • Salsa
  • AfroCuban Dance
  • Latin Percussion for Children and Adults
  • Tango
  • Music Theory
  • Jazz Jam
  • Capoeira - Brazilian Martial Art
  • Merengue, Bachata & Palo Dance
  • Beginner Music/Learn to play a recorder
  • Break Dancing

Located in Union City, NJ, Park Performing Arts Center has the distinction of being recognized as "the only institution in the county solely dedicated to the performing arts" by the Hudson County Urban Complex Strategic Revitalization Plan.

Media contact: Lily Arango 201-238-0025

art4park@hotmail.com

Wednesday
Nov102010

Jani Bomba Rose at Mike Geffner's Inspired Word

It was an awesome night with poets Sean Patrick Conlon and Rico Frederick.

A heartfelt thank you to our fabulous host Erik "Advocate of Wordz" Maldonado, Marvin Medlinger & of course Michael Geffner for having me. 

Monday
Oct252010

Bomba y Plena at L.I.U. with Flaco Navaja & Machete Mvmnt

Last week we had the pleasure of performing at Long Island University for the The 8th annual Letras Con Sazón brought to you by Capicu Poetry in association with the Xi Chapter of Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha Incorporada and the Psi Chapter of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.

We served up our own taste of Nuyorico as Bomba y Plena poems with about our culture and perspective. Plena's 5 Borough Death Punch, Nuyorico & Rockin to the Greatest set the pace for the evening. Speaking of the Nuyorican struggle, what the city has to offer, nostalgia for the island, the contrast between where we're from & where we're at and the poisonous pop culture machine and human condition in light of societies disregard for what truly matters, he killed it. Deep stuff! 

Flaco's poetry is theatrical, take you to another place. He embodies the spirit of Hector Lavoe when he's belting our "Aguanile" and tells of of his journey as the amalgam or salsa, reggae, rock and puerto rican protest music. 

Machete Mvmnt played bomba and spit El David poetics with remarkable lyrical flair. We closed the show with a warm familial bomba dance session in which Plena, Flaco & talented dancers Selina "60 Sadie" Rose & Silmarie Nuñez shut the place down with an impromptu showing of Boricua cultura that I will never forget. Pa'lante, mi gente!

 

Flaco Navaja is a singer, poet, actor, who is born and raised in the Bronx. He sings in both Spanish and English and has toured with various groups across the globe.

Recent singing engagements:
YERBABUENA, New York City’s premier Boricua Roots Music group (Lead vocalist since 2001)
THE NICKY MARRERO ALL STARS (Lead vocalist, 2004)
THE LATIN JAZZ COALITION (Back-up vocalist, 2000-2004)

Navaja’s original style of poetry combines singing, beat-boxing, and spoken word. He was the host of the legendary open mic showcase; “All That! Hip Hop Poetry & Jazz” at the famous Nuyorican Poets' Cafe. He has performed at national and international venues and events. In 2003, he toured internationally with the Tony Award winning Russell Simmons' DEF POETRY JAM and he has appeared on four episodes of the HBO series. He is a New York Theatre Workshop Usual Suspect and a comedian with the Nuyorican Rule troupe.

Theatrical credits:
“THE SEVEN” by Will Power at New York Theater Workshop
“SLANGUAGE” by Universes, at Flint Theater in Vermont, Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, and New York Theater Workshop
“TEA” by Ben Snider at PS 122
“MOMMA'S BOYZ” by Candido Tirado at Repertorio Español, PS 122
“NOW AND THEN” by Michael J Garcez at La Tea

Navaja is a member of Screen Actors Guild and has appeared in several films.
His film acting credits include:
"FIGHTING" Directed by Dito Montiel, starring Terrance Howard and Channing Tatum(2008)
"Shine On" Directed by Agustin (2008) "A KISS OF CHAOS" Directed by Ricardo Thompson
“THE GIRL IN THE PARK” Directed by David Auburn, starring Sigourney Weaver and Kate Bosworth (2007)
“PRIDE AND GLORY” Directed by Gavin O’Connor, starring Edward Norton (2007)
“SANCTIFIED” Directed by Val Lik (2006)
“ON THE OUTS” Directed by Michael Scholnik & Lorie Silverbush (2004) Nominated for two IFC Spirit Awards

Read more:http://www.myspace.com/flaconavaja#ixzz13QExZfcb

Thursday
Sep232010

Plena Features - Ponce @ Nite in Chicago! 

