2009 Calendar Journal _sm

23rd Anniversaryc o m i t é n o v i e m b r e

m e s d e l a h e r e n c i a p u e r t o r r i q u e ñ a

COMITÉ NOVIEMBREWOULD LIKE TO EXTEND IS SINCEREST GRATITUDE TO THE SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS OF

PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE MONTH 2009

CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORKAMER HOTEL/INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP

NEILSEN MEDIA RESEARCH1199 SEIU

IPRO HEALTH CARE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

MEMBER AGENCIES

INSTITUTE FOR THE PUERTO RICAN/HISPANIC ELDERLYASPIRA OF NEW YORK

EL CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS PUERTORRIQUEÑOSEL MUSEO DEL BARRIO

EUGENIO MARÍA DE HOSTOS COMMUNITY COLLEGELATINOJUSTICE – PRLDEF

NATIONAL CONGRESS FOR PUERTO RICAN RIGHTS - JUSTICE COMMITTEENATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR LATINO POLICY

PROMESAPUERTO RICO FEDERAL AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATION

PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE MONTH FISCAL AGENCYINSTITUTE FOR THE PUERTO RICAN/HISPANIC ELDERLY

105 EAST 22ND STREETNEW YORK, NY 10010

(212) 677-4181; (212) 777-5106 (FAX)WW.COMITENOVIEMBRE.ORG

SPECIAL THANKS TO: JAIME BELLO, LUIS CORDERO, HENRY CRUZ, SULIEKA CABRERA DRINANE, WAL-LACE EDGECOMBE, ANGELO FALCON, MARTHA LAUREANO, MARIA T. MATOS, TERESA A. SANTIAGO,

ANGEL SANTINI, AND LILI SANTIAGO SILVA

© 2009 COMITÉ NOVIEMBREARTWORK BY: ARNALDO ALICEA

LAYOUT: LUIS CORDERO, CEMIUNDERGROUNDPHOTOGRAPHY: DEBORAH URBAEZ & ROBERT FIGUEROA

EDITOR: TERESA SANTIAGO

HOSTOS COMMUNITY COLLEGESANOFI-AVENTIS

CON EDISONEL DIARIO/ LA PRENSA

BRONX LEBANON HOSPITAL CENTERUNITED FEDERATION OF TEACHERS

COLGATE PALMOLIVEST. BARNABAS MEDICAL CENTER

GOYA FOODS, INC.

NBC4/TELEMUNDOLEHMAN COLLEGE

BETTER LIVING NOWNYU MEDICAL CENTER

LINCOLN MEDICAL & MENTAL HEALTH CENTERNYS UNITED TEACHERS, NYSUT

BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBBINSTITUTE FOR THE PUERTO RICAN/HISPANIC

ELDERLYASPIRA OF NEW YORK


m e s d e l a h e r e n c i a p u e r t o r r i q u e ñ aMESSAGE ON BEHALF OF COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE

For the past 23 years, Comité Noviembre, CN has been celebrating Puerto Rican Heritage Month in this country. A non-profit organization dedicated to commemorating and acknowledging the contributions Puerto Ricans have made to this city, state and nation. CN is composed of ten of the oldest and most prestigious Puerto Rican organizations: the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, ASPIRA of New York, el Museo del Barrio, Eugenio María de Hostos Community College, el Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños, the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, the National Institute for Latino Policy, the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights – Justice Committee, PROMESA and LatinoJustice PRLDEF. This volunteer coordinating body plans and promotes CN’s annual programs and events.

The charge of CN is to create awareness of our rich culture, language, and heritage and to acknowledge and take ownership of it everyday but specifically during the month of November. The annual theme is developed with the understanding that beyond celebrating our heritage, it must help to motivate, mobilize and empower our community around critical concerns. This year’s theme: Puertorriqueño… de nuestras raíces nace un pueblo, speaks to the strong foundation of the Puerto Rican community around the world, of our perseverance, ingenuity, pride and achievements. The theme explores and ex-amines our unique ancestral roots and the very fabric that makes us Puerto Rican. It calls for us to take ownership of our culture and heritage to promote and protect it. Everyday as a community, we contribute to the development and success of this city, state and nation. The artistic rendition of our theme by artist Arnaldo Alicea of Comerio, Puerto Rico, captures the essence of our message and clearly expresses the stronghold our roots have that bridges our two communities and celebrates and acknowledges that aqui y alla, somos todos puertorriqueños – un pueblo.

CN is thrilled that historian and author Jesús Omar Rivera, affectionately known as El Boricuazo will be our 2009 Spokes-person, gala honoree and will conduct his acclaimed show for the first time in New York, Puertorriqueñidad…Defendiendo nuestra imagen on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at Hostos Community College. Please join us. I assure you that you will experience a “Boricuazo” moment that you will remember for the rest of your life. His enthusiasm, energy and love for all things Puerto Rican is contagious. He will leave you with a renewed sense of self, pride, determination and a challenge to go forth and teach others.

This journal also carries interesting, cultural, political and educational information that we hope will be of interest to you. We pride ourselves in being able to discuss all aspects and issues of our community – with respect, objectivity and pride. The articles include: (1) “Boricuas in New York City: An Historical Inventory of the Past Year,” (2) “Puerto Ricans and the 2010 Census: Si Quieres Frutos, Sacude el Árbol,” (3) “40th Anniversary of the Young Lords” (4) “The Resurgence of the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights – Why Now?” (5) Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s Journey from Humble Beginnings to the highest Court of this Nation (6) In the Health care reform debate, Puerto Rican Voices Must unite to be heard, (7) “Statehood, a civil rights issue. A matter of Equality”, and (8) summaries and updates on our annual programs.

Most importantly, we want to share with you the inspiring stories of our Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad award recipients – truly exceptional, dedicated individuals who are the unsung heroes of our community and who are making a difference in not only the Puerto Rican community but society as a whole. The Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad award honors Puerto Ricans whose pride in their heritage and strength of character have empowered themselves and inspired others to make sig-nificant impact on our community. What is important to understand is that these award recipients are chosen by CN from nominations submitted by the community. The selection process is never easy but this year was particular difficult because the nominations were all outstanding. CN chose ten individuals.

For twenty-three years, CN has created and developed programs all geared to the support and enhancement of educational opportunities and leadership development for our youth with a cultural twist. These programs are firmly rooted in the be-lief, that in order to succeed in life, you must pursue a higher education, give back to your community through volunteer efforts and know your cultural ancestral history. In order to secure that our youth have better educational opportunities the CN Scholarship Awards Program (CNSAP) was established and has awarded $170,000 in scholarships since its incep-

tion fourteen years ago, an average of 12 scholar-ships a year and with a college graduation rate of 90%. An additional $7,000 has been awarded in the Richie Pérez Scholarship for Peace and Justice. The 2009 recipients of both scholarship programs are highlighted in the journal. You will be awed by the clear sense of self and strength of charac-ter of these selfless and inspiring people that are building our communities and making a difference early on in their lives.

This year’s benefit event will take place on Friday, November 13, 2009, at the NY Hilton in Manhattan and will honor: Car-los A. Picón, Curator in Charge, Department of Greek and Roman Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Katilia Velez, creator of Nuyoricans Against MTV’s True Life “I’m a Nuyorican” a documentary that portrayed Puerto Ricans in a stereotypical negative light and Jesús Omar Rivera, El Boricuazo, historian & author who is also our 2009 Spokesperson.

The proceeds of this annual event, supports all of our programs and allows CN to provide free programming and information to the community year round as well as scholarship dollars. Our programs include: two scholarship programs, the annual Leadership Development – Role Models Forum, conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA personnel, the Artisans Fair & Exhibit, the Health Fair, the educational trip to Puerto Rico, “Buscando Nuestra Raíces”, the Day of Community Service & Social Responsibility and food drive, a Three Kings celebration and toy drive, the an-nual CN/El Diario La Prensa full color Puerto Rican Heritage Month Supplement, the production of this commemorative calendar journal, the artist competition, selection and commission process, the annual educational commemorative poster, selection of a spokesperson, the kick-off celebration and annual benefit event, the Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad and Puerto Rican Heritage Awards, our website information as well as cultural and health related workshops, forums and events sponsored by CN.

Many events have been planned throughout New York State as well as New Jersey and Puerto Rico to celebrate our rich culture, traditions and history. CN urges everyone to participate in these events including our 4th Annual Artisans Fair that will take place on Saturday, November 21, 2009, from 10AM – 7PM at Hostos Community College in the Bronx and our First Annual Health Fair that will run concurrently. The Health component of the Fair was added because of the great number of residents concentrated in the Bronx and neighboring boroughs with chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity.

The 14th annual Day of Community Service and Social Responsibility scheduled for Sunday, November 22, 2009 at IPRHE/UPACA Senior Center in Manhattan from 11AM – 4PM where CN along with ASPIRA of New York, Inc. will be conduct-ing a food drive to create Thanksgiving baskets for the poor of New York.

This year the Puerto Rican community made historic accomplishments from the first Puerto Rican in space Astronaut Jo-seph Acaba to the confirmation of Justice Sonia Sotomayor to the highest court of this nation to the unprecedented national Latino voter turnout for a historic Presidential election with Puerto Ricans leading the way. We have a lot to be proud of let us make a pact – a commitment to take ownership of our history, traditions and culture, past, present and future. Let us live in the moment of the history that we make each day, standing up for what we believe in and supporting causes that enhance, promote, preserve, and protect our culture, history, language, community and natural resources.

May our hearts swell with pride at the knowledge and privilege of being born Puerto Rican and that no matter where you live in this world de nuestras raíces nace un pueblo!

For Comité Noviembre

Teresa A. Santiago, Chairperson

Comité Noviembre Board Members and 2008 Honorees

Inter American University of PR, San Germán

Inter American University of PR, San Germán

Jesus Omar RiveraWhenever we talk about positive contributions by Puerto Ricans, we often hear the same old list of people. But, in actuality, the contributions of Puerto Ricans are much more expansive than been recorded. Jesus Omar Rivera aka El Boricuazo is making it his mission to educate people on who Puerto Ricans really are and what they have accomplished in this country and around the world. His battle cry is: “Perdona el lu-cimiento, es que soy puertorriqueño” “Excuse me for bragging, but I’m Puerto Rican”

Rivera, a writer, tour guide, historian, and public speaker, became famous and has touched the hearts of Puerto Ricans all over the world for his extensive knowledge about facts of international importance about Puerto Rico and its people. His book, : “Boricuazo — Tu orgullo nacional,” [“Boricuazo — Your National Pride”] is a collec-tion of many of these facts and their historical background, which makes the reader re-alize the significant impact that Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans have had on the world.

From the time he was a kid, Rivera was always attracted to all kinds of information regarding Puerto Rico and would eagerly read every possible book and magazine he

could get his hands on that would educate him about his country. Rivera started collecting information and facts that were curious, interesting and less known to Puerto Ricans. He created his own tables and statistics. The more he educated himself, the more he realized that there was so much information that existed, that was publicly unknown, and not taught in school.

Every day, his discoveries about Puerto Rico made him feel more and more proud of being Puerto Rican. At the age of 21, Rivera became a national tour guide and found the perfect forum to transmit his knowledge about the island. He loved traveling around the island talking to foreigners as well as Puerto Ricans about all the things that originated from Puerto Rico. At 23 he had the opportu-nity to work at the Bénédict School in San Juan as the Academic Director of the Department of Tourism and Airlines. He convinced his professors and the administration to create and develop an academic institute with a 100% Puerto Rican focus. The school agreed and the department grew and expanded to the campuses in Isabela, Barranquitas, and Manatí. The pride that every student reflected in their studies turned it into the academic department with the most enrolled, retained, graduated, and employed. After this pro-found professional experience, Rivera had the opportunity to direct and coordinate the programs of Tourism and Airlines at Emory College at both the Bayamón, and Caguas campuses, and more recently he headed the Program of Tourist Guides and Operators of Excursions for National Center of Tourism Studies in Hato Rey.

Today, Rivera’s professional life is completely concentrated and focused on conducting talks, training workshops, seminars, cours-es, and conferences throughout Puerto Rican and abroad. In recent public appearances Rivera includes portions of the content of “Boricuazo — Tu orgullo nacional,” [“Boricuazo — Your National Pride”] in which he shows why Puerto Ricans have a reason or two for being proud.

The book in Spanish is divided in 40 themes, from science to geography, population, education and arts. In it, Rivera overlooks world-famous Boricuas and concentrates on relatively lesser-known figures such as the 10 Puerto Rican women in NASA, or Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, who gave his name to the famed Harlem Center for Research in Black Culture.

Rivera frequently appears and participates in national TV programs such as WAPA-TV’s A Calzón Quita’o and had a weekly ap-pearance on Las Noticias a las 12 of the Univisión Puerto Rico where he had 300 interventions with a section called “El Boricuazo” (Boricuazo TV). “El Boricuazo” is also a weekly column in the newspaper Primera Hora and can be heard on Radio La MEGA 106.9 Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 5:30AM – 10AM on the morning show, “el Circo de La Mega, Jesús Omar presents Boricuazo with Funky Joe, Ganster and Daniela Droz. The station is the number one station in Puerto Rico and can be viewed on www.elcirco.net. Rivera has written two plays, “Objetivo Patria,” and “Asi Nacio la Nación, El Gran Secreto,” which appeared in different parts of Puerto Rico in 2008 and 2009.

“No sé cuanto tiempo esté en ESTA vida, pero lo único que le pido a Dios es que en todas las vidas que me falten por vivir, me permita nacer siempre en esta tierra y siempre, ser puertorriqueño.”

Jesús Omar Rivera

comite noviembre 2009

spokesperson & honoree



Arno

ldo A

licea

Arnaldo Alicea Concepción was born in New York, the youngest child of Don Nicolás Alicea Rodríguez y Doña Mariana Concepción Rive-ra. His family returned to Comerío, Puerto Rico where Arnaldo began to take art lessons in ele-mentary school with “Sisito” Avilés and in high school with Ángel Luis Pérez Vega. He later studied at the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture’s Escuela de Artes Plásticas with artists such as Lorenzo Homar, Augusto Marín, Fran Cervoni, Rubén Moreira, Mirna Báez, José R. Alicea, Fé-lix Rodríguez Báez and Julio Rosado.

At 21, Arnaldo created the Department of Arts and Culture for the Municipality of Comerío and served as its first director. During this period, he created the architectural design of the current pub-lic plaza, as well as the seal and banner of Com-erío.

He stands out as a landscape and portraiture artist, painting well known public figures such as former Governor of Puerto Rico Rafael Hernández Colón, collection of the RHC Foundation, former Chair-men of the House of Representatives Luis Ernesto Ramos Jordan, the former President of the Senate Antonio Faz Alzamora, among others.

Since 1989 to the present, he runs his own graphic design agency Arnaldo Alicea Art & Design and continues to create art by commission, mostly for private collections.

About the Poster

Throughout the island of Puerto Rico the beautiful Flamboyán tree is an umbrella of shade when in full bloom. Its’ brilliant red flowers and yellow stamens are nestled along the massive branches, in the comfort of lacy leaves. Our tree not truly, yet, in full bloom but with the promise of greatness, its roots, protecting, strongly securely, the flag – the universal symbol of Puerto Rico – and its indigenous creature, el coqui, symbolizing el pueblo incased in a sphere – a circle – the symbol of unity.

The greatness of this national tree, embracing both the mainland and the island, making, the unique symbiotic connection between both. The two bodies of water, in New York, and San Juan merging flowing into each other and creating one, nourishing, purifying our roots, strengthening the foundation of our community around the world. This tree is the personification of our perseverance, ingenuity, pride and achievements and the knowledge that we as a united community can overcome any obstacle however great.

Puerto Ricans live on every corner of this world, we’ve even been to space and back. No matter our life’s circumstances what connects, each of us is the strong binding roots that are uniquely ours. From our ancestry, Taino, Spaniard and African our roots are defined and eternal, the very fabric that makes us Puerto Rican.

Like the Flamboyán tree and the coqui we have been destined and blessed to be Puerto Rican our strong massive roots bridges our two communities and celebrates and acknowledges that we are one family no matter where we are in the world. We must always remember that de nuestras raíces nace un solo pueblo.

Teresa Santiago

Raíces

Este cartel pretende mostrar una parte importante de nuestra rica cultura, costumbres y expresiones que nos han elevado a las más altas cumbres como pueblo puertorriqueño. De nuestras raíces nace la mezcla de razas que forman este pueblo único y vibrante, lleno de un arcoíris de diferentes matices. Nuestra gente luchadora ha contribuido desde las diferentes ramas del arte, las ciencias, las matemáticas, la política hasta lograr un amplio y hermoso tapiz que plasma lo que somos y lo que soñamos.

Miremos y busquemos nuestras raíces, donde nacemos como pueblo. Los invitamos a indagar en lo más profundo de nuestra historia y ejecutorias que nos inspira a lograr las metas que en nuestro corazón anhelamos para el futuro. Los distintos géneros que forman parte de nuestra idiosincrasia como pueblo, estas raíces profundas y llenas de historia te llenaran de orgullo en afirmar…soy puertorriqueño. No te olvides de rescatar la memoria ancestral de tus orígenes, y de tantos hombres y mujeres puertorriqueños que al pasar el tiempo han dejado un legado y que continuamos dejando nuestras huellas en cada rincón del mundo.

De Nuestras Raíces Nace Un Pueblo…

Angel Santini



MISSION

Comité Noviembre’s mission is to commemorate and acknowledge all aspects of Puerto Rican life from the social and cultural to the educational, economic and political. The charge of CN is to create an awareness of the rich culture, language and heritage of the Puerto Rican community and to acknowledge its numerous contributions to this state and nation. Established in 1987, Comité Noviembre is the only collaboration of its kind in the United States that bring together the collective talents and resources of the oldest and most pres-tigious Puerto Rican organizations: the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, ASPIRA of New York, the Association of His-panic Arts, el Museo del Barrio, Eugenio María de Hostos Community College, el Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños, the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, the National Institute for Latino Policy, the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights - Justice Com-mittee, and the LatinoJustice PRLDEF. This coordinating body plans and promotes Comité Noviembre’s annual programs and events.

ANNUAL SPOKESPERSON

Each year, CN selects a spokesperson that is making a difference in this country, empowering others and shaping, not only our future as Puerto Ricans, but the future of all Americans. They have all played an important role in leaving our unique imprint in the current and future history of this country.

Our past spokespeople have been:1990 - Musician and activist Willie Colón1991 - Radio talk show host Malin Falú1992 - Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer and New York City Public School Chancellor Dr. Joseph A. Fernandez1993 - Former Surgeon General of the United States Antonia Novello1994 - Actor and community activist Luis Guzman1995 - Actress Lauren Velez; and salsa diva India1996 - Actor Jimmy Smits1997 - The “king of Latin music” Tito Puente1998 - Actress and AIDS activist Rosie Perez1999 - Welter Weight Champion of the World Felix “Tito” Trinidad2000 - Internationally acclaimed Latin Jazz artist Dave Valentin2001 - NYPD officer and tenor Daniel Rodriguez2002 - Admiral Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, US Surgeon General Commander, USPHS2003 - World renown singer Danny Rivera2004 - Salsa sensation Tito Nieves2005 - Singer and entertainer Frankie Negron2006 - Daisy Martinez, Chef, Entrepreneur and Host of “Daisy Cooks”2007 - Ana Ortiz, co-star, Ugly Betty2008 – Melina León, singer/entertainer

THEME DEVELOPMENT

Each year, CN selects a theme with a two-fold purpose: to celebrate Puerto Rican Heritage and to motivate, mobilize and empower our community. This year’s theme: Live your Culture…¡Vive Boricua!, challenges us to take ownership of our culture, traditions and heritage. Being Puerto Rican is not just on special days, or months, but every day of our lives. Everyday as a community, we contribute to the fabric of this city, state and nation. The theme addresses the importance of our achievements as a community and the significant impact it has had and will continue to have on society. The theme seeks to challenge us to learn about our pioneers, feel proud of who we are and where we come from and commit ourselves to promote and teach others about our culture, traditions, heroes and the great contributions Puerto Ricans have made to this country.

1987 - “Building on our Heritage to Create Our Future/Our Children and our Youth”1988 - “Empowerment….From the Shadows to the Light …de las sombras al Poder”1989 - “Count on Us…Si Nos Nos Cuentan No Contamos”1990 - “From the Homeland to the Mainland,”

1991 - “La Mujer Puertorriqueña…La Verdadera Borinqueña,”1992 - “Los Encuentros del Pasado….Nuestra Determinación Para Forjar el Futuro Encounters of the Past…Our Determination to Shape the Future,”1993 - “Reconquista ‘93: Affirming our Identity Preserving our Community”1994 - “Nuestro Poder Puertorriqueño: Usalo! Define Nuestro Destino,”1995 - “The Puerto Rican Renaissance: The Sprit of Commitment …The Power of Action. Live it!,”1996 - “United, Moving Forward…The Future is Ours,”1997 - “In the Mix: Voices that Affirm Our Vibrant Heritage...Voces Que Afirman Nuestra Herencia Dinámica”1998 - “Puerto Ricans Confronting the Challenges of a Changing World,”1999 - “Puerto Ricans for the New Millennium: Facing the Dawn of the New Age”2000 - “Entendiendo Nuestro Pasado Creamos Nuestros Futuro,”2001 - “Puerto Ricans United for World Peace Puertorriqueños Unidos Para la Paz Mundial,”2002 - “Salud Boricua,”2003 - “Nuestra Herencia Cultural es el Camino al Futuro…Our Cultural Heritage is the Path to the Future,”2004 - Preserving our Legacy, Cultural Affirmation, Community Empowerment & Social Justice: Preservando Nuestro Legado … Afirmación Cultural, Poder Comunitario y Justicia Social2005 - “Boricua! Atesora lo tuyo…Boricua! Treasure What is Your!”2006 - “Comité Noviembre…mes de la herencia puertorriqueña, XX Aniversario… Celebrando con orgullo nuestra cultura…Hoy, Mañana y Siempre!”2007 - Encuentro con Nuestra Patria2008 – Live your Culture…¡Vive Boricua!

COMMEMORATIVE JOURNAL/ARTIST/ POSTER

The annual journal calendar becomes a collector’s item because of the articles and historical information that it provides. These essays and articles, written by community activists, educators, artists and CN members, are published annually in several newspapers ranging from The New York Daily News, El Diario La Prensa, as well as the San Juan Star and El Nuevo Día in Puerto Rico. The journals are distributed to educational, cultural and community organizations. Over 250 events and activities are sponsored and held by community based organizations, cultural institutions and government officials throughout New York alone.

Since its inception, the annual CN poster has been in high demand by teachers and educators. The competition to be the commissioned artist of CN and design the coveted poster has also been exciting throughout the years and has led to the promotion, acknowledgement and exposure of very talented Puerto Rican artists. The poster is created each year to promote and inform the public about Puerto Rican Heritage Month and to create an artistic expression of the organization’s theme. The poster is distributed throughout New York, New Jersey and the tri-state area.

ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CULTURAL TRIP TO PUERTO RICO “BUSCANDO

NUESTRA RAÍCES”

Buscando Nuestras Raíces is an adventure into a cultural and educational experience for Puerto Ricans and others who want to explore the richness of Puerto Rico’s culture, ancestral roots and history. Making this trip a reality was a natural progression of CN’s mission and goals. The itinerary takes into account that many of us, although we visit the island frequently, rarely visit the cultural and historical sites and landmarks unique to Puerto Rico and renowned throughout the world. It is a journey participants will remember for many years to come. The third annual Buscando Nuestra Raíces trip is being planned for the summer of 2009.

PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE MONTH KICK-OFF CELEBRATION

The CN Puerto Rican Heritage Month kick-off event usually takes place each year on the last Thursday of October. At this event, CN honors Puerto Rican community heroes through Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad Awards, unveils its annual poster and distributes its journal calendar of event. This event is free for the community. Over 300 key community and business leaders as well as elected officials attend this very festive, musical and cultural event.

LO MEJOR DE NUESTRA COMUNIDAD AWARD

Through Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad award, CN recognizes outstanding individuals who are the unsung heroes of our community and who are making a difference in the Puerto Rican communities of this country. Puerto Ricans whose pride in their heritage and strength of character have empowered themselves and inspired others to make significant impact on the community are recognized. The recipients of this award are chosen by CN from nominations submitted by the community. These individuals are honored at the kick-off celebration of Puerto Rican Heritage Month.

CN’S ANNUAL GALA BENEFIT

The CN Annual Gala Benefit was instituted in 1996 at its tenth anniversary to raise funds for its scholarship awards program. To date

the event has continued to attract key leaders of New York’s Puerto Rican community and Corporate America. The annual gala benefit is scheduled for Friday, November 14, 2008 at the NY Hilton in Manhattan. The proceeds of this event supports the CN Scholarship Awards Program, the Richie Perez Scholarship for Peace & Justice, the Annual Artisans Fair & Exhibit, the Annual “Buscando Nuestra Raíces” educational trip to Puerto Rico, workshops, forums and events sponsored by CN, annual programs which are organized by our youth to serve the poor and underserved of the community, like the Day of Community Service & Social Responsibility and food drive as well as the Annual Three Kings celebration and toy drive.

CN’S PAST GALA HONOREES

1996 - Dr. Antonia Pantoja, founder of ASPIRA, Goya Foods and Luis A Miranda, President of Miranda y Más1997 - Actress Miriam Colón, Carlos L. Santiago, Vice President, NYNEX, Millie Herández Becker, President & CEO, Westchester Air, Tonio Burgos, President, Burgos & Associates and Carlos D. Nazario, Jr. President & CEO, Metro Beer and Soda Distributors.1998 - Nereida S. Andino, Former Deputy Manhattan Borough President, Actress Jennifer Lopez, Fernando L. Perez, Senior Specialist for Customer Outreach, Con Edison and Polito Vega, on-air personality for La Mega.1999 - Dr. Antonia C. Novello, NYS Commissioner of Health, Carlos M. Morales, Esq., Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Merrill Lynch & Company, Angelo Figueroa, editor-in-chief, PEOPLE en Español and The Young Lords Party.2000 - Roberto Clemente Jr., Broadcast Analyst/New York Yankees and President of The Roberto Clemente Foundation, Susan Hernandez, attorney at Law and Carol Robles Román, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company, and Jose O. Agiuar, President & CEO, Kleener King Industries.2001 - Selma Betancourt, Director of External Communications, Health Plus, Dr. Ricardo R. Fernandez, President, Herbert H. Lehman College, Luis Garden Acosta, Founder & CEO, El Puente, Inc., and Denise Quiñones, Miss Universe 2001.2002 - Vice Admiral Richard Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, United States Surgeon General Commander, USPHS, Nydia Caro, Singer and Entertainer, Debbie Delgado Vega, Founder and Chairperson of the Latino Organization for Liver Awareness, Carmen Gomez Goldberg, President, AVET Transit, Inc. and José R. Sánchez, CSW, ACSW, Senior Vice President, Generations+ Health Network.2003 - Dr. Ricardo Alegría, Historian/Anthropologist, the Honorable Sila María Calderón, Governor, Puerto Rico, Danny Rivera, Humanitarian, world renowned Puerto Rican Singer, Rafaél Tufíño, el Pintor del Pueblo.2004 - Orlando Figueroa, Space Mission Director, Deputy Associate Administrator for Programs, NASA Headquarters, Jorge Ramos, Anchor, Telemando 47, Ada Rodríguez, Chief Marketing Officer, Health Plus and In Memoriam, Richard Perez, former Young Lord, Community Activist, co-Founder, the Justice Committee, National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights.2005 - Mary E. Medina, Executive Director, Center for Trustee Initiatives and Recruitment, Greater New York Hospital Association, Dennis Rivera, President, 1199 SEIU, Monsi C. Roman, Chief Micro biologist environ

mental Control and Life Support Systems Design and Development Group, NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center and Salsa Sensation Frankie Negron2006 - Lynda Baquero, Anchor, News Channel 4, Luis Fonsi, international recording artist and producer, Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU and Daisy Martinez, Chef, Entrepreneur and Host of Daisy Cooks.2007 - Dr. Diana Caballero and Dr. Luis O. Reyes, Education Activist, Antonio Martorell, Renowned Artist, Poet, Author, Yolandita Monge, International Recording Artist, Lisa Thon, Fashion Designer and Ana Ortiz, Co- Star, Ugly Betty2008 – Catherine Gonzalez, Senior Architectural Designer, Thornton Tomasetti; Hector Feliciano, Author, The Lost Museum, Margarita Lopez, Community Activist, Board Member, NYC Housing Authority, Carlos Alberto, Couture Fashion Designer, and Melina León, Singer/Actress

In 2001, because of the tragic event of September 11th, CN decided to hold a luncheon instead of a dinner which continued until 2005 when the event moved back to an evening event with a spectacular gala at the world famous Copacabana.

CN’S ANNUL PUERTO RICAN ARTISANS FAIR & EXHIBIT

In 2006, in celebration of its 20th anniversary, CN, established the Annual Puerto Rican Artisans Fair & Exhibit. Making this fair a reality was a natural progression of CN’s goals and mission. CN invited Puerto Rican artisans from throughout the US and Puerto Rico to participate in this Fair. Over 40 artesanos puertorriqueños participated and the event boasted an attendance of over 5000 people in this very first Fair.

