Loisaida Inc.

Teens Take the Met!
2023-05-12 17:00 - 20:00 UTC | The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY, 10028, United States
Grab your friends and take over The Met for the night. Drop in for teen-only activities across the Museum, including art making, performances, music, and more. Discover what you can also do at over 35 NYC cultural and community organizations.
Doors open at 5pm. Teens Take The Met! is free and open to all teens 13+ with a middle or high school ID. Just show up or RSVP now to get a free ticket to beat the line. If you’re a chaperone who’d like to come with a group of 10 or more teens, please email teenprograms@metmuseum.org for instructions.
Make sure to check out The Loisaida Center’s activation during the event, a dance piece titled Against the Current, in the Charles Engelhard Court (Gallery 700, Floor 1) at 5:30pm!
Against the Current is a “Dance on Camera” and live performance piece performed by Loisaida’s youth, choreographed by Loisaida Inc. teaching artist Yaraní del Valle, and inspired by the exhibition Water Memories, currently on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
RSVP for a Free Ticket
View Full Schedule

2023-05-13 09:00 - 17:00 UTC | NY
Earth Celebrations

ECOLOGICAL CITY - Procession for Climate Solutions

SATURDAY MAY 13, 2023 (raindate May 14) 11am- 5pm

SPECTACULAR PROCESSION - 21 SUSTAINABILITY SITE PERFORMANCES - GARDENS TO WATERFRONT LES

ECOLOGICAL CITY is an urban ecological pilgrimage featuring a spectacular procession of visual art, giant puppets and costumes with 21 site performances of music, dance, theater and poetry celebrating local climate solution initiatives throughout the community gardens neighborhood and waterfront on the Lower East Side of New York City.

More Information & Full Schedule - https://www.earthcelebrations.com

BECOME A CLIMATE SOLUTION - SIGN UP FOR A ROLE

- Wear Earth Celebrations' spectacular Climate Solution Costumes

- Operate Puppets

- Assist as a Marshal direct visuals and hand our programs

VOLUNTEER SIGN UP :- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ecological-city-procession-for-climate-solutions-tickets-517922268447

Let's Reconnect over Coffee: Hamilton Fish Park Service Plan
2023-05-17 15:00 - 17:00 UTC | Hamilton Fish Park Library, 415 East Houston Street, New York, NY, 10002, United States
Wednesday, May 17th, 3-5pm
Let’s re-connect! After being closed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hamilton Fish Park Library has decided to open our doors ahead of our projected renovation in the Fall, due in no small part to demand from you, the community!
Come join us for an open conversation with our staff and other community partners, where we’ll discuss our current service model, provide information on other non-profits offering resources in the area, and talk about ways in which we’ll be staying connected with the neighborhood once we close again.
We’ll also be giving a sneak peak at what the newly imagined space will look like in two years. So, let’s reconnect and catch up!
Registration is recommended but not required. Coffee will be provided on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.
Register Here

DEADLINE: New York League of Puerto Rican Women, Inc. Scholarship
2023-05-26 | NY
New York League of Puerto Rican Women, Inc. Scholarship
Applications due by May 26th, 2023
The New York League of Puerto Rican Women are accepting applications for their 2023 Scholarships. These financial awards are granted annually to undergraduate Puerto Rican women selected for their academic excellence and service to the community. To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be currently matriculated as a college student in an accredited institution of higher education, having earned a minimum of 12 accumulated credits and a GPA of 3.0 with no failing grades
Submit a resume
Submit an essay that includes the applicant’s educational and career goals, and demonstrates service to the community
Provide an official college transcript
Provide two (2) letters of recommendation from professors, college advisors, employers, or supervisors
Submit a high resolution 4″ by 6″ (minimum size) color headshot photo, jpeg format, of the applicant in appropriate business casual or professional attire, with a neutral background, for inclusion in our Commemorative Journal
Be available to attend an interview with the Scholarship Committee

Apply Here!