Click to visit Ponce-at-Nite on Facebook

Monday
Aug302010

The Algarín Sessions Vol. 2

We, Bomba y Plena, were honored to sit with Puerto Rican poet, writer & co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Miguel Algarín in his home where we spoke about his life, his writing, our culture and what the future holds for us as individuals & Nuyorican poets.

Here he shares with us his memories on the opening of the cafe, his writing and feelings about Plena's brilliant idea a night honoring Algarín, The "69 Years Young" Birthday Tribute on September 11th. There will be a room full of legends and spectacular artists filling the Nuyorican that night. Our fabulous host Hosted by Papo "Swiggity" Santiago of Capicu Poetry & Cultural Showcase will guide us through a night flowing with words from Miguel Algarin, Caridad De La Luz (La Bruja), Simply Rob (Grito de Poetas), Maria Isa, yours truly Bomba y Plena. Since the creation of the event we've been please to add on some special surprise performances by musicians & legendary poets. You'll have to be there to find out who! 


Watch the video, share it and please, join us! It will be a night to remember.

 

 

 

 

Wednesday
Aug252010

Featured Artist - Albert Areizaga of TainoImage.com

Digital Photo Collage by Albert Areizaga of TainoImage.com - click to visit the site 

Mural created by Albert Areizaga of Taino Image

in honor of the 

"69 Years Young" -A Birthday Tribute to Miguel Algarín

Date/time: September 11 · 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Location: The Nuyorican Poets Cafe

Address: 236 East 3rd St. (bet. Avenue B and Avenue C)

Honoree is Algarín is a Puerto Rican poet, and co-founder of the most famous poetry hub in the United States, our home away from home, the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. 

It is with great pleasure that we invite you to join us in celebrating the life and legacy of one of our own, Miguel Algarín. 


With performances by

Miguel Algarin

Caridad De La Luz (La Bruja)

Simply Rob

Maria Isa

Jani 'Bomba' Rose

Roberto 'Plena' Irizarry

Hosted by Papo "Swiggity" Santiago of Capicu Poetry & Cultural Showcase


There will be music, surprise performances and two cakes! Bienvenido! 


$12 at the door



Brought to you by Bomba y Plena of MusingsAndScribbles.com

Sponsored by LatinosNYC

 

 

 

Wednesday
Aug042010

"69 Years Young" - A Birthday Tribute to Miguel Algarín

On September 11th a well known, dynamic assemblage of accomplished Nuyorican poets will gather to honor one of our living legends. 
Our honoree is a Puerto Rican poet, writer, retired Rutgers University professor of English and co-founder of the most famous poetry hub in the United States, our home away from home, the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. 
It is with great pleasure that we invite you to join us in celebrating the life and legacy of one of our own, Miguel Algarín.
With performances by-
Caridad De La Luz (La Bruja)
Simply Rob
Maria Isa
Jani Bomba Rose
Roberto Plena Irizarry 
Hosted by Papo "Swiggity" Santiago of Capicu Poetry &  Cultural Showcase
There will be music, surprise performances and two cakes! Bienvenido! 
$12 at the door
Brought to you by Bomba y Plena of MusingsAndScribbles.com
Sponsored by Latinos NYC
 **********************************************

Algarín was born in Puerto Rico and was educated and raised in a culturally-minded household. The love for all things involving culture always prevailed in his family. He received his primary and secondary education in New York and later went on to college. He developed a love and understanding of the works of Shakespeare. Shakespeare's antique tales were the force which motivated Algarin to strive to oneday have a place of his own where he could tell the story of where he lives. Eventually, Algarín became a Professor of Shakespeare, Creative Writing and United States Ethnic Literature at Rutgers University.

In 1973, Algarín's Lower East Side, Manhattan living room was being used as a gathering place for poets and artists. By 1975, there were so many poets and artists gathering and reciting their works in the apartment, that Algarín decided to look for a more comfortable location. After hosting the poets until 5am teaching at 8am became rather difficult. 

Algarín rented a space on East 6th Street and named it the Nuyorican (New York-Puerto Rican) Poets Cafe. In 1980, Algarín purchased a building on East 3rd Street to expand the cafe. The Cafe is now a non-profit organization that offers programs which include poetry and prose readings, theatrical and musical performances, and visual arts exhibits.

