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Category: Sites Scenes & Words
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Having a Will and a Trust to Transfer the Family’s Jewels or Bible
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Nuyorican Poets Cafe
By Carla D. Robinson
Willie Perdomo, Former Nuyorican Grand Slam Champ, © 2002 RLP Ventures, LLC It’s hard to say exactly what happened that day in 1974 when a group of artists – calling themselves Nuyoricans in recognition of their cultural mélange as Puerto Rican New Yorkers – founded the Nuyorican Poets Café. In the movie Pinero, poet Miguel Algarin (immortalized by Giancarlo Esposito) grows weary of the crew crowding his living room and swiftly unveils a storefront space as a new place for everyone to create and perform. In reality, the group’s official founding is more elusive.
While the colorful, white-haired Algarin is widely acknowledged as having started it all, he doesn’t take such credit. Instead, the Rutgers University professor cites himself as only one of the founders of the Nuyorican, along with close friend Miguel Pinero, the fascinating and puzzling subject of the eponymous film, poet Lucky Cienfuegos, and others. Whatever led to the opening of the Nuyorican’s original doors on East Sixth Street may remain forever shrouded in myth, but what keeps its doors open at 236 East 3rd Street (its location since 1980) is no mystery.
The Nuyorican’s Lower Eastside neighborhood, dubbed Loisiada – “the community” – by its Spanish speaking residents, is a mixture of ethnicities from Puerto Rican to Polish, and the Nuyorican seeks to provide a place where such people can create work that illuminates their experiences. As Lois Griffith, co-director and a founding poet of the Nuyorican once wrote, “The journey from the street corner to the page is full of potholes.” The Nuyorican exists to ease the bumpiness of the road. The Café has helped the careers of Ntozake Shange, Willie Perdomo, and Paul Beatty, to name a few.
The organization’s signature events attract international audiences. Its Open Room, where anyone can perform, was “the first idea,” Algarin says in his introduction to Aloud: Voices from the Nuyorican Poets Café. “And from this beginning was derived the complex programming that now goes on at the Nuyorican Poets Café.” The spirit of the Open Room is indicative of the Nuyorican, providing an “open, generous, embracing attitude” toward performers, in the hope of nurturing their work.
Another staple at the Nuyorican is the Slam, a high-octane spoken word competition. Some are critical of the concept. Sonia Sanchez questions the humanity of Slams and once said in an interview, “We should not be on some auction block somewhere selling our poetry in that fashion.” But Algarin posits that the Slam is a product of ancient traditions from the Puerto Rican El Trovador to Greek mythology or the African griot. Arguably, Slams have helped bring poetry back to the forefront of American consciousness.
In addition to the Open Room and Slams, the Café presents work by new and established playwrights, offers events specifically designed for youth and women, hosts concerts, and holds Fifth Night, a screenplay reading and short film series. For more information on the Nuyorican Poets Café, visit www.nuyorican.org. For a sample of the poetry that has emerged from the Café, read Aloud. Check out Action: The Nuyorican Poets Café Theater Festival to read plays and performance pieces.M
April 2002
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Converse Shines in Philly
By Virginia D. Hudson
The city of brotherly love showed love to thousands of attendees at this year’s annual all-star weekend. From February 8-10th basketball fans, celebrities and NBA basketball players converged on Philadelphia filling restaurants and clubs throughout the historic city.
While the main premise was to watch the game, it wasn’t difficult to notice the assortment of parties from major companies like, Nike and Converse.
This year’s all-star weekend also marked basketball legend, Julius “Dr. J” Irving’s return to his Philadelphia 76er roots. It was a coming out moment of sorts – to re-introduce the public to Converse, the sneaker that became synonymous with Irving.
The new re-emerged Converse (in stores now) used some of the same old magic, but with a mix of millennium attitude to launch the brand and a new marketing campaign called, shine.
“It’s about being in the zone,” says Jack Boys, CEO of Converse. “It’s about not giving up; it’s about the self-determination and belief in one’s self that help you get around any obstacles you encounter.”