The 2023 Loisaida Festival
2023-05-28 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | Avenue C Corridor, 12th - 6th Streets on Avenue C, New York, NY, 10003, United States
MUSIC · FOOD · ARTS · CULTURE
The Loisaida Festival
SAVE THE DATE!
SUNDAY, MAY 28 – 2023

Since 1987, the Loisaida Festival has honored its history by providing a platform to celebrate arts & culture through music, dance, arts, cuisine, and other cultural manifestations representative of the diverse ethnic groups and nationalities that make up the fabric of the neighborhood. It also serves as a vehicle to share information and spread awareness about local community and city-wide initiatives and resources as well as year-round community programming by Loisaida, Inc.

BECOME A 2023 SPONSOR, VENDOR OR EXHIBITOR

The 36th Annual Loisaida Festival
2023-05-28 12:00 - 17:00 UTC | Avenue C / Loisaida Ave, New York, NY, 10009, United States

DEADLINE: Comité Noviembre Scholarship Program
2023-06-09 | NY
Comité Noviembre Scholarship Program
Applications due June 9, 2023 – For more information, email cn.scholarship@gmail.com
Established in 1987, Comité Noviembre is the only collaboration of its kind in the United States. It brings together the strength and talents of key Puerto Rican organizations which make up its member agencies. The mission of Comité Noviembre is to plan and promote events and forums that highlight the contributions Puerto Ricans have made to this country. Since its inception, Comité Noviembre has placed a special focus on volunteerism and educational excellence as the key to the future of the Puerto Rican Community. In November of 1996, in celebration of the tenth anniversary of Puerto Rican Heritage Month, the Comité Noviembre Scholarship Awards Program was established. This year, Comité Noviembre will award $1,000 in scholarships.

ERNESTO MALAVE SCHOLARSHIP FOR THE ARTS: This award will recognize Puerto Ricans pursuing a higher education majoring in the Arts.
Application can be found here: https://forms.gle/pbgUmJo5cPQ2Yc628

THE RICHIE PEREZ SCHOLARSHIP: This award will recognize Puerto Rican youth for their commitment, activism, and achievements in the areas of human rights and social justice
Application can be found here: https://forms.gle/ajw89MvnvfT9HvZG7

COMITE NOVIEMBRE SCHOLARSHIP FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE: This award will recognize exceptional Puerto Rican youth who are making a difference in their community.
Application can be found here: https://forms.gle/9YYsWxAzDrZ5tY2G8

THE JOSEFINA AGUADO SCHOLARSHIP FOR SINGLE PARENTS: This award will recognize single Puerto Rican parents pursuing a college or a graduate degree.
Application can be found here: https://forms.gle/4FU51wxWJGYfP3oD6

La Cocina de Loisaida: Puerto Rican Fiesta de Tapas
2023-06-14 12:00 - 14:00, 2023-06-17 12:00 - 14:00 UTC | Essex Market – Essex Kitchen, 88 Essex Street (Mezzanine Level), New York, NY, 10002, United States
La Cocina de Loisaida is a monthly in-person cooking class series presented by The Loisaida Center and Essex Market, where longtime Lower East Sider and home chef Maria Bido shares authentic Puerto Rican recipes and cooking techniques. Each month we’ll explore a new batch of family favorites, all based in Puerto Rican flavors and using ingredients from Essex Market.
This month we’re going to enjoy an amazing Puerto Rican Tapas class! Our menu consists of Pionones, Picadillo, Relleno de Papa, and Limber de Coco. The dishes we will make are a phenomenal combination of traditional Caribbean Flavors! This class will be about 2 hours long and include time to savor the dishes you prepare together as a group.
Buy your tickets now on Eventbrite!

