OLDER ADULTS' TABLET CLASSES
2024-12-16 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-12-23 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | NY
OLDER ADULTS’ TABLET CLASSES
AT THE LOISAIDA CENTER
710 East 9th Street, New York, NY 10009
To register, please call the Loisaida Center at 646-726-4715.
Or email: info@loisaida.org
9 Sessions
Each Monday from 10 AM – 12 PM
October 28th – January 15th 2024
Free Tablet!
*Limited to first 5 registrants
This program prepares older adults to use the Alcatel 3T 8 tablet as a tool to facilitate day-to-day tasks and connections.
Learning objectives include: using tablet applications to assist with everyday tasks, connecting with family & friends, audio & visual skill development, and more! Participants must commit to all 9 classes to keep their complimentary tablet at the end of the program.
Led by bilingual (English/Spanish) instructor, Elizabeth Bermudez.

Nuyoricans in Loisaida Celebrate 120 Years of the Tompkins Square Library
2024-12-17 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | NY
Nuyoricans in Loisaida Celebrate 120 Years of the Tompkins Square Library
The Nuyorican Poets Cafe and the Loisaida Center converge to celebrate the cultural and community significance of both iconic LES institutions and the Tompkins Square Library. This one-night-only event celebrates the diverse voices of our city through spoken word, music, and visual arts, showcasing the raw talent that makes the Lower East Side a beacon of artistic innovation.
Site: Tompkins Square Library, Community Room (331 E 10th St, New York, NY 10009)
Date: Tuesday, December 17th
Duration: 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Participants:
Nuyorican Poets Cafe:

Sumbodies Mama & Brittany Barker
cap

Loisaida:

David “Daso” Soto
Maria Dominguez
Marlis Momber, CHICO

David Soto aka DASO is a Singer, Songwriter, Youth Development & Community Organizer. A few of his accomplishments include: Music Artist As Daso El Afro Caribeño, Founder of the PIRAGUA clothing brand, Owner of the PIRAGUA ART SPACE, Founder of the yearly multicultural New Village Music Festival and Production Company DeKora Digital, Founder of the New Village Foundation engaging youth through the arts and connecting artists to community.
Jesica “Sumbodies Mama” Blandon is a multifaceted artist hailing from the vibrant Bronx, NY, celebrated for her roles as a poet, spoken word artist, and actor. Her list of accolades is impressive, including being crowned the February 2024
Nuyorican Poets Cafe Final Friday Slam winner and securing 2nd place in the 2024 Women of the World Poetry Slam. Her journey to success began when she was named the 2009 Nuyorican Poets Café’s Youth Poet of The Year and continued when she won the 2010 Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry slam as a member of the Urban Word NYC team. She has shared stages with luminaries such as Georgio Armani, Oscar Award-winning Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Savion Glover. Sumbodies Mama’s artistry is a force to be reckoned with, inspiring audiences far and wide with her compelling narratives and poignant performances.
Brittany Barker is a poet and educator from Harlem, NYC. She has impacted hundreds of youth and adults as a creative leader and advocate for community wellness. Brittany was most recently ranked 3rd in the world at the 2023 Womxn of the World poetry slam. Currently, she is the Executive Director of Creative Soul House, a community-development organization that designs and facilitates people-development workshops, programs and events for youth and adults. As an educational consultant, she has served a diverse set of communities, including NYU, Columbia Business School, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Rutgers University, Twitter, NBCU Comcast, Girls Write Now and DREAM Charter network, etc. Brittany finds inspiration through God, deep interpersonal connections and art spaces.