For the two years, CN transformed, Hunter College West Building into a typical Puerto Rican plaza with a fountain, palm trees, piragua and coquito carts and artists, sculptors, vejigante mask makers promoting and selling their wares from colorful kiosks while musical

and cultural acts entertained throughout the day. Like the typical Puerto Rican festive atmosphere of las fiesta patronales that take place in each town of Puerto Rico., traditions and folklore. Last year, CN moved the Artisans Fair & Exhibit to the Church of St. Paul the Apostle because it outgrew the Hunter College venue capacity for participants. The Fair was once again a huge success. Over 60 artisans participated and a steady attendance of 5000 people throughout the day.

This year the Fair will take place at Eugenio María de Hostos Community College, 500 Grand Concourse in the Bronx from 10AM to 7PM. As in previous years, CN conducted workshops for children and adults, like mask making, the history of the three kings’ celebra-tion, Taíno storytelling in order to make sure that our youth learned about our culture. This Fair is an opportunity to kick-off your holiday shopping season and purchase unique Puerto Rican original gifts for that special person on your list and, at the same time support our artesanos.

FIRST ANNUAL COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE HEALTH FAIR

CN has added a health component to the Fair because of the great numbers of Puerto Ricans and Hispanics with chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Specifically, in the Bronx, where the numbers of cases are disproportionately higher, than in other parts if this City and State and in several instances the Country. CN will utilize the fair to conduct screenings and provide much needed education on these life threatening conditions and issues of prevention. Since the Artisan Fair already attracts substantial participation CN believes that it will be saving lives by also adding this segment to the Fair. The Health Fair will run concurrently with the Artisans Fair.

This Health Fair will allow residents of this highly underserved community, which includes an area of the South Bronx which has the highest concentration of cases of chronic diseases such as diabetes in this country, as well as heart disease, high blood pressure and asthma in this entire City, to check and screen for these illnesses in a fun, festive, non-threatening atmosphere and at the same time sup-port local artisans and learn about Puerto Rican culture and history.

CN’S DAY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Day of Community Service and Social Responsibility, was established in 1995 to coincide with the theme: “The Sprit of Commit-ment …The Power of Action. Live it! For the past thirteen years, CN has set aside the Sunday before Thanksgiving as a day of com-munity service and social responsibility in commemoration of November 19th, traditionally known as Puerto Rican discovery day or as we like to call it Puerto Rican “encounter” day. The event began as a day when people participated in several volunteer efforts that aided the Puerto Rican community and its organizations to show the spirit of commitment and the power of action. Over the years, this event has been a great success and organizations throughout the city have benefited from this collaboration, including homeless and battered women’s shelters and senior centers as well as individual families. Through this effort, CN has collected coats, clothing, food and toilet-ries for these organizations. In recent years, the food drive has been instituted and CN along with ASPIRA of New York spearhead the event. This year’s event will take place on Sunday, November 23, 2008 at the UPACA Senior Center/IPRHE, 1940 Lexington Avenue (between 119th and 120th streets) in Manhattan from 11AM. to 4PM.

CN SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS PROGRAM

Since its inception, CN has placed special focus on educational excellence and leadership development as the key to the future of the Puerto Rican community. To this end, in November of 1996 in celebration of its tenth anniversary of Puerto Rican Heritage Month, the CN Scholarship Awards Program (CNSAP) was established. To date, CNSAP has awarded 160 scholarships. The scholarship recipient receives $1,000.

Last year, to commemorate our 20th anniversary, CN enhanced the Scholarship Program to continue to award the top two scholars $1,000 scholarships each year until graduation. These scholars must maintain a 3.5 grade point average and documented community work within the Puerto Rican community to continue to receive the 4-year $1,000 scholarship.

THE RICHIE PEREZ SCHOLARSHIP FOR PEACE & JUSTICE

In 2004, the Puerto Rican community lost an advocate, community leader and urban warrior. Richie Pérez was a beloved activist and leader in the fight for social justice and human rights. He brought integrity, zeal and unity to many causes to which he was committed, which included the struggle for racial justice and against police brutality, Puerto Rican independence and universal human rights. A former Young Lord and founding member of the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights, Richie believed greatly in the power and potential of young people to create social change. He personally mentored many youth and believed that the torch of the movement for justice had to be passed on to the next generation.

In his memory, Comité Noviembre has established the Richie Pérez Scholarship for Peace and Justice. The award recognizes Puerto Rican young people for their commitment, activism and achievements in any of the areas of human rights and social justice. This an-nual award will both promote the advancement of new leaders in the movement for peace and justice, and also invest in their continued

growth by providing support for their ongoing education and political development The scholarship recipient will receive a $1,000. To date five scholarships have been awarded.

ANNUAL COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE/NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE

ADMINISTRATION, NASA LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT ROLE MODELS

PROGRAM

To ensure that young adults have the opportunity to meet and interact with professionals in all fields and careers, CN established a lead-ership development forum in partnership with NASA Puerto Rican/Latino personnel last year. The forum took place at Hostos Com-munity College in the middle of the South Bronx. Several Puerto Rican/Hispanic microbiologist, scientist and engineers from NASA Centers conducted a presentation on Careers at NASA to a group of Latino high school and college students interested in engineering, biology and the study of space.

The event was a huge success. Having professionals that looked liked these young adults, speak their language and had similar back-grounds at these high level positions at NASA reinforced their career goals and dreams. Having NASA personnel address these young people reinforces the mission of CN’s leadership development program and give these young people a day they will remember for the rest of their lives.



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C el e b r and o Lo Mejo r d e Nue s t r a Comun i d a d

Rev. Carmen Hernandez is CEO/Founder/Outreach/Pastor of Stratford Community Services, Inc. Giving Kids/Youth a Chance. As an advocate and activist in the Soundview section of the Bronx for the past 25 years, Rev. Carmen Hernandez has helped empower at risk inner city kids and has proved to be a vital part of the South East Bronx community. For twenty years Rev. Carmen Hernandez has coordinated Stratford An-nual Back 2 School Jam Block Parties.

Realizing that the future of the community depended on building a stronger business outlook and seeing the need to empower small business owners to create a pos-itive environment in the neighborhood, Rev. Hernandez organized small business owners and the community to work together as one family.

Rev. Carmen has also helped build other organizations such as the Bronx Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Latin Hip Hop Summit at Lehman College with Mr. Russell Simmons and the Bronx Christmas Parade. She is currently working towards the first Macys Thanks-giving Parade in the Bronx. She is founder and presi-dent of the first NYC LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

Rev. Carmen Hernandez, has won numerous awards for her hard work and community service, among them the Groundbreaker Latina Leader award in the United

States in 2006 by Catalina Magazine; and the NY State Regional & International Small Business Administration, “SBA” Award. In December she will be awarded ‘Our Youth’s Hispanic GLBT Activist of the Year’ for her commitment and continuous support for our youth and community.

Cele b r and o Lo Mejo r d e Nue s t r a Comun i d a d

Nydia Rodriguez-Edgecombe was born in Orocovis, Puerto Rico and raised in San Juan among eight other siblings. She moved to New York in 1976 and began working at Eugenio María de Hostos Community Col-lege of The City University of New York in August 1977. Her tenure at Hostos spans 36 years, starting as a college assistant in the Admissions Office to becoming Assistant Director of Admissions in 1982 and by 1986 Director. In 1992 the Admissions and Recruitment Offices were merged and Mrs. Rodriguez Edgecombe assumed du-ties as the Director of the newly formed office. In June 2003, she became the first Director of Alumni Relations at Hostos Community College, building this important office from the ground up. She has implemented the first Hostos Alumni Homecoming and Parade with an atten-dance of over 900 people.

In addition to her responsibility at Hostos, Nydia finds time to volunteer in many community organizations and for important causes in our community. She was an instrumental volunteer for the Association of His-panic Arts’ fund raising committee in a very difficult time in the organization’s history. Her creativity, ideas and fundraising savvy assisted the organization. Ms. Rodriguez-Edgecombe is a long-time activist in the stop English-Only movement and active member of the Na-tional Congress for Puerto Rican Rights – working on their Campana para el Censo. She is one of the founders of the Hostos C.C. Aids Task Force, advisor to the Puerto Rican Club and has organized and managed the Hostos Community Chorus and has done extensive volunteer work for the Hostos Study Abroad and Creative Campus Programs.

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Ibrah

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Ibrahim González recently completed his first video docu-mentary, The Promise to Teach, the Power to Learn, an intimate profile Bronx middle school, striving to provide bold new paradigms for teaching and learning. He worked camera on Melvin Van Peebles’ most recent film, which was screened at the 2008 Tribecca Film Festival. Presently, he is scoring music for a soon to be released independent film, The Last Audition, and has produced and directed a short film about Retumba! – the all women Caribbean music per-formance troupe.

He has produced numerous radio programs for Pacifica Ra-dio, WBAI. Among the long list of achievements are: Live From The Nuyorican Poets Café, In The Moment and The Barrio Block. He is currently hosting and producing WBAI’s Friday edition of Wake Up Call.

Photography is a lifetime passion and his work has been ex-hibited at Cemi Gallery in Spanish Harlem, the Black Whale in City Island, Art on Main Street in Yonkers, St. Mary’s Hospital in Rockland County,Patricia’s II in Throggs Neck, and Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx.

Professor González teaches music and audio recording at Manhattan College and has worked as a teaching artist in lo-cal schools for various arts organizations including, Warner Music Group, The Bronx Council on the Arts, Community Works, Arts Connection The Westchester Philharmonic, The Westchester Symphony and Carnegie Hall. He heads three bands as a percussionist and keyboardist; The Nuyorican Jazz Experience, The Ibrahim González Quintet (Salsa), and an .experimental ensemble, Overnite Ca-bal, for which he composes.

His spiritual calling led him into Islam right on the heels of his activism within the political movements of the 60’s and 70’s. He was one of the founders of the first Puerto Rican Muslim organization, Alianza Islamica, an organization founded in El Barrio dedicated to community service and raising the awareness of the rich Islamic Heritage that Latinos have inherited via Andalucia and West Africa.

Don Ibrahim González is the proud father of five adult offspring and six grand-children. He currently resides in the Northwest Bronx where he continues his community activism and where he is seen now and then, riding his bike.

Cele b r and o Lo Mejo r d e Nue s t r a Comun i d a dCl

arisel

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Clarisel Gonzalez was born in East Harlem and raised in the South Bronx of Puerto Rican parents. She is a graduate of Fordham University, earning a BA in media studies and psychology. Clarisel has a vast journalistic background as an editor and reporter and has served at publications such as Tiempo New York, Manhattan Times, The San Juan Star, among others. She is currently the New York Latino Com-munity Examiner for www.examiner.com and is a freelance writer for DTM (Defining Trends Magazine), a NYC-based publication dedicated to Latino trends. She is also an inde-pendent producer and animal rights activist.

She is the founder, publisher and editor of Puerto Rico Sun Communications, an independent multimedia social entre-preneurship aimed at informing, empowering and building community online since 2002. PRSUN Communications publishes several blogs and social networks which focus on themes related to Puerto Ricans and the Diaspora, as well as PRSUN Radio, an online talk show highlighting Puerto Ricans, as well as the PRSUN TV project.

As a photographer, she curates and exhibits at galleries on- and off-line. She is founder and administrator of the grass-roots NYC Collective of the Puerto Rican Photographic So-ciety. Her photos have been published by a variety of print and online sources, including the cover art for Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s invitation to the Gracie Mansion reception in honor of the 2009 National Puerto Rican Day Parade; “La-tino America: A State-by State Encyclopedia” edited by Mark Overmyer-Velazquez; and the Bronx Puerto Rican Pa-rade Day website.


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Melinda Gonzalez is an activist, artist, educator and mentor. Her intense love for and commitment to the Puerto Rican community was instilled by her parents at an early age. She has carried that pride with her as an Aspirante in high school. In college, Melinda co-chaired the annual Latino Collegiate Conference, attracting more than 600 college students throughout the Northeast, to raise awareness and keep students involved in social justice issues.. Mentored by Richie Perez at the National Con-gress for Puerto Rican Rights, Melinda was active in mobilizing the Puerto Rican community against police brutality and in support of the release of the Puerto Rican political prisoners. She was also a founding member of the Puerto Rico Collective (PRC), an ad-hoc committee established to ad-dress the centennial of the U.S. invasion of Puerto Rico. Recently, she was involved in raising aware-ness among Brooklynites about the work of the Broadway Triangle Community Coalition who is fighting for Latino representation in the planning of Williamsburg-Bushwick’s last remaining, larg-est parcel of undeveloped land. For the last several years, Melinda has co-direct-ed BombaYo, a youth group with her compañero, Jose L. Ortiz, training young people on how to dance and play bomba, emphasizing their role in preserving this Puerto Rican cultural tradition.

As the Education Coordinator at El Puente’s Williamsburg Lead-ership Center, Melinda works tirelessly to ensure that the next generation of Puerto Ricans, Latinos and other students of color gain access to quality higher education. She promotes academic excellence while supporting their artistic endeavors as they ac-tively continue the struggle for human rights and equality. Melinda’s commitment to social justice and the well being of Puerto Ricans is part of the fabric of her being, where she works towards a world where peace and justice is for all.

Cele b r and o Lo Mejo r d e Nue s t r a Comun i d a dEl

isha M

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nda

Elisha Miranda is an award-winning novelist and film-maker, whose work has integrated issues of popular cul-ture, race, feminism, politics and visual aesthetics into unique hybrid narrative forms. Also being both a cultural activist and entrepreneur, Elisha is committed to elevating the quality of entertainment both through her personal ini-tiatives and business ventures. With her business partner Sofia Quintero, she founded Sister Outsider Entertainment, a multimedia production company which is developing several projects for television, film and stage including the upcoming internet series SANGRIA STREET, the feature documentary RACE WARS and the off-Broadway theater production of PANDORA’S which premiered at Theater Row in New York City. Elisha graduated magna cum laude from the University of California at Berkeley with a dual BA in Ethnic Studies and English. After years working as a teacher and Execu-tive Director of a non-profit organization, Elisha received the prestigious Community Fellowship at MIT, where she graduated with her Master’s in City Planning.

In 2003, Elisha earned her MFA in directing and screen-writing from Columbia University. Her feature script OUTSIDE THE WALL about a Puerto Rican graffiti art-ist struggling to be the next Frida Kahlo garnered many awards, including the 2005 Tribeca-All-Access Winner. Elisha was also featured in 2005 as one of HISPANIC MAGAZINE’S, “Emerging Latina Voices in Filmmaking. Elisha is also a writer under the pen name, E-Fierce . Her debut young adult novel, THE SISTA HOOD: ON THE MIC (the first book in a four part series) about a multi-ra-cial, all female hip-hop crew was an official Latino Book Award Select. Her second book in the SISTA HOOD se-ries will be released in October of 2009. Currently, she is

writing her memoir RAISING CANE about four generations of Puerto Rican women from the sugar cane fields to urban life. Elisha co-founded Chica Luna Productions to identify, develop and support other women of color seek-ing to make socially conscious entertainment. Chica Luna launched The F-Word, a comprehensive filmmaking institute for women of color based in East Harlem in New York City. Elisha has also been an instructor of screenwriting/directing at SUNY Purchase, Bard College and the City College of New York and is a current Artist in Residence for the National Book Foundation’s Book Up NYC. She is a member of the Lavin Agency, a highly selective speakers bureau for artists, activists, intellectuals and celebrities.


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Hilda Rivera-Pantojas received an MA in Dance Education at Teachers College, Columbia Univer-sity and BA in Theater and Dance from the Univer-sity of Puerto Rico. She is presently a member of the Faculty at Boricua College and the Director of Danza Fiesta: Baile y Teatro Puertorriqueño based in New York City.

She was a dancer and choreographer for Gibaro de Puerto Rico for more than two decades in which she performed Puerto Rican folklore in many festivals around the world. She served as director and chore-ographer for the opening and closing ceremonies of the XXIII Pan-American Games held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Ms Rivera –Pantojas directed 1,536 students who performed dances from Latin Ameri-can countries. Because of her success in this proj-ect, she co-founded and directed Ballet Isleño for 8 years. During Ms. Rivera-Pantojas direction, Ballet Isleño performed in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiv-ing Day Parade and consequently won first prize for their participation in this event.

After more than thirty years as a dance teacher, professional dancer and choreographer, Hilda Ri-vera-Pantojas realized her lifelong dream to create a Puerto Rican Folk dance company by founding Danza Fiesta; Baile y Teatro Puertorriqueño.

Ms. Rivera-Pantojas is currently working on the cre-ation of a model dance curriculum in Puerto Rican public schools, and a book about folk Puerto Rican dances. She has received numerous awards from Puerto Rican institutions based in NYC amongst these; La Casa de la Herencia Puertorriqueña and el Instituto de Puerto Rico. Most recently, Ms. Ri-vera-Pantojas has been distinguished with the Union Square Award, recognizing her for a bilingual dance workshop program developed for children of the public school 114 located in the South Bronx.


Rafael J. Rivera-Viruet was born in Utuado, Puerto Rico and living in the mountains he could not attend school, since the nearest one was over 20 miles away, so at the age of nine he was sent to New York. He lived in the South Bronx and graduated from Morris High School with high honors. After graduating from Baruch College with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Finance, Rafael became the first Puerto Rican in New York to be hired by the presti-gious accounting firm of Price Waterhouse & Co.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Rafael was active in the political scene to improve the quality of life of the residents of the South Bronx. He became a liaison for Congressman James Scheuer and special aide to Assemblyman Robert Garcia. The importance of education lead him to join ASPIRA as a member of the Board of Directors.

His financial background was instrumental in learning the “business of show business” where he worked on film and television projects as The Captain Kangaroo Show, On Golden Pond and Sophie’s Choice, and produced the original animation dialog tracks for Marvel Com-ics’ animation series Spiderman, Fantastic Four and Iron Man for Fox Television Network.

Rafael realized that Latinos were not being properly represented in the film and television industry, he spearheaded the formation of the Hispanic Academy of Media Arts and Sciences, the Latino Film Proj-ect Program at Universal Studios, and the National Hispanic Media Coalition to increase opportunities for all Latinos.

In 1996, Rafael returned to Puerto Rico, and was instrumental in form-ing the Association of Independent Producers (APCA) to increase employment and production activity in the Island. He wrote and pro-duced a number of programs and documentaries for PBS including

The Golden Age of Salsa, which chronicles the birth and history of Salsa music. He was then contracted by the City of San Juan, Puerto Rico to produce the award winning documentary film that preserves the culture of the Island: San Juan - A City for All. In 2005, Rafael was selected by the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College to write, produce and direct the documentary film series Politics Con Sabor, which chronicles the history of the empowerment of Hispanics in New York State from the early 1920s to the present. In 2007, Rafael was selected by EL DIARIO/LA PRENSA as a recipient of the El Awards and was honored as the Padrino of the Yonkers Puerto Rican Day Parade.

Rafael is also an award winning author of the coffee table book Hollywood… Se Habla Español, which chronicles one hundred years of Latinos in Hollywood films and establishes the Hispanic Hollywood Hall of Fame, yesterday… today and tomorrow

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Trinity Aurelia Padilla was born in New York City and raised in the Bronx, NY. She received her B.A. in Political Science and M.B.A with in Finance and International Business from Pace University.

Trinity works as the Senior Financial Analyst for PepsiCo, Inc. and is a spokesperson for the Hispan-ic Community via PepsiCo’s Adelante and WOC (Women of Color) organizations.

In 2000 she received the Comité Noviembre Schol-arship while at Pace University. In 2003, she won the title of Miss Puerto Rico – NPRP. Trinity’s experience and travel with the National Puerto Rican Day Parade was a magnificent journey that heightened her knowledge of Puerto Rican culture and stimulated her passion for community affairs. Trinity volunteered with the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Pageant Committee from 2004 through 2006, aiming to empower and encourage young women within the Latino community to achieve their academic and social ambitions.

In 2006, Trinity was nominated and sworn in to serve on the Board of Directors to the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc. as Executive Secre-tary. Trinity has continued to work with the annual Miss Puerto Rico- NPRP pageant in addition to various events and projects related to the organiza-tion. Trinity’s community efforts were recognized in 2007, when “Entre Nosotras,” Inc., Hon. Carmen E. Arroyo - NYS Assemblywoman, and Hon. Peter Rivera presented Trinity with the 2007 Young La-tina Role Model recognition.


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Rosa Valentin is an individual that devotes her time, en-ergy and talent to promoting and educating Puerto Ricans and others about our Puerto Rican culture and heritage. Her daily and sometimes multiple blast emails on the is-sues that are affecting our community from petitions to make Judge Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina Supreme Court Justice, to now naming a street after her, to promot-ing the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights Annual Conference to sending information on employment oppor-tunities to everyday events and information on new up and coming young Latino entertainers ad musicians. The up-lifting news about our community that she distributes truly promotes, acknowledges and celebrates the Puerto Rican community. What is also unique about her and her out-reach is that she engages you into action by her inspiring words on an issue, a play, a book, a concert or conference at the end of the email you are either, smiling, laughing, proud, or “pissed off” and ready to do something about the situation. Rosa is our electronic Puerto Rican community news guru.

By profession, she is an Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Vice President for Faculty and Staff Relations of The Graduate Center CUNY..She is presently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administratio at John Jay Col-lege of Criminal Justice. Rosa is a producer and web coor-dinator of the Diamante Show, and Board Member of the Green Thump Diamante Gardens on 118th Street in Span-ish Harlem. As Vice President of the New Jersey Fiestas Patronales Committee she helped raised over $70,000 for educational scholarships and donations to other non-profit organizations. She is an active member of her communi-ty serving as a member, volunteer and activist of several community based organizations, including the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights.

The Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, Inc. is a nonprofit multi-service organization serv-ing New York’s growing Latino and other ethnic/racial minority seniors, and their families. The Institute serves over 100,000 minority seniors every year through its central offices in Manhattan, four borough offices, and ten senior centers across the City. These senior centers are located in the City’s neediest neigh-borhoods and several are based in public housing developments.

The Institute provides critical multi-lingual multicultural counseling, case management, advocacy, infor-mation and referral services, and housing to New York’s most vulnerable population ---senior citizens, who live on small fixed incomes, are all too often abused and alienated, and live in fear for their future health and well-being. IPR/HE is an advocate and defender of their rights and entitlements under the law, with special programs to prevent seniors from falling prey to fraud, abuse, domestic violence, crime , and malnutrition. The Institute’s mission is to make their “golden years” fruitful, peaceful and fulfilled by di-rectly impacting on the quality of their lives through our intervention programs mentioned above, as well as our many social and cultural activities, civic empowerment education, leadership development training, and conferences and workshops on important topics for seniors and their families. The Institute is also home to the dynamic Hispanic Senior Action Council with over 6000 members and network of 100,000 participants.

The Institute serves as an important resource for non-profit organizations, government agencies and busi-nesses throughout the United States and Puerto Rico by providing technical assistance, training, and con-sultation in areas such as culturally responsive service delivery and access to minority communities. The Institute founded the Minority Aging Defense Council, co-founded the Hispanic AIDS Forum, sponsored the Coalition of Hispanic Service Providers, and is a founding member of Comite Noviembre.

Suleika Cabrera, President, IPR/HE & First Vice Chair, Comite NoviembreAngel Santini, IPR/HE Staff & Coordinator, Comité Noviembre

Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly105 East 22nd Street Suite 615, New York, NY 10010, (212) 677-4181; (212) 777-5106

The face of our city is changing. Today nearly fifty percent of the city’s older population is made up of minorities and/or immigrants. Puerto Ricans represent the largest percentage of New York City’s older Hispanics, and is still its largest ethnic population.

Boricuas continue to battle high levels of unemployment, poverty, and low academic achievement. Significant health disparities, lack of adequate or no health insurance, and the lowest average family income among all Hispanics makes Puerto Ricans particularly vulnerable to the ills of our current dysfunctional health care system — both those living here on the mainland and those living back home on the Island.

Though Puerto Ricans were granted citizenship in 1917 and had already started to migrate to the mainland as early as the late 1800s, the largest numbers arrived to the northeast and New York City in particular, after WWII. Notwithstanding citizenship, Puerto Rican older adults today—many of them Veterans and their spouses here and on the Island, battle lack of access to quality health care and are disproportionately dependent on Medicare and/or Medicaid to cover their care.

They also face additional barriers to high-quality medical care from the lack of Spanish speaking and culturally-competent healthcare providers, to the need to travel long distances to their approved providers’ offices, to lack of finances to pay for out-of-pocket expenses and prescription drugs. As a result, they bear a disproportionate burden of illness and premature death.

Adding insult to injury for all Puerto Ricans, back on the Island almost four million U.S. citizens are not treated equally under all Federal health care programs. For example, allowable Federal Medicaid support in the 50 states is approximately $330 for each participant per month, compared to just $20 per participant in Puerto Rico.

The reality of aging and retirement for those living in poverty and that face numerous health disparities and chronic diseases puts all Hispanics that disproportionately suffer these realities at a tremendous and dangerous disadvantage in effecting the Health Care Reform debate. Within this context, our mainland Puerto Rican elderly and their families are particularly invisible.

The blatant systemic discrimination from Washington towards the Island that treats our elderly and families living there as second class citizens when it comes to Federal underwriting of health care, creates an even greater need for all Boricuas to unite and ensure that the debate addresses the needs of all of our people here, and in Puerto Rico.

We must support President Obama’s campaign to reform healthcare, and demand that one of its main tenets be absolute and equal access to quality care for all U.S. citizens wherever they happen to reside. The Puerto Rican and Hispanic community must come together and stand ready to aggressively pursue the

IN THE HEALTH CARE REFORM DEBATEPUERTO RICAN VOICES MUST UNITE TO BE HEARD

…MAINLAND POVERTY AND ISLAND UNEQUAL ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FUNDING

DEMAND IT!By Suleika Cabrera DrinaneInstitute for Puerto Rican and Hispanic Elderly, Inc.

success of these measures, right now.

We must advocate for a comprehensive and effective health reform policy that takes into consideration the needs of all Hispanic and other minority seniors and families. Comprehensive health care reform should: reduce long-term growth of health care costs for business and government; protect families from bankruptcy or debt because of rising health care costs; guarantee choice of doctors and health plans; invest in prevention and wellness; improve patient safety and quality of care; assure affordable, quality health coverage for all Americans; maintain coverage when individuals change or lose their jobs; and end barriers to coverage for people with pre-existing medical conditions.

Given the serious health disparities in our communities of color, we must also ensure effective health care reform via expansion of Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP; subsidized coverage for the near-poor; private sector catastrophic insurance policies; state subsidies for uncompensated care—and expansion of the Federal Community Health Center Program and the National Health Service Corps.

As Puerto Ricans we must make sure that it becomes a priority for the Obama Administration to end current eligibility and funding disparities in the treatment of Puerto Rico, and finally bring the Island to full parity in funding and quality of care within the American national health care system. Puerto Rico and its residents must have full participation in the Medicaid, Medicare, and CHIP programs as part of any health care reform initiative.

The Institute for Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, Inc. (IPR/HE) has been an advocacy and multi service organization for the past 33 years in this City. IPR/HE also created the 6000 member Hispanic Senior Action Council to organize and promote civic participation and advocate for equal treatment and access to services for all Hispanics and minorities in this city, state and nation.

The IPR/HE network is totally committed to health care reform that can garner broad bipartisan support, preserve the parts of the existing health care system that work, ensures equitable access for all Americans, expands coverage, and increases quality of care. As a Puerto Rican/Hispanic organization we stand with Puerto Rico to seek justice and equity for our elderly and families on the Island, once and for all.

IN THE HEALTH CARE REFORM DEBATEPUERTO RICAN VOICES MUST UNITE TO BE HEARD...continued

HISTORYASPIRA was founded in New York City in 1961 by Dra. Antonia Pantoja to com-bat the exorbitant dropout rate among Puerto Rican high school youth and became incorporated in New York State on May 24th, 1965. In 1968, ASPIRA of America (today known as the ASPIRA Association now based in Washington, D.C.) was created. Since then, the ASPIRA movement has grown and established additional SASPIRA associate offices in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsyl-vania and Puerto Rico.

MISSIONTo foster the social advancement of the Puerto Rican/Latino community by supporting its youth in the pursuit of educational excellence through leadership development activities and programs that emphasizes commitment to the community and pride in the Puerto Rican/Latino culture.

VISION STATEMENTTo be the premier Latino youth-serving organization in New York, to the 38%, roughly 1.1 million New York City public school students who are Latino, aspire to improve their lives and community by exercising their leadership skills and by achieving educational excellence.

ABOUT ASPIRA OF NEW YORK, INC.ASPIRA of New York, Inc. serves over 8,000 Latino youth and families annually in the areas of youth development, educational achievement, leadership and parent engagement. ASPIRA’s current menu of program services, incor-porate both in-school and after school programs with over 85% of all services being delivered on school grounds. These programs and services include:

• Over 25 ASPIRA leadership clubs in High Schools• Drop-out prevention and attendance improvement services in high schools and middle school• SAT preparation courses• College counseling and other advisement services• 21st Century Community Learning Centers• After School neighborhood based services in the Mott Haven and Kingsbridge sections of the Bronx• ASPIRA volunteer Initiative Program which links corporate and individual volunteers as mentors androle mod-

els for ASPIRA Youth• In recent years ASPIRA of New York, Inc. has become active in the arena of small school reform resulting in

the creation of:• The Marble Hill School for International Studies, a small college-preparatory high school focusing on global

awareness and language acquisition.• The Bronx Studio School for Writers and Artists, a small 6th — 12th grade combined middle & senior high

school located in the heart of the South Bronx

ASPIRA of New York is committed to:• Effectively engaging Latino youth and their families.• Collaborating with organizations that affect the lives of young people in a positive way.• Seeking to positively change attitudes among young people and between youth and adults.• Preparing young people to be leaders and decision makers in all aspects of their lives.• Working to influence policies and practices that reflect the aspirations and contributions of young people as full

valued members of the communities they live in and of society at large.

