Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education and Councilman Rafael Salamanca, Jr. will present the 10th annual South Bronx Culture Trail Festival from June 01-30, 2021 celebrating the culture, communities, and history of the South Bronx. In-person events will be held in multiple locations throughout the Hunts Point and Longwood neighborhoods of the Bronx, with virtual events broadcasted and streamed on social media by BronxNet Community Television.
The festival’s theme this year, “Together Again,” calls the South Bronx community to join in the collective healing power of the arts after an extended period of distance caused by the global pandemic. Latin jazz ensemble BronX BandA, featuring Arturo O’Farrill, will perform alongside Members of the New York Philharmonic with additional performances throughout the month highlighting the musical influences of BronX BandA. Multiple outdoor concerts will celebrate exceptional local artists including Amazonas Strings, Annette A. Aguilar & StringBeans, Chris Washburne and the SYOTOS Band, Fort Apache Tribute Band, Kayla Faccilongo & Markus Kaitila, MPT Trio + Sean Conly, Soul Inscribed, and The SuperSlicks. The sounds of jazz, Caribbean folk, opera, rocksteady, reggae, hip hop soul, and Latin American music will fill public spaces allowing community members to encounter joyful music in their daily lives.
“I am extremely happy to be participating in this year’s SBCT, especially because the live event represents somewhat of a return to normalcy after the past year. We return to public performances with a renewed appreciation for our practice as well as gratitude for making it to the other side of these challenges” said BronX BandA guitarist and composer, and Casita Maria Teaching Artist, Juanma Trujillo.
“The community is the poorest congressional district in the United States and we at Casita Maria believe that creating and sharing this music centering on local musicians, history, and musical forms will enhance community life and create access to, curiosity about, and pride in the community’s history and culture.” said Casita Maria Executive Director, Haydee Morales.
Casita Maria’s latest gallery exhibition titled Graffitera: We Are Here by Olga Correa and Missy “MRS” Caz celebrates women in graffiti and honors the unique legacy of Bronx graffiti. On June 03, 2021, a Celebration and Artist Talk will take place to mark the exhibition’s opening with in-person timed visits to the gallery. Attendees will have a chance to engage with both artists in the gallery while refreshments are served with music provided by DJ Delaceiba in the building’s auditorium.
“Throughout the month of June we will celebrate local artists and amplify Art as the voice of freedom. We will join in concert to experience powerful messages of hope and healing as part of our collective self-care. Let’s press play New York and gather safely, either in person or virtually, to be together again in community.” said Casita Maria’s Director of Creative Arts, Gail Heidel.
The next generation of performers and artists will have a chance to shine with performances by Casita Maria program participants, as well as a public art installation in Monsignor Raul Del Valle Square showcasing photography and poetry from Hunts Point youth, in partnership with the Hunts Point Alliance for Children and the Southern Boulevard Business Improvement District.
To fill out the month-long festival, each Wednesday in June from 07:00 p.m. to 08:30 p.m. the Casita Maria Book Club will meet on ZOOM to discuss When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago. On Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 01:00 p.m., free produce will be distributed at Farmers Market Fridays at 924 Kelly Street in partnership with Kelly Street Garden.
Specific performance dates and locations will be released one week before each event on Casita Maria’s website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to maintain CoViD-19 safety protocols. Masks and social distancing are required. Advanced registration requested.
Festival Partners:
41st Precinct, 52 People for Progress, Afro Latin Jazz Alliance, Bronx Community Board 2, BronxNet Community Television, Dancing Classrooms, Hunts Point Alliance for Children, Kelly Street Garden, New York Philharmonic, New York CityParks, and the Southern Boulevard Business Improvement District.
Rain location:
Casita Maria Auditorium, 928 Simpson Street, Bronx, NY 10459
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About Casita Maria Center For Arts & Education
Casita Maria Center For Arts & Education is the first and oldest Latino 501(c)(3) charity in NYC, founded in 1934.
The South Bronx-based community arts and educational organization presents diverse, contemporary visual and performing arts and education programming for all ages.
Casita Maria creates a safe and welcoming community, enriching and uplifting youth and families towards success, through shared cultural, art and educational experiences and programs.
Location:
Casita Maria Center For Arts & Education
928 Simpson Street
Bronx, NY 10459
Tel.: 718-589-2230
E–mail: info@casitamaria.org