Teatro Cuatro: The Privilege of Memory
2024-12-19 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | The Office of the Assembly Member Epstein, 107 Ave B, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Assembly Member Harvey Epstein, Pepe Flores, Lyn Pentecost, Gary Cruz, and Kiki Cotto invite you to the opening of
Teatro Cuatro: The Privilege of Memory
Join us this Thursday (12/19) from 5:30 PM to 7 PM to celebrate the story of Teatro Cuatro and the birth of community theater in Loisaida, as shown through a photo documentary produced by La Sala de Pepe y Foto Espacio.
Live Music & refreshments will be provided.
Location: Office of Assembly Member Epstein (107 & 109 Avenue B)
<RSVP here>

Holiday Party and Booksale (Surrealist Gypsy Artist and Illustrator Margarita Deida Petri)
2024-12-20 16:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | La Sala de Pepe y Foto Espacio, 73 Loisaida Avenue, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Surrealist Gypsy Artist and Illustrator Margarita Deida Pietri
invites you to a holiday party and booksale
featuring the works of the famed Loisaida Poet
Pedro Pietri
Date: Friday, December 20th, 4 ~ 7 PM
Location: La Sala de Pepe y Foto Espacio (73 Avenue C, between 5th and 6th St)

Angie Hernandez Gifts of the Magi at the Loisaida Center
2025-01-06 12:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Location: Loisaida Center – 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY 10009
Date: January, 6th, 2025
Description: Three Kings Day is celebrated on January 6 throughout the Spanish-speaking world to mark the birth of Jesus and the gifts brought to the child by the Magi after following the star of Bethlehem, which guided them through their journey. This tradition continues, especially in the Loisaida community of Manhattan, by the Puerto Rican families. In 2000, with the support and encouragement of Carlos “Chino” Garcia and CHARAS, María de los Angeles “Angie” Hernández Osorio, an indefatigable advocate for Boricua culture, education, and the arts, presented her first production of “The Gifts of the Magi.” The play was originally a longer theatrical piece showcased at the Henry Street Playhouse, titled; “Peace/La Paz,” co-written with Nuyorican poet Tato Laviera in the late ’80s. It has taken on various forms since its inception and evolved to a shorter, more musical version, produced and directed by Angie’s son, musician, and current board member of CHARAS, David “Daso” Soto, and presented at the Loisaida Center.
This year’s version of Angie Hernandez’ Gifts of the Magi will be presented exclusively to local children at the Loisaida Center on January 6, 2025, to celebrate the power of love, family, hope, and the joy of childhood.
Cast:
3 Kings: Kiki Cotto, Marc Reign, David Hernandez
Astronomer: Ivan Calcano

Herod: David DāSo Soto
Mary: Caridad De La Luz
Joseph: Eric Diaz
3 Dancers CAMELS / VEJIGANTES: Casidy, Skylar & Sasha

Young Jesus: Pending
Grown Jesus: Pending

(*To be updated.)

Nuyorican Poets Cafe Open Mic Hosted by Solpreme
2025-01-11 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | NY
Join the Nuyorican Poets Cafe’s off-site Open Mic at the Loisaida, Inc. Center!

In-person and on-stage at the Loisaida Center, 710 East 9th Street (between Avenues C & D), Manhattan, NY 10009.
** On the first Wednesday of each month. **
** Doors open at 6 P.M. **
** Open Mic is from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. **
All art forms are welcome: poetry, short stories, comedy, monologues, songs (Note: ORIGINAL songs only). 4 minutes max. per performer. If you’d like to add an original audio track to your performance, please email the .mp3 or .wav file or the link to your online audio URL to chris@loisaida.org in advance.
Please note: all performances are live-streamed on Loisaida’s and our Nuyorican Poets Cafe’s YouTube channels (and the recording is available to watch on our YouTube channel right thereafter).

Tickets:
$10 (plus online fee) for performers or audience/viewing (same price).
$10 (at the door, via credit card or Zelle or Apple Pay, no cash)

Get Tickets

Know Your Rights Training & Workshop
2025-01-30 08:30 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | PS/MS 34, 730 E 12th St, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Know Your Rights In-Person Training at PS/MS 34: Thursday, January 30th @ 8:30am
Thursday, January 30th at 8:30am, PS/MS 34 will be hosting the New York Immigration Coalition for a “Know Your Rights” training for our community. As the information is timely, Principal Sanchez is extending the invitation to other families within our district.