ASPIRA OF NEW YORK, INC.520 Eighth Avenue, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10018(212) 564-6880, (212) 564-7152 (f), www.nyaspira.org

Hector Gesualdo, Executive DirectorHector Artiles, Student Leadership Program

ASPIRA: “to aspire”

DAY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009

IPRHE/UPACA Senior Center1940 Lexington Avenue (between 119th and 120th Streets) NYC

11AM TO 4PM

FOOD DRIVE - NON-PERISHABLE FOODS

ITEMS NEEDED TO CREATE A TYPICAL PUERTO RICAN THANKSGIVING MEALRICEGANDULESCANNED HAMSBROWN SUGAR/MAPLE SYRUPCLOVESCANNED SLICED PINEAPPLESCANNED YAMS CANNED VEGETABLES (CORN, GREEN BEANS MIXED)

5LB BAG OF POTATOESMAYONNAISECRANBERRY SAUCEGRAVYSTUFFING (BOX)CANNED FRUITS (PINEAPPLES, PEACHES, FRUIT COCKTAIL)CRACKERS

COOKIESPERMALOT MILKSODACOFFEESUGARMEDIUM/LARGE BASKETS NAPKINS

For the past fourteen years, Comité Noviembre has set aside the Sunday before Thanksgiving as a day of community service and social responsibility in commemoration of November 19th, traditionally known as Puerto Rican discovery day or as we like to call it Puerto Rican “encounter” day. The purpose of the day is to show the spirit of commitment and the power of action. Over the past years, this event has been a great success and organizations throughout the city have ben-efited from this collaboration, including homeless and battered women’s shelters and senior centers as well as individual

families.

Community service and social responsibility are the strongholds of the Puerto Rican community. Throughout the years our experience has shown us that when we dedicate ourselves to improving the quality of life of those around us, we build

a more unified and stronger society.

Comite Noviembre urges you to conduct your own food drive at your work place, church, school or simply participate in this day as a volunteer

Live the Spirit of Commitment and the Power of Action Come Join Us!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED BEFORE AND AFTER THIS DATE FOR FOOD COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION!

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT HECTOR ARTILES AT ASPIRA (212) 564-6880 x. 115

COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE

mes de la herencia puertorriqueña&

ASPIRA OF NEW YORK

15TH ANNUAL



Highlights of the 14th AnnualCN/ASPIRA DAY OF COMMUNITY

SERVICE & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Last year, the event was supposed to start at 11AM at the IPRHE/UPACA Senior Center in East Harlem when ASPIRA students, Comité Noviembre members and volunteers arrived at 10AM to set up for the event and open the doors, the line of people waiting to receive our food donations went around the

corner most there since 8AM. They came from as far as Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. By 2PM the over 4,500 cans of food collected by the 18 ASPIRA Clubs were gone and 110 turkeys distributed. And still there was a list of over 50 families that did not receive.

CN along with ASPIRA of New York conducted a food drive of non-perishable foods, to create Thanksgiving dinner baskets for the poor of New York. The goal was to create 75 food baskets. The ASPIRA Clubs in 18 high schools around the entire City of New York conducted food drives at each of the clubs. The drive garnered over 4,500 cans of foods. The items of non-perishable foods collected created a typical Puerto Rican Thanksgiving meal were: rice, gandules, canned hams, brown sugar/maple syrup, cloves, canned sliced pineapples, canned yams, canned vegetables (corn, green beans mixed), 5lb bag of potatoes. The food boxes were prepared and distributed by ASPIRANTES and volunteers the Tuesday before Thanksgiving to needy families as well as to the families that showed up to the UPACA Senior Center the day of the drive. And yes those 50 families on the list received 10lb turkeys from Comité Noviembre. CN has also worked with local supermarkets and business leaders to provide turkeys to each family. CN wants to specifically thank Carlos D. Nazario, former Chairmen of PROMESA for his generous donation of turkeys and Rafael Toro of GOYA Foods, Inc. for the company’s donation.

In these tough economic times it is very difficult to provide for our own families however community service and social responsibility are the strongholds of the Puerto Rican community. Throughout the years our experience has shown us that when we dedicate ourselves to improving the quality of life of those around us, we build a more unified and stronger society. CN urges each and every one of you to conduct your own food drives in your schools, colleges/universities, work place, churches, hospitals and supermarkets and help us feed the needy and hungry in our community. It just takes one person to ask the question – the only thing they can do is say No the best thing that can happen is that we make a solid difference.

For more information please contact Hector R. Artiles Jr., Leadership Development ProgramASPIRA of New York, Inc., (212) 564 - 6880 Ext 115 or (646) 360 - 0413 (Cell)

or Teresa A. Santiago at (914) 263-6599



Fourteen Years of SuccessFor the past twenty-three years, CN, has created and developed programs all geared to the support and enhancement of educational opportunities and leadership development for Puerto Rican youth with a cultural twist. These programs are firmly rooted in the belief, that in order to succeed in life, you must pursue a higher education, give back to your community through volunteer efforts and know your cultural ancestral history. Focusing on educational excellence and leadership development is the key to the future of the Puerto Rican community.

In celebration of its tenth anniversary, the CN Scholarship Awards Program (CNSAP) was established. To date, CNSAP has awarded 170 scholarships boasting a 90% college graduation rate since the inception in 1996. The scholarships are for $1,000. The selection process is competitive and documented community service is, key to be selected.

To be eligible for the CN scholarship award, applicants must be of Puerto Rican descent; have a minimum of one full year of community service experience; be enrolled in an accredited college or university by the Fall of the applying year and have a B average or better. The application process includes an application form, an essay, two letters of recommendation, academic transcripts, a short biographical sketch, and a personal interview for finalists.

In 2006, to commemorate its 20th anniversary, CN enhanced the Scholarship Program to continue to award the top two scholars $1,000 scholarships each year until graduation. These scholars must maintain a 3.5 grade point average and documented community work within the Puerto Rican community to continue to receive the $1,000 scholarship for the full four years.

Comité Noviembre selects leaders from various sectors of the community who have demonstrated genuine interest in the educational excellence of our youth to serve on the selection committee. Currently, the com-mittee members are: Co-Chairs: Deacon Jaime Bello, Holy Cross Church and Jane Arce-Bello, education and youth advocate; Elba Cabrera, community leader, Lourdes R. Torres, Executive Assistant to the Pro-vost and Director of Administration, Budget & Grants Management, Hostos Community College, CUNY, Pedro Lugo - educator; and Teresa A. Santiago, Chairperson, Comité Noviembre.

The 2009 CNSAP process is underway. To receive an application please email the contact name and mail-ing address to Jaime Bello at [email protected], or visit our website at www.comitenoviembre.org to download a copy of the application.

COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS PROGRAM

Janine Nazario FreshmanLong Island University

Mariliam PadillaFreshmanUniversity of Connecticut

Continuing ScholarsThe following scholars were one of the top two in there year of selection. These scholars have maintained a 3.5 grade point average and docu-mented community and volunteer work within the Puerto Rican community. CN will continue to award $1,000 scholarships.Louis Sanchez, Junior, Fordham UniversityNicholas Berrios, Junior, Farmingdale College

COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Jaime Soto FreshmanCollege of Mt. St Vincent’s

Rafferty Rodriguez FreshmanRutgers University

Altagracia FontanezSophomoreBoricua College

Charles J. BarriosFreshmanSt. John’s University

Audrey CamejoFreshmanMercy College



2008 Buscando Nuestra RaícesThird Annual Trip to Puerto Rico Highlights

Thursday, August 6, 2009 – Thursday, August 13, 2009

Embassy Suites Hotel and Casino, Isla Verde, Puerto Rico

This trip was billed as an adventure into a cultural and educational experience for Puerto Ricans and others who want to explore the richness of Puerto Rico’s culture, ancestral roots and history. Making this trip a reality was a natural progres-sion of CN’s mission and goals. As we planned this trip we took into account that many of us although we visit the island frequently rarely visit the cultural and historical sites and landmarks unique to Puerto Rico and renowned throughout the world. The itinerary planned took our participants on a journey you will remember for many years to come.

• Explored the fiesty town of Comerio• Lo Lai Festival at la Plaza de la Dársena in San Juan• Board la Agua Guagua for 20 minute tour of “la bahia de San Juan”• Walking tour of Old San Juan will include visits to Plaza de Armas, City Hall, Cathedral and other historical land-

marks• Tour of La Plaza del Mercado in Santurce, a public market boasting different kiosks around a square of renovated

buildings that showcase beautiful architecture. • Noche Bohemia’ at Café de la Plaza, with dinner, music and dancing.• Historical overview and tour of Mayagüez, La Porta del Sol, birthplace of abolitionist Ramón Emeterio Betances and

patriot Eugenio María de Hostos. The tour included visits to the impressive Spanish-style Plaza Colon, a tribute to Christopher Columbus, whose stature stands in the middle of the square, surrounded by 16 bronze statues, the Yagüez Theater, Mayagüez City Hall and Post Office, both historic landmarks, the Eugeio María de Hostos Museum the 19th-century bakery Brazo Gitano Franco where the famous brazo gitano (gypsy’s arm; a jam sponge cake presented in the style of a Swiss roll) was created

• Tour of La Fundación Luis Muñoz Marín in Trujillo Alto. The visit was a retrospect of the life and times of the late Governor Luis Muñóz Marín, Puerto Rico’s first elected chief executive. This 4-acre private residence in rural San Juan will come alive through photography, memorabilia and beautiful grounds.

• Tour of the newly opened Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico’s Conservatory of Music, an 18-cen-tury architectural wonder and presentation on the classical music of Puerto Rico.

• Screening of the film, “El Cimarrón,” at El Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico/Puerto Rico’s Museum of Art followed by a reception and Q&A with film’s producers, director and actors. El Cimarrón is an uplifting and historically accurate love story about a young enslaved African couple, at the turn of the nineteen-century in Puerto Rico.

• Visit to La Universidad de Puerto Rico- University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras. The university is the premier state-of-the-art higher education institution in Puerto Rico specializing in science, mathematics and engineering. Visit includ-ed a tour of its museum where Francisco Oller’s El velorio / The Wake, 1893, is housed.

• Tour of La Fortaleza and Gardens, the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico. Reception hosted by First Lady

• Fiesta de Despedida – Paying tribute to Paquito Cordero and Tommy Muñiz, the founding fathers, of Puerto Rican ra-dio and televison and honoring Javier Santiago, Founder and President of Fundación Nacional Para la Cultura Popular and Honorable William Miranda Marin, Mayor of Caguas.



2009 Buscando Nuestras Raíces

Join us next year!

Celebrating Over Four Decades of Educational Excellence

Hostos Community College was created by an act of the Board of Higher Education on April 22, 1968, in response to the demands of Puerto Rican and other Hispanic leaders who urged the establishment of a college to meet the needs of the South Bronx. In September 1970, Hostos admitted a charter class of 623 students at the site of a former tire factory at 475 Grand Concourse. Enrollment grew rapidly to more than 2,000 students by June 1974. In the same year, the state legislature acted to ease an increasing space shortage by passing a special bill to acquire the “500 Building” across the Grand Concourse from the original site. Today, the campus has six buildings, three of which have been specially designed to meet the institution’s needs. Hostos takes pride in its well-equipped science, mathematics, writing, and computer labs, its excellent physical education facilities, and its state-of-the-art theaters. We are also proud of our growth and our diversity. This semester, the student population exceeded 6,100, with first-time freshmen alone numbering 1,235, which is nearly twice the enrollment of the 623-member charter class in 1970. And in terms of diversity, this class includes students from 66 different countries all over the world!

The mission of Hostos Community College is to offer access to higher education leading to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility through the development of linguistic, mathematical, and critical thinking proficiencies needed for lifelong learning and for success in a variety of programs including careers, liberal arts, transfer, and those professional programs leading to licensure. The vision is to make Hostos Community College a “college of excellence” for students seeking a liberal arts or career education in a dual language, multicultural learning environment.

On July 1, 2009, Eugenio María de Hostos Community College of CUNY welcomed Dr. Félix V. Matos Rodriguez as its new president. Trained as a social scientist, Dr. Matos Rodríguez previously held leadership positions in foundations, universities, policy centers, and branches of government in which he combined his scholarship with social policy, advocacy, and change.

While at Hostos, Dr. Matos Rodríguez is on leave from his tenured position as an Associate Professor of Black and Puerto Rican/Latino Studies at Hunter College of CUNY, where he teaches courses on Caribbean, Latin American, and Latino history. He has also served as director of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter, which is one of the largest and most important Latino research centers in the United States. In addition, Dr. Matos Rodríguez is part of the History Department at CUNY’s Graduate Center.

Dr. Matos Rodríguez has an extensive publication record in the fields of Women’s, Puerto Rican, Caribbean, and Latino Studies and Migration. He has also served as Secretary of the Department of the Family for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Expressing his commitment to the mission and vision of Hostos, Dr. Matos Rodríguez has said: “For over four decades, Hostos has been a gateway to educational advancement and professional opportunity. It is also an economic and cultural anchor for the communities it serves. We must never forget that Hostos was created, fought for, and nurtured by the people of the Bronx. As its president, I hope to continue building on the achievements in student life and support, academic offerings, faculty innovation, and community involvement that have characterized this institution over the years.”

HOSTOS IS PROUD TO BE A MEMBER AGENCY OF COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE.Dr. Felix V. Matos Rodriguez, President

Lourdes R. Torres, Comité Noviembre RepresentativeEugenio María de Hostos Community College

500 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY 10451www.hostos.cuny.edu



For the past three years, CN has invited artisans from throughout the US and Puerto Rico to participate in this Fair. The number of participating artisans has increased from 40 to over 60. Over the years, CN has transformed, Hunter College West Building and the Church of St. Paul the Apostle into a typical Puerto Rican plaza with a fountain, palm trees, piragua and coquito carts and artists, sculptors, vejigante mask makers promoting and selling their wares while musical and cultural acts entertained throughout the day. Additionally each year, CN conducts workshops for children and adults, like mask making, the history of the three kings’ celebration, Taíno storytelling in order to make sure that our youth learn about our culture.

The year CN will conduct its First Annual Health Fair that will run concurrently with its Fourth Annual Artisans Fair & Exhibit on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at Eugenio María de Hostos Community College in the Bronx, from 10AM – 7PM. The Health component of the Fair was added because of the great number of residents concentrated in the Bronx and neighboring boroughs with chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity. CN board member and health professional Henry Cruz will Chair the Health Fair Committee and was instrumental in the decision to create this Health component.

Since its inception in 2006, the Artisans Fair has boasted an attendance of over 5000 people from the tri-state area with numbers growing steady from year to year. With this proven track record of attracting substantial community participation CN believes that it will be saving lives by adding this Health segment to the Fair. So come and take advantage of an opportunity to kick off your holiday shopping season and at the same time kick-off the New Year healthy.

Fourth Annual Artisans Fair & Exhibit

Photos by Robert Figueroa

Fourth Annual Artisans Fair & Exhibit

Photos by Robert Figueroa

Founded in 1972 as the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, LatinoJustice PRLDEF has played a critical role in improving the lives and well-being of the now 8 million Puerto Ricans and more than 30 million other Latinos in the United States. LatinoJustice PRLDEF has worked to secure, promote and protect the civil rights of the Puerto Rican and wider Latino community, making it a leading civil rights organization and one of the premiere Latino organizations in the country.

EDUCATION RIGHTS: The Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund’s first lawsuit, ASPIRA v. NYC Board of Edu-cation, resulted in the groundbreaking ASPIRA Consent Decree which forced the school system to implement bilingual educa-tion techniques to effectively instruct students who spoke mostly Spanish. Since then, LatinoJustice PRLDEF has combated the forced segregation of Latino children in many parts of the country. The group has successfully intervened in desegrega-tion cases in Wilmington, DE; Waterbury, CT; Buffalo, NY, and Boston, MA. LatinoJustice PRLDEF also brought a lawsuit challenging a decision to the double the tuition rates for undocumented students at CUNY. A political victory ensued, which allowed students graduating from NYS high schools to be eligible for State tuition rates.

EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS: In 1972, in two class action suits against the NYC Police Department, LatinoJustice PRLDEF was able to get the courts to force the department to institute fair hiring and promotional practices which increased the number of Latino officers and sergeants. Additionally, the group filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board resulting in a $1.075 million settlement on behalf of Latino immigrant employees at a food processing plant. In 2002, LatinoJustice PRLDEF intervened in an EEOC suit against a Connecticut beauty supply company, for its imposition of an il-legal English-only policy against its Latino employees.

VOTING RIGHTS: In 1973, as a result of a LatinoJustice PRLDEF court victory, for the first time in NYC history bilingual ballots and interpreters, in English, Spanish and Chinese, were provided to parents to vote in the school board elections. The same legal arguments were applied in the landmark voting rights case, Torres v. Sachs, which required the use of bilingual bal-lots for all NYC elections. In 1975 the federal Voting Rights Act was amended which secured the voting rights of all linguistic minorities throughout the country. In 1981, LatinoJustice PRLDEF successfully challenged the redistricting plan passed by the City Council and signed into law by the Mayor, which had been drawn to preclude additional minority representation on the City Council.

HOUSING RIGHTS: More than 30 years ago, LatinoJustice PRLDEF sued the NYC Housing Authority proving discrimina-tion against Latin and African-American applicants for apartments in three housing projects in Williamsburg. After years of litigation, the parties agreed to a far-reaching settlement in 2002. In 1977, the group filed a class action suit against a Lower East Side co-operative which would not make apartments available to Latinos. Since then, LatinoJustice PRLDEF has fought for the rights of tenants in Brooklyn, against housing discrimination in city-owned apartments and for access rights to housing in Newark and Hartford.

FROM MIGRANTS’ TO IMMIGRANTS’ RIGHTS: In 1972, the group challenged the State of New Jersey and the Common-wealth of Puerto Rico for deliberately failing to protect the rights of migrant farm laborers throughout the state. Recently, in Hazleton, PA, LatinoJustice PRLDEF challenged a virulently anti-immigrant ordinance that fined employers or landlords who hired or rented to undocumented immigrants and limited all government business to English only. This ordinance had tremen-dous impact nationally; since it was introduced in June 2006, at least 80 localities have proposed or passed laws modeled on it. LatinoJustice PRLDEF was successful in blocking the ordinance’s implementation after a federal judge granted permanent injunctive relief which enjoined Hazleton from putting the challenged ordinance into place.

DIVERSIFYING AMERICA’S LEGAL SYSTEM: Since its inception, the organization’s Education Division has been com-mitted to increasing the diversity of the legal profession. LatinoJustice PRLDEF offers preparatory courses for students who wish to pursue a law degree, along with other education programs.

LatinoJustice PRLDEF, 99 Hudson Street 14th Floor, New York, NY 10013Cesar Perales, Esq., President and General Counsel, (212) 219-3360, [email protected]

Puerto Rican

Legal Defense and

Education Fund

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor“Extraordinary Journey: From modest beginnings to the

highest court in the United States”Sonia Sotomayor made history on August 6, 2009 when the United States Senate confirmed her nomination as the nation’s first Latina Supreme Court Justice. She is the court’s 111th Justice and only the third woman to serve on the high court.

Sotomayor has often publicly attributed much of her success in life with her upbringing in a close-knit Puerto Rican family and she has been a source of great pride for members of the Puerto Rican community across the mainland United States and on the island. Sonia Sotomayor has served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit since October 1998. She has been hailed as “one of the ablest federal judges currently sitting” for her thoughtful opinions, and as “a role model of aspiration, discipline, commitment, intellectual prowess and integrity” for her ascent to the federal bench from an upbringing in a South Bronx housing project.

Her American story and three decade career in nearly every aspect of the law provided Judge Sotomayor with unique qualifications to be the next Supreme Court Justice. She is a distinguished graduate of two of America’s leading universities. She has been a big-city prosecutor and a corporate litigator. Before she was promoted to the Second Circuit by President Clinton, she was appointed to the District Court for the

Southern District of New York by President George H.W. Bush. She replaces Justice Souter as the only Justice with experience as a trial judge.

Judge Sotomayor served 11 years on the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, one of the most demanding circuits in the country, and handed down decisions on a range of complex legal and constitutional issues. Sotomayor brings more federal judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any justice in 100 years, and more overall judicial experience than anyone confirmed for the Court in the past 70 years. Judge Richard C. Wesley, a George W. Bush appointee to the Second Circuit, said “Sonia is an outstanding colleague with a keen legal mind. She brings a wealth of knowledge and hard work to all her endeavors on our court. It is both a pleasure and an honor to serve with her.”

In addition to her distinguished judicial service, Judge Sotomayor is a Lecturer at Columbia University Law School and was also an adjunct professor at New York University Law School until 2007.

An American StoryJudge Sonia Sotomayor has lived the American dream. Born to a Puerto Rican family, she grew up in a public housing project in the South Bronx. Her parents moved to New York during World War II – her mother served in the Women’s Auxiliary Corps during the war. Her father, a factory worker with a third-grade education, died when Sotomayor was nine years old. Her mother, a nurse, then raised Sotomayor and her younger brother, Juan, now a physician in Syracuse. After her father’s death, Sotomayor turned to books for solace, and it was her new found love of Nancy Drew that inspired a love of reading and learning, a path that ultimately led her to the law.

Most importantly, at an early age, her mother instilled in Sotomayor and her brother a belief in the power of education. Driven by an indefatigable

President Obama meets with Judge Sotomayor and Vice President Biden prior to an an-nouncement in the East Room, May 26, 2009

work ethic, and rising to the challenge of managing a diagnosis of juvenile diabetes, Sotomayor excelled in school. Sotomayor graduated as valedictorian of her class at Blessed Sacrament and at Cardinal Spellman High School in New York. She first heard about the Ivy League from her high school debate coach, Ken Moy, who attended Princeton University, and she soon followed in his footsteps after winning a scholarship.

At Princeton, she continued to excel, graduating summa cum laude, and Phi Beta Kappa. She was a co-recipient of the M. Taylor Pyne Prize, the highest honor Princeton awards to an undergraduate. At Yale Law School, Judge

Sotomayor served as an editor of the Yale Law Journal and as managing editor of the Yale Studies in World Public Order. One of Sotomayor’s former Yale Law School classmates, Robert Klonoff (now Dean of Lewis & Clark Law School), remembers her intellectual toughness from law school: “She would stand up for herself and not be intimidated by anyone.”

A Fearless and Effective ProsecutorFresh out of Yale Law School, Judge Sotomayor became an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan in 1979, where she tried dozens of criminal cases over five years. Spending nearly every day in the court room, her prosecutorial work typically involved “street crimes,” such as murders and robberies, as well as child abuse, police misconduct, and fraud cases. Robert Morgenthau, the person who hired Judge Sotomayor, has described her as a “fearless and effective prosecutor.” [Wall Street Journal, 5/9/09] She was co-counsel in the “Tarzan Murderer” case, which convicted a murderer to 67 and ½ years to life in prison, and was sole counsel in a multiple-defendant case involving a Manhattan housing project shooting between rival family groups.

A Corporate LitigatorShe entered private practice in 1984, becoming a partner in 1988 at the firm Pavia and Harcourt. She was a general civil litigator involved in all facets of commercial work including, real estate, employment, banking, contracts, and agency law. In addition, her practice had a significant concentration in intellectual property law, including trademark, copyright and unfair competition issues. Her typical clients were significant corporations doing international business.

A Sharp and Fearless Trial JudgeHer judicial service began in October 1992 with her appointment to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by President George H.W. Bush. Still in her 30s, she was the youngest member of the court. From 1992 to 1998, she presided over roughly 450 cases. As a trial judge, she earned a reputation as a sharp and fearless jurist who does not let powerful interests bully her into departing from the rule of law. In 1995, for example, she issued an injunction against Major League Baseball owners, effectively ending a baseball strike that had become the longest work stoppage in professional sports history and had caused the cancellation of the World Series the previous fall. She was widely lauded for saving baseball. Claude Lewis of the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote that by saving the season, Judge Sotomayor joined “the ranks of Joe DiMaggio, Willie Mays, Jackie Robinson and Ted Williams.”

A Tough, Fair and Thoughtful JuristPresident Clinton appointed Judge Sotomayor to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1998. She is the first Latina to serve on that court, and has participated in over 3000 panel decisions, authoring roughly

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayorcontinued

Sotomayor, an avid fan of the Yankees with her nephews at Yankee Stadium in 2007

400 published opinions. Sitting on the Second Circuit, Judge Sotomayor has tackled a range of questions: from difficult issues of constitutional law, to complex procedural matters, to lawsuits involving complicated business organizations. In this context, Sotomayor is widely admired as a judge with a sophisticated grasp of legal doctrine. “’She appreciates the complexity of issues,’ said Stephen L. Carter, a Yale professor who teaches some of her opinions in his classes. Confronted with a tough case, Carter said, ‘she doesn’t leap at its throat but reasons to get to the bottom of issues.’” For example, in United States v. Quattrone, Judge Sotomayor concluded that the trial judge had erred by forbidding the release of jurors’ names to the press, concluding after carefully weighing the competing concerns that the trial judge’s concerns for a speedy and orderly trial must give way to the constitutional freedoms of speech and the press.

Sotomayor also has keen awareness of the law’s impact on everyday life. Active in oral arguments, she works tirelessly to probe both the factual details and the legal doctrines in the cases before her and to arrive at decisions that are faithful to both. She understands that upholding the rule of law means going beyond legal theory to ensure consistent, fair, common-sense application of the law to real-world facts. For example, In United States v. Reimer, Judge Sotomayor wrote an opinion revoking the US citizenship for a man charged with working for the Nazis in World War II Poland, guarding concentration camps and helping empty the Jewish ghettos. And in Lin v. Gonzales and a series of similar cases, she ordered renewed consideration of the asylum claims of Chinese women who experienced or were threatened with forced birth control, evincing in her opinions a keen awareness of those women’s plights.

Judge Sotomayor’s appreciation of the real-world implications of judicial rulings is paralleled by her sensible practicality in evaluating the actions of law enforcement officers. For example, in United States v. Falso, the defendant was convicted of possessing child pornography after FBI agents searched his home with a warrant. The warrant should not have been issued, but the agents did not know that, and Judge Sotomayor wrote for the court that the officers’ good faith justified using the evidence they found. Similarly in United States v. Santa, Judge Sotomayor ruled that when police search a suspect based on a mistaken belief that there is a valid arrest warrant out on him, evidence found during the search should not be suppressed. Ten years later, in Herring v. United States, the Supreme Court reached the same conclusion. In her 1997 confirmation hearing, Sotomayor spoke of her judicial philosophy, saying” I don’t believe we should bend the Constitution under any circumstance. It says what it says. We should do honor to it.” Her record on the Second Circuit holds true to that statement. For example, in Hankins v. Lyght, she argued in dissent that the federal government risks “an unconstitutional trespass” if it attempts to dictate to religious organizations who they can or cannot hire or dismiss as spiritual leaders. Since joining the Second Circuit, Sotomayor has honored the Constitution, the rule of law, and justice, often forging consensus and winning conservative colleagues to her point of view.

A Commitment to CommunityJudge Sotomayor is deeply committed to her family, to her co-workers, and to her community. Judge Sotomayor is a doting aunt to her brother Juan’s three children and an attentive godmother to five more. She still speaks to her mother, who now lives in Florida, every day. At the courthouse, Judge Sotomayor helped found the collegiality committee to foster stronger personal relationships among members of the court. Seizing an opportunity to lead others on the path to success, she recruited judges to join her in inviting young women to the courthouse on Take Your Daughter to Work Day, and mentors young students from troubled neighborhoods

Her favorite project, however, is the Development School for Youth program, which sponsors workshops for inner city high school students. Every semester, approximately 70 students attend 16 weekly workshops that are designed to teach them how to function in a work setting. The workshop leaders include investment bankers, corporate executives and Judge Sotomayor, who conducts a workshop on the law for 25 to 35 students. In addition to the workshop experience, each student is offered a summer job by one of the corporate sponsors. The experience is rewarding for the lawyers and exciting for the students, commented Judge Sotomayor, as “it opens up possibilities that the students never dreamed of before.” [Federal Bar Council News, Sept./Oct./Nov. 2005, p.20]

She has served as a member of the Second Circuit Task Force on Gender, Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts


and was formerly on the Boards of Directors of the New York Mortgage Agency, the New York City Campaign Finance Board, and the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, now known as LatinoJustice PRLDEF.

Uniquely Puerto Rican & Wise LatinaJudge Sotomayor has often spoken fondly about the uniquely Puerto Rican experiences she has had throughout her life. In a 2001 speech, she talked about the “platos de arroz, gandules y pernil” that she has eaten “at countless

family holidays and special events,” as well as “the sound of merengue at family parties.”

“My Latina soul was nourished,” she went on, “as I visited and played at my grandmother’s house with my cousins and extended family. They were my friends as I grew up.”