Loisaida Center Holistic Wellness for Older Adults
2023-06-15 10:00 - 13:00, 2023-07-20 10:00 - 13:00, 2023-08-17 10:00 - 13:00, 2023-09-21 10:00 - 13:00 UTC | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
After the challenges faced and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Loisaida Center is more committed than ever to providing high-quality programming aligned with the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and to bringing together older adults from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds.
To that end, we’ve expanded our Super-Adult program to include specific Health & Wellness services every 3rd Thursday of the month in collaboration with the Loisaida Wellness Collective and VNS Health.

Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Street Festival
2023-06-18 12:00 - 16:00 UTC | Outside of Museum At Eldridge Street, Eldridge Street Between Canal and Division, New York, NY, 10002, United States
In its 22nd year, the Museum at Eldridge Street’s Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Street Festival is a celebration of the diverse traditions that give the Lower East Side and Chinatown its identity.
Embrace the spirit of this ever-changing neighborhood and its rich immigration history with the Museum’s magnificent home, the 1887 landmark Eldridge Street Synagogue, as the backdrop. The festival fills Eldridge Street with a medley of Jewish, Chinese, and Puerto Rican tastes, sights, sounds, and crafts for folks of all ages to enjoy! This festival is free to attend, and all are welcome!
Registration preferred but not necessary. A full list of participants will follow as the date approaches.

Register for free on Eventbrite.

SPRING INTO HEALTH Signature Event ~ Join us Manhattan Neighbors
2023-06-30 11:00 - 16:00 UTC | Lower Highland Playground, Jamaica Avenue & Cleveland Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11208, United States
You are cordially invited to the 2nd Annual DYCD Spring Into Health Signature Event on Friday June 30, 2023 at Lower Highland Park in Brooklyn, NY from 11am-4pm.
The signature DYCD Spring into Health Signature Event, is a gathering of local community members and organizations that provide services for the sole purpose of building bridges between residents and community organizations. The campaign is meant to raise awareness, provide access, and share resources necessary to promote health equity across the five boroughs of New York City.
The event will have a number of City, State and Private vendors tabling and the following Activities:
Tennis, Zumba, Basketball, Yoga, Music(DJ), Food, Smoothie Station, Step and more…
This event is open to all Community residents and Program Participants. Buses will be available in all five boroughs, space is limited please register ASAP!
Register Here

Super Adult Day at Loisaida
2023-07-07 10:30 - 13:30, 2023-08-04 10:30 - 13:30, 2023-09-01 10:30 - 13:30, 2023-10-06 10:30 - 13:30 UTC | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Loisaida Inc. is committed to our senior community by providing programs that help improve people’s mental & physical health through arts and culturally enriching programming and engaging activities that help support good mental health, physical and emotional well-being.
Super Adult Day at Loisaida is on the first Friday of each month, from 10:30am – 1:30pm at the Loisaida Center. During each event, we offer snacks and beverages, a wide variety of enrichment classes such as dance, exercise, arts, and live music to our guests!
Capacity is limited, so come early!
Dates:
February 3, 2023 / 10:30am – 1:30pm
March 3, 2023 / 10:30am – 1:30pm
*April 14, 2023 / 10:30am – 1:30pm (*first Friday of April is skipped)
May 5, 2023 / 10:30am – 1:30pm
July 7, 2023 / 10:30am – 1:30pm
August 4, 2023 / 10:00am – 1:30pm
September 1, 2023 / 10:00am – 1:30pm
October 6, 2023 / 10:00am – 1:30pm
November 3, 2023 / 10:00am – 1:30pm
**December 1, 2023 / 10:00am – 1:30pm (**Holiday Celebration)

Amant presents "Herstories and a Collaborative Future Beyond Tragedy"
2023-07-08 16:00 - 17:00 UTC | Amant, 315 Maujer Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11206, United States
Saturday, July 8, 2023, 4-6pm