Know Your Rights Online Training via Zoom: February 6th @ 6pm

Conozca Sus Derechos (en Español)
On Thursday, February 6th at 6pm we’ll be hosting a virtual Know Your Rights workshop in Spanish. It will be facilitated by NYIC.
Únete a nuestro talle virtual:
Conozca Sus Derechos (en Español)
organizado por la Coalición de Inmigración de Nueva York (NYIC) y University Settlement
Aprenda cómo protegerse a tu mismo y a su familia, y qué hacer si se encuentra con agentes de la ley.
Jueves, 6 de febrero a las 6:00 p. m.
en Zoom (https://bit.ly/Feb-KYR)
Haga clic en este enlace o escanee el código QR para unirse al taller.
https://bit.ly/Feb-KYR
or Zoom ID#: 835 0377 4506

English translation:
Join us for a virtual Know Your Rights Workshop in Spanish hosted by the New York Immigration Coalition and University Settlement
Learn how to protect yourself and your family, and what to do if you should encounter law enforcement agents.
Thursday, February 6th at 6pm
on Zoom (https://bit.ly/Feb-KYR)
Click this link or scan the QR code to join the workshop.
https://bit.ly/Feb-KYR
or Zoom ID#: 835 0377 4506
Here are some resources about how to protect families who may be at risk because of immigration status.

https://www.aft.org/sites/default/files/im_emergplan_020817.pdf

https://www.wehaverights.us/

Presentación del LIBRO DÉCIMAS POR SACOS (De: Teófilo Torres, Edición: Maritza Rodríguez-Marrero)
2025-01-31 19:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Presentación del LIBRO DÉCIMAS POR SACOS
De: Teófilo Torres, Edición: Maritza Rodríguez-Marrero
Viernes 31, De Enero, a las 7:00 pm
en el Loisaida Center (710 E 9th St, NYC)

————————————–
Book Presentation : DECIMAS POR SACOS
Author: Teófilo Torres, Edited by: Maritza Rodríguez-Marrero
January 31st, Friday, at 7:00 pm
at the Loisaida Center (710 E 9th St, NYC)

Loisaida x Whitney ART INSPIRED BY YOU for super adults (60+)
2025-02-04 11:30 - 13:30, 2025-02-18 11:30 - 13:30, 2025-03-04 11:30 - 13:30, 2025-03-11 11:30 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Loisaida x Whitney Museum of American Art
ART INSPIRED BY YOU
Guided super-adult (60+) art-making workshop
with Jeannette Rodríguez-Piñeda
Talleres guiados de arte (gratuitos) en Español
In this 4 week program for seniors (age 60+), participants will explore personal narratives through the hands-on art processes of papermaking, printmaking and bookbinding.
We will look at examples of contemporary and modern art while thinking about our personal stories and respond through artmaking. Participants will learn how to make their handmade paper out of natural materials and create relief prints through the use of language and symbols. Each participant will hand bind their work into a one of a kind chapbook.
All materials will be provided.
Program schedule:
Tuesdays from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm starting on February 4th and ending on March 11th.
6 sessions on Tuesdays (11:30 am – 1:30 pm)
Dates: February 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th, March 4th, and 11th
Location: Loisaida, Inc. Center (710 E 9th St, NYC)
<<Registration link>>

Nuyorican Poets Cafe W.O.W. Open Mic at Loisaida Center
2025-02-05 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Nuyorican Poets Cafe W.O.W (Womxn Orator Wednesday) Open Mic will be hosted on February 5th, Wednesday, 2025, from 6 to 8:30 PM!
Open to all genres including poetry, music, comedy, and story-telling.
Hosted by Felicia Cade aka ‘Rise Felicia’ in-person & on-stage at the Loisaida Center, 710 East 9th Street (between Avenues C & D), Manhattan, NY 10009. Please note: all performances are live-streamed on Loisaida’s and our Nuyorican Poets Cafe’s YouTube channels (and the recording is available to watch on our YouTube channel right thereafter).
** On the first Wednesday of each month. **
** Doors open at 6 P.M. **
** Open Mic is from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. **
Tickets:
$10 (plus online fee) for performers or audience/viewing (same price).
$10 (at the door, via credit card or Zelle or Apple Pay, no cash)
<<RSVP link>>