In 2009, while her nomination to the court was pending, conservative politicians criticized another part of the same speech, which she gave as the annual Judge Mario G. Olmos Law and Cultural Diversity Lecture at the University of California, Berkeley. In it, she paraphrased a saying that both Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sandra Day O’Connor have quoted, that a “wise old woman’’ and a “wise old man’’ would come to the same conclusions. “I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life,” Justice Sotomayor said.

Many members of the Puerto Rican/Latino community supported her for making the statement, and many women embraced the phrase and wore t-shirts and buttons saying “Wise Latina” to show their support for Sotomayor’s nomination.

Judge Sotomayor’s nomination in May 2009 was due to a strong lobbying campaign led by Puerto Rican and Latino members of the legal profession, as well as Members of Congress which led President Barack Obama to officially nominate her for the United States Supreme Court. As Puerto Ricans we must show our pride in this incredible achievement and teach our children specifically our daughters that no journey is impossible – just dare to dream and you will achieve greatness.


RICHIE VIVE, LA LUCHA SIGUE - THE JUSTICE COMMITTEE

“The arc of history is that every generation has to fight the liberation struggle. Every generation, it doesn’t matter what the generation before you did or didn’t do. You’re going to have to deal with

it. It helps if there is a connection between the previous generation and the new generation. It helps it doesn’t prevent you from making mistakes. Every generation will make their own mistakes, will

create its own organizations, will create its own cultural forms, its own expression, everything. And every generation will have its own rhythm.”

“See that’s what I want to be for this generation. At this point, I figure that’s what my role is. I mean I’m a great organizer and I’m an activist and I still like to kick ass, but how I can make my

greatest contribution is I got to be part of that transmission of history. Because the time that you’re on the historical stage is short, man.”

Richie Perez

THE JUSTICE COMMITTEERichie’s resolve to end the systemic police brutality and murder of young people of color in New York City continues through the work of the Justice Committee, an all volunteer watch- dog and activist organization co- founded by Richie and whose members he developed, mentored and struggled side by side with in some of the most despicable and defining cases of police brutality and racist attacks in the history of our community. The Justice Committee serves our community through direct ac-tion, political education and its mainstay, the support and guidance of families forever maimed by the victimization or killing of their loved ones.

RACIAL JUSTICE DAYThe Justice Committee is responsible for Racial Justice Day, an action originally organized in March 1993 to seek justice for Manny Mayi Jr., an 18-year-old Dominican youth and Queens College honor student who on the night of March 29, 1991, was chased for 16 blocks and beaten to death by a gang of 10 white youths in his neighborhood of Corona, Queens, NYC. In a crime believed to have involved as many as 10 attackers, authorities arrested three, tried one, and ultimately failed to secure a single conviction. Through the unrelenting organizing work and pressure from the Justice Committee the NYPD directed its Cold Case Squad to reopen the case.

During the last fifteen years Racial Justice Day has evolved into a yearly day of outrage during which a rally and march led by the families and victims of police brutality and racial attacks is used to give those affected a platform to share their experience, educate the public about these events and voice their demands for justice.

PEOPLES’ JUSTICE FOR COMMUNITY CONTROL & POLICE ACCOUNTABILITYIn January 2007, the Justice Committee initiated the formation of Peoples’ Justice for Community Control & Police Account-ability a city-wide coalition that came together in the aftermath of the November 2006 NYPD killing of Sean Bell and shooting of Trent Benefield and Joseph Guzman. Some of the coalition’s work centered on mobilizing actions and education forums for the community to discuss how police violence is currently impacting varying communities of color and develop organizing strategies to address the issue.

GOING FORWARDThe Justice Committee is participating in the restructuring of the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights, a national Puerto Rican civil/human rights advocacy movement positioned to give a national voice to the Puerto Rican community.

Although unimaginable this March will mark the fifth year since our brother and comrade, Richie Perez, passed on to the spirit world. Since his passing The Justice Committee honors Richie and secures his legacy as it continues to effect change and make history in the movement for social justice and the quest to eliminate police brutality and racism in all of its forms.

JUSTICE COMMITTEE, INC.P.O. Box 1885, New York, NY 10159-1885, (212) 614-5343

E-MAIL: [email protected] MYSPACE: www.myspace/justicecommittee

THE RICHIE PÉREZ SCHOLARSHIP FOR

PEACE & JUSTICE AWARD

PURPOSE In 2004, the Puerto Rican community lost an ally, advocate, community leader and urban warrior. Richie Pérez was a be-loved activist and leader in the fight for social justice and human rights. He brought integrity, zeal and unity to many causes to which he was committed. These included the struggle for racial justice and against police brutality, Puerto Rican inde-pendence and universal human rights. As a former Young Lord and founding member of the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights, Richie was our inspiration and conscience. Richie wrote and lectured extensively on the Puerto Rican urban experience and as a profes-sor in the CUNY system taught classes in mass media, US social policy and the history of the labor and civil rights movements. Richie believed greatly in the power and potential of young people to create social change. He personally mentored many youth and believed that the torch of the movement for justice had to be passed on to the next generation.

In his memory, Comité Noviembre has established the Richie Pérez Scholarship for Peace and Justice. The award will recognize Puerto Rican young people for their commitment, activism and achievements in any of the areas of human rights and social justice. This an-nual award will both promote the advancement of new leaders in the movement for peace and justice, and also invest in their continued growth by providing support for their ongoing education and political development The scholarship winner will receive a $1,000 scholar-ship. The application form will be ready for distribution and posted on Comité Noviembre’s website, www.comitenoviembre.org, in early December.

ELIGIBILTY• Applicants must Be of Puerto Rican descent • Document a minimum of one-year active participation and organizing work in a social

justice or human rights issue.• Be enrolled in an accredited college or university by the fall of each year or at the time

of the scholarship award.• Be between the ages of 17 and 25.

GUIDELINES• A completed application package must include an application form, essay, two letters of recommendation and a short

biographical sketch. All items must be submitted in one package.• Letters of recommendation must be from community members who personally know their work, leadership and com-

mitment to social justice and human rights causes.• Application package must be received or post marked by the deadline dated indicated.• Application package received or post marked after the deadline date will be disqualified.• Finalist will be notified in a timely manner.• A mandatory personal interview will be conducted by the scholarship committee. Finalist will be notified of the inter-

view at least one week in advance. Finalist will not be considered if he/she does not show-up for interview. Other ar-rangements will be made for finalist away at college.

• Recipients of the Richie Perez Scholarship Award will be disqualified should any of the following conditions occur: (1) recipient provides false information on application (2) recipients is not en rolled in an accredited college or university by the fall or at the time of the award (3) recipient is not of Puerto Rican descent

• Scholarship payment will be made by Comité Noviembre upon recipient of official documentation from college Regis-trar or Bursar’s Office.

Please contact Martha Laureano, (718) 387-0404, [email protected], if you have any questions or to receive an application form. You can also visit our website at www.comitenoviembre.org

RICHIE PEREZ SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

ALISIA VICTORIA CORDERO was born in Harlem, New York and raised by her father, grandparents, and aunts. Her mother died when she was a year old of HIV. Her mother’s absence has impacted her life more than any other event, and it is from her that Alisia feels she received her passion for community work and activism. Growing up she learned about the severity of HIV and knew that she would become a part of the fight to find a cure and to foster awareness. She has donated money to HIV organizations around the world and has participated in the New York AIDS Walk faithfully for the past five years, supporting the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GHMC). This has become a yearly tradition and she invites friends and family, co-workers and peers to share her cause.

As a member of the Lehman College Community Service, Service Learning and New Student Programs, she has participated in many community service projects on campus such as Crafts for Caring, creating surgi dolls for hospitalized children, holiday cards for war veterans, and Treats For Troops. Her greatest volunteer service project and one that has impacted greatly on her life has been going down to New Orleans with Lehman L.I.F.E. (Leaders Involved For Everyone) to help build homes for victims of Hurricane Katrina. She has volunteered two years straight and is planning a third trip this January. She is a Senior at Lehman College, Majoring in Business Admin-istration with a concentration in Business Law with a minor in Political Science.

“Advocating for social justice is being able to foster awareness for an issue affecting humanity and then proceed to aid the situation. All over the world there are injustices being made, but closer to home, we have issues such as poverty, homelessness, and people being deprived of basic human rights. I chose to be intensely active in relieving the New Orleans area of the effects caused by Hurricane Katrina. I found that the only way I can truly help a cause is by throwing myself into it head on. I jumped at the opportunity to go down to New Orleans and join the hundreds of volunteers making the greatest impact in the relief effort.”

“The experiences that I have gained in doing community service, and being in the epicenter of cultural revival, where keeping your identity as a Latina becomes a revolutionary fight against Integration, will propel me to be a strong Puerto Rican woman standing up for herself and her community.”

PEDRO VALDEZ RIVERA was born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn 1991 to Puerto Rican and Dominican parents. He graduated valedictorian from the High School for Legal Studies. He is a freshman at Brooklyn College where Richie Perez once taught in the Puerto Rican studies department. His major is Mathematics and Environmental studies.

For the past four years, he has been a member of El Puente, a community human rights institution that promotes leadership for peace and justice through the engagement of members (youth and adult) in the arts, education, scientific research, wellness and environmental action. Last summer he interned as a member of the Justice Committee and most recently joined NYPIRG, the New York Public Interest Group on campus.

Influenced by stories of Richie Perez as young Lord and founder of the National Congress for Puerto Ri-can Rights – Justice Committee, he got involved with participating in cop-watch: a community tactic or strategy in which the community people use video cameras and equipment to capture police brutality and participated in an outreach program that educated the community about human or individual rights.

El Puente Leadership Center is his foundation. Since the summer of 2006, he has been involved in a lot of community service activities in the community of Williamsburg including a garden beautification projects, tutors students in math and is a percussionist performing in many con-certs for the community. He has been inspired by NCPRR – Justice Committee and El Puente and is committed to continuing his community and social justice work.

“It was only a year ago; I was remembering first learning about the young lord hero, Richie Perez. Participating in a social justice event, a former Young Lord named Panama spoke about the Young Lords and Richie Perez, founder of the Justice Committee. What particularity stood out to me about Richie Perez was he involved himself in many aspects of the community, from environmental justice, police brutality, and health issues. As a member of a Social Justice organization and the Justice Committee, the issue of police brutality affecting the community was what stood out to me the most.”

Pedro Valdez Rivera

Alisia Victoria Cordero

In 1981, Puerto Rican activists from around the country including the late Richie Perez, a longtime activist and leader in the struggle for global human rights, founded the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights (NCPRR). For more than 20 years the NCPRR engaged in grassroots campaigns in many cities, including a march on Washington D.C.

The NCPRR is a power resource that was created by the Puerto Rican people’s grassroots struggle - it has history, legitimacy and weight. Hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours, the rejecting of government funding, the rejecting of the single, charismatic male leadership model; the promotion of women and young leadership (women must be at least half of all leadership bodies within the organization), the successful uniting of previously disconnected community forces; the emphasis on learning to use all tactics and avoid marginalization (community education, working the media, voter mobilization, coalition building, lobbying, litigation, and direct/action); the groundbreaking work around bilingual education, environmental justice, the right to representation, holding elected officials accountable, racial justice, against police brutality and Puerto Rico’s right to self-determination are part of our legacy.

A reaffirmation of the NCPRR is needed at this point in our history because there is a lack of significant Puerto Rican voices or representation on the national agenda on issues like bilingual education, the national immigration debate, Puerto Rico Self-Determination, Post-Vieques, No Child Left Behind, Voting Rights & Political Education, social discrimination, Police Brutality, Health Care Reform and the release of the remaining PR Political Prisoners.

During the weekend of October 9th – 11, 2009 the NCPRR held its eighth national convention in Philadelphia. The convention was attended by over 300 people representing Puerto Rico and ten states including Ohio, Illinois and Florida. This historical conference represents a historical turning point for NCPRR. The panels, workshops and plenary sessions addressed how to: • Help NCPRR determine what works in 2009 and beyond in order to address the many challenges facing the

Puerto Rican people. • Learn from and build on the experiences of different cities as well as towns across the country where Puerto

Ricans live. • Effectively utilize the history, name, recognition and credibility of the NCPRR to affect social change. • Address the issue of organizational life-support and financial stability to make the NCPRR viable in the new

century.

The intergenerational reflection, interaction and a sharing of experiences during the convention will help determine how NCPRR will identify itself as the continuation of a proud organizational tradition while simultaneously serving as an effective organizational tool and asset for the next generation of leadership in our communities across the country. Additionally it will provide a platform to follow as well as methods for the direct engagement of the next generation of community leaders and unified efforts for making positive social change into the future.

For more information about the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights or to become a member contact: www.ncprr.us

National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights

Puerto Ricans in the

21st Century

Reafirmación de un Pueblo

The Young Lords, a Puerto Rican civil rights and Nationalist organization formed in the 1960’s, fought for equality, the human and Civil rights of Puerto Ricans as well as for the right of self determination for the People of Puerto Rico.

Forty years ago in the summer of 1969 The Young Lords, made up of first generation college and high school students, community activists and neighborhood residents, entered the consciousness of New York-ers through a series of actions taken in an effort to respond to the basic needs of the sorely underserved Puerto Rican Community in New York City. One such action was the December 1969 Young Lords take-over of the First Spanish Methodist Church on Lexington Avenue and East 111th Street in East Harlem’s, “El Barrio” to protest of the church’s refusal to allow the Lords to feed hungry children before school.

During the 11-day occupation of the “People’s Church” the Young Lords provided free breakfast and clothing programs, health services, a day care center, and a liberation school. The occupation ended when the NYC police entered the church and arrested 105 young Lords and community supporters.On Sunday August 23rd, 2009, a standing-room-only crowd of nearly 400 gathered on East 111th Street in El Barrio to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Young Lords Party. Many YLP members from all over the country attended the event. They marched into the First Spanish Methodist Church, formerly known as the People’s Church the very church seized 40 years ago to the cheers and applause of the people in the church. The program included prayers, a moment of silence for Lords who have passed and talks about the histori-cal social significance of the YLP today.

The Young Lords Party is no longer in existence but the members’ short burst of activity ignited Puerto Rican pride and political and cultural activism. Its power and legacy lives on through those that continue to struggle for global social justice and human rights.

THE YOUNG LORDS PARTY

A CELEBRATION OF 40

YEARS IN STRUGGLE

“We didn’t drop from the sky: Our people’s struggles created the Young Lords.”

Richie Perez

El Museo del Barrio, New York’s leading Latino cultural institution, welcomes visitors of all backgrounds to discover the artistic landscape of the Latino, Caribbean and Latin American cultures. Their richness is represented in El Museo’s wide-ranging collections and exhibitions, complemented by performing arts, music concerts, cultural celebrations, and educational programs. A dynamic artistic, cultural, and com-munity gathering place, El Museo is a center of cultural pride on New York’s Museum Mile.

Located at 1230 Fifth Avenue and 104th Street, El Museo closed its galleries last May in order to undergo extensive renovations to its City-owned facility. Central to the planning of the renovation was the desire to enhance its role in the community, render El Museo even more welcoming to its fast-growing audience, position the surrounding East Harlem community of El Barrio as an important destination, and gener-ate more jobs for New York. Its refurbished facility features a new glass façade, a redesigned courtyard, entirely renovated and modernized galleries, a new café that also serves as programming space, and an expanded museum shop.

El Museo was founded 40 years ago by artist and educator Raphael Montañez Ortiz and a coalition of Puerto Rican parents, educators, artists, and activists who noted that mainstream museums largely ignored Latino artists. Since its inception, El Museo has been committed to celebrating and promoting Latino culture, thus becoming a cornerstone of El Barrio, and a valuable resource for New York City. El Museo’s varied permanent collection of over 6,500 objects spanning more than 800 years of Latin American, Carib-bean, and Latino art includes pre-Columbian Taíno artifacts, traditional arts, twentieth-century drawings, paintings, sculptures and installations, as well as prints, photography, documentary films, and video.

From its founding, the museum has been a place of cultural pride and self-discovery for the Puerto Ri-can community that founded it, and for the many cultures and communities of the Caribbean and Latin America in New York. El Museo’s reopening on Saturday, October 17, 2009, marked the launch of its 40th Anniversary celebrations, which will continue all year with a rich array of exhibitions, public program-ming, events, and performances. Come join us!

Julián Zugazagoitia, DirectorSusan Delvalle, External Affairs Director

Eileen Reyes, Community and Government Affairs ManagerMariana Salem, Rentals Manager

1230 Fifth Avenue (at 104th Street)New York, NY 10029

www.elmuseo.org

El Museo del Barrio will mark its 33rd Anniversary of the Annual Three Kings Parade on Wednesday, Janu-ary 6, 2010, with this its renowned procession through-out the streets of El Barrio. This time-honored tradition will once again fill up the neighborhood’s streets with lively music, colorful dancing and parrandas.

Thirty-four years ago, Puerto Rican leaders of East Har-lem’s El Barrio—educators, artists, social and political activists—founded El Museo del Barrio, an institution that would preserve and reflect their cultural heritage. In 1977, under the leadership of the then-director of El Museo, Jack Agueros and community volunteers from

El Barrio, the Three Kings Day Parade was born in order to celebrate Día de Reyes or Three Kings Day, a holiday sacred to many Caribbean and Latin American communities. Día de Reyes celebrates the spirit of giving through the Biblical story of the Magi, the three wise men from the east, who followed the star to honor the newborn baby Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Three Kings Day is the tra-ditional way of celebrating Christmas in Puerto Rico and other Latin American countries. Traditionally, children collect grass and place a container of water in a box under the bed on the eve of the arrival of the Three Kings on January 6th. According to tradition, the weary camels eat the grass and drink the water after their long journey, and in return, the Kings leave gifts as a gesture of thanks for the children. On the morning of January 6th, children look under their beds to see what gifts the Three Kings have left them. Until recent years, this holiday was the traditional time of exchanging gifts, while December 25th was a time to spend with the family. Recently, Santa Claus has begun to replace the Three Kings as the bringer of gifts. Many families who want to keep the tradition of the Three Kings alive and not disappoint their children on December 25th will give some of their gifts on Christmas and a special one on January 6th. El Museo del Barrio’s mission is to provide a broad cultural forum to understand the culture of Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and Latin America. In this context, festivals such as the Three Kings Day Parade are as important as exhibitions in preserving and disseminating our cultural traditions. This parade reminds us to come together through hope and the spirit of giving—what the Three Kings represent—and is one of El Museo’s most joyous annual events.

Today, El Museo del Barrio continues to organize its Three Kings Day Parade, a much-loved tradition in East Harlem, which for the last 32 years has preserved the generosity of the spirit that this important holiday has passed from generation to generation. Every year on January 6th (The Feast of the Epiphany or Three Kings Day), over fifteen hundred school children accompanied by teachers, parents, community volunteers, and residents of El Barrio brave the cold and join the Three Kings with their retinue of live camels, donkeys and sheep. The sight of the parade, juxtaposing camels and sheep with the urban land-scape, is surreal while puppets and volunteers in medieval garb contribute to the pageantry of the event. The costumes, which are worn by the Three Kings at El Museo, were designed by art historian Mario César Romero after extensive research in order to create authentic costumes.

Volunteers are needed as well as community groups to march and/or perform. Please email to [email protected] if you are interested in marching as a group or performing or wish to volunteer.

For more information, please visit our website at www.elmuseo.org.

ANNUAL THREE KINGS CELEBRATION

The National Institute for Latino Policy (NiLP) is a 5019C)(3) nonprofit and nonpartisan policy center established in 1982 in New York City originally as the Institute for Puerto Rican Policy (IPR). The National Institute for Latino Policy provides a unique approach and voice to the policy analysis and advocacy needs of the Latino community. Originally focused on the Puerto Rican community, our work has increasingly included all Latinos and has gone from a local to a national scope. The Institute’s approach includes:

• Focusing on the intersectionality of Latino policy issues• The use of action-research that is used as an organizing tool for advocacy• A strategy that focuses on the development of local and state level strategies for policy analysis and organizing• The creative and aggressive use of the internet and the media as community education and organizing tools• An emphasis on working in critical policy areas that are underdeveloped or not addressed in the Latino community

In the past year, NiLP’s accomplishments include:

• Leading a major educational campaign to raise awareness of the 2010 Census and its importance to the Latino community. NiLP has created and coordinated the Latino Census Network, an informational network with 28 of the leading national and regional Latino organizations in the United States and the leading clearinghouse on Census issues affecting Latinos in the country.. In recognition of this work, NiLP President has been appointed by the U.S. Commerce Secretary to the Census Advisory Committee on the Hispanic Population, and he has been elected to the National Steering Committee of the Census Bureau’s Census Information Centers (CIC) Program.

• Being a founder of the Defend the Honor Campaign that put community pressure on PBS and filmmaker Ken Burn to include the Latino experience in their 7-part documentary series, The War. NiLP is also part of a group of national Latino organization that have been meeting with the leadership of PBS to promote greater Latino representation in their programming, staff and governance.

• Providing an independent and nonpartisan voice analyzing the role of the Latino vote in such media as the New York Times, Washington Post, El Diario-La Prensa, Shimbun Yumiori Newspaper (Japan), CNN, CNN en Español, O Estado de S. Paulo (Brazil), Univision, Telemundo, Radio Bilingue, Politico, Hispanic Link, Spanglish Magazine, El Nuevo Dia (Puerto Rico), Hofstra Univer-sity Radio, National Public Radio (NPR), Hispanic Market Weekly, XM Radio, the New Jersey Network and even Comedy Central’s Colbert Report, among others.

• Working with national Latino coalitions like the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, the National Latino Media Council, the Defend the Honor Campaign, the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights and others to develop Latino agenda for change.

• Developing one of the most effective national informational networks on the Internet on Latino policy issues through our Latino Policy eNewsletter, Email Bulletins and National Latino Opinion Leaders’ Surveys.

• Efforts to increase the accountability of philanthropy to Latino and other communities of color through being part of the estab-lishment of the NYC Collaborative for Fairness and Equity in Philanthropy, being part of the Diversity in Philanthropy Project at the New York Regional Association of Grantmakers and the Foundation Center, and related activities.

• Putting pressure on CNN to remove a fundraising appeal by Lou Dobbs from their website for the Town of Hazelton to fight support their anti-immigrant policies. Upon receiving NiLP’s objections, CNN took down the biased ad within a day from the Lou Dobbs Tonight section of their website.

• Presentations on Latino policy issues throughout the United States. Including at Brandies University, Cornell University, the Dominican-American National Roundtable Conference in Providence, Rhode Island, the New York Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), the Latino Policy Forum in Chicago, LULAC Annual Conference in Washington, DC, Northern Illinois University, the Puerto Rican Studies Association 8th Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Proskauer Rose LLP, Smith College, UBS, the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute Annual Conference in Chicago,the University of Puerto Rico, and the University of Texas at Austin. Among others.

Angelo Falcón, PresidentNational Institute for Latino Policy (NiLP)

101 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013212-334-5722 Fax: 917-677-8593

[email protected] www.latinopolicy.org

Puerto Ricans and the 2010 Census:

Si Quieres Frutos, Sacude el Árbol

By Angelo Falcón

The 2010 Census is a major event in the Latino com-munity. One of the main reasons is that the Census raises the profile of the Latino community in the Unit-ed States every ten year. Remember when the 2000 Census figures were released? People rediscovered Latinos after they saw that there were 35 million of us and that we had outnumbered for the first time the Af-rican-American population. That generated a debate about the role of Latinos in America that examined the economic, political and cultural impact of our com-munity on this society.

The 2010 Census is important because the numbers it generates influence the amount of the over $400 bil-lion federal monies coming into different communi-ties. They also influence Congressional reapportion-ment and political redistricting from the local to the federal level. For Latinos the 2010 Census will impact positively or negatively if there is a signifi8cant un-dercount, the economic and political resources com-ing into our communities, such as our level of political representation.

For Puerto Ricans, the Census plays the same role of course, but with some differences. Puerto Ricans, along with Mexicans and Cubans, are among the three Latino subgroups to be directly identified on the His-panic question of the Census with a check-off box, while others, like Dominicans and Salvadorans, have to write in their nationalities. So this presents Puerto Ricans with the recognition as one of the major Latino groups in the country.

On the other hand, did you know that when the Census Bureau issues a report on Hispanics in the United States and report that there are 4 million Puerto Ricans that represent 9 percent of the total Latino population, they exclude the other 4 million Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico and the other U.S. territories? Although those Puerto Ricans in the territories are all U.S. citizens, they don’t make it into the official Census reports on Hispanics! The answer is statistical colonialism.

What would happen if you include social statistics about Puerto Rico within the official U.S. reports? Well, first you would see that in comparison to the 10 percent poverty rate for the United States in 2008 that the poverty rate for Puerto Rico was distressing 45 percent. And you would also find that this figure is more than double the stateside Latino poverty rate of 22 percent and almost double that of stateside Puerto Ricans of 25 percent.

So the 2010 Census will count Puerto Ricans living stateside, but not those in Puerto Rico. This means that the Cen-sus will continue a policy of understating the Puerto Rican presence in the United States by close to half. In 2008,

the Census estimated that there were 3,954,037 living in Puerto Rico (96 percent of who identify as Puerto Rican) and 4,216,533 Puerto Ricans living stateside. Those living in Puerto Rico are simply erased in Census reports, you have to read about them in “special” report and such.

There are other examples of ways that this second class treatment of Puerto Rico affects Puerto Ricans there and stateside. We found that the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) didn’t include Puerto Rico in their reports on Latino AIDS rate because the way they calculated population estimates in Puerto Rico was different than they did it in the states. Because the AIDS rate is extremely high, excluding Puerto Rico decreases the Latinos AIDS rate from 22 to 17 percent. In collaboration with the Latino Commission on AIDS, NiLP helped bring together staff from the CDC and the Census Bureau, who are currently working to correct this problem.

For another example, at one point, the Census Bureau was going to have its Census in the Schools program cover grades K-8 in Puerto Rico while covering K-12 in the states. The explanations given were budget limitations and the fact that younger children were more effec-tive transmitters of information to their parents! Well after NiLP and others protested, the Census Bureau found the resources to cover grades K-12 in Puerto Rico.

The challenges facing stateside Puerto Ricans in participating in the 2010 Census get lost because of the overwhelming focus on the Latino undocu-mented. But it is critical for Puerto Rican com-munity leaders to raise the issues of the Puerto Rican undercount to Census officials. For Puerto Ricans, the main obstacles are those of high pov-erty, language and fear of government by those involved with the underground economy. This is also a population very much in flux, especially given the current economic crisis in Puerto Rico that will result in greater migration to the states.

There is an urgent need for Puerto Rican communities around the country to meet with the regional Census directors to discuss how they plan to promote the participation of Puerto Ricans in the 2010 Census. There are 12 regional offices across the country (Puerto Rico is the responsibility of the Boston office) and they are the ones hiring enu-merators, supporting community outreach efforts and dealing with the day-to-day operations of the 2010 Census at the local level. The Census Bureau also has a number of advisory committees that include Latinos like Arturo Var-gas of the National Association of Latino Appointed and Elected Officials (NALEO) on the Census 2010 Advisory Committee and me and other Latinos on the Census Advisory Committee on the Hispanic Population. Make sure that Puerto Rican concerns are brought to our attention.

Angelo Falcón is President of the National Institute for Latino Policy (NiLP) and is Chair of the Latino Census Network. He was appointed by the US Commerce Secretary to serve on the Census Advisory Committee on the Hispanic Population and also serves on the Steering Committee of the Census Bureau’s Census Information Centers (CIC) Program.

ResourcesCensus Bureau Regional Officeshttp://www.census.gov/field/www/ Census 2010 Advisory Committeehttp://www.census.gov/cac/2010_census_advisory_committeeCensus Advisory Committee on the Hispanic Populationhttp://www.census.gov/cac/race_ethnic_advisory_committees/hispanic_advisory_committee/

Puerto Ricans and the 2010 Census (continued)

Boricuas in New York City:

An Historical Inventory of the Past Year

By Angelo Falcón

This Puerto Rican Heritage Month finds a Puerto Rican community with much to celebrate and much to be concerned about. But as we look at the arc from the 40th anniversary of the Young Lords this year to the naming of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the US Supreme Court this year, as they say in Puerto Rico, “Poco poco, se anda legos.”

In the United States, the more than four million Boricuas living here continue to struggle and to say ¡presente!The Puerto Rican presence in New York City goes back to the 1860s, so we are certainly not newcomers to this country. Today there are more Puerto Ricans living stateside than in Puerto Rico and the current growth of the stateside Puerto Rican population appears to be greater than that of the Island. And, since 1917, we also didn’t come here are immigrants but rather as US citizens more appropriately referred to as migrants. So as the immigration debate continues in this country, with its anti-Latino overtones, Puerto Ricans certainly don’t fill the profile, but we find ourselves in the thick (and sometimes at the leadership as is the case with Chicago Congressman Luis Gutierrez)) of that battle too. This is because, after all is said and done, we are part of a larger Latino world and most people in this country simply don’t make the distinction.

As we review this past year since last November’s Puerto Rican Heritage Month celebrations, much has occurred of both a posi-tive and negative nature. As you read this review, you will no doubt see much that I have missed, but this overview is only meant to be suggestive of the many good and bad things that we experienced as a community from November 2008 to October 2009. It is, at most, kind of the beginning of an historical inventory.