As part of Natalia Lassalle Morillo’s En Parábola/Conversations on Tragedy, a film and theater commission that reimagines the tragedy of Antigone with a cast of non-professional performers residing in Puerto Rico and within its diaspora in the United States, activist Iris Morales joins us for a conversation with Natalia and the project’s cast. Iris will talk about her life-long activism with Puerto Rican diasporic communities in New York, and about the crucial role Puerto Rican and Latinx feminists have played in the advancement of the social justice rights and liberation movements for the Puerto Rican communities in New York City.
This intergenerational dialogue bridges political activism and artistic creation, where the speakers will share their respective creative processes and discuss the importance of foregrounding affect and care, along with creative experimentation and imagination, in activism, community organizing, and collaborative creation processes.
Image: Women of the Young Lords Marching. Photo by Michael Abramson.

Amant presents "Rituals of Speaking"
2023-07-09 14:00 - 17:00 UTC | Amant, 315 Maujer Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11206, United States
Sunday, July 9, 2023, 2-5pm

In this experimental choral and voice learnshop developed by singer and music-maker Xenia Rubinos, participants are invited to explore their voice through rituals of collective speaking.

During the first part of the learnshop, Xenia will guide the group through vocal techniques intended to open the individual and collective voice and provide tools to embody sound and connect to their bodies’ vocal resonators. The guided practices will enable participants to connect their voices with the sounds present in their bodies, especially bringing about the release of latent sounds and language that hold memories yet to be vocalized. This learnshop is a space for experimentation without judgment in order to nurture an individual and collective exploration of the voice/sound. In this spirit, Xenia will create a collaborative listening environment incorporating free writing techniques that support everyone’s creative process

In the second part of the learnshop, Xenia will guide and compose a choral ode in collaboration with the participants. Through improvisational and compositional scores, we will expand on the sounds and text developed in the learnshop and throughout the script-writing and rehearsal process for En Parábola, leading to a chorus of voices and sounds that bring together the multiplicity of Puerto Rican migratory experiences.

This learnshop will be held in Spanish and English and is open to all, especially folks of Puerto Rican descent, no prior experience is required. Part of this session will be filmed as part of Natalia’s research phase for En Parábola/Conversations on Tragedy, which will premiere at Amant in January of 2024.
We have a maximum capacity of 20 people. If you would like to attend, email curatorial@amant.org briefly explaining your connection to Puerto Rico and why you would like to participate, please use “Rituals of Speaking with Xenia Rubinos” as email subject.

Photo of Xenia Rubinos by Paula La Bloise Art.

Back 2 Da Culture Park Jam
2023-07-30 14:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | La Plaza Cultural, 700 E 9th Street, New York, 10009, United States
Subterra Living Museum & Tribal Exchange Present: “Back 2 Da Culture Park Jam”

Sunday July 30th, 2 – 7pm
at La Plaza Cultural Garden (E 9th St & Avenue C, New York, NY 10009)

DJ’s
Producers
Live music
Open Jam
Live Art & Painters
Food
Vendors
Good vibes

In partnership with Loisaida Center and Morus (Museum of Reclaimed Space)

In the spirit of the LES community oriented, activist, poetic, artistic revolutionary movement

For the people by the people

Ivelisse Diaz Free Dance Workshop
2023-08-03 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Ivelisse Diaz, director of La Escuelita Bombera de Corazón and all-women Bomba y Plena group Las BomPleneras, is teaching a free dance workshop at the Loisaida Center (710 East 9th Street, New York, NY 10009) on Thursday, August 3rd from 7–9pm.
Space for the workshop is very limited, so please RSVP as soon as possible!
And stop by La Sala de Pepe on Saturday, August 5th for an interview with Ivelisse Diaz! Open to all, no RSVP needed.