SENIOR DAY at Loisaida Center
2025-02-07 09:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
SENIOR DAY at the LOISAIDA CENTER on February 7, 2025!
Activities include art workshops, educational panels, live music, snacks, coffee, and more!
Senior Day always takes place on the first Friday of the month (except for the month of June), from 10AM to 1PM.
Location: Loisaida, Inc. Center
710 E 9th Street, New York, NY 10009
Questions? Contact Loisaida, Inc. at
(646) 726-4715
or
info@loisaida.org

Nuyorican Poets Cafe Open Mic Hosted by Solpreme at Loisaida Center
2025-02-12 18:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Nuyorican Poets Cafe Open Mic will be hosted on February 12th, Wednesday, 2025, from 6 to 8:30 PM!
Open to all genres including poetry, music, comedy, and story-telling.
Hosted by Solpreme in person & on-stage at the Loisaida Center, 710 East 9th Street (between Avenues C & D), Manhattan, NY 10009. Please note: all performances are live-streamed on Loisaida’s and our Nuyorican Poets Cafe’s YouTube channels (and the recording is available to watch on our YouTube channel right thereafter).
** On the first Wednesday of each month. **
** Doors open at 6 P.M. **
** Open Mic is from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. **
Tickets:
$10 (plus online fee) for performers or audience/viewing (same price).
$10 (at the door, via credit card or Zelle or Apple Pay, no cash)
<<RSVP link>>

PIPIRIS NIGHTS FEST 2025 at the Loisaida Center
2025-02-21 18:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
PIPIRIS NIGHTS FEST 2025 Schedule at Loisaida Center
Welcome to Pipiris Nights Fest! This festival celebrates the rich musical and cultural traditions of Venezuelan Joropos, right here in the Lower East Side of Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn. Happening on February 21, 22 and 23; save the dates! Register to attend!
Feb 21, 6:00 pm
Loisaida Inc, 710 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009
Screening / Talk
Archivo Sonoro del IIEt: Cantos de ordeño en Altagracia de Orituco (Ven). A 50 años del trabajo de campo de Elena Hermo.
Mg. Carlos Balcázar (Arg)
Mariangeles Pacheco (Ven)

RSVP Link

PIPIRIS NIGHTS FEST 2025 at the Loisaida Center
2025-02-22 14:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
PIPIRIS NIGHTS FEST 2025 Schedule at Loisaida Center
Welcome to Pipiris Nights Fest! This festival celebrates the rich musical and cultural traditions of Venezuelan Joropos, right here in the Lower East Side of Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn. Happening on February 21, 22 and 23; save the dates! Register to attend!
Feb 22, 2:00 pm
Loisaida Inc, 710 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009
Book Presentation
Formas del Joropo Llanero Vol 1. Guía didáctica musical.
Trina Herrera, Creator
Editta, Publishing House
Video Presentation + Q&A
Joropo tuyero: ¿Cómo nace una canción?
Dr. Katrin Lengwinat (Ven)
Short Film Screening + Q&A
Mi Retorno: Mario Díaz “El Poeta de Requena”
By: Mariangeles Pacheco

RSVP Link

What is a Virtual Power Plant? 2025 Ecolibrium Presentation & Meeting at Loisaida Center
2025-02-25 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Join our Ecolibrium team at the Loisaida Center on (February 25, 6 to 8 pm) for a presentation and visioning meeting that explores the transformation of our energy system from the old centralized static fossil-fueled electric grid, to a responsive and participatory all-electric one serviced by distributed renewable energy resources (DER) and batteries.
We will present the concept of a community-scale “Virtual Power Plant” where solar and battery systems installed on buildings and in public spaces are coordinated and synchronized to behave as a single larger system. We will learn about “grid-interactive buildings”, electric vehicle-to-building-to-grid charging, community microgrids, demand reduction and response, and how these systems benefit residents, building owners, create jobs, reduce building emissions, relieve stress on the electric grid, and provide resilient power to buildings during grid outages.
This program is made possible through the generous support from Con Edison, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (Ladders for Leaders), CUNY Career Corps, NY State Dept. of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Department of Education/Congressional Community Project Funding.
Image design by: Grace Ballo