2008: The Historic Election of Obama and Statehood Party Victories in Puerto Rico

Statistics on stateside Puerto Ricans at the national level released by the Census Bureau from their Current Population Survey for 2008 reveal some troubling indicators. The most disturbing was that among Latinos, Puerto Ricans had the highest poverty rate, 25 percent. In addition, we also had the highest unemployment rate, 10 percent. The Puerto Rican poverty rate, in fact, was more than double that of non-Latino Whites. And I don’t even want to get into the poverty and unemployment rates in Puerto Rico, which are much worse, and, remember, these statistics are for the period before the current economic crisis.

The Census Bureau, in their American Community Survey (ACS), estimated that there may have been as many as 809,675 Puerto Ricans living in New York City in 2008, making up 35 percent of the city’s 2.3 million Latinos. While still the largest Latino group in the city, in 2009 the Center for Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center projected that by 2024 Mexicans would become the largest Latino group in the city.

There was the historic election of Barack Obama to the Presidency of the United States and, as 14 percent of the Latino vote, Puerto Ricans helped in significant ways in that great victory, especially those Puerto Ricans in Florida. At the end of 2008, with the elected of President Obama, Latinos began to push for Latino appointments to his Cabinet and Administration. Although get-ting off to a slow start on Latino appointments, by the mid-2009 Obama had accumulated a record of Latino appointments that was higher than that of any past President, Republican or Democrat. But Puerto Ricans remained concerned because the only major

appointment they saw was that of former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion to organize and head a new Office of Urban Policy in the White House.

Of course, this concern was overshadowed by the historic nomination and confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor as an Associate Justice in the United States Supreme Court the following year. This was a major event for Puerto Ricans that also brought widespread attention to our community, both here and in Puerto Rico. Her ascension to the high court catapulted her to near rock star status in the La-tino community and with the general public. This was definitely the high point for Puerto Ricans in 2009.

Along with Obama, Puerto Rico elected a new party to office: Luis Fortuño as Governor and Pedro Perluisi as Resident Commissioner, both from the statehood New Progressive Party (PNP). Anibal

Acevedo Vila, the Governor of the pro-Commonwealth Popular Democratic Party (PPD) lost big, being under a federal indictment during his reelection bid for campaign finance fraud and other charges. In 2009, he was, ironically, acquitted of the charges.

On November 19, 2008, New York Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez was elected Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), a historic moment for the Puerto Rican community. Also, during the 2008 election, history was made when another Puerto Rican woman, Rosa Clemente, ran for Vice President of the United States under the Green Party, although this was little noticed.

One of the major highlights in 2008, was when Lin-Manuel Miranda’s play “In the Heights” won the Tony Award for Best Play and in many other categories in mid-June. Also, in November of that year, the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre, led by legendary actress Miram Colon, celebrated their 40th anniversary. News also arrived that West Side Story was returning to Broadway after 51 years. Also, after a long hiatus, efforts began in 2008 to bring back the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights (NCPRR), focusing on a national convention in October 2009.

On the local political front, NYS Assemblyman Ruben Diaz, Jr. was elected to be the Borough President of The Bronx. However, other news on the local political front for Puerto Ricans was not as positive. Legendary South Bronx political player, Ramon Velez, passed away in November 2008. In that same month, NYS Assemblyman José Rivera lost the powerful Chairmanship of the Bronx Democratic Committee, ending Puerto Rican leadership of that body.

2009: The Year of Sotomayor and the Young Lords

The beginning of 2009 saw the deaths of many prominent Puerto Ricans. They included leg-endary boxer and writer José Chequi Torres, former NYC Councilmember Antonio Pagan, and founding member of Comité Noviembre, musician Joe Cuba, music promoter Ralph Mercado and Eddie Gonzalez longtime community activist and friend of the labor movement.

While in 2009 the highlight at the national level was definitely the appointment of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, there was also the appointment of Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion in February to head up the new White House Office of Urban Policy. The only problem with his appointment is that he has seemed to disappear since then, so we all eagerly await his

full return to public life.

Locally, the highlight has been the fresh and energetic leadership that the newly-elected Ruben Diaz, Jr, is providing as Bronx Borough President. And, staying in The Bronx, there was also the appointment of Dr. Felix Matos Rodríguez to be President of Hostos Community College, one of the major institutions in the Puerto Rican community. Dr. Frances Negron-Muntaner also had the distinction of being appointed Director of the Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at Columbia University. This was also the year when NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg first started to speak Spanish in his news conferences, which I am not sure is a good or bad thing. South Bronx Congressman José Enrique Serrano celebrated 35 years in elective office, making him the most senior Puerto Rican elected official in the United States. He was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1974 and to the United States Congress in 1990.

This past summer, the talk of the state was the revolt of a coalition of Democratic and Republican State Senators against the NYS Senate’s Democratic leadership. What was most fascinating about it was that it was led in part by two Puerto Ricans who had just gotten elected to the body: Bronxite Pedro Espada and Queensite Hiram Monserrate. In the end, to the surprise of many, Espada wound up as President of the NYS Senate in what was a major controversial move.

Part of the problem with the state is that the Democratic Party is seen as unsupportive of Puerto Rican and other Latino elected officials. For example, when Governor David Paterson had the opportunity to appoint a Latino to the US Senate to replace Hillary Clinton, such as seasoned Congresspersons Velazquez or Serrano, he chose a relative newcomer, Kirsten Gillibrand who, up to that point, held very conservative positions on social and economic issues. There is also the problem that Governor Paterson has also neglected important Puerto Rican and Latino issues, such as our extreme underrepresentation in the state government: today

Boricuas in New York City: continued

Latinos are only 4 percent of state government workers, despite being over 13 percent of state’s labor force.

In 2009, The Natural Resources Committee of the US House of Representatives approved the Puerto Rico Democracy Act (HR 2499), introduced by Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner Pe-dro Perluisi, calling for a series of plebiscites on the political status of Puerto Rico. While it hasn’t been reported to the full House for a vote, this bill will no doubt generate much discus-sion in the Puerto Rican community, both stateside and on the Island, about Puerto Rico’s future. Meanwhile, the economic crisis in Puerto Rico by October 2009 has resulted in the whole-sale laying off of thousand of government workers, creating a reaction of major demonstrations and a call for a general strike. Under the leadership of Puerto Rican labor leaders, such as Sonia Ivany, many New York unions have rallied in support of the workers of Puerto Rico.

The 52nd annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade marched down Fifth Avenue this year with the theme, “Our Music.” The Grand Marshall this year was singer Victor Manuel. The year also saw the pre-

miere of the Lillian Jimenez film on the life of the legendary Puerto Rican educator and founder of ASPIRA, Dr. Antonia Pantoja, at the New York Latino Film Festival called “Antonia Pantoja: ¡Presente!” Puerto Ricans won a victory at the beginning of 2009 when WABC-TV Channel 7 finally agreed to move their long-running Latino public affairs show, Tiempo, hosted by reporter Joe Torres, from the 5:00am graveyard slot to a more appropriate 11:30am on Sundays. But the year also saw protests against MTV for the “Nuyoricans” segment on one of their series that the Puerto Rican community found stereotypical and offensive. MTV since met with Puerto Rican community leaders and is constructively working on correcting the problem.

In late August there was a unique and historic gathering in El Barrio for the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Young Lords. This was a major event that highlighted the long history of struggle of Puerto Ricans in New York for social justice. One of their first lawyers in the struggle, FOX News’ Geraldo Rivera, demonstrated the influential trajectory of the influence of the Young Lords when he was inducted this year to the Hall of Fame of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists in a moving cer-emony in San Juan, Puerto Rico. And also as part of this trajectory, especially influenced by the work of the late Richie Perez, in October 2009, over 300 gathered in a convention in Philadelphia to support the rebirth of the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights (NCPRR).

The Meaning of It All?

It’s a little difficult to find the meaning in all of these recent developments, since it is usually with time that we get a real sense of their implications for our community. However, it is clear that they reflect a passing of the baby boomer generation and the ascendancy of a new one, which is always a good thing. The rise of creative individuals like Lin-Manuel Miranda and Ruben Diaz, Jr., along the achievements of those like Sonia Sotomayor, Nydia Velazquez, José E. Serrano, Sr. and others bodes well for the future of the Puerto Rican community.

However, the general disrepute that our local political class is undergoing indicates the fragility of that future. We always talk about holding our elected officials accountable, so maybe we need to make this a firm resolution during this Puerto Rican Heritage Month. If we don’t do it as a community, who will? And if we don’t do it now, then when? As we boricuas like to say, “Buena fama se pierde fácilmente; mala, casi nunca.”

Angelo Falcón, a political scientist, is President of the National Institute for Latino Policy (NiLP) and is Chair of the Latino Cen-sus Network. He is the author of the “Atlas of Stateside Puerto Ricans” and co-editor of “Boricuas in Gotham: Puerto Ricans in the Making of Modern New York City.” He is a resident of the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. He can be contacted at [email protected]. Anyone interested in joining The NiLP Network can sign on at www.latinopolicy.org.

Boricuas in New York City: continued

The Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration represents the Government of Puerto Rico before federal, state, and local governments, promotes Gov-ernor Fortuño’s economic and public policy initiatives to achieve a better quality of life for the four million U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico, and advises local government agencies and municipalities on issues of interest to Puerto Rico before the federal government.

As such, the Washington office is the primary liaison between Puerto Rico’s officials, the White House, Congress, and the federal agencies. Additionally, the office interacts with national organizations representing Governors from

other states, including the National Governors Association (NGA) and the Southern Governors’ Association to advance Puerto Rico’s interests. Like many other states, Puerto Rico’s focus areas include economic stimulus and development, transportation funding, energy, health care including Medicare and Medicaid, as well as issues that affect veterans and our national defense.

PRFAA Washington Roles and Responsibilities• Articulating and advocating gubernatorial and Puerto Rico-related policy positions to Members of Congress and

their staff, the White House, federal agencies, state offices and national organizations.• Collaborating with the Resident Commissioner to assist him in his duties as representative in Congress of the 4

million U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico, a constituency more than six times greater in size than that of any other U.S. Congressman.

• Serving as a primary focal point in the nation’s capital for the Governor, the Governor’s staff, and senior state officials.

• Providing guidance and support to individuals, businesses, municipalities and other organizations in successfully navigating the federal grants process.

• Providing status reports on federal initiatives and representing the island’s priorities in Washington, D.C.• Communicating with national, regional and specialty media on issues of importance to the Governor and Puerto

Rico.• Serving as a point of contact for state citizens and businesses in their contacts with the Washington, D.C. com-

munity.

During the first four months of 2009 alone, PRFAA has provided critical support in advancing the Federal agenda of more than a dozen Puerto Rico Government Cabinet members and agency heads, as well as Puerto Rico legislative leaders and mayors. The agency has played – and continues to play - a critical role in helping to secure hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding for vital infrastructure, public security, health, and education programs, among others. As part of these efforts, the agency also embarked this year on an intensive round of workshops held throughout the island, aimed at helping agency and municipal government staff - as well as staff from non-profit organizations- compete successfully for available federal grant and funding opportunities.

PRFAA REGIONAL OFFICESIn addition to the Washington office which serves as the government’s primary liaison in the nation’s capital, PR-FAA also has regional offices that are responsible for forging close relationships with our stateside communities. Over the last 70-plus years, the regional offices have evolved from providing guidance to Puerto Rican migrants, to promoting cultural awareness, to helping the community get involved in the political process. Today, the empha-sis of the regional offices is on three main areas: economic development through promotion of business ventures between the Island and U.S.-based Puerto Rican communities; education and empowerment to bridge the stateside Puerto Rican youth’s educational gap through a partnership with the University of Puerto Rico; and leadership development through partnerships with local community organizations. All the regional offices’ operations are consolidated in two geographical hubs and the central office in Washington, D.C.

PRFAA - NEW YORK OFFICE: This office covers the Northeastern Corridor: New York, New Jersey, Con-necticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. It provides services to over two million Puerto Ricans. Established in 1930, this office is the oldest office of the Government of Puerto Rico in the United States.Luis Balzac, Regional Director; Reyes Rodríguez, Senior Community Officer135 West 50th Street, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10020; (212) 252-7300; Fax: (202) 726-9957

PRFAA - MIDWEST OFFICE: This office, first established in 1948, covers the Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North & South Dakota, and Iowa. It serves ap-proximately 500,000 Puerto Ricans. 2511 West Division, Chicago, Illinois 60622, (773) 365-0071; Fax: (773) 365-0072

As we celebrate Puerto Rican Heritage Month this year, let us chart a new journey for Puerto Rico. After 111 years of political uncertainty, 182 members of the U.S. House of Representatives led by Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner Pierluisi -- and representing 77 percent of all Puerto Ricans in the States as well as in the territory -- have introduced the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009, H.R. 2499, to enable the status preference of the people of Puerto Rico to be determined. H.R. 2499 would authorize Puerto Rico to hold plebiscites in which the islands’ vot-ers and other citizens born in Puerto Rico would vote on whether they want the current status to continue or want one of the alternatives: independence; national sovereignty in association with the United States; or U.S. statehood.

CPREA supports this status choice bill, which was an issue in the last elections in Puerto Rico and is supported by Governor Luis A. Fortuño and two-thirds of the members of each house of the territory’s Legislative Assembly.

The bill does not favor any of the islands’ status options but we believe that the end of the current disenfranchised, dysfunctional territory status is in the best interests of both the people of Puerto Rico and our fellow citizens in the States. Through policy analysis, education, and advocacy, the Center and its members seek to help Puerto Rico and its four million U.S. citizens to realize the full promise and potential of their beautiful islands, not as second-class stepchildren, but as full and equal brothers and sisters in the family that is America.

After the U.S. took the territory in 1898, many distinguished Puerto Rican patriots such as Jose Celso Barbosa, Luis Munoz Rivera, Jose de Diego, Federico Degetau, and Santiago Iglesias advocated for U.S. citizenship. Among them was Eugenio Maria de Hostos, Advocate of the First Plebiscite between statehood and Independence, who stated, “We want to be brothers of the Americans, not servants. The deep discontent of Puerto Rico with the Spanish re-gime was because that nation considered us second-class Spaniards. We have the right to be first-class Americans.” Jose de Diego said, “What Puerto Rico wants is self-government in any form. We prefer to be a state of the union, but if it is impossible, we would like to be an independent nation under the protection of the United States.” Here we see great leaders joining Dr. Jose Celso Barbosa, the father of the Puerto Rico statehood movement, to obtain full and equal U.S. Citizenship, although they supported the full democracy of independence if statehood was not to be achieved.

CPREA is also committed to supporting Governor Fortuño in his efforts to build a better and prosperous Puerto Rico. Despite of facing many tough and difficult challenges, he continues to work to improve the quality of life of Puerto Ricans. CPREA was founded in 2006 on the premise that there was a dire need of a collective effort to seek equality for Puerto Ricans and Puerto Rico. To that end, CPREA has developed a unique approach that raises awareness of the issues of equal rights. The Center is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit public policy think tank based in New York City. The Center promotes the vision of Dr. Barbosa of “Statehood, equal in rights and responsibility.”

As the people of Puerto Rico themselves declared in the preamble to the territory’s Constitution, “We consider as determining factors in our life our citizenship of the United States of America and our aspiration to continually enrich our democratic heritage in the individual and collective enjoyment of its rights and privileges; our loyalty to the principles of the Federal Constitution; and the coexistence in Puerto Rico of the two great cultures of the American hemisphere.”

Statehood, A Civil Rights Issue.

A Matter of Equality

By: Rafael Rodriguez, PresidentCenter for Puerto Rico Equality and Advancement (CPREA)

MissionThe Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños/Center for Puerto Rican Studies is a university-based research institute whose mission consists of two components. One is to collect, preserve and provide access to ar-chival and library resources documenting the history and culture of Puerto Ricans. The other is to produce, facilitate, and disseminate interdisciplinary research about the diasporic experiences of Puerto Ricans and to link this scholarly inquiry to social action and policy debates.

History and Institutional CapacityFounded in 1973 by a coalition of faculty, students and community leaders, Centro seeks to achieve its mission by working closely with its network of education, research, archival, advocacy and community based partners. Centro has been housed at Hunter College since 1983; however, it is a CUNY-wide re-search center. Centro staff guide and mentor Latino and other students, assist and advise community organizations and other research institutions, and serve on local, national and international committees concerned with issues of social, economic, educational and cultural policy. In addition, CUNY faculty and staff with interests in Puerto Rican and Latino studies are invited to affiliate with Centro, where they utilize its extensive resources. Centro also has been a founding member of the Inter-University Program for Latino Research (IUPLR) since 1989.

The library and archival collection at the Centro is a national and international treasure. Students from the tri-state area take advantage of the thousands of books and journals housed at the Centro. Researchers con-tinue to use over 3000 cubic feet of the Centro’s archival materials and the Centro’s 40,000 photographic images. Genealogists have ventured into the Centro library to find “lost” relatives. The Centro is making steady progress in processing the materials from the Migration Division collection – containing materials from Boston, Cleveland, Hartford, Miami, Camden, New York City, Rochester and Puerto Rico.

Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños/Center for Puerto Rican StudiesHunter College/ City University of NY

695 Park Avenue, East Building – Room E1429New York, NY 10021

212-772-5688, 212-650-3673 (fax)www.centropr.org

Dr. Edwin Melendez, Director

PROMESACelebrating thirty-three Years of Community Service

Promesa is a Community Development Corporation whose mission is to en-able residents in urban settings, utilizing their programs and services, to become self-sufficient citizens who contribute to the quality of life of their communities. Promesa works towards achieving its mission by assuming a leadership role in serving the under-served in health, education, employment, economic & com-munity development and housing.

Promesa provides a continuum of services, geared toward improving the quality of life of the individual and communities we serve. The continuum, comprised of a spectrum of services that is seamless in delivery is offered to Promesa’s cli-entele, to the fullest extent necessary, irrespective of their point of entry into the

system. Quality, cost, need, accessibility and ease of delivery are parameters that shape all services provided. These parameters are constantly evaluated, using defined and measurable outcomes, to ensure the quality of life and the level of satisfaction continue to improve with the individuals and communities serviced by Promesa.

PROMESA believes that all values should have outcomes that are beneficial to consumers utilizing our services. These values are as follows:• All services and communications between the clientele and the organization must be delivered in a dignified,

honest, timely ethical and easy to understand manner. • The clientele must be able to access easily the full level of services, regardless of race, color, creed, religion,

national origin, culture, language, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or impairment. • The clientele must be provided the benefit of appropriate practice and comprehensive treatment planning, in

order to assure the achievement of his/her maximum potential.

Promesa Systems SubsidiariesPromesa, Inc. was founded in 1977, as a substance abuse treatment center and is the oldest of all of Promesa’s operating subsidiaries. Today the organization provides Residential and Ambulatory Substance Abuse Treatment Services, Educational and Vocational Training, GED Preparation and Career Resource Advice. In addition, it oper-ates a Multicultural Day Care Center. East Harlem Council For Community Improvement, Inc. (EHCCI). Since its inception in 1979, EHCCI has evolved into one of New York City’s major social service providers, meeting the needs of thousands of individuals and families each year. EHCCI utilizes public and private resources for the planning and implementation of pro-grams which deliver quality human services to the residents of East Harlem and the adjacent communities. Promesa Foundation, Inc. Since its founding in 1985, Promesa Foundation has served as the development arm of the organization. Through the Foundation, Promesa works to raise funds for its menu of programs. The goal of the Foundation is to develop streams of funding and partnerships with the corporate sector to support and expand its operations.Promesa Housing Development Fund Corporation, Inc. (PHDFC) was established in 1992 to own, manage, and develop affordable housing. It currently maintains 150 units of housing in the community.Promesa Residential Health Care Facility, Inc. (CASA Promesa) was incorporated in 1995, CASA PROME-SA is a 108-bed long term care facility operated by skilled nursing professionals for people living with HIV and AIDS. Promesa Enterprises, LTD. was incorporated in 1996 to facilitate for-profit business ventures in the community.Promesa Systems, Inc. was incorporated in 1998 to support its affiliated organizations in policymaking and strategic planning.Promesa Administrative Services Organization, Inc. (PASO). In 2000, PASO was incorporated to provide day to day support services to each of Promesa’s operating subsidiaries. Services include administration, finance, human resources, purchasing, facility management, quality management and management information systems.

Hector Diaz, Chairperson, Promesa Systems, Inc.Raul Russi, Chief Executive Officer, Promesa Systems, Inc

Central Office: 1776 Clay Avenue, Bronx, NY 10457; (718) 299-1100; (718) 294-6237

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Calendar of EventsNYS GOVERNOR, DAVID A. PATERSON ISSUANCE OF PROCLAMATION OF PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE MONTHNYC MAYOR, MICHAEL BLOOMBERG ISSUANCE OF PROCLAMATION OF PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE MONTH

MONTH LONG EVENTSEl Museo del Barrio presents NEXUS NEW YORK: Latin/American Artists in the Modern Metropolis. Curated by Deborah Cullen, this landmark exhibition examines pioneering Caribbean and Latin American artists who lived in New York City before World War II and shaped the American avant-garde. Between 1900 and 1942, New York City was the site of extraordinary creative exchange where artists could share ideas in a global context. The swiftly-changing urban landscape before and between the World Wars inspired the erosion of artistic boundaries and fostered a new climate of modernist experimentation. Nexus New York focuses on key artists from the Caribbean and Latin America who entered into dynamic cultural and social dialogues with the American-based avant-garde and participated in the development of a new modern discourse. On View: Voces y Visiones. Curated by Elvis Fuentes, this premiere exhibition in the new Carmen Ana Unanue Permanent Collection Galleries celebrates El Museo’s 40th anniversary. Over 100 works created by a cross-section of Latino, Caribbean, and Latin American artists trace the museum’s history and the artistic contributions and milestones that have been part of El Museo’s four decades. Highlighting the strengths of the collections, this installation ranges from artifacts of the ancient Taíno people and their legacy to traditional objects, postwar and contemporary art, including graphics, photography and mixed media installations. Exhibition ends February 2010. El Museo del Barrio: 1230 5th Avenue at 104th Street, NYC. Museums hours: Wednesday to Sundays, 11AM to 6PM. Suggested admission: adults: $9, students: $5; members and children under 12: Free; Seniors free on Wednesdays. For more information call (212) 831-7272 or visit the website www.elmuseo.org.

Taller Boricua Gallery presents Crossing Bridges / Cruzando Puentes. Exhibit ends November 7, 2009, Julia de Burgos Cultural Center, 1680 Lexington Avenue & 106 St., NYC. Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 12PM – 6PM, Thursday 1PM- 7PM. For information call (212) 831-4333 or visit www.tallerboricua.com.

Taller Boricua Gallery presents (In)tangible. A group exhibition of artists whose work juxtaposes the ephemeral and the concrete in quotidian life. Exhibit opens November 20, 2009 and closes January 9th, 2010. Julia de Burgos Cultural Center, 1680 Lexington Avenue & 106 St., NYC. Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 12PM – 6PM, Thursday 1PM – 7PM. For information call (212) 831-4333 or visit www.tallerboricua.com.

Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture presents Samaná: Images of the Dominican Republic. An exhibition of photographs by José Bermúdez, Marino Corniel, Wallace Edgecombe, Elaine Eversley, Ryan Mann-Hamilton, Carlos Sanabria, and Sterling Wadsworth. Exhibit ends November 7, 2009. Gallery hours Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM and Saturday 10AM-2PM. Free Admission. The Longwood Art Gallery is located at Hostos Community College, 450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street in the Bronx. For information call (718) 518-4455.

Center Gallery of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies, Hunter College presents Asserting their Rights: Puerto Ricans and African Americans in their Quest for Social Justice. Curated by Milagros Denis, Hunter College and Pedro Juan Hernández, Centro Archives. Exhibition opens November 5th, 6PM. El Centro Gallery at El Centro Library located on the East Bldg. 3rd Floor, NYC. For more information call (212) 772-5714 or go to www.centropr.org.

Consulate General of Argentina in New York presents Ana Morán :Vigila al Norte. Photographic exhibition runs from November 5th through 25th. Consulate General of Argentina, 12 W 56th St., NYC. Open daily from 10AM to 6PM. For more information call (212) 603-0400. Lehman College Art Gallery presents Beyond Appearances. A sampling of contemporary portraiture, bringing together a group of artists whose works explore the individual beyond the exterior visage. Among the works there are a number of self-portraits – these include Orlan, Andres Serrano, Rigoberto Torres, Yasamasa Morimura, Chitra Ganesh, Teun Hocks, Lucia Pizzani, Robert and Shana Parke Harrison, and others. Co-curated by Patricia Cazorla and Susan Hoeltzel. The exhibition includes a broad range of approaches and media - painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, video, and installation. Exhibition runs through December 1st. Lehman College Art Gallery, Bedford Park Blvd West, Bronx. Gallery hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10AM – 4PM. For more information, call (718) 960-8731.

The Americas Society presents Fernell Franco: Amarrados. Fernell Franco: Amarrados [Bound] features 20 vintage prints and a number of preparatory studies that Franco produced in order to create the series. Franco conceived the series in street markets in Colombia and other countries of Latin America from 1980s onwards, featuring wrapped up devices and isolated inanimate objects typically used by informal vendors to protect their merchandise. Franco’s images are devoid of human presence conveying death, solitude, violence, abandonment, and mystery. Exhibition runs through January 23, 2010. The gallery is free and open to the public Wednesday through Saturday, 12Noon – 6PM. The Americas Society, 680 Park Avenue, NYC. For more information visit www.americas-society.org.

Hebrew Union College Museum presents Mirta Kupferminc ‘Wanderings’ - Retrospective Exhibition. A retrospective of the work of Argentine artist Mirta Kupferminc, including prints, artist books, sculpture, video and mural installation. Fast gaining recognition as a major Latin American exponent of visual arts, she explores the link between the culture of European immigrants and their newly found home in the Americas. Exhibition runs through July 2, 2010. Union College, One West 4th Street, NYC, between Broadway and Mercer street, east of Washington Square. Free admission/Photo ID required. Mondays – Thursdays, 9AM to 6PM.; Fridays, 9AM – 3PM. Visit www.gitterarts.net.

Passaic County Community College presents AMBOS MUNDOS: An Exhibition of Paintings by Raul Villarreal. The works of this Cuban-born artist are inspired by his Afro-Cuban, Taino and Spanish heritage. Villarreal’s paintings address the issues of identity and his assimilation into American culture. Admission: Free Exhibition runs through Nov 5, 2009. Broadway & LRC Galleries at Passaic County Community College, Broadway at Memorial Drive, Paterson, NJ. Mondays – Fridays, 9AM–9PM; Saturdays 9AM – 5 PM. Contact (973) 684-5448 or www.pccc.edu/art/gallery.

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Thursday, October 29, 2009

Comité Noviembre Annual Puerto Rican Heritage Month Kick-Off Event, honoring the unsung heroes of our community through “Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad” Awards, the recipients of the CN Scholarship Program, announcement of the Richie Perez Scholars as well as the unveiling of the 2009 poster and calendar journal. El Museo del Barrio, 1230 5th Avenue at 104th Street, NYC. 6PM. By invitation only. For more information call (212) 677-4181 or www.comiténoviembre.org.

Friday, October 30, 2009

The Institute for The Puerto Rican / Hispanic Elderly Senior Action Council presents 32nd Annual Empowerment Conference for Hispanic & Minority Seniors: THE IMPACT OF CHANGE. All day conference touching the key issues impacting seniors such as Health Care Reform ,the 2010 Census , the Stimulus Package, Recession, Unemployment & Cutbacks , Social Security / SSI , and Affordable Housing. Columbia University - Alfred Lerner Hall, West 115th Street and Broadway, NYC (Train: #1 to 116th Street or buses: M4, M60, M104, M11). 8AM – 4:30PM. Admission: Free. For more information, please call (212) 677-4181.

Latino Flavored Productions presents Yo Soy Latina (College Version). Wearing the many hats of accomplished theater writer, producer, and fi lm director, Linda Nieves Powell tells all about the controversies of being Latina in today’s society. Inspired by others and her own personal experiences, she brings attention to stereotypes within our own Latino sisters. Should we all be categorized in one word when we come from different backgrounds and countries? Are Cubanas stuck up? Are all Puerto Ricans on government assistance or on drugs? Are all Dominicans dark skinned or lazy? Are all Colombians and Mexicans drug dealers? “Yo Soy Latina” tackles these sterotypes while taking you through an emotional discovery. Nuyorican Poets Cafe 236 East 3rd Street (Between B & C), NYC. 7PM. Admission: $15 advance/$20 at door. For more information, visit www.nuyorican.org. Advanced tickets can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/80939.

Repertorio Español presents La Casa de Los Espiritus. A new play by Caridad Svich based on Isabel Allende’s novel. Charting the rise and fall of the Trueba family in an un-named Latin American country (reminiscent of Chile), the piece spans the 1920s through the 1970s, as the country moves through enormous sociopolitical changes that culminate in a devastating dictatorship. The play is told from the point of view of, Alba, the youngest of three generation of women. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street, (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 8PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for seniors, students, children and groups. For reservations call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

The Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance presents ROCKIN’ SOUL: Music to Shake and Soothe Your Spirit. From rock to cool funk to edgy soul, these musical acts take the stage for a rollercoaster evening with the funky, poetic hip hop sounds of Sean360x and the Universoul SpiRitual Ankhestra and the Ganessa James Trio with its soulful sound with a rock edge. BAAD! The Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, 841 Barretto Street, Bronx, NY. 8PM. Admission: $15. For information or tickets please call (718) 842 – 5223 or visit www.BronxAcademyofArtsandDance.org.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

The Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance presents CAPOERIA DANCE CLASSES WITH “BRONX” of GINGA MUNDO. Bronx native Moses McCarter will lead a class for dancers of all levels in this amazing folk dance that ritualizes movement from martial arts, African dance and acrobatics. Guaranteed to get your blood pumping and your body moving. The Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, 841 Barretto Street, Bronx, NY. 9:30AM. Admission: $7. For information visit www.BronxAcademyofArtsandDance.org.

