Loisaida Inc.

SENIOR DAY at Loisaida Center
2026-09-04 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-10-02 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-11-06 10:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
SENIOR DAY at the LOISAIDA CENTER
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

Esta Isla Film Screening
2026-09-05 14:00 - 17:00 UTC | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
As part of the BoriCorridor Screening Tour, Ágora Cultural Architects presents a special screening of Esta Isla, an intimate, thought-provoking film developed in Puerto Rico by a new generation of internationally recognized filmmakers.
Synopsis:
Bebo, a teenager from a coastal Puerto Rican town, lives with his brother in a public housing complex. They fish for a living, but growing desperation drives them to illegal dealings that promise easy money. When a job goes wrong and blood is spilled, Bebo flees with Lola, a wealthy girl seeking to escape her troubled reality. As they navigate the labyrinthine mountains, they encounter remnants of a fading way of life, contrasting with the violence that follows them. As hitmen close in, Bebo must confront his choices and decide if redemption is possible, or if the sea will be their final escape.
A deeply personal and poignant portrait of the Puerto Rican experience that dives into the complexities of identity, resilience, and colonial legacy, the film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, where it was honored with Best Cinematography, Best New Director, and the Jury Award. In 2026 it was nominated for the prestigious Spirit Awards, where it won the John Cassavetes Award, solidifying its place as one of the most celebrated Puerto Rican films.

Open Mic Wednesdays at Loisaida Center hosted by: Brian Acosta Arya
2026-09-09 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-09-16 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-09-23 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-09-30 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-10-07 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-10-14 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-10-21 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-10-28 18:00 - 20:00 UTC and 3 more dates | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Join Loisaida Inc. and the Nuyorican Poets Cafe for our WEDNESDAYS OPEN MIC hosted by Brian Acosta Arya – at the Loisaida Center, 710 East 9th Street, NY, NY 10009. Ticket(s) available at the door or in advance by following this link: https://ci.ovationtix.com/35133 – the signup sheet to perform in the open mic is at the tickets/welcome table (near the stage) after you enter.
More details:
** Held on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of each month. **
** (Note: except during the summer months in July & August 2025) ***
** Doors open at 6 P.M. **
** Open Mic is from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M. **

All art forms are welcome:
Spoken Word/Poetry, Short Stories/Scripts, Stand-Up Comedy, Short Monologues/Excerpts, 3-4 Minute Original Songs or Performances (Note: ORIGINAL songs only).
Four minutes max. for each performer. If you’d like to add an original audio track to your performance, the digital signup sheet at the stage will provide an online form to upload your audio files. ** Note: all performances will be recorded and live-streamed on Loisaida’s and our Nuyorican Poets Cafe’s YouTube channel. Participation in this event is with this understanding and giving consent to be filmed. If you missed attending and/or would like to re-watch your own performance, find the recorded videos on our YouTube channel. **
** NOTICE: By attending and/or participating in events by the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, you acknowledge that your voice and/or likeness may be recorded and/or photographed. **
Ticket info here: https://ci.ovationtix.com/35133
* $10 (plus online fee) in advance here on this ticket page (for either audience/viewing or performances, same price)
* $10 (at the door at the Loisaida Center, via credit card or Zelle or ApplePay only, no cash)

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Islands Within Archipelagos of Resistance
2026-09-12 12:00 - 17:00 UTC | La Plaza Cultural, 700 E 9th Street, New York, 10009, United States
Loisaida Inc. is excited to partner with multidisciplinary artist, Lizania Cruz and the Adobe Creative Resident at MoMA for a day of community building at La Plaza Cultural de Armando Perez Community Garden.
Through readings, conversation, hands-on activities and music, this program will invite audiences to listen to and learn from the individuals and organizations building resistance networks for environmental justice between the island of Manhattan, Puerto Rico, and its Diaspora. together, participants will honor the Lower East Side legacy of community gardens as spaces of community building and environmental resilience.
This is a FREE EVENT!
At La Plaza Cultural
Saturday, September 12th
12:00pm-5:00pm

Loisaida Center Backpack + School Supply Giveaway
2026-09-15 15:00 - 19:00 UTC | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
🎒 FREE BACKPACK & SCHOOL SUPPLY GIVEAWAY! 📚
The Loisaida Center is excited to help families prepare for the new school year!
Join us for our Backpack & School Supply Giveaway, where children will receive FREE backpacks filled with essential school supplies while supplies last.
📅 Date: September 15th 2026
🕒 Time: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Loisaida Center 710 E 9th Street NY NY 10009
This event is open to families with school-aged children. Come pick up everything your child needs to start the school year off right!
Supplies are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage families to arrive early.
We look forward to seeing you and wishing your students a successful and exciting school year!
Questions? Contact the Loisaida Center (646) 726-4715 / info@loisaida.org