RSVP Link

Sponsors and Partners:

Nuyorican Poets Cafe Open Mic Hosted by Solpreme at Loisaida Center
2025-02-26 18:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Nuyorican Poets Cafe Open Mic will be hosted on February 26th, Wednesday, 2025, from 6 to 8:30 PM!
Open to all genres including poetry, music, comedy, and story-telling.
Hosted by Solpreme in person & on-stage at the Loisaida Center, 710 East 9th Street (between Avenues C & D), Manhattan, NY 10009. Please note: all performances are live-streamed on Loisaida’s and our Nuyorican Poets Cafe’s YouTube channels (and the recording is available to watch on our YouTube channel right thereafter).
** On the first Wednesday of each month. **
** Doors open at 6 P.M. **
** Open Mic is from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. **
Tickets:
$10 (plus online fee) for performers or audience/viewing (same price).
$10 (at the door, via credit card or Zelle or Apple Pay, no cash)
<<RSVP link>>

Nuyorican Poets Cafe W.O.W. Open Mic at Loisaida Center
2025-03-05 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Nuyorican Poets Cafe W.O.W (Womxn Orator Wednesday) Open Mic will be hosted on March 5th, Wednesday, 2025, from 6 to 8:30 PM!
Open to all genres including poetry, music, comedy, and story-telling.
Hosted by Felicia Cade aka ‘Rise Felicia’ in-person & on-stage at the Loisaida Center, 710 East 9th Street (between Avenues C & D), Manhattan, NY 10009. Please note: all performances are live-streamed on Loisaida’s and our Nuyorican Poets Cafe’s YouTube channels (and the recording is available to watch on our YouTube channel right thereafter).
** On the first Wednesday of each month. **
** Doors open at 6 P.M. **
** Open Mic is from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. **
Tickets:
$10 (plus online fee) for performers or audience/viewing (same price).
$10 (at the door, via credit card or Zelle or Apple Pay, no cash)
<<RSVP link>>

SENIOR DAY at Loisaida Center
2025-03-07 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
SENIOR DAY at the LOISAIDA CENTER on March 7, 2025!
Activities include art workshops, educational panels, live music, snacks, coffee, and more!
Senior Day always takes place on the first Friday of the month (except for the month of June), from 10AM to 1PM.
Location: Loisaida, Inc. Center
710 E 9th Street, New York, NY 10009
Questions? Contact Loisaida, Inc. at
(646) 726-4715
or
info@loisaida.org

Nuyorican Poets Cafe Open Mic Hosted by Solpreme at Loisaida Center
2025-03-12 18:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Nuyorican Poets Cafe Open Mic will be hosted on March 12th, Wednesday, 2025, from 6 to 8:30 PM!
Open to all genres including poetry, music, comedy, and story-telling.
Hosted by Solpreme in person & on-stage at the Loisaida Center, 710 East 9th Street (between Avenues C & D), Manhattan, NY 10009. Please note: all performances are live-streamed on Loisaida’s and our Nuyorican Poets Cafe’s YouTube channels (and the recording is available to watch on our YouTube channel right thereafter).
** On the first Wednesday of each month. **
** Doors open at 6 P.M. **
** Open Mic is from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. **
Tickets:
$10 (plus online fee) for performers or audience/viewing (same price).
$10 (at the door, via credit card or Zelle or Apple Pay, no cash)
<<RSVP link>>