El Museo del Barrio presents Día de los Muertos. Celebrate with El Museo, Mexico’s beloved 3,000 year-old tradition that pays homage to friends and relatives who have passed away. Join El Museo for free fun-fi lled day of activities! El Museo del Barrio: 1230 5th Avenue at 104th Street, NYC. 11 AM to 10PM. Admission: Free to all events. Details on www.elmuseo.org.

Bronx Zoo presents Boo at the Zoo, all day Halloween activities. 11AM– 4:30PM. Admission: $19-$25. Special: A child dressed in an animal costume can go free with a full priced paying adult. Only one offer per family. For more information or directions to the Zoo visit www.bronxzoo.com.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Bronx Zoo presents Boo at the Zoo, all day Halloween activities. 11AM – 4:30PM. Admission: $19-$25. Special: A child dressed in an animal costume can go free with a full priced paying adult. Only one offer per family. For more information or directions to the Zoo visit www.bronxzoo.com.

Repertorio Español presents Pantaleón y las visitadoras (Captain Pantoja and The Special Service,). From novelist Vargas Llosa, this comic tale unfolds when the Peruvian Army recruits Captain Pantaleón Pantoja, a model soldier, a man of integrity and a good husband, for an outlandish mission: to create and manage a Special Service of “visitors” to fulfi ll the troop’s necessities. Even though it is everything against his moral code, Captain Pantoja is a consummate soldier and the visiting service quickly becomes the most effi cient branch of the armed forces. Captain Pantoja’s offi cial progress reports are fi lled with military statistics and jargon which often become the story’s funniest moments. Recommended for adults. The Gramercy Art Theatre,

138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 2:30PM and 6:30 PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Broadwayworld.com presents STANDING OVATIONS V. The annual benefi t, this year titled—The Bronx Is Up And The Battery’s Down features an eclectic mix of performers. Currently scheduled to appear: Cortes Alexander, Joey Arias, Michael Arden, Gary Beach, Justin Bond, Laura Bell Bundy, Liz Callaway, Mario Cantone, John Cudia, Melissa Errico, Ellen Greene, Melora Hardin, Greg Jbara, Robert Marien, Will & Anthony Nunziata, Rosie O’Donnell, Nicholas Rodriguez, Jennifer Hallie Rosen and Jared Spector. Additional stars and featured performers will be announced shortly and you can expect plenty of surprises and last minute ‘entries’ to shake up what is already shaping up to be an exciting show. All the proceeds from this special evening go to Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. Town Hall, 123 W 43rd St, NYC. 7:30PM. Admission: $100, $50, $20. Call (212) 307-4100 or www.ticketmaster.com.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Repertorio Español Presents: La Gringa, by Carmen Rivera and directed by Rene Buch. María arrives in Puerto Rico and is very excited about seeing “her homeland.” As she visits her uncle in Puerto Rico, she is faced with many questions about being Puerto Rican. La Gringa is a story about cultural identity and family. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org

El Instituto Cervantes and Casa Arabe presents Expulsados 1609. Film by Miguel E. López Lorca (2009), 80 minutes. New fi lm commissioned by Casa Arabe in Spain commemorating the 400th anniversary of the tragic exile of Arab families from their Spanish homeland in 1609. In Spanish with English subtitles. Instituto Cervantes in New York, 211-215 East 49th Street, NYC. Free admission. 6PM. For reservations call (212) 308-7720.

Repertorio Español presents Pantaleón y las visitadoras (Captain Pantoja and The Special Service,). From novelist Vargas Llosa, this comic tale unfolds when the Peruvian Army recruits Captain Pantaleón Pantoja, a model soldier, a man of integrity and a good husband, for an outlandish mission: to create and manage a Special Service of “visitors” to fulfi ll the troop’s necessities. Even though it is everything against his moral code, Captain Pantoja is a consummate soldier and the visiting service quickly becomes the most effi cient branch of the armed forces. Captain Pantoja’s offi cial progress reports are fi lled with military statistics and jargon which often become the story’s funniest moments. Recommended for adults. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington

85

& Third Avenue), NYC. 7PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Nuyorican Poets Café presents BROWNSVILLE BRED... Growing Up Elaine. This multiple award- and festival-winning one-woman show, written, performed and lived by (Nuyorican) Elaine Del Valle. Brownsville Bred is the true story of a Latina’s coming-of-age in the 1980’s projects of Brownsville, Brooklyn, NY. Crime, drugs and poverty mix with the joys of family, hope, salsa and the birth of rap! “A Rollercoaster of emotion, tough and tender and guaranteed to make you laugh through your tears.” Nuyorican Poets Cafe 236 East 3rd Street (Between B & C), NYC. 7:30PM. Admission $15/$10. For more information, please call (212) 505-8183 or visit www.nuyorican.org. Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Repertorio Español Presents: La Gringa, by Carmen Rivera and directed by Rene Buch. María arrives in Puerto Rico and is very excited about seeing “her homeland.” As she visits her uncle in Puerto Rico she is faced with many questions about being Puerto Rican. La Gringa is a story about cultural identity and family. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Nuyorican Poets Café and Ecuadorian Mission to the United Nations presents Gino Castillo “YA LLEGE” CD Release Party. Gino Castillo is a percussionist, composer, singer and educator. His musical studies began in Ecuador which then led him on to Cuba, were he evolved further for several years. Gaining experience as a professional musician, he spends most of his time studying with master teacher Oscar Valdez Moreno. He has collaborated with many Ecuadorian musicians, as well as some other international artists, such as: Horacio el Negro Hernández, John Benítez, Frank Rubio, Ymelda Marie-Louisa, Oscarito Valdés, Paulo Moura, Pascoal Meirelles, André Neiva, Rafael Paceiro, Emilio Morales, Cruks en Karnak, Juan Fernando Velasco, Pamela Cortés, Chaucha Kings, Sergio Sacoto, Fausto Miño. Alex Alvear, Guerrilla Clika, Pueblo Nuevo, Carmen Gonzalez and Tito Junco. Nuyorican Poets Cafe 236 East 3rd Street (Between B & C), NYC. 9PM. Admission: $10. For more information call (212) 505-8183 or visit www.nuyorican.org.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Repertorio Español Presents: La Gringa, by Carmen Rivera and directed by Rene Buch. María arrives in Puerto Rico and is very excited about seeing “her homeland.” As she visits her uncle in Puerto Rico she is faced with many questions about being Puerto Rican. La Gringa is a story about cultural identity and family. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC.

11AM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org

El Instituto Cervantes and Casa Arabe presents What a Wonderful World. Film by Faouzi Bensaidi (2006), 99 minutes. Moroccan actor director Faouzi Bensaïdi’s promiscuously stylish fi lm is a new vision of an old culture, unveiling an uncommon Casablanca caught in a world wide web of associations and consequences. English subtitles. Instituto Cervantes in New York, 211-215 East 49th Street, NYC. Free admission. 6PM. For reservations call (212) 308-7720.

Repertorio Español presents Pantaleón y las visitadoras (Captain Pantoja and The Special Service,). From novelist Vargas Llosa, this comic tale unfolds when the Peruvian Army recruits Captain Pantaleón Pantoja, a model soldier, a man of integrity and a good husband, for an outlandish mission: to create and manage a Special Service of “visitors” to fulfi ll the troop’s necessities. Even though it is everything against his moral code, Captain Pantoja is a consummate soldier and the visiting service quickly becomes the most effi cient branch of the armed forces. Captain Pantoja’s offi cial progress reports are fi lled with military statistics and jargon which often become the story’s funniest moments. Recommended for adults. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 7PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Pregones Theater presents the world premiere of ALOHA BORICUA. The rhythms of traditional Puerto Rican music and urban reggaetón collide in this song-driven rendition of the historic migration of Puerto Ricans to Hawaii. Adapted from Vivir del cuento, by legendary writer and gay icon Manuel Ramos Otero, the production weaves the voices of multiple generations, including the sugar cane workers who fi rst embarked on a transoceanic trip in 1900 to Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani to today’s street-wise poets, and makes sense of it all in 2009. Conceived and directed by Jorge B. Merced, with non-stop live music composed and arranged by Merced, Desmar Guevara and the ensemble. Additional music and lyrics by Rosalba Rolón. Presented in Spanish & English with titles. Pregones Theatre, 571-575 Walton Avenue, Bronx, NY. 1:30PM. Admission: $15-$22. For more information call (718) 585-1202 or visit http://www.pregones.org.

El Taller Boricua presents Salsa Wednesdays After Work Party, With Grupo Latin Vibe, Comida Criolla & DJ Spinning Salsa Dress in Good taste – No sneakers. Taller Boricua, 1680 Lexington Avenue 105th & 106th Streets, NYC. The #6 train to 103rd St, Doors open at 5:30PM, Ladies $5 from 5:30PM– 6:30PM; After 6:30PM, Ladies $10; Gentlemen $10 all night. For info: www.tallerboricua.org

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture and Mass Transit Street Theatre presents AIN’T EASY. A multi-media, storytelling play by Lyn Pyle with Karen Wilson & Aisha Norris performed with live rap & fi lm. Post-performance discussion with actors & director. Especially appropriate for groups & classes, middle school & up. Repertory Theater at Hostos Community College, 450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street in the Bronx. 10AM & 12PM. Admission: $6. For tickets call Mass Transit Street Theater at (718) 512-8519 or email: [email protected]. Info: www.mtstv.org.

Repertorio Español presents: La Casa de Bernarda Alba by García Lorca, directed by René Buch. Bernarda Alba attempts to dominate and control her fi ve unmarried daughters. In this repressed environment, Lorca creates an explosion of hatred, jealousy, despair and passion. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street, between Lexington & Third Avenues, NYC. 11AM.Tickets begin at $30, with discounts available for seniors, students, children and groups. Performances presented in Spanish with simultaneous English translation via headphones for an additional $3. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Center Gallery of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies, Hunter College presents the opening reception of the exhibition: Asserting their Rights: Puerto Ricans and African Americans in their Quest for Social Justice. Curated by Milagros Denis, Hunter College and Pedro Juan Hernández, Centro Archives. El Centro Gallery at El Centro Library located on the East Bldg. 3rd Fl, NYC. 6PM. Admission: Free. For more information call (212) 772-5714 or go to www.centropr.org.

Society of the Educational Arts, Inc. (SEA) and Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center presents Special K: Opening Reception & Awards Ceremony for BORIMIX: Puerto Rico Fest 2009. The art exhibition for BORIMIX 2009, SPECIAL K, invites artists to consider the literature, life and legacy of Clemente Soto Vélez along any one (or a combination) of various distinct elements that characterized his work as well as his storied biography. LES & Abrazo Interno Gallery at Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center, 107 Suffolk Street, 1st & 2nd fl oor, NYC. 6:30PM. Admission: Free. For more information call 212-529-1545 or visit www.sea-online.info.

The Americas Society presents The Whole Island: Six Decades of Cuban Poetry. Editor Mark Weiss will read with Christopher Winks, Margaret Carson, and Iraida Iturralde from his new anthology, the fi rst comprehensive bilingual overview of Cuban poetry to be published during the past sixty years, compiling a breadth of iconic authors including Nicolás Guillén, José Lezama Lima, and Nancy Morejón, as well as poets who remain almost unknown to the English-speaking world, such as Fina García Marruz, José Kozer, and Raúl Hernández

86

Novas. The anthology is an essential source for understanding the literature and culture of Cuba, its diaspora, and the Caribbean at large. The Americas Society, 680 Park Avenue, NYC. 7PM. Admission: Free. For more information visit www.americas-society.org.

Pregones Theater presents the world premiere of ALOHA BORICUA. The rhythms of traditional Puerto Rican music and urban reggaetón collide in this song-driven rendition of the historic migration of Puerto Ricans to Hawaii. Adapted from Vivir del cuento, by legendary writer and gay icon Manuel Ramos Otero, the production weaves the voices of multiple generations, including the sugar cane workers who fi rst embarked on a transoceanic trip in 1900 to Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani to today’s street-wise poets, and makes sense of it all in 2009. Conceived and directed by Jorge B. Merced, with non-stop live music composed and arranged by Merced, Desmar Guevara and the ensemble. Additional music and lyrics by Rosalba Rolón. Presented in Spanish & English with titles. Pregones Theatre, 571-575 Walton Avenue, Bronx, NY. 8PM. Admission: $15-$22. For more information call (718) 585-1202 or visit http://www.pregones.org.

Friday, November 6, 2009

The Honorable Helen M. Marshall, Queens Borough President, and the Puerto Rican Heritage Month Organizing Committee Annual Proclamation & Awards Ceremony, co-sponsored by The Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, Inc., is a festive reception and cultural program that will be held at the IPR/HE-Elmhurst/Jackson Heights Senior Center located at 75-01 Broadway, Elmhurst, NY 11373, 3rd fl oor. Reception will start at 6pm and the program will follow at 7PM. Please RSVP to (718) 286-6915.

The Sierra Club’s Building Bridges to the Outdoors presents: The National premiere of the fi lm A Bridge to Puerto Rico. In April 2009, Building Bridges to the Outdoors, Sierra Club’s national youth program, coordinated an alternative spring break for New York City students to Puerto Rico. A Bridge to Puerto Rico follows these seven students on an environmental journey through the natural wonders of Puerto Rico and their fi ght to save the leatherback turtle. Come hear from the NYC students and from the Puerto Rico chapter about how a week outdoors inspired environmental leadership. El Museo del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Avenue (at 104th Street), New York NY. 6:30PM. Admission: Free with RSVP to [email protected].

Pregones Theater presents the world premiere of ALOHA BORICUA. The rhythms of traditional Puerto Rican music and urban reggaetón collide in this song-driven rendition of the historic migration of Puerto Ricans to Hawaii. Adapted from Vivir del cuento, by legendary writer and gay icon Manuel Ramos Otero, the production weaves the voices of multiple generations, including the sugar cane workers who fi rst embarked on a transoceanic trip

in 1900 to Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani to today’s street-wise poets, and makes sense of it all in 2009. Conceived and directed by Jorge B. Merced, with non-stop live music composed and arranged by Merced, Desmar Guevara and the ensemble. Additional music and lyrics by Rosalba Rolón. Presented in Spanish & English with titles. Pregones Theatre, 571-575 Walton Avenue, Bronx, NYC. 8PM. Admission: $15-$22. For more information call (718) 585-1202 or visit http://www.pregones.org.

Teatro Latea presents “TANGO, POR ELLOS”- Passion of the Tango and the confl icts between the sexes on the dance fl oor. Limited Engagement. Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center, Inc., 107 Suffolk Street-2nd Floor, New York, NYC. 8PM. Admission $30/ $20 Student & Senior. Students /Senior Citizens $ 20. Tickets at www.smarttix.com or call (212) 529-1948.

Repertorio Español presents: La Casa de Bernarda Alba by García Lorca,directed by René Buch. Bernarda Alba attempts to dominate and control her fi ve unmarried daughters. In this repressed environment, Lorca creates an explosion of hatred, jealousy, despair and passion. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street, between Lexington & Third Avenues, NYC. 8PM. Tickets begin at $30, with discounts available for seniors, students, children and groups. Performances presented in Spanish with simultaneous English translation via headphones for an additional $3. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Thalia Spanish Theatre presents THE BEST OF THE BEST of COLOMBIA. A new music/dance spectacular from Ballet Mestizo. A celebration of the exhilarating music and dance of Colombia. A mix of sizzling new numbers and reimagined favorites from past hit shows. Thalia Spanish Theatre, 41–17 Greenpoint Avenue, Sunnyside, NY. 8PM; Admission: $25. For information call (718) 729-3880 or visit www.thaliatheatre.org.

Saturday, November 7, 2009 Queens Theatre in the Park presents Ballet Hispánico. With theatricality and passion propelling every move, the dancers of Ballet Hispanico bring a dramatic sensibility and contagious delight to each performance. New versatile programs demonstrate the high-energy pulse of Latino rhythms. Claire Shulman Playhouse at Queens Theater in the Park, Queens, NY. 2PM & 8PM. Tickets $21-$44; for group sales, seniors and students call (718) 760-0064 or visit www.queenstheatre.org.

Repertorio Español presents Mario Vargas Llosas’ critically-acclaimed La Fiesta Del Chivo (The Feast of the Goat). The story of General Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, who subdued the Dominican Republic in a cruel dictatorship from 1930 – 1961, as told by Urania, a New York lawyer whose father was part of Trujillo’s Ministry, who returns to the Dominican Republic after 35 years; by the band of conspirators who plan his assassination, and through the thoughts of the dictator himself. The Gramercy Arts Theatre,

138 East 27th Street (between Lexington and Third Avenue) NYC. 3PM. $20 - $55. Performances presented in Spanish with simultaneous English translation via headphones for an additional $3. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Teatro Latea presents “TANGO, POR ELLOS”- Passion of the Tango and the confl icts between the sexes on the dance fl oor. Limited Engagement . Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center, Inc., 107 Suffolk Street-2nd Fl, NYC. 8PM Admission $30/ $20 Student & Senior, Students /Senior Citizens $20. Tickets at: www.smarttix.com or call (212) 529-1948.

The Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance presents ON THE REEL: ALL THE LADIES SAY. Kwikstep and Rokafella, the dynamic duo of Hip Hop dance, present a special evening of music, jamming, art and a sneak peek screening of ALL THE LADIES SAY, Rokafella’s a fresh new documentary that highlights the lives of six iconic female street dancers who’ve carved a niche in the physically challenging, male dominated breakdance world. The event includes performances by guest artists and photos by Vanessa Bahmani and Emily Lady Caprice. This event is a fundraiser to support the completion of the fi lm and will be followed by an after party with an open jam. BAAD! The Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, 841 Barretto Street, Bronx, NY. 8PM. Admission: $5-$25 suggested donation. For information visit www.BronxAcademyofArtsandDance.org.


Repertorio Español presents Pantaleón y las visitadoras (Captain Pantoja and The Special Service,). From novelist Mario Vargas Llosa, this comic tale unfolds when the Peruvian Army recruits Captain Pantaleón Pantoja, a model soldier, a man of integrity and a good husband, for an outlandish mission: to create and manage a Special Service of “visitors” to fulfi ll the troop’s necessities. Even though it is everything against his moral code, Captain Pantoja is a consummate soldier and the visiting service quickly becomes the most effi cient branch of the armed forces. Captain Pantoja’s offi cial progress reports are fi lled with military statistics and jargon which often become the story’s funniest

87

moments. Recommended for adults. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 8PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Thalia Spanish Theatre presents THE BEST OF THE BEST of COLOMBIA. A new music/dance spectacular from Ballet Mestizo. A celebration of the exhilarating music and dance of Colombia. A mix of sizzling new numbers and reimagined favorites from past hit shows. Thalia Spanish Theatre, 41–17 Greenpoint Avenue, Sunnyside, NY. 8PM. Admission: $27-$30. For information call (718) 729-3880 or visit www.thaliatheatre.org.

Society of the Educational Arts, Inc. (SEA) presents El Encuentro de Juan Bobo y Pedro Animal/The Encounter. Children participate in a circus-style play and in turn see how these two charming characters from Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic fi nd friendship, self-esteem and confi dence. Teatro SEA at Los Kabayitos, 107 Suffolk St., 2nd Fl., NYC. 3PM. Admission: children $10, adults $12. For more information call (212) 529-1545 or visit www.sea-online.info.

Herencia De Mi Tambo Productions Presents Bombas De Mi Batey, With the collaboration of Marcos Peñaloza Pica & friends directly from Puerto Rico Bruckner Bar & Grill 1 Bruckner Blvd, Bronx, NY. Bomba percussion and Dance Workshop: 2:30PM – 6:30PM; Admission: $35; Bombazo: 8:30PM – 12:30AM. Admission: $10. Contact: Nelson or Vivian @646-894-6693 Sunday, November 8, 2009

Pregones Theater presents the world premiere of ALOHA BORICUA. The rhythms of traditional Puerto Rican music and urban reggaetón collide in this song-driven rendition of the historic migration of Puerto Ricans to Hawaii. Adapted from Vivir del cuento, by legendary writer and gay icon Manuel Ramos Otero, the production weaves the voices of multiple generations, including the sugar cane workers who fi rst embarked on a transoceanic trip in 1900 to Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani to today’s street-wise poets, and makes sense of it all in 2009. Conceived and directed by Jorge B. Merced, with non-stop live music composed and arranged by Merced, Desmar Guevara and the ensemble. Additional music and lyrics by Rosalba Rolón. Presented in Spanish & English with titles. Pregones Theatre, 571-575 Walton Avenue, Bronx, NYC. 3PM. Admission: $15-$22. For more information call (718) 585-1202 or visit http://www.pregones.org.

Repertorio Español presents Pantaleón y las visitadoras (Captain Pantoja and The Special Service). From novelist Vargas Llosa, this comic tale unfolds when the Peruvian Army recruits Captain Pantaleón Pantoja, a model soldier, a man of integrity and a good husband, for an outlandish mission: to create and manage a Special Service of “visitors” to fulfi ll the troop’s necessities.

Even though it is everything against his moral code, Captain Pantoja is a consummate soldier and the visiting service quickly becomes the most effi cient branch of the armed forces. Captain Pantoja’s offi cial progress reports are fi lled with military statistics and jargon which often become the story’s funniest moments. Recommended for adults. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 2:30PM & 6:30PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Queens Theatre in the Park presents Ballet Hispánico. With theatricality and passion propelling every move, the dancers of Ballet Hispanico bring a dramatic sensibility and contagious delight to each performance. New versatile programs demonstrate the high-energy pulse of Latino rhythms. Claire Shulman Playhouse at Queens Theater in the Park, Queens, NY. 3PM. Tickets $21-$41; for group sales, seniors and students call (718) 760-0064 or visit www.queenstheatre.org.


North / South Consonance presents Villa-Lobos: Modinhas & Canções with Stela Brandao, soprano and Max Lifchitz, pianist. Complete cycle of art songs by the Brazilian master marking the 50th anniversary of the composer’s passing. Christ & St Stephen’s Church, 120 West 69th St (bet Bway & Columbus), NY. 3PM. Admission: Free. For more information: (212) 663-7566 or www.northsouthmusic.org.

Teatro Latea presents “TANGO, POR ELLOS”- Passion of the Tango and the confl icts between the sexes on the dance fl oor. Limited Engagement. Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center, Inc., 107 Suffolk Street-2nd Floor, NYC. 4PM. Admission: $30/$20 Student & Senior. Students /Senior Citizens $20. Tickets at: www.smarttix.com or call (212) 529-1948. Monday, November 9, 2009

The Alliance for Young Urban Design and the Arts (AYUDA for the Arts) presents “A Fashionable Taste of New York” with an exciting line up of celebrity chefs such as Douglas Rodriguez, Aaron Sanchez, Alex Garcia and Roberto Treviño, of Budatai in Puerto Rico, featured recently in ‘Next Iron Chef.’ Chef Art Smith, of numerous Food Network shows and Top Chef Masters, will be honored, as well as Tina Ramirez, founder of Ballet Hispanico. Event features 15 of New York Area’s top restaurants and some celebrity chefs. Proceeds go toward scholarships and programs to help the creative young students from urban neighborhoods

develop their artistic potential. Prince George Ballroom, 15 East 27th Street, between Fifth & Madison, NYC; 6PM - 10PM. Tickets: $125 & $225 couple. For more information call (917)968-4191 or visit www.ayudaforthearts.org.

Repertorio Español presents La Casa de Los Espiritus. A new play by Caridad Svich based on Isabel Allende’s novel. Charting the rise and fall of the Trueba family in an un-named Latin American country (reminiscent of Chile), the piece spans the 1920s through the 1970s, as the country moves through enormous sociopolitical changes that culminate in a devastating dictatorship. The play is told from the point of view of, Alba, the youngest of three generation of women.11AM. Admission: $25-50 with discounts available for seniors, students, children and groups. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. Performances presented in Spanish with simultaneous English translation via headphones for an additional $3. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Society of the Educational Arts, Inc. (SEA) and Caballero Films presents From the Script to the Screen. A workshop in which Puerto Rican fi lmmaker Luis Caballero will speak about the creative process of fi lm screenwriting and how during the production process, fi lmmaking and editing can result in changes that will either benefi t or compromise the cinematographic purpose. 107 Suffolk St., 2nd Fl., NYC. 7PM. Admission: $10. For more information call 212-529-1545 or visit www.sea-online.info.

Nuyorican Poets Café presents BROWNSVILLE BRED... Growing Up Elaine. This multiple award- and festival-winning one-woman show, written, performed and lived by (Nuyorican) Elaine Del Valle. The true story of a Latina’s coming-of-age in the 1980’s projects of Brownsville, Brooklyn, NY. Crime, drugs and poverty mix with the joys of family, hope, salsa and the birth of rap! “A Rollercoaster of emotion, tough and tender and guaranteed to make you laugh through your tears.” Nuyorican Poets Cafe 236 East 3rd Street (Between B & C), NYC. 7:30PM. Admission: $15/$10. For more information, please call (212) 505-8183 or visit www.nuyorican.org.

PAMAR and the World Financial Center present Latin American Piano Festival. Participating artists include Argentina’s Carlos Franzet, American Allison Brewster Franzetti, Mexican Max Lifchitz, Argentina’s Octavio Brunetti, and Uruguay’s Polly Ferman. The pianists, representing a wide range of piano styles and genres of Latin music, will perform solos, pieces for 2 pianos, as well as 4 and 8 hand pieces. Also participating are tango dancers Karina Romero and Dardo Galletto. The World Financial Center Winter Garden, Lower Manhattan in the Heart of Battery Park, NYC 12Noon-2PM. Admission: Free. For more information, visit: www.WorldFinancialCenter.com or www.pamar.org.

The Americas Society presents a

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panel discussion and concert of Cuarteto Latinoamericano. Cuarteto Latinoamericano, formed in 1982, is renowned worldwide as the leading proponent of Latin American music for string quartet. This award-winning ensemble has recorded most of the Latin American repertoire for string quartet, and the sixth volume of their Villa-Lobos quartet cycle was nominated for a Grammy and Latin Grammy in 2002. This panel discussion precedes their concert at Miller Theatre, which will include pieces by Villa-Lobos, Revueltas, Piazzolla, Alvarez, and Ginastera. Miller Theatre at Columbia University, 2960 Broadway @ 116th, NYC. 7PM. Admission: $7-$22. For more information visit www.americas-society.org.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Repertorio Español presents Mario Vargas Llosas’ critically-acclaimed La Fiesta Del Chivo (The Feast of the Goat). The story of General Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, who subdued the Dominican Republic in a cruel dictatorship from 1930 – 1961, as told by Urania, a New York lawyer whose father was part of Trujillo’s Ministry, who returns to the Dominican Republic after 35 years; by the band of conspirators who plan his assassination, and through the thoughts of the dictator himself. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington and Third Avenue) NYC. 11AM. $20 - $55. Performances presented in Spanish with simultaneous English translation via headphones for an additional $3. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Repertorio Español presents Pantaleón y las visitadoras (Captain Pantoja and The Special Service). From novelist Mario Vargas Llosa, this comic tale unfolds when the Peruvian Army recruits Captain Pantaleón Pantoja, a model soldier, a man of integrity and a good husband, for an outlandish mission: to create and manage a Special Service of “visitors” to fulfi ll the troop’s necessities. Even though it is everything against his moral code, Captain Pantoja is a consummate soldier and the visiting service quickly becomes the most effi cient branch of the armed forces. Captain Pantoja’s offi cial progress reports are fi lled with military statistics and jargon which often become the story’s funniest moments. Recommended for adults. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 7PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

The Americas Society with PAMAR presents Heitor Villa-Lobos Celebration II. Heitor Villa-Lobos’ presence in the international concert repertoire rests on a handful of ever-popular pieces. The second concert of this celebration of Villa-Lobos’ music will explore a lesser-known side of his productions with performances of rarely heard, early chamber works for voices and instruments, including the Suite for violin and voice; the Sextuor Mystique; the Quatuor for harp, celesta, fl ute, and sax with voices; and the Poêma da criança e sua mamâ. The Americas Society, 680 Park Avenue, NYC. 7PM.

Admission: Free with registration; members priority. For more information visit www.americas-society.org. Wednesday, November 11, 2009

El Museo del Barrio presents VIVA FUTURISM! Revolution, Vanguardia, and the Modern Metropolis. As part of Performa 09, El Museo presents a lively evening of bilingual spoken word, swirling images, and shocking sounds that illuminate links between Futurism and Latin American art of the early 20th century. El Museo del Barrio, 1230 5th Avenue, NYC. 6:30PM. Admission: Free with RSVP at www.elmuseo.org.

Ramón Jimenez in collaboration with Hostos Culture & Arts Center presents Celebrating Evelina López Antonetty’s Life. Puerto Rican Discovery Day marks the 25th anniversary of one of our most treasured leaders. A tribute to Evelina by family, friend and the community will remember her. Hostos Community College Theatre, 450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street in the Bronx, NY. 7PM – 9PM. Admission: Free. Contact for Information: Joe Conzo, Jr. ( 646) 662-8958.