¡LOISAIDA HABLA! - A New Spanish Club For Children
2026-09-20 12:00 - 15:00, 2026-09-27 12:00 - 15:00, 2026-10-04 12:00 - 15:00, 2026-10-11 12:00 - 15:00, 2026-10-18 12:00 - 15:00, 2026-10-25 12:00 - 15:00, 2026-11-01 12:00 - 15:00, 2026-11-08 12:00 - 15:00 UTC and 1 more date
Absolutely! Here’s a warm, family-friendly blurb you can use for a flyer, email, or social media post:
🌟 ¡LOISAIDA HABLA! — A NEW SPANISH CLUB FOR CHILDREN! 📚
Loisaida Center is excited to invite our community and their children to join ¡LOISAIDA HABLA!, our new Spanish Club created to make learning Spanish fun, engaging, and exciting!
Beginning September 20th, ¡LOISAIDA HABLA! will meet every other Sunday from 12:00 PM–3:00 PM. Elementary aged children will have the opportunity to learn and practice Spanish through books, videos, music, dance, games, and fun, dynamic activities designed to encourage creativity, confidence, and a love for the Spanish language.
And of course, there will be snacks! 🍎🥨
✨ FREE PROGRAM
📅 First Day: September 20th
🗓️ Every Other Sunday
⏰ 12:00 PM–3:00 PM
📍 Loisaida Center
Bring your little ones and let’s learn, play, dance, and speak Spanish together! ¡Los esperamos! 💃🏽🎵📖
¡LOISAIDA HABLA! — Donde aprendemos español, compartimos nuestra cultura y nos divertimos juntos.
If you have not yet, please register with this link: https://forms.gle/s9WUw9jQ5wsxkwfw9

"Visiones" Exhibition Opening Reception
2026-10-01 18:00 - 21:00 UTC | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Loisaida Center welcomes you to our very own resident artist, Mateo Nazario’s opening reception for their exhibition, Visiones!
Come enjoy an evening with a live Bomba performance, a DJ set from the multi-talented, Afro-Boricua, DJ Agent DMZ, and art pieces that connect all people from the archipelago of Boriken and the diaspora to the past, present and future we are creating.
“Visiones” Exhibit Statement:
Our paths were paved by the steps our ancestors took. We are the fruit that bloomed from the love cultivated by our land, the celestial beings above, and the ones that came before.
Every day we live out the visions of what the brave ones who revolted, dreamed of. “Visiones” is a kaleidoscope of the collective past, present, and future we are creating.
These works are portals that offer an intimate look into the current reality of our community. The colonial violence inflicted on our divine motherland and our people has forever changed the course of history. Our people stripped of the most basic services, our natural resources exploited, and the displaced robbed of a life that could have been lived in our sacred archipelago. “Visiones” offers a multifaceted perspective on how we continue to fight for our sovereignty as a people. Referencing historical moments within the artwork, and incorporating our modern revolution, “Visiones” is a conversation about how we imagine our communal future.
Our spirits, through art, joy, and perreo manifest the fire of el sol Taíno, and the land that screams for its children to defend her. From Borikén to La Diáspora, we will continue to build on las visiones that our ancestors laid out for our path to liberation.
Maite Nazario @maitexnazario

La Bomba Crece En Loisaida!
2026-10-06 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-11-03 18:00 - 21:00 UTC | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Join us for live drumming, dance, and community connection in the heart of Loisaida, as we celebrate our Puerto Rican culture!
We welcome you to our monthly bombazo occurring every first Tuesday of every month.
Although not needed, Feel free to bring your maracas, claves and other small instruments.
During our intermission, we will serve sancocho, cooked by our organizers of La Sala de Pepe and Diasporic Pa’lante Collective.
Every First Tuesday of the Month
6:00pm-9:00pm
Loisaida Center- 710 E 9th Street NY NY 10009

Loisaida Center Open House!
2026-10-17 12:00 - 16:00 UTC | The Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 East 9th Street, New York, NY, 10009, United States
Join us for the Loisaida Center Open House on Saturday, October 17, from 12:00 PM–4:00 PM! We invite all community members, artists, families, neighbors, and friends to come explore our space, experience local art, and learn more about the work we do throughout the community.
Our Open House will feature three exciting exhibitions:

“Fragile” — a sculptural exhibition showcasing the work of Alexis Mendoza.
“Visiones” — an exhibition featuring painted canvases and digital artwork by our resident artist Mateo Nazario.
“American Boricua” — a photography exhibition featuring photographs captured by photojournalist Wanda Benvenutti.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to learn more about Loisaida Center, including our diverse programming, cultural events, educational opportunities, community initiatives, partnerships, and the many ways we work to support and engage our Lower East Side community.
Whether you are a longtime member of the Loisaida community or visiting us for the first time, we welcome you to come discover, connect, and celebrate the creativity and culture that make our community special.
📅 Saturday, October 17
🕛 12:00 PM–4:00 PM
📍 Loisaida Center
We hope to see you soon!