It is where we breathe our souls in sounds inspired by language. It where we bare our pasts, present and future. The newest and the most seasoned are welcome. It is where many of us find out who we are. Here we will honor his life and thank him for the gift and inspiration he has given us. 

 

Facebook: Jani Bomba Rose

We'll add you to the invite to confirm your attendance

Click: 

Facebook invitation

The Nuyorican calendar

 

Tuesday
Jun292010

Poetry for GEMS

Learn more about GEMS: please clickWhen I came across the documentary Very Young Girls the title immediately made me cringe. I wanted to veer away from it but I felt the nagging feeling that usually strikes people when they come across anything about the unfortunate; "They've experienced it, the least we can do is listen to their plight, witness their struggle and try to affect change." The documentary features the young women who are served by the Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS), an organization, based in New York City, whose mission is to empower young women, ages 12-21, who have survived commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking, are trying to free themselves from "the life" and develop to their full potential. GEMS is committed to ending commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking of children by changing individual lives, transforming public perception, and revolutionizing the systems and policies that impact sexually exploited youth. One of the reasons that I was hesitant to to watch was because I didn't want to be voyeur watching from afar and continue as if I'd seen nothing. We often feel helpless in the face of societal scourge, "The problem is so large, where does one begin? And we can't save them all." But we can help one, or two, or 10. Their stories were told straight forward, into the camera and left an indelible mark. The question, "What can I do?," was beating my at conscience. Being a spoken word poet, having organized fundraisers before I knew that there was something I could do to help spread the word and raise a little money to help GEMS and that it would build community and strengthen bonds at the same time.

The evening was intimate (translation = less that 20 people) as I managed to plan the event on the same night as the Celtics/Lakers playoff, another popular poetry event AND the night before a Capicu event. With all the events going down my odds weren't good but I hoped for the best and was not disappointed. As each person trickled in the power, love and promise of something beautiful happening increased exponentially. Our location, Perk's nestled amongst the Harlem brownstones has a warm jazzy, artful, air, and was mellow despite the blaring basketball game and cheering going on, on the other side of the swinging door. Every poet in the room was there with their hearts on the table and supporting one another to the fullest, we were kinda falling in love with each other. Did we raise some money? A lil bit, but what we gained was pretty awesome and a check is going toward helping these young girls so I'm feeling pretty good.

Bianca Bazquierizo, GEMS Development Coordinator for Individuals & Events. Click to be directed to the Girls Are Not for Sale Facebook page

It was a pleasure to meet Bianca Baquierizo, a representative of GEMS who came through to support and share with us the best way to represent the organization. Special thanks to the manager of our venue, Perk's on 123rd and Manhattan Ave., Corrine Harriot , for opening their doors and welcoming us. I'm thankful for our archivist, good friend and photographer, Sandra Guzman, who was the first warm face and confidence booster. And finally, a huge GRACIAS to the friends, family and fellow poets who came to learn and listen to the words and message that matter to us.

Photo by Michael Bonilla. Front and center in white with peace sign, Sandra Guzman. Click to see her site, 2 Dream Artists

 

Blessings to my poets:

Poet, Musician and Creative Director Roberto Plena Irizarry. Click to watch his videos. YouTube: BombaPlena

My right hand this night. Writer, poet & producer Alicia Anabel Santos. Click for more: Finding Your Force

 

"Simply Rob" Vassilarakis. Poet, Actor, Activist, Youth Mentor, Story Teller, member of Gritos de Poetas

 

J Skye Cabrera. Poet, Peer Educator, Activist & Singer

 

Actor, poet, college professor Carlos Manuel Rivera. Click for his blog: Carboinael Rixema

 

Poet, writer, producer Gabriella Rivera


Gabrielle Rivera 

Blaze A Page member of brand new poetry group on the scene The Babble[O]nianz

 

Graphic artist Taino Brigs member of new poetry group The Babble[O]nianz

 

Poet Angela Plugues

 

Actor, playwright and poet Rock Wilk.Click to learn more about BROKE WIDE OPEN

 

Poet and performance artist, emcee and fashion designer Jacob Victorine 

 

Mi Gente, te quiero mucho. Hasta la proxima.

Love, Power & Poetry