Repertorio Español presents Pantaleón y las visitadoras (Captain Pantoja and The Special Service,). From novelist Mario Vargas Llosa, this comic tale unfolds when the Peruvian Army recruits Captain Pantaleón Pantoja, a model soldier, a man of integrity and a good husband, for an outlandish mission: to create and manage a Special Service of “visitors” to fulfi ll the troop’s necessities. Even though it is everything against his moral code, Captain Pantoja is a consummate soldier and the visiting service quickly becomes the most effi cient branch of the armed forces. Captain Pantoja’s offi cial progress reports are fi lled with military statistics and jargon which often become the story’s funniest moments. Recommended for adults. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 7PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

El Instituto Cervantes and Casa Arabe presents Falafel. First feature fi lm by Michel Kammoun (2006), 83 minutes. A summer evening in Beirut. The life of Toufi c, a young Lebanese man, and his nightly strolls. Between his family, friends and love affairs, he tries to seize every day of his life, through pleasures and entertainment. Soon he discovers that having a normal life, in this country, is a luxury. 15 years after the war had ended, a volcano is lying dormant on every street corner, like a time-ticking bomb that is ready explode… This night will be pivotal in the life of the young man. English subtitles. Instituto Cervantes in New York, 211-215 East 49th Street, NYC. Admission: Free. 6PM. For reservations call (212) 308-7720.

Ella Lounge presents Latin Jazz Session with Sofi a Koutsovitis. Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina,

Sofi a Rei Koutsovitis is an active vocalist and composer. Her music is grounded in traditional South American rhythms such as chacarera and zamba from Argentina, Afro-peruvian festejo and lando, along with some Brazilian genres that merge involving jazz harmonies and rich improvisations. ELLA Lounge, 9 Avenue A (between First and Second Street), NYC. 7:30PM- 9:30PM. $10. For more information visit www.sofi amusic.com.

El Taller Boricua presents Salsa Wednesdays After Work Party With Manny Oquendo’s Libre Comida Criolla & DJ Spinning Salsa, Dress in Good taste – No sneakers, Taller Boricua, 1680 Lexington Avenue 105th & 106th Streets. The #6 train to 103rd St, NYC. Doors open at 5:30PM. Ladies $5 from 5:30PM – 6:30PM; After 6:30PM, Ladies $10; Gentlemen $10 all night. For info:www.tallerboricua.org Thursday, November 12, 2009

Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture and Mass Transit Street Theatre presents AIN’T EASY. A multi-media, storytelling play by Lyn Pyle with Karen Wilson & Aisha Norris performed with live rap & fi lm. Post-performance discussion with actors & director. Especially appropriate for groups & classes, middle school & up. 10AM & 12PM. Admission: $6, Repertory Theater at Hostos Community College, 450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street in the Bronx, NY. For tickets call Mass Transit Street Theater at (718) 512-8519 or email: [email protected]. Info: www.mtstv.org.

Repertorio Español presents La Casa de Los Espiritus. A new play by Caridad Svich based on Isabel Allende’s novel. Charting the rise and fall of the Trueba family in an un-named Latin American country (reminiscent of Chile), the piece spans the 1920s through the 1970s, as the country moves through enormous sociopolitical changes that culminate in a devastating dictatorship. The play is told from the point of view of, Alba, the youngest of three generation of women.11AM. Admission: $25-50 with discounts available for seniors, students, children and groups. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College presents The 2010 Census and Puerto Ricans: Statistical Policy Issues and Politics. Presenter: Angelo Falcón, President, National Institute for Latino Policy. Hunter College: Centro Conference Room 1437 East Bldg., NYC. 6PM. Admission: Free. For more information, visit www.centropr.org or call (212) 772-5714.

The Americas Society with The City College of New York, CUNY; Colonial Latin American Review, the Latin American Writers Institute, CUNY; and Hofstra University presents Review 79 Launch (Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and His Legacy). Celebrating Review’s special “Inca Garcilaso” issue,

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featuring guest academic editor Raquel Chang-Rodríguez (CUNY) and guest creative editors Isaac Goldemberg (Hostos Community College/CUNY) and Miguel-Angel Zapata (Hofstra). The editors will discuss the signifi cance of the topic as well as their respective sections. Authors Odi Gonzales (Tunupa/el libro de las sirenas), Tulio Mora (Simulación de la máscara), and Edgardo Rivera Martínez (Danzantes de la noche y de la muerte y otros cuentos), will read their Spanish-language texts from Review 79. Translator Jason Weiss will read English-language versions of the authors’ work. The Americas Society, 680 Park Avenue, NYC. 7PM. Admission: Free with registration; members priority. For more information visit www.americas-society.org.

Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College and Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center presents Clemente Soto Vélez: The Poet, the Activist and the revolutionary. An exhibition of primary and secondary sources from the Clemente y Amanda Soto Vélez. Papers are kept at the Center for Puerto Rican Studies. LES & Abrazo Interno Gallery at Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center, 107 Suffolk Street, 1st fl oor, NYC. 6PM. Admission: Free. For more information call: (212) 772-5686 or email: [email protected].


Villa Della Pace presents Samba! with the Mariela Pacchioli Trio. Mariela Pacchioli takes you into a tour of Samba – an exciting, fun, rhythmic and sometimes melancholic music born in the heart of Brazil. Via Della Pace, 48 East 7th Street and 2nd Ave, East Village, NYC. 8PM. $10, plus $10 food/drink minimum. Visit www.myspace.com/marielapacchioli.

Repertorio Español presents Pilar Rioja. Pilar Rioja is known worldwide as the Queen of Spanish Dance. Rioja performs to live music with fl amenco guitarists and Spanish cantaores. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 7PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, Children and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.


Comité Noviembre Fourteenth Annual Benefit Celebrating Twenty Three Years of Puerto Rican Heritage Month. For the past twenty-three years, CN, has created and developed programs all geared to the support and enhancement of educational opportunities and leadership development for Puerto Rican youth with a cultural twist. These programs are fi rmly rooted in the belief, that in order to succeed in life, you must pursue a higher education, give back to your community through volunteer efforts and know your cultural ancestral history. CN would like to invite you to be part of our success story with over 170 scholars boasting a 90% college graduation rate since the inception of the CN Scholarship Program in 1996. Please join us and continue to ensure our mission of providing educational and leadership opportunities to exceptional youth who are making a difference in their community by volunteering and becoming involved in the social, civic and global issues of their time. Proceeds from this annual event will benefi t all of CN annual programs. The NY Hilton, 1335 Avenue of the Americas (between W 53rd Street and W 54th Street), NYC. Black Tie. Reception 6PM, Dinner 7PM. Live Entertainment. For more information call (914) 263-6599 or (212) 677-4181 or visit www.comitenoviembre.org.

Repertorio Español Presents: La Gringa, by Carmen Rivera and directed by Rene Buch. María arrives in Puerto Rico and is very excited about seeing “her homeland.” As she visits her uncle in Puerto Rico she is faced with many questions about being Puerto Rican. La Gringa is a story about cultural identity and family. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. $25 - $55. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Repertorio Español presents Pilar Rioja. Pilar Rioja is known worldwide as the Queen of Spanish Dance. Rioja performs to live music with fl amenco guitarists and Spanish cantaores. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 8PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, Children and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Thalia Spanish Theatre presents THE BEST OF THE BEST of COLOMBIA. A new music/dance spectacular from Ballet Mestizo. A celebration of the exhilarating music and dance of Colombia. A mix of sizzling new numbers and reimagined favorites from past hit shows. Thalia Spanish Theatre, 41–17 Greenpoint Avenue, Sunnyside, NY. 8PM. Admission: $25. For information call (718) 729-3880 or visit www.thaliatheatre.org.

Pregones Theater presents the world premiere of ALOHA BORICUA. The rhythms of traditional Puerto Rican music and urban reggaetón collide in this song-driven rendition of the historic migration of Puerto Ricans to Hawaii. Adapted from Vivir del cuento, by legendary writer and gay icon Manuel

Ramos Otero, the production weaves the voices of multiple generations, including the sugar cane workers who fi rst embarked on a transoceanic trip in 1900 to Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani to today’s street-wise poets, and makes sense of it all in 2009. Conceived and directed by Jorge B. Merced, with non-stop live music composed and arranged by Merced, Desmar Guevara and the ensemble. Additional music and lyrics by Rosalba Rolón. Presented in Spanish & English with titles. Pregones Theatre, 571-575 Walton Avenue, Bronx, NY. 8PM. Admission: $15-$22. For more information call (718) 585-1202 or visit http://www.pregones.org.

La Kueva presents URBANSONORA. A New York based Latin alternative band, Urbansonora is an eclectic group of musicians, inspired by a vast and rich source of musical traditions underscored by the brilliant repertoire of Gustavo Moncada. La Kueva, 39-31 Queens Blvd. Queens, (7 train to 40th Street Station stop). 12AM (Midnight). Admission, $10. Visit www.myspace.com/urbansonora.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE & HOSTOS CENTER FOR THE ARTS & CULTURE are thrilled to present for the fi rst time in New York Jesus Omar Rivera, El Boricuazo, historian & author, in his acclaimed sold out show, “Puertorriqueñidad…Defendiendo nuestra imagen.” Experience a “Boricuazo” moment that you will remember for the rest of your life! Growing up in Puerto Rico all he heard was that Puerto Rico was a tiny island that produced nothing. So, he became determined to prove this statement wrong and armed himself with knowledge and information. The more he researched the more he realized the signifi cant impact this tiny island and Puerto Ricans have had on the world. His enthusiasm, energy and love for all things Puerto Rican is contagious. He will leave you dizzy with the “tidbits” he expounds, some funny, trivial and others extremely profound, but most of all he will leave you with a renewed sense of self, pride, determination and a challenge to go forth and teach others. Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture Theatre, 450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street, Bronx, NY. 7:30PM. Space is limited. Performance will done in Spanish. For ticket information call (718) 518-4455.

Los Bomberos de Brooklyn and EL PUENTE celebrate Afro Puerto Rican culture with a series of afternoon events: Loiza style Bomba dance class (3pm-4:30pm), a hands on workshop on African based medicinal herbs and vegetables with Grupo Motivos, a Puerto Rican women’s collective of gardeners and elders from Philadelphia (4:30pm-6pm), followed by a bombazo, community bomba celebration (6pm-8:30pm). El Puente, 211 South 4th St., corner of Roebling St., Brooklyn NY (Los Sures, Williamsburg). 3PM-8:30PM. Admission: Donation appreciated. For more information, please contact: www.elpuente.us or (718) 387-0404.

North/South Consonance presents Carlos Chavez: A Celebration! Soprano Rachel Rosales and members of the acclaimed North/

90

South Consonance Ensemble celebrate the music of the illustrious Mexican master Carlos Chávez. Bruno Walter Auditorium at the NY Public Library for the Performing Arts, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza (111 Amsterdam Avenue at 65th St), NYC. 3PM. Admission: Free. For more information: (212) 870-1630 or http://www.nypl.org.


Thalia Spanish Theatre presents THE BEST OF THE BEST of COLOMBIA. A new music/dance spectacular from Ballet Mestizo. A celebration of the exhilarating music and dance of Colombia. A mix of sizzling new numbers and reimagined favorites from past hit shows. Thalia Spanish Theatre, 41–17 Greenpoint Avenue, Sunnyside, NY. 8PM. Admission: $27-30. For information call (718) 729-3880 or visit www.thaliatheatre.org.

Nuyorican Poets Café presents Yerbabuena: Bomba & Plena, Puerto Rican Roots Music. Nuyorican Poets Cafe 236 East 3rd Street (Between B & C), NYC. 10PM. Admission: $10. For more information, please call (212) 505-8183 or visit www.nuyorican.org.

Carribean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute in Collaboration with Taino TowersPresents 6th Annual International Latin/Tropical Music Collectors Festival DE LA CHARANGA AL CHARANGON. Taino Towers Cultural Building, 240 East 123rd St & 2nd Ave., El Barrio, NYC, 1PM – 10PM, Admission: $10.


Repertorio Español presents Pilar Rioja. Pilar Rioja is known worldwide as the Queen of Spanish Dance. Rioja performs to live music with fl amenco guitarists and Spanish cantaores. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 2:30PM. Admission: $25-50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, Children and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Thalia Spanish Theatre presents THE BEST OF THE

BEST of COLOMBIA. A new music/dance spectacular from Ballet Mestizo. A celebration of the exhilarating music and dance of Colombia. A mix of sizzling new numbers and reimagined favorites from past hit shows. Thalia Spanish Theatre, 41–17 Greenpoint Avenue, Sunnyside, NY. 4PM; Admission: $27-30. For information call (718) 729-3880 or visit www.thaliatheatre.org.

Repertorio Español presents Pantaleón y las visitadoras (Captain Pantoja and The Special Service). From novelist Vargas Llosa, this comic tale unfolds when the Peruvian Army recruits Captain Pantaleón Pantoja, a model soldier, a man of integrity and a good husband, for an outlandish mission: to create and manage a Special Service of “visitors” to fulfi ll the troop’s necessities. Even though it is everything against his moral code, Captain Pantoja is a consummate soldier and the visiting service quickly becomes the most effi cient branch of the armed forces. Captain Pantoja’s offi cial progress reports are fi lled with military statistics and jargon which often become the story’s funniest moments. Recommended for adults. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 6:30PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students,and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org. Monday, November 16, 2009

The Institute for Puerto Rican /Hispanic Elderly (IPR/HE) presents Celebrando Nuestra Cultura Puertorriqueña. Annual Conference on issues affecting the elderly. IPR/HE, 105 East 22 Street at Park Avenue- 4th Fl. NYC. Event starts at 10AM. Free Admission. For more information call (212) 677-4181.

Catholic Charities Bayside Senior Center and PAMAR presents Celebrating Music from Latin America. A concert by Quintet of the Americas (woodwind quintet) with guest artist, tango singer Chris Vasquez in music from Latin America including pieces from Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Cuba. Catholic Charities Bayside Senior Center 221-15 Horace Harding Boulevard, Queens, NY. 10AM. Admission: Free For more information, visit www.quintet.org.

Repertorio Español presents Nobel Prize Winner Gabriel García Márquez’ Cronica de una Muerte Anunciada (Chronicle of a Death Foretold). Directed by Jorge Alí Triana. A spectacular wedding, a savage scandal, and a murder to which an entire Latin American town appears to be an accessory to the fact. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Community Mediation Services and PAMAR presents Celebrating Music from Latin America. A concert by Quintet of the Americas (woodwind quintet) with guest artist, tango singer Chris Vasquez in music from Latin America

including pieces from Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Cuba. 1PM. Admission: Free. Community Mediation Services, Inc., 89-64 163rd St. Jamaica, NY. For more information, visit www.quintet.org. Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College and Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center presents The Life & Times of Clemente Soto Vélez. A panel discussion with professors Gerald Meyer, author of a book on political leader Vito Marcantonio; Orlando José Hernández poet and historian from Hostos Community College; and Alberto Hernández-Banuchi, chief librarian & archivist for the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College. Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center, 107 Suffolk Street, NYC. 6PM. Admission: Free. For more information call (212) 772-3803 or email: [email protected].

The Americas Society and PAMAR presents El Instituto Superior de Arte del Teatro Colón in concert. The ISATC is the training institute of Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, one of the leading opera houses in the Americas. It has been training artists for the world’s opera and ballet stages for decades. These young musicians will perform an evening of opera favorites from Mozart’s The Magic Flute to Verdi’s Othello, and from Donizetti’s Elisir d’amore to Berg’s Wozzeck. The Americas Society, 680 Park Avenue, NYC. 7PM. Admission: Free with registration; members priority. For more information visit www.americas-society.org.

Repertorio Español presents Pilar Rioja. Pilar Rioja is known worldwide as the Queen of Spanish Dance. Rioja perform to live music with fl amenco guitarists and Spanish cantaores. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 7PM. Admission: $25-$40 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, Children and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Nuyorican Poets Café presents BROWNSVILLE BRED... Growing Up Elaine. This multiple award- and festival-winning one-woman show, written, performed and lived by (Nuyorican) Elaine Del Valle. Brownsville Bred is the true story of a Latina’s coming-of-age in the 1980’s projects of Brownsville, Brooklyn, NY. Crime, drugs and poverty mix with the joys of family, hope, salsa and the birth of rap! “A Rollercoaster of emotion, tough and tender and guaranteed to make you laugh through your tears.” Poets Cafe 236 East 3rd Street (Between B & C), NYC. 7:30 PM. Admission: $15/$10. For more information, please call (212) 505-8183 or visit www.nuyorican.org.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

El Museo del Barrio presents IN OUR LINGO: Jamel Shabazz on DJ Disco Wiz. A multi-media dialogue, “cipher” style, featuring the fi rst ‘mixed plate’ beats to those styles rocked in the 80’s. Wiz’s recent biography It’s Just Begun (co-

91

authored with Ivan Sanchez) will serve as a point of departure to discuss the life of the fi rst Latino hip hop DJ. El Café at Museo del Barrio: 1230 5th Avenue at 104th Street, NYC. 6:30PM. Admission: Free. RSVP required at www.elmuseo.org. For more information, call (212) 831-7272.


Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. presents Puerto Rican Heritage Month Celebration: Celebrando La Herencia Y Cultura Puertorriqueña. Pregones Theater, 575 Walton Avenue, the Bronx, NY. 6PM. Admission: Free. For more information call (718) 590-3522 or email: [email protected].

American Diabetes Association presents 3RD ANNUAL DISPARITIES PARTNERSHIP FORUM: Overcoming Disparities and Building Successful Diabetes and Obesity Programs. National Conference on Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity in High-Risk Populations for clinicians, community health educators, academicians, allied health professionals, community leaders, public health practitioners and offi cials, policy makers, government agencies, program administrators, employers and human resource managers. Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, VA. 12PM-8PM. Registration Fees: $150 - Early Bird Registration through October 15; $200 thereafter. For more information, please contact Monique Lindsay at [email protected] or (703) 549-1500 ext. 2253.

The Americas Society presents PINTA Art Fair Launch. The launch event for PINTA Modern and Contemporary Latin American Art Fair 2009 will feature Darío Escobar, a visual artist born and based in Guatemala City. Escobar will discuss his work and recent projects with Sara Reisman (Director, Percent for Art New York City Department of Cultural Affairs). The Americas Society, 680 Park Avenue, NYC. 6:30PM. Admission: Free with registration; members priority. For more information visit www.americas-society.org.

Pregones Theater presents the world premiere of ALOHA BORICUA. The rhythms of traditional Puerto Rican music and urban reggaetón collide in this song-driven rendition of the historic migration of Puerto Ricans to Hawaii. Adapted from Vivir del cuento, by legendary writer and gay icon Manuel Ramos Otero, the production weaves the voices of multiple generations, including the sugar cane workers who fi rst embarked on a transoceanic trip in 1900 to Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani to today’s street-wise poets, and makes sense of it all in 2009. Conceived and directed by Jorge B. Merced, with non-stop live music composed and arranged by Merced, Desmar Guevara and the ensemble. Additional music and lyrics by Rosalba Rolón. Presented in Spanish & English with titles. Pregones Theatre, 571-575 Walton Avenue, Bronx, NY. 1:30PM. Admission: $15-$22. For more information call (718) 585-1202 or visit http://www.pregones.org.

Repertorio Español presents Pilar Rioja. Pilar Rioja

is known worldwide as the Queen of Spanish Dance. Rioja performs to live music with fl amenco guitarists and Spanish cantaores. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, Children and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College and Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center presents Re-Membering Loisaida/Archiving Loisaida Archivists and Cultural Critics reinterpret Loisaida with Urayoan Noel- SUNY Albany, Mario Ramírez-Centro at Hunter College, Gregory Sholette-Queens College. The overall panel will touch on the forms and contents of institutional politics, material culture, affi liating as artist communities vs. other types of cultural belongings, and the shadow and situational world of peripheral players. Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center, 107 Suffolk Street, NYC. 6PM. Admission: Free. For more information, call (212) 396-6336 or email: [email protected].

El Instituto Cervantes and Casa Arabe presents Viva Laldjerie Film by Nadir Mokneché (2003), 113 minutes. In the heart of Algiers during the winter of 2003, three women (a mother, her daughter and a prostitute) have been living in a hotel in the center of town amid creeping fundamentalism. Goucem, the daughter, has chosen a modern, emancipated life for herself by working for a photographer and spending steamy weekends in nightclubs. Fifi , her faithful friend, prostitutes herself under the thumb of a local protector. Papicha, the mother, eats pizzas in front of the television, torn between fear and nostalgia. With VIVA LALDJERIE, director Nadir Moknèche, known in Europe as the ‘Algerian Almodovar,’ weaves a richly drawn portrait of women exiled within their own country. English subtitles. Instituto Cervantes in New York, 211-215 East 49th Street, NYC. Admission: Free. 6PM. For reservations call (212) 308-7720.

The Latin American Piano and Song Festival of NYC presents the Second Annual Festival Piano Recital. The fi rst festival in the United States dedicated to the exploration of classical, folk and popular traditions of Latin American piano and song repertoire. Founder, Pianist and Musicologist César Reyes will be joined by some of the most important specialists on Latin American piano music. Renee Weiler Concert Hall at Greenwich House Music School, 46 Barrow Street. 8PM. Admission: $10/$5 Students. Visit www.myspace.com/LatinoPianoFest.

El Taller Boricua presents Salsa Wednesdays After Work Party Ralphy Sabater & Su Charanga. Comida Criolla & DJ Spinning Salsa Dress in Good taste – No sneakers. Taller Boricua, 1680 Lexington Avenue 105th & 106th Streets. The #6 train to 103rd St. Doors open at 5:30PM. Ladies $5 from 5:30PM – 6:30PM. After 6:30PM Ladies $10; Gentlemen $10 all night. For info: www.tallerboricua.org


American Diabetes Association presents 3RD ANNUAL DISPARITIES PARTNERSHIP FORUM: Overcoming Disparities and Building Successful Diabetes and Obesity Programs. National Conference on Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity in High-Risk Populations for clinicians, community health educators, academicians, allied health professionals, community leaders, public health practitioners and offi cials, policy makers, government agencies, program administrators, employers and human resource managers. Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, VA. 7:15AM-4:15PM. Registration Fees: $150 - Early Bird Registration through October 15; $200 thereafter. For more information, please contact Monique Lindsy at [email protected] or (703) 549-1500 ext. 2253.

Repertorio Español presents: La Casa de Bernarda Alba by García Lorca, directed by René Buch. Bernarda Alba attempts to dominate and control her fi ve unmarried daughters. In this repressed environment, Lorca creates an explosion of hatred, jealousy, despair and passion. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street, between Lexington & Third Avenues, NYC. 11AM; Tickets begin at $30, with discounts available for seniors, students, children and groups. Performances presented in Spanish with simultaneous English translation via headphones for an additional $3. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

The Carlos L. González Counseling Center of Hostos Community College presents Embracing “Ay Bendito” in a College Setting. A workshop with Dr. Sonia Maldonado and Prof. Lizette Colón. Hostos Community College, 460 Grand Concourse, Bronx New York. (Take train # 2, 4 0r 5 to 149th St. Grand Concourse). 12:30PM. Admission: Free. For more information contact (718) 518-4462 or 4261.

The 2nd Annual Latin American Piano and Song Festival of NYC presents Latin American Songs of Revolution, as part of “Encuentro 2009”. A musical journey from South America to the Caribbean of the most powerful composers and troubadours of Latin America. Pianist and Musicologist César Reyes will be joined by some of the most gifted Latin American singers. Woody Tanger Auditorium, Brooklyn College Library, 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. 4PM. Admission: Free. Visit www.myspace.com/LatinoPianoFest.

Pregones Theater presents the world premiere of ALOHA BORICUA. The rhythms of traditional Puerto Rican music and urban reggaetón collide in this song-driven rendition of the historic migration of Puerto Ricans to Hawaii. Adapted from Vivir del cuento, by legendary writer and gay icon Manuel Ramos Otero, the production weaves the voices of multiple generations, including the sugar cane workers who fi rst embarked on a transoceanic trip in 1900 to Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani to today’s street-wise poets, and makes sense of it all in 2009. Conceived and directed by Jorge B. Merced, with non-

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stop live music composed and arranged by Merced, Desmar Guevara and the ensemble. Additional music and lyrics by Rosalba Rolón. Presented in Spanish & English with titles. Pregones Theatre, 571-575 Walton Avenue, Bronx, NY. 8PM. Admission: $15-$22. For more information call (718) 585-1202 or visit http://www.pregones.org.

Repertorio Español presents Pilar Rioja. Pilar Rioja is known worldwide as the Queen of Spanish Dance. Rioja perform to live music with fl amenco guitarists and Spanish cantaores. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 7PM. Admission: $25-$40 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, Children and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Via Della Pace presents Piazzolla Always Piazzolla with Argentine singer Maria Cangiano. Cangiano “seemingly born to sing the Piazzolla songbook” presents her coming up CD Piazzolla Inedito- a collection of unknown and never recorded songs, as well as his most famous ones. With Juan Pablo Jofre-Romarion (bandoneon), Martin Balik (acoustic bass) and special surprise guest pianist. Via Della Pace 48 East 7th Street, NYC. 8PM. $10 at door plus minimum drink, $8 in advance at www.lalalaproducciones.com, (212) 253-5803. Visit www.myspace.com/mariacangiano.


Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College presents FORUM: Teaching Puerto Rican History in the 21st Century. A discussion of various educational topics in this all day forum. (9:30 a.m. Panel: What have we learned?; 1:00 p.m. Lunch Panel: Challenges and Stratergies; 2:15 p.m. Afternoon Panel: Teaching with Technology Reception to follow.) Panelists: Félix Rodríguez-Matos-President Hostos Community College, Virginia Sánchez-Korrol-Professor Emerita Brooklyn College, Arcadio Díaz-Quinones-Professor Emeritus Princeton University. Hunter College: Chanin Center, West Bldg., B Level, NYC. 9:30AM. Admission: Free. For more information, visit www.centropr.org or call (212) 772-5714.

PINTA presents Art Fair 09. PINTA is a unique event exhibiting annually – for sale through the participating galleries – the best of Latin American art, coinciding with Christie’s and Sotheby’s Latin American art auctions and with important exhibitions in museums and cultural institutions in New York City. The Metropolitan Pavillion, 125W 18th St. (6th & 7th Ave) and The Altman Bldg, 135W 18th St., NYC. Students $10, groups of 8+ $10 each. 12PM-8PM. For more information, visit www.pintaart.com.

Repertorio Español presents Pilar Rioja. Pilar Rioja is known worldwide as the Queen of Spanish Dance. Rioja perform to live music with fl amenco guitarists and Spanish cantaores. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. Admission: $25-$40 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, Children

and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

SEA, Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College, and Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center presents Re-Membering Loisaida/Visioning Loisaida A discussion of everyday life, music, poetry, performance and art collectives with Alan Moore-CUNY Graduate Center, Ed Morales-cultural critic, Edwin Torres-performance poet. The panel will render and compare in a visual, performative and analytical manner instances of local cultural practices with the phenomena of cultural appropriation leading to the re-invention of place identity. Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center, 107 Suffolk Street, NYC. 6PM. Admission: Free. For more information call (212) 396-6336 or email: [email protected].

Taller Boricua Gallery presents the opening of the exhibition (In)tangible. A group exhibition of artists whose work juxtaposes the ephemeral and the concrete in quotidian life. Julia de Burgos Cultural Center, 1680 Lexington Avenue & 106 St., NYC. 6PM – 9 PM. For information call (212) 831-4333 or visit www.tallerboricua.com.

Pregones Theater presents Benefit Gala Performance and Reception of the world premiere of ALOHA BORICUA. The rhythms of traditional Puerto Rican music and urban reggaetón collide in this song-driven rendition of the historic migration of Puerto Ricans to Hawaii. Adapted from Vivir del cuento, by legendary writer and gay icon Manuel Ramos Otero, the production weaves the voices of multiple generations, including the sugar cane workers who fi rst embarked on a transoceanic trip in 1900 to Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani to today’s street-wise poets, and makes sense of it all in 2009. Conceived and directed by Jorge B. Merced, with non-stop live music composed and arranged by Merced, Desmar Guevara and the ensemble. Additional music and lyrics by Rosalba Rolón. Presented in Spanish & English with titles. Pregones Theatre, 571-575 Walton Avenue, Bronx, NY. 8PM. Donation of $125 includes catered event. For more information call (718) 585-1202 or visit http://www.pregones.org.