SENIOR DAY (APRIL)
2025-04-04 10:00 - 13:00 UTC | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
SENIOR DAY – Friday, April 4 at 10:00 AM
The Loisaida Center’s Senior Day always takes place on the first Friday of the month (except for June), from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Activities include art or movement workshops, educational panels, demos or presentations, live music, snacks, coffee, and good company!
¡DÍA DE LAS PERSONAS DE TERCERA EDAD – viernes 4 de abril a las 10:00 AM
El Día de la Tercera Edad siempre se celebra el primer viernes de cada mes (excepto en junio), de 10:00 AM a 1:00 PM. Las actividades incluyen talleres de arte o movimiento, paneles educativos, demostraciones o presentaciones, música en vivo, refrigerios, café y ¡buena compañía!
–
Location: Loisaida, Inc. Center
710 E 9th Street, New York, NY 10009
Questions? ¿Preguntas?
(646) 726-4715
info@loisaida.org

YOU ARE REMARKABLE!
2025-04-16 18:30 - 20:00 UTC | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Learn self-promotion and build confidence in this week’s workshop!
WALK AWAY WITH:↘️ Skills to promote yourself IN ANY ROOM↘️ Easy ways to maintain CONFIDENCE in work and life↘️ A FREE gift to take home
WEDNESDAY4.16.25STARTING 6:30 PMLoisaida Center710 East Ninth StreetNew York, NY 10009
DON’T MISS OUT ON FREE DINNER + TAKE-HOME GIFT!
HOSTED BY:NYJLNEW YORK JUNIOR LEAGUE
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:Loisaida Center

Ecolibrium Community Meeting: Solar and Batteries in Public Spaces
2025-04-24 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Ecolibrium Community Meeting: Solar and Batteries in Public Spaces
Date: April 24, 2025
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Loisaida Center, 710 East 9th St, NYC 10009
Join us for the next Ecolibrium Community Meeting, where we’ll explore the role of solar energy and battery storage in public spaces and their integration into a community-scale Virtual Power Plant (VPP). This initiative connects solar and battery installations in public parks, community centers, and shared spaces with residential and commercial buildings, creating a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable urban energy network.
At our last meeting, we introduced the Virtual Power Plant (VPP) concept, showcasing how distributed energy resources (DERs) can work together to support a decentralized, clean energy grid. This session will dive deeper into the practical applications of solar and battery systems in public spaces, highlighting their role in reducing emissions, enhancing grid reliability, and providing backup power during outages.
We’ll also provide an overview of Ecolibrium’s paid summer internship program, which offers hands-on experience in engineering, data science, IT & cybersecurity, environment, digital arts, media, and economics—preparing students for careers in the green economy while working with our community to create a vision for a climate resilient future in the LES.
Loisaida Center’s Ecolibrium program is committed to energy and climate justice, empowering local talent to design and implement innovative sustainability solutions. By merging technical expertise, creative problem-solving, and community-centered action, the program fosters the next generation of leaders in urban sustainability.
Be part of the conversation—help shape the future of community energy!
This initiative is made possible through the generous support of Con Edison, the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (Ladders for Leaders), CUNY Career Corps, NY State Dept. of Environmental Conservation, and the U.S. Department of Education/Congressional Community Project Funding.

SELF-DEFENSE WORKSHOP (FOR WOMEN!)
2025-05-14 18:30 - 20:00 UTC | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
The New York Junior League and Loisaida, Inc. presents:
Self-defense Workshop
Join Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu trainer Rachel Piazza to learn about physical and verbal strategies you can use to navigate difficult interactions, from common situations to worst-case scenarios.
Featured in: The New York Times

Location & Details

When: Wednesday, May 14th at 6:30–8:00 PM ET

Where: The Loisaida Center, 710 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009

Pizza & beverages provided

AN ARCHIVE FOR LOISAIDA by Arthur Lee
2025-05-15 13:30 - 17:00 UTC | Cooper Union, 7 East 7th Street, NY, NY, 10010, United States
AN ARCHIVE FOR LOISAIDATo remember and continue Loisaida’s history of activism in Cooper Union
May 15th – 30th
Located at the Cooper Union Library – Foundation Building, 7 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003
Opening EventMay 15th 1:30 PM
Open Hours are the same as the Library’s