La Cocina de Loisaida: Hispanic Heritage Celebration
2023-09-15 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Essex Market – Essex Kitchen, 88 Essex Street (Mezzanine Level), New York, NY, 10002, United States
Kick of Hispanic Heritage month by learning how to make the Puerto Rican National Dish – Arroz con Gandules as well as Pernil and Yuca con mojo de Ajo y Cebollas. These dishes are traditional favorites in Puerto Rico and you will learn how to make them with ease! The classes will be approximately 1.5 hours long and include time to savor the dishes you prepare together as a group.

La Cocina de Loisaida is a monthly in-person cooking class series presented by The Loisaida Center and Essex Market, where longtime Lower East Sider and home chef María Bido shares authentic Puerto Rican recipes and cooking techniques. Each month we’ll explore a new batch of family favorites, all based in Puerto Rican flavors and using ingredients from Essex Market.

Buy your tickets now on Eventbrite!

Indigo Dyeing Workshop: Geografía(s) del Jiquilite al Añil
2023-09-23 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
On Saturday, September 23rd at 1pm, artist Leila Mattina will lead an indigo dyeing workshop where participants will learn how to use indigo pigment. Mattina will also facilitate a seed exchange and share instructions for growing indigo in small spaces.
Participants are welcome to bring one fabric scrap made of natural fibers for dyeing. Please do not bring large or bulky items like towels or bedding.
This workshop is presented on the occasion of the exhibition Geografía(s) del Jiquilite al Añil.
This event will take place at the 9th Street Community Garden (703 East 9th Street). In the case of rain, the event will take place across the street at the Loisaida, Inc. Center (710 East 9th Street). This event is co-presented by Abrons Arts Center and the Loisaida Center.
Geografia(s) del Jiquilite al Añil is the first U.S. solo exhibition featuring new work by La Residencia artist Leila Mattina. Through practice and process-based works, Mattina Gregory shares her research on the cultivation and processing of the añil (indigo) in Puerto Rico, and its connections to the Caribbean and Latin America.
This exhibition is hosted at Cuchifritos Gallery & Project Space (Inside Essex Market, 88 Essex St #21, New York, NY 10002), open Wednesday through Saturday, 12–6pm.
Image by Leonardo Laboy

American Boricua Opening Reception
2023-09-23 14:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | La Sala de Pepe y Foto Espacio, 73 Loisaida Avenue, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Join us at La Sala de Pepe (73 Avenue C, New York, NY 10009) on Saturday, September 23rd, 2pm for the opening reception of photojournalist and writer Wanda Benvenutti’s AMERICAN BORICUA, a modern visual history of Puerto Rican life cross North America.
El Grito Cafecito
in partnership with Loisaida Center
at La Sala de Pepe y Foto Espacio
Site-visit, café, and conversation at 2pm.
Saturday, Sept. 23 at 2:00 pm
Short 30 min. Exhibition Overview of AMERICAN BORICUA w/ Wanda Benvenutti

"Lens on the Lower East Side" Photographers' Panel
2023-09-28 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Join us at the Loisaida Inc. Center on Thursday, September 28th at 6:30pm for the Photographers’ Panel for the “Lens on the Lower East Side” exhibit, currently on view at the center. To RSVP, contact info@LESPI-NYC.org

This contemporary photography exhibit is based on the work showcased in Lower East Side Preservation Initiative’s photo journal books, “East Village: Lens on the Lower East Side” and “LES: Lens on the Lower East Side.” These collections of beautiful photographs of the historic East Village/Lower East Side capture the spirit of today’s residents, workers, and visitors against a backdrop of the area’s rich and wonderful historic buildings, and show how the neighborhood’s streets – capes are not only beautiful and irreplaceable, but also serve to enrich and enliven everyday modern life.

Lower East Side Preservation Initiative’s – LESPI’s – mission is to preserve Manhattan’s historic Lower East Side by documenting and mapping the area’s historic streetscapes, increasing awareness of the community’s important history and architecture, and rallying residents, city officials, and the NYC Landmarks Commission to landmark local historic districts and individual buildings. Without protection our beautiful historic streetscapes will be lost to demolition and overdevelopment.