There were no MJ or Allen Iverson sightings, but there were several hundred members of the press along with Irving at Circa, an upscale spot on Restaurant Row in downtown Philadelphia to usher in the resurrected Converse brand. Feet tapped, heads bobbed and bodies shook as deejay Biz Markie spun a mix of neo-soul, hip-hop and old school tunes.
Equally impressive was an appearance by neo-soul and Grammy-nominated singer India.Arie. Arie along with her band performed three songs off of her hit album, Acoustic Soul, to an appreciative crowd. “I just love her sound,” said an attendee. The stylist didn’t miss a beat. To show her gratitude and in keeping with her love and peace mantra, she handed out flowers to the audience. M
March 2002
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How One Private Collection Built a Public Institution
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4 Scene, 4 You, 4 Love (August 31, 1999 – S.O.B.’s, NY, NY)
By David Dodson
Congrats to Julie Oh and staff over at 4 Scene on their third showcase. The event proved that some people still roll and rock for love. When 4 Scene popped up last year, it promised to provide a space where neo-soul acts would receive the spotlight they rightfully deserve. The first show featuring Corey Glover, Olu and Daniella Cotton, received rave reviews. A few months thereafter, 4 Scene’s second show spotlighted Martin Luther, Jeni Fujita and Grenique. While it was a wonderful night of talent that provided exactly what the promoters promised, something was missing. The mood wasn’t quite right.
4 Scene’s Act III had a totally different vibe. Walking in there was a different air. People were mingling, smiling, conversing and laughter could be heard in various directions. muMs stepped on stage and talked to the crowd, in a way only he could do, preparing them for the “truth” that was to proceed. Carl Hannock Rux gave an amazingly energetic performance attacking the crowd with words, as they grooved to music smoothly churned out by his band and the beautiful harmonies of his backup singers. The crowd was into it and DJ Kool Marv kept them going between sets, almost making you forget you were waiting for the next performer to appear.
When Amel took the stage, she immediately reminded the crowd why they liked her. Everyone was in the groove as she played new song after new song, making the crowd feel like they knew all the words. The musicians were having a great time as songs extended into little jams sessions that allowed the crowd to just dance. “Remember when people used to dance,” Amel said.
Overall, 4 Scene’s August showcase was a quality event that allowed everyone to shine from those on stage to those in the crowd. For anyone looking to hear great music in a comfortable setting, 4 Scene’s next event is a must. For more information check out their web site at www.4scene.com. M
September 1999
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A Harlem Renaissance Continued
By Elizabeth McMillan
The Studio Museum in Harlem has devoted over 30 years to bringing gifted emerging artists of African descent the resources and the recognition they deserve. Opened in 1968 as a studio and exhibition space on 125th street in New York City, the Museum has since evolved into an active and vital artistic institution offering a variety of valuable services to the community.
The Museum has built an impressive permanent collection of more than 1,600 objects spanning all types of media by such artists as Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Jacob Lawrence, and Faith Ringgold. And in celebration of their 30th anniversary, exhibiting through October 3, 1999 is Selected Works from the Permanent Collection showcasing the Museum’s impressive 20th century art collection and From the Studio: Artists-In-Residence, 1998-1999 featuring three installations by each of this year’s program artists.
SMH has also played a significant role in the art community by serving as the primary training ground for African-American museum professionals and artists. But it’s their education and public programming that’s an essential component to their mission. The Cooperative School Program places professional artists in Harlem schools to serve as instructors, the Enhanced Access Program provides free and expanded hours to thousands of school children and economically disadvantaged families and the Vital Expressions in American Art series hosts a variety of family-oriented activities. Designed to coincide with each exhibit, these programs help to enhance the exploration of broader cultural and social themes.
Whether you’re viewing the art or participating in their rich activities, The Studio Museum in Harlem gives everyone an opportunity to appreciate the culture that artists of African descent have brought to the world. For more information, visit the museum’s website at www.studiomuseuminharlem.org. M
August 1999
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A Harlem Renaissance Continued
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Art for Art’s Sake
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