Fiesta De Cruz en Loisaida
2025-05-23 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
“For nine consecutive years (1990–1999), during the celebration of Mayo Florido, Madrina Milagros Rodríguez and the pleneros group El Quinto Sonó—composed of Enrique Díaz, Echavarrias, Johnny, and Carmen—helped me fulfill my promise to the cross. I also send greetings to Norman Valee and José Lyn, founders of the Green Oasis Garden on East 8th Street in New York, who now smile down on us from heaven. We celebrated our Fiesta de la Cruz there for seven years. Special thanks to Samy Tanco, Carmen Pabón, Julio Picó, Mercedes Amarilis Villaman, Miguel Juan Concepción, Dennis Girón, Jeff Fogel, Julio Peña, and David Lemeire, who dedicated their resources to sustaining and continuing the Fiestas de Cruz tradition in Loisaida.
Puerto Ricans brought the Fiestas de Cruz to New York, where they found fertile ground and took root. Just as in Puerto Rico, in the great New York City metropolis these celebrations have evolved—from being intimate, family-centered events to becoming large public gatherings with meticulous organization and the participation of hundreds of people.
It is expected that the six Fiestas de Cruz currently held in New York will continue. We even dare to predict a strengthening and expansion of the devotion to the Holy Cross, a tradition that has adapted well to changing times without losing its spiritual essence and cosmic significance.
Now rooted in concrete and snow, the Fiestas de Cruz offer a space for community nourishment and empowerment, a renewal of energy and faith in life. Devotees and participants remain loyal to them because of the deep benefits they experience—benefits that go beyond wholesome recreation or simple socializing.
The key lies in the symbol itself, the revelation within the ideogram: there resides an epiphany.
In summary, the journey undertaken toward the Fiestas de Cruz celebrated in New York is divided into two stages. The first analyzes the main components of the devotion in order to establish its origins, similarities, and meaning—seeking to uncover the mythical connections of universal resonance preserved within this particular expression.”
Las Fiestas de Cruz se han celebrado en Puerto Rico por mas de doscientos anos, arraigandose en el fervor popular como una de las preferidas o “tipicas”. Cuenta con celebraciones, devotos y participantes a lo largo y ancho de la isla del encanto Borinquen, pasando la prueba del tiempo, han evolucionado desde el altar hogareno hasta la actual actividad publica con kioscos, orquestas, donde devotos hacen despliege de extravagantes altares, politicos y firmas comerciales “hacen su agosto”.
Los puertorriquefios trajeron las Fiestas de Cruz a Nueva York donde encontraron tierra fertil, echando raices, al igual queen Puerto Rico, en la gran manzana neoyorquina se han transformado de ser un acontecimiento familiar en actos publicos, de meticulosa organizaci6n, contando con la participaci6n de cientos de personas. Se prevee un continuar de la celebraci6n de las seis Fiestas de Cruz queen la actualidad se llevan a cabo en Nueva York.
Nos atrevemos a pronosticar un fortalecimiento y expansion de la devoci6n a la Santisima Cruz, que tan bien se han amoldado a los tiempos sin desvirtuar su esencia espiritual de significado c6smico. Adaptadas al cemento y la nieve, son las Fiestas de Cruz un espacio de alimentaci6n y fortalecimiento comunitario, de renovaci6n de energias y fe en la vida, que sus devotos y participantes siguen fieles a ellas por los beneficios obtenidos, mas alla de la sana recreaci6n o mera socializaci6n. la clave del simbolo, la revelaci6n del ideograma:
Ahi reside Una epifania. Resumiendo, el viaje emprendido hacia las Fiestas de Cruz celebradas en Nueva York, esta dividido en dos etapas. En la primera se analizan los componentes principales de la devoci6n para establecer procedencia, semejanzas, significado, queriendo encontrar las conexiones miticas de resonancias universales preservadas en el hecho particular.
-MAITREYI VILLAMAN MATOS, LAS FIESTAS DE CRUZ EN NUEVA YORK.

LOISAIDA FESTIVAL 2025
2025-05-25 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | NY
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