Loisaida, Inc. addresses the serious economic and social disenfranchisement of poor and low income Latino residents, with employment and training opportunities, comprehensive youth development initiatives, as well as neighborhood revitalization activities that positively highlight the rich culture, age, and contribution of the Puerto Rican and Latin American community in this city.

Photographers’ Panel:

Thursday, September 28th, 6:30 – 8:30pm

Location:

Loisaida, Inc. Center (710 East 9th Street, New York, NY 10009)

Photographers:

Don Freeman, Alan Gastelum, George Hirose, Onno de Jong, Ryan John Lee, Marlis Momber, Iliana Ortega, Janko Puls, Brian Rose, Federico Savini, Ciaran Tully

Uprooted Exhibition Opening
2023-10-05 18:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Join us at the Loisaida Center (710 East 9th Street, New York, NY 10009) on Thursday, October 5th at 6pm for the opening reception of Uprooted!
Uprooted explores the disconnect immigrants, migrants and the children of immigrants experience in the multitude of spaces and cultures they occupy. We’ve gathered multiple lens-based artists that have developed projects exploring their roots. Through their work, we are able to see the impact immigration has on people from varying backgrounds. We are able to see the different ways in which artists acknowledge and honor their ancestry.
The exhibition highlights themes of identity, ancestry, assimilation, erasure, and belonging through the lens of multiple New York City based photographers. Through exhibition, the collective diaspora is actively reclaiming their roots, challenging and redefining what it means to be American, exploring methods in which the celebration of multiculturalism can keep customs intact, and honoring their collective diversity.
Participating Artists
Kamal Badhey, Wendy Correa, Cristina Ferrigno, Lissy Alta, Judyta Grudzien, Roxana Hurtado, Maylyn ‘Zero’ Iglesias, Ryan John Lee, Destiny Mata, Carmen Mojica.

Lower East Side Hispanic Heritage Festival
2023-10-07 - 2023-10-08 | Dry Dock playground, Avenue D and 10th Street, Manhattan, NY, 10009, United States

Art in Odd Places: Garbagia by Daniela Fabrizi (Day 1)
2023-10-13 18:00 - 19:30 UTC | LGBTQIA+ Center, NY, United States
GARBAGIA
In this collaborative work, garbagianos will share a retrospective of Garbagia’s universe for the past eight years, inspired and celebrating artist Rolando Politi’s imagined world Garbagia. Creatures portray overconsumption and excess through the most common waste materials: plastic, cardboard, recyclable materials, textiles, paper, and found objects. Garbagia Project, born in 2016, is a community art program based in the Lower East Side where the community manifests in diversity their ideas about how society relates to trash and overconsumption through costume making and performance.
Director Daniela Fabrizi is a textile artist, costume designer and cultural manager. From 2016 to 2019, she served as director of Textiles for Loisaida Festival and co founded Garbagia Project, roots to a chain of community initiatives inspired by sustainability, resilience, environmental awareness, and creative reuse as a tool for social change.

Friday, October 13th
Q&A from 6:00 – 7:30 PM
LGBTQIA+ Center
208 West 13th Street

Saturday, October 14th
Performance from 3 – 6 PM
On 14th Street, Nearby Union Square

Sunday, October 15th
Performance from 3 – 7 PM
On 14th Street, Nearby the Hudson River

The artists participating in Art in Odd Places 2023: DRESS walk the runway that is 14th Street exploring all sides of the theme with projects examining clothing production and colonialism, fast fashion and waste, transformation and gender identity (and intolerance), cultural identity, work and labor, censorship, the passage of time and its traces, beauty, disability, status, armor, joy and grief. We hope you will join us!
Art in Odd Places 2023: DRESS is curated by Gretchen Vitamvas with Curational Assistant: Tasha Douge. Curational Manager: Sarah Starpoli. artinoddplaces.org