Repertorio Español presents La Casa de Los Espiritus. A new play by Caridad Svich based on Isabel Allende’s novel. Charting the rise and fall of the Trueba family in an un-named Latin American country (reminiscent of Chile), the piece spans the 1920s through the 1970s, as the country moves through enormous sociopolitical changes that culminate in a devastating dictatorship. The play is told from the point of view of, Alba, the youngest of three generation of women. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 8PM. Admission: $25–$50 with discounts available for seniors, students, children and groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

The 2nd Annual Latin American Piano and Song Festival of NYC presents Mexico 2010: 200 Years of Music. Curated by the pianist

and musicologist Cesar Reyes and performed by some of the most gifted Latin American singers living in the United States. Renee Weiler Concert Hall at Greenwich House Music School, 46 Barrow Street, NYC. 8PM. Admission: $10. Visit www.myspace.com/LatinoPianoFest.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE PRESENTS THE FOURTH ANNUAL ARTISANS FAIR & EXHIBIT AND THE FIRST ANNUAL HEALTH FAIR. For the past three years, CN has invited artisans from throughout the US and Puerto Rico to participate in this Fair. The number of participating artisans has increased from 40 to over 60. Over the years, CN has transformed the location into a typical Puerto Rican plaza with a fountain, palm trees, piragua and coquito carts and artists, sculptors, vejigante mask makers promoting and selling their wares while musical and cultural acts entertained throughout the day. Additionally each year, CN conducts workshops for children and adults, like mask making, the history of the three kings’ celebration, Taíno storytelling in order to make sure that our youth learn about our culture. This year CN will conduct its First Annual Health Fair that will run concurrently with its Fourth Annual Artisans Fair & Exhibit. The Health component of the Fair was added because of the great number of residents concentrated in the Bronx and neighboring boroughs with chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity. CN board member and health professional Henry Cruz will Chair the Health Fair Committee and was instrumental in the decision to create this Health component. So come and take advantage of an opportunity to kick off your holiday shopping season and at the same time kick-off the New Year healthy. Hostos Community College, Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture,450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street, Bronx, NY. 10AM – 7PM. For more information call or Luis Cordero, (914) 505-5482/ [email protected], Wally Edgecombe, (718) 518-6700/[email protected], Teresa A. Santiago, (914) 263-6599/[email protected].

El Museo del Barrio presents SUPER SABADO! Eclectic New York. The program kicks off in November with art making workshops; storytelling with poet and playwright Frank Pérez; New York, Nueva York, a music concert by Face the Music; and much more! El Museo del Barrio, 1230 5th Avenue, NYC. 11AM-6PM. Admission: Free. Visit www.elmuseo.org for details!

PINTA presents Art Fair 09. PINTA is a unique event exhibiting annually – for sale through the participating galleries – the best of Latin American art, coinciding with Christie’s and Sotheby’s Latin American art auctions and with important exhibitions in museums and cultural institutions in New York City. The Metropolitan Pavillion, 125W 18th St. (6th & 7th Ave) and The Altman Bldg, 135W 18th St., NYC. Students $10, groups of 8+ $10 each. 12PM-8PM. For more information, visit www.pintaart.com.

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Repertorio Español presents La Vida es Sueño by Calderón de la Barca. Directed by Rene Buch. Segismundo, a prince, is imprisoned after his horoscope revealed that he will bring disaster to the country. After almost a lifetime in prison, he is released to reign over the country. However, he turns rebellious and commits rape and murder. Drugged and re-imprisoned, he is told that the previous events were a dream, which brings him to question what parts of his life are reality and which are dreams. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 3PM. Admission: $30-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

The Mexican Cultural Institute, the Mexico Tourism Board and Y Gallery presents Artist talk by Artemio. The work of Artemio (Mexico, 1977) explores the ideas of piracy, appropriation and mass media through video, installation and sculpture. He belongs to a generation of artists whose aesthetics echoes on the mid-90´s Mexican social and political circumstances. Artemio will discuss his latest project that include his solo shows in Lima and Bogotá. PINTA Art fair. VIP lounge. Metropolitan Pavillion. 125 W 18 St. NYC. 6PM. Admission: Free. For more information, visit www.ygallerynewyork.com or www.lavitrina.com. Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture presents Los Pleneros de la 21 : 25 Years of BOMBA & PLENA ¡Para Todos Ustedes! Commemorative Concert celebrating 25 years of music, expression and community. Main Theatre, Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture 450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street in the Bronx, NY. 7:30PM. Admission: $20, $15. Box offi ce: (718) 518-4455. Tickets online:www.hostos.cuny.edu/culturearts. Join los Pleneros for a special VIP reception after the concert! For reception tickets and information call (212) 427-5221 or [email protected].

El Museo del Barrio presents SPIC UP/SPEAK OUT!: Emanuel Xavier Spics Up! Spoken word with poet and author Emanuel Xavier and a lineup of renowned voices, including Caridad De la Luz aka La Bruja, Mahina Movement and Edwin Torres. After the performance, visitors are encouraged to grab the mic and speak up! El Café at El Museo del Barrio, 1230 5th Avenue, NYC. 7PM. Admission: Free. RSVP required at www.elmuseo.org.

Pregones Theater presents the world premiere of ALOHA BORICUA. The rhythms of traditional Puerto Rican music and urban reggaetón collide in this song-driven rendition of the historic migration of Puerto Ricans to Hawaii. Adapted from Vivir del cuento, by legendary writer and gay icon Manuel Ramos Otero, the production weaves the voices of multiple generations, including the sugar cane workers who fi rst embarked on a transoceanic trip in 1900 to Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani to today’s street-wise poets, and makes sense of it all in 2009. Conceived and directed by Jorge B. Merced, with non-stop live music composed and arranged by Merced, Desmar Guevara and the ensemble. Additional music

and lyrics by Rosalba Rolón. Presented in Spanish & English with titles. Pregones Theatre, 571-575 Walton Avenue, Bronx, NY. 8PM. Admission: $15-$22. For more information call (718) 585-1202 or visit http://www.pregones.org.

Lehman College presents STREET BEAT: The Rhythms! The Moves! The Energy! A high-energy explosion of urban rhythm, hip hop moves, astonishing break dance acrobatics and a full evening of original entertainment for all ages. Street Beat creator, Ben Hansen and his 10-member company of drummers, musicians and dancers perform what critics have called”… an urbanized journey through percussion,” which brings the raw rhythmic originality of many popular street-style performances together in a dynamic and thrilling stage production. Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, Bedford Park Blvd West, Bronx, NY. 8PM. Admission: $10-$25. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.lehmancenter.org.

Repertorio Español presents Pilar Rioja. The Queen of Spanish Dance performs to live music with fl amenco guitarists and Spanish cantaores. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 8PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, Children and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.


COMITE NOVIEMBRE FIFTEENTH ANNUAL DAY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. For the past fourteen years, Comité Noviembre has set aside the Sunday before Thanksgiving as a day of community service and social responsibility in commemoration of November 19th, traditionally known as Puerto Rican discovery day or as we like to call it Puerto Rican “encounter” day. The purpose of the day is to show the spirit of commitment and the power of action. Community service and social responsibility are the strongholds of the Puerto Rican community. Throughout the years our experience has shown us that when we dedicate ourselves to improving the quality of life of those around us, we build a more unifi ed and stronger society. Comite Noviembre urges you to conduct your own food drive at your work place, church, school, college and deliver proceeds on this day to IPRHE UPACA SENIOR CENTER, 1940 Lexington Avenue (between 119th and 120th Street), NYC. 11AM - 4PM or simply participate in this day as a volunteer. . Volunteers are needed before and after this date for food collection and distribution! For more information please contact Hector Artiles at ASPIRA (212) 564-6880 or Teresa A. Santiago at (914) 263-6599 or Angel Santini at (212) 677-4181.

PINTA presents Art Fair 09. PINTA is a unique event exhibiting annually – for sale through the participating galleries – the best of Latin American art, coinciding with Christie’s and Sotheby’s Latin American art auctions and with important exhibitions

in museums and cultural institutions in New York City. The Metropolitan Pavillion, 125W 18th St. (6th & 7th Ave) and The Altman Bldg, 135W 18th St., NYC. Students $10, groups of 8+ $10 each. 12PM-7PM. For more information, visit www.pintaart.com.

Repertorio Español presents Pilar Rioja. Pilar Rioja is known worldwide as the Queen of Spanish Dance. Rioja perform to live music with fl amenco guitarists and Spanish cantaores. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 2:30PM. Admission: $25-$40 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, Children and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.


Repertorio Español presents Pantaleón y las visitadoras (Captain Pantoja and The Special Service). From novelist Vargas Llosa, this comic tale unfolds when the Peruvian Army recruits Captain Pantaleón Pantoja, a model soldier, a man of integrity and a good husband, for an outlandish mission: to create and manage a Special Service of “visitors” to fulfi ll the troop’s necessities. Even though it is everything against his moral code, Captain Pantoja is a consummate soldier and the visiting service quickly becomes the most effi cient branch of the armed forces. Captain Pantoja’s offi cial progress reports are fi lled with military statistics and jargon which often become the story’s funniest moments. Recommended for adults. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 6:30PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students,and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Repertorio Español presents Pilar Rioja. Pilar Rioja is known worldwide as the Queen of Spanish Dance. Rioja perform to live music with fl amenco guitarists and Spanish cantaores. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. Admission: $25-$40 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, Children and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or

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www.repertorio.org.

NYC Chapter National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights & MTV Networks presents Puerto Rican Youth Forum. Forum will bring together Puerto Rican Youth from around the city to talk about Puerto Rican and Latino images in the media. 1515 Broadway in MTVN’s Times Square Headquarters, NYC. 5PM-7PM. Admission: Free. For more information, call (347) 254-2413 or email [email protected].

Nuyorican Poets Café presents BROWNSVILLE BRED... Growing Up Elaine. This multiple award- and festival-winning one-woman show, written, performed and lived by (Nuyorican) Elaine Del Valle. Brownsville Bred is the true story of a Latina’s coming-of-age in the 1980’s projects of Brownsville, Brooklyn, NY. Crime, drugs and poverty mix with the joys of family, hope, salsa and the birth of rap! “A Rollercoaster of emotion, tough and tender and guaranteed to make you laugh through your tears.” Nuyorican Poets Cafe 236 East 3rd Street (Between B & C), NYC. 7:30PM. Admission: $15/$10. For more information, please call (212) 505-8183 or visit www.nuyorican.org.

PAMAR AND TeatroStageFest present GlamourTango. This event takes the audience on a musical journey through the 20th century with a singular and renewed vision of the role of women in Tango. Both elegant and bold, GlamourTango was conceived by Polly Ferman, renowned Uruguayan pianist and Music Director, as a homage to the women who have not been fully recognized for their many contributions to Tango. GlamourTango is an unforgettable tribute that celebrates the artistry and passion of the great. The Highline Ballroom, 431 West. 16th Street, NYC. 8PM. Tickets: $22 in advance/$25 at door. For information and tickets, call (866) 468-7619 or visit www.GlamourTango.com. Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Repertorio Español presents El Quijote. A carnivalesque adaptation of Cervantes’ masterpiece. Through Don Quijote’s adventures, the production presents the illusion of an utopian world with a festive and colorful spirit. El Quijote is a polyphonic play in which many different genres such as comedy, tragedy and farce collide to form a carnival-like and vibrant Don Quijote that is rich in its musicality.” The play is a collection of 12 scenes that present different stories based on the original text of Cervantes. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Repertorio Español presents Pilar Rioja. Pilar Rioja is known worldwide as the Queen of Spanish Dance. Rioja perform to live music with fl amenco guitarists and Spanish cantaores. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 7PM. Admission: $25-$40 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, Children

and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.


Repertorio Español presents Pilar Rioja. Pilar Rioja is known worldwide as the Queen of Spanish Dance. Rioja perform to live music with fl amenco guitarists and Spanish cantaores. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. Admission: $25-$40 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, Children and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

El Instituto Cervantes and Casa Arabe presents Esperando la felicidad. Film by Abderrahmane Sissako (2002), 95 minutes. Abderrahmane Sissako is one of the few fi lmmakers from Sub-Saharan Africa to reach a measure of international infl uence. This fi lm Waiting for Happiness (Heremakono) was screened in the Cannes Film Festival offi cial selection, winning the FIPRESCI Prize. Sissako’s themes include globalization, exile and the displacement of people. English subtitles. Admission: Free. 6PM. Instituto Cervantes in New York, 211-215 East 49th Street, NYC. For reservations call (212) 308-7720.

Repertorio Español presents Pantaleón y las visitadoras (Captain Pantoja and The Special Service). From novelist Vargas Llosa, this comic tale unfolds when the Peruvian Army recruits Captain Pantaleón Pantoja, a model soldier, a man of integrity and a good husband, for an outlandish mission: to create and manage a Special Service of “visitors” to fulfi ll the troop’s necessities. Even though it is everything against his moral code, Captain Pantoja is a consummate soldier and the visiting service quickly becomes the most effi cient branch of the armed forces. Captain Pantoja’s offi cial progress reports are fi lled with military statistics and jargon which often become the story’s funniest moments. Recommended for adults. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 7PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

El Taller Boricua presents Salsa Wednesdays After Work Party Jimmy Delgado & Orchestra Comida Criolla & DJ Spinning Salsa Dress in Good taste – No sneakers. Taller Boricua, 1680 Lexington Avenue 105th & 106th Streets. The #6 train to 103rd St.Doors open at 5:30PM. Special Event $10 all night. For info: www.tallerboricua.org


¡Feliz Día de Acción de Gracias! – Happy Thanksgiving!


Repertorio Español presents Pilar Rioja. The Queen of Spanish Dance performs to live music with fl amenco guitarists and Spanish cantaores. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 8 PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, Children and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Thalia Spanish Theatre presents THE BEST OF THE BEST of COLOMBIA. A new music/dance spectacular from Ballet Mestizo. A celebration of the exhilarating music and dance of Colombia. A mix of sizzling new numbers and reimagined favorites from past hit shows. Thalia Spanish Theatre, 41–17 Greenpoint Avenue, Sunnyside, NY. 8PM. Admission: $25. For information call (718) 729-3880 or visit www.thaliatheatre.org. Saturday, November 28, 2009

Repertorio Español presents Pilar Rioja. The Queen of Spanish Dance performs to live music with fl amenco guitarists and Spanish cantaores. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 3PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, Children and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Queens Theatre in the Park presents NÉLIDA TIRADO FLAMENCO: TOMAAA!!!! Known for her intense grace and commanding style, and hailed as “magnifi cent” by The New York Times, Nélida Tirado has earned a worldwide reputation as a force to be reckoned with in fl amenco. Tirado formerly trained with Ballet Hispanico and Spain has worked with Compania Maria Pages, Noche Flamenca, and featured in “Riverdance” on Broadway and Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” 2007. Claire Shulman Playhouse/Main Stage at Queens Theatre in the Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park - Corona, NY. 8PM. Admission: $33/$20 students. For tickets, call (718) 760-0064 or visit www.queenstheatre.org.



Repertorio Español presents Pantaleón y las visitadoras (Captain Pantoja and The Special Service). From novelist Vargas Llosa, this comic tale unfolds when the Peruvian Army recruits Captain Pantaleón Pantoja, a model soldier, a man of integrity and a good husband, for an

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outlandish mission: to create and manage a Special Service of “visitors” to fulfi ll the troop’s necessities. Even though it is everything against his moral code, Captain Pantoja is a consummate soldier and the visiting service quickly becomes the most effi cient branch of the armed forces. Captain Pantoja’s offi cial progress reports are fi lled with military statistics and jargon which often become the story’s funniest moments. Recommended for adults. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 2:30PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.


Repertorio Español presents Pilar Rioja. Pilar Rioja is known worldwide as the Queen of Spanish Dance. Rioja perform to live music with fl amenco guitarists and Spanish cantaores. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 6:30PM. Admission: $25-$40 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, Children and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Nuyorican Poets Café presents Bobby Sanabria and his New School Afro-Cuban Jazz Band. Bobby Sanabria is a professor of music at the New School, and the students that make up the band are the next generation in the music scene. Sanabria helps them keep the traditions of Afro-Cuban music alive, and they play the classic compositions of Chano Pozo, Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie and Mario Bauza. Nuyorican Poets Cafe 236 East 3rd Street (Between B & C), NYC. 8PM. Admission: $10. For more information, please call (212) 505-8183 or visit www.nuyorican.org. Monday, November 30, 2009

Repertorio Español presents Pilar Rioja. Pilar Rioja is known worldwide as the Queen of Spanish Dance. Rioja perform to live music with fl amenco guitarists and Spanish cantaores. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. Admission: $25-$40 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, Children and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Nuyorican Poets Café presents BROWNSVILLE BRED... Growing Up Elaine. This multiple award- and festival-winning one-woman show, written, performed and lived by (Nuyorican) Elaine Del Valle. Brownsville Bred is the true story of a Latina’s coming-of-age in the 1980’s projects of Brownsville, Brooklyn, NY. Crime, drugs

and poverty mix with the joys of family, hope, salsa and the birth of rap! “A Rollercoaster of emotion, tough and tender and guaranteed to make you laugh through your tears.” Nuyorican Poets Cafe 236 East 3rd Street (Between B & C), NYC. 7:30PM. Admission: $15/$10. For more information, please call (212) 505-8183 or visit www.nuyorican.org. Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Repertorio Español presents: La Casa de Bernarda Alba by García Lorca, directed by René Buch. Bernarda Alba attempts to dominate and control her fi ve unmarried daughters. In this repressed environment, Lorca creates an explosion of hatred, jealousy, despair and passion. Performances presented in Spanish simultaneous English translation via headphones available for an additional $3.00. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for seniors, students, children and groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Joyce Theater presents Ballet Hispánico: Naci, a new work by Ron DeJesus, Locked Up Laura, and Batucada Fantastica. Ballet Hispanico explores the essence of Latino cultures with a season of new voices and bold dance. Under the new artistic leadership of Eduardo Vilaro, the program refl ects the dynamic range of Ballet Hispanico’s repertoire with exciting premiers by Andrea Miller, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and a live music collaboration featuring Oscar Hernandez. Those pieces, alongside works by dance masters Ramon Oller and Vicente Nebrada, create an engaging evening of Latino-infused dance! Joyce Theatre, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street, NYC, 7:30PM. Tickets $10-$59, for group sales, seniors and students call (212) 242-0800 or www.joyce.org.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

SEA and Pregones Theater presents ¡Viva Pinocho! A Mexican Pinocchio! A re-telling of the classic folktale, Pinocchio, from the perspective of a young Mexican immigrant, Pinocho. Audiences follow the puppet boy’s journey to understanding his sense of self while struggling to maintain his Latino heritage and fi nd his new home in a new land, the United States. Pregones Theater, 575 Walton Avenue (between 149th Street and 150th Street), Bronx, NY. 10:30AM. Admission: $12.50 children and $15 adults. For more information visit www.pregones.org or call (718) 585–1202.

Repertorio Español presents Carmen Rivera’s La Gringa. Directed by René Buch, a young woman travels from NYC to Puerto Rico to meet her family and discovers her roots. Her misconceptions are transformed as she learns that being Puerto Rican is a matter of the heart and spirit. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. Performance 11AM & 1PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for seniors, students, children and groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture and Mass Transit Street Theatre presents AIN’T EASY. A multi-media, storytelling play by Lyn Pyle with Karen Wilson & Aisha Norris performed with live rap & fi lm. Post-performance discussion with actors & director. Especially appropriate for groups & classes, middle school & up. Repertory Theater at Hostos Community College, 450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street in the Bronx, NY. 4:30PM & 7PM. Admission: $6. For tickets call Mass Transit Street Theater at (718) 512-8519 or email: [email protected]. Info: www.mtstv.org.

Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College presents FORUM: The Young Lords Party:40 Years Later. Panelists: Augustín Lao-Montes, Marta Moreno-Vega, Johanna Fernández, Darnell Enck-Wanzer. Moderator: Andrés Torres, Centro Research Associate. Reception to follow. Hunter College: Faculty Dining Room 8th Floor West Bldg., NYC. 6PM. Admission: Free. For more information, visit www.centropr.org or call (212) 772-5714.

El Museo del Barrio presents NUEVO CINE: El Círculo. This fi lm focuses on former ‘Tupamaro’ leader Dr. Engler, who was held hostage for thirteen years during the Uruguayan dictatorship. Today, a renowned Swedish citizen and scientist, he revisits the places of his painful past, painting an intimate and disturbing portrait of life in prison during a dictatorship. Dirs. Jose� Pedro Charlo and Aldo Garay. (Documentary, Uruguay, 2008, 96min, Spanish with English subtitles). El Café at El Museo del Barrio, 1230 5th Avenue, NYC. 6:30PM. Admission: Free. RSVP required at www.elmuseo.org.

The Americas Society presents Piraí Vaca. Bolivian guitarist Piraí Vaca has been called “one of the outstanding guitarists in the world” by the Rhein Zeitung. He was awarded the Fellowship of the Americas from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and has won top prizes at prestigious international guitar festivals in Latin America and Europe. He is a member of the FENIX International Guitar Quartet. His Americas Society debut will feature Bolivian music and works by Baroque composers. The Americas Society, 680 Park Avenue, NYC. 7 PM. Admission: Free with registration; members priority. For more information visit: www.americas-society.org. Joyce Theater presents Ballet Hispánico: Naci, a new work by Ron DeJesus, Locked Up Laura, and Batucada Fantastica. Ballet Hispanico explores the essence of Latino cultures with a season of new voices and bold dance. Under the new artistic leadership of Eduardo Vilaro, the program refl ects the dynamic range of Ballet Hispanico’s repertoire with exciting premiers by Andrea Miller, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and a live music collaboration featuring Oscar Hernandez. Those pieces, alongside works by dance masters Ramon Oller and Vicente Nebrada, create an engaging evening of Latino-infused dance! 7:30 PM. Joyce Theatre, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street, NYC. Tickets $10-$59, for group sales, seniors and students call 212-242-0800 or www.joyce.org.

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Thursday, December 3, 2009

Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture and Mass Transit Street Theatre presents AIN’T EASY. A multi-media, storytelling play by Lyn Pyle with Karen Wilson & Aisha Norris performed with live rap & fi lm. Post-performance discussion with actors & director. Especially appropriate for groups & classes, middle school & up. 10AM & 12PM. Admission: $6, Repertory Theater at Hostos Community College, 450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street in the Bronx, NY. For tickets call Mass Transit Street Theater at 718-512-8519 or email: [email protected]. Info: www.mtstv.org.

SEA and Pregones Theater presents ¡Viva Pinocho! A Mexican Pinocchio! A re-telling of the classic folktale, Pinocchio, from the perspective of a young Mexican immigrant, Pinocho. Audiences follow the puppet boy’s journey to understanding his sense of self while struggling to maintain his Latino heritage and fi nd his new home in a new land, the United States. Pregones Theater, 575 Walton Avenue (between 149th Street and 150th Street), Bronx, NY. 10:30AM. Admission: $12.50 children and $15 adults. For more information visit www.pregones.org or call (718) 585–1202.

Repertorio Español presents El Quijote. A carnivalesque adaptation of Cervantes’ masterpiece. Through Don Quijote’s adventures, the production presents the illusion of an utopian world with a festive and colorful spirit. El Quijote is a polyphonic play in which many different genres such as comedy, tragedy and farce collide to form a carnival-like and vibrant Don Quijote that is rich in its musicality.” The play is a collection of 12 scenes that present different stories based on the original text of Cervantes. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Repertorio Español presents Pantaleón y las visitadoras (Captain Pantoja and The Special Service,). From novelist Mario Vargas Llosa, this comic tale unfolds when the Peruvian Army recruits Captain Pantaleón Pantoja, a model soldier, a man of integrity and a good husband, for an outlandish mission: to create and manage a Special Service of “visitors” to fulfi ll the troop’s necessities. Even though it is everything against his moral code, Captain Pantoja is a consummate soldier and the visiting service quickly becomes the most effi cient branch of the armed forces. Captain Pantoja’s offi cial progress reports are fi lled with military statistics and jargon which often become the story’s funniest moments. Recommended for adults. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 7PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Joyce Theater presents Ballet Hispánico: Naci, a new work by Ron DeJesus, Locked Up Laura, and

Batucada Fantastica. Ballet Hispanico explores the essence of Latino cultures with a season of new voices and bold dance. Under the new artistic leadership of Eduardo Vilaro, the program refl ects the dynamic range of Ballet Hispanico’s repertoire with exciting premiers by Andrea Miller, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and a live music collaboration featuring Oscar Hernandez. Those pieces, alongside works by dance masters Ramon Oller and Vicente Nebrada, create an engaging evening of Latino-infused dance! Joyce Theatre, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street, NYC. 8PM. Tickets $10-$59, for group sales, seniors and students call (212) 242-0800 or www.joyce.org.

Friday, December 4, 2009

SEA and Pregones Theater presents ¡Viva Pinocho! A Mexican Pinocchio! A re-telling of the classic folktale, Pinocchio, from the perspective of a young Mexican immigrant, Pinocho. Audiences follow the puppet boy’s journey to understanding his sense of self while struggling to maintain his Latino heritage and fi nd his new home in a new land, the United States. Pregones Theater, 575 Walton Avenue (between 149th Street and 150th Street), Bronx, NY. 10:30 AM. Admission: $12.49 children and $15 adults. For more information visit www.pregones.org or call (718) 585–1202.

Repertorio Español presents La Vida es Sueño by Calderón de la Barca. Directed by Rene Buch. Segismundo, a prince, is imprisoned after his horoscope reveals that he will bring disaster to the country. After almost a lifetime in prison, he is released to reign over the country. However, he turns rebellious and commits rape and murder. Drugged and re-imprisoned, he is told that the previous events were a dream, which brings him to question what parts of his life are reality and which are dreams. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM & 8PM. Admission: $30-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Joyce Theater presents Ballet Hispánico: Naci, a new work by Ron DeJesus, Locked Up Laura, and Batucada Fantastica. Ballet Hispanico explores the essence of Latino cultures with a season of new voices and bold dance. Under the new artistic leadership of Eduardo Vilaro, the program refl ects the dynamic range of Ballet Hispanico’s repertoire with exciting premiers by Andrea Miller, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and a live music collaboration featuring Oscar Hernandez. Those pieces, alongside works by dance masters Ramon Oller and Vicente Nebrada, create an engaging evening of Latino-infused dance! Joyce Theatre, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street, NYC. 8PM. Tickets $10-$59, for group sales, seniors and students call (212) 242-0800 or www.joyce.org.

Thalia Spanish Theatre presents THE BEST OF THE BEST of COLOMBIA. A new music/dance spectacular from Ballet Mestizo. A celebration of the exhilarating music and dance of Colombia. A mix of sizzling new numbers and reimagined favorites from past hit shows. Thalia Spanish Theatre,

41–17 Greenpoint Avenue, Sunnyside, NY. 8PM. Admission: $25. For information call (718) 729-3880 or visit www.thaliatheatre.org.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

SEA and Pregones Theater presents ¡Viva Pinocho! A Mexican Pinocchio! A re-telling of the classic folktale, Pinocchio, from the perspective of a young Mexican immigrant, Pinocho. Audiences follow the puppet boy’s journey to understanding his sense of self while struggling to maintain his Latino heritage and fi nd his new home in a new land, the United States. Pregones Theater, 575 Walton Avenue (between 149th Street and 150th Street), Bronx, NY. 3PM. Admission: $12.50 children and $15 adults. For more information visit www.pregones.org or call (718) 585–1202.

Joyce Theater presents Ballet Hispánico: Batucada Fantastica, A new work by Ron DeJesus, and Club Havana. Ballet Hispanico explores the essence of Latino cultures with a season of new voices and bold dance. Under the new artistic leadership of Eduardo Vilaro, the program refl ects the dynamic range of Ballet Hispanico’s repertoire with exciting premiers by Andrea Miller, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and a live music collaboration featuring Oscar Hernandez. Those pieces, alongside works by dance masters Ramon Oller and Vicente Nebrada, create an engaging evening of Latino-infused dance! Joyce Theatre, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street, NYC. 2PM. Tickets $10-$59, for group sales, seniors and students call (212) 242-0800 or www.joyce.org.

Repertorio Español presents: La Casa de Bernarda Alba by García Lorca, directed by René Buch. Bernarda Alba attempts to dominate and control her fi ve unmarried daughters. In this repressed environment, Lorca creates an explosion of hatred, jealousy, despair and passion. Performances presented in Spanish simultaneous English translation via headphones available for an additional $3. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 3PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for seniors, students, children and groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Repertorio Español presents La Casa de Los Espiritus. A new play by Caridad Svich based on Isabel Allende’s novel. Charting the rise and fall of the Trueba family in an un-named Latin American country (reminiscent of Chile), the piece spans the 1920s through the 1970s, as the country moves through enormous sociopolitical changes that culminate in a devastating dictatorship. The play is told from the point of view of, Alba, the youngest of three generation of women. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 8PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for seniors, students, children and groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Joyce Theater presents Ballet Hispánico: Naci, A

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new work by Ron DeJesus, Locked Up Laura, and Batucada Fantastica. Ballet Hispanico explores the essence of Latino cultures with a season of new voices and bold dance. Under the new artistic leadership of Eduardo Vilaro, the program refl ects the dynamic range of Ballet Hispanico’s repertoire with exciting premiers by Andrea Miller, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and a live music collaboration featuring Oscar Hernandez. Those pieces, alongside works by dance masters Ramon Oller and Vicente Nebrada, create an engaging evening of Latino-infused dance! Joyce Theatre, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street, NYC. 8PM. Tickets $10-$59, for group sales, seniors and students call (212) 242-0800 or www.joyce.org.

Lehman College with Aurora Communications, Inc. presents NAVIDAD PARA EL PUEBLO: Celebrating the Holiday Season, Jíbaro Style! Featuring “El Topo” Antonio Caban Vale, Yomo Toro and Zon del Barrio. Choreographed by Danza Fiesta. Hosted by Luis Jimenez of Univision. Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, Bedford Park Blvd West, Bronx, NY. 8PM. Admission: $30-$45. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.lehmancenter.org. Thalia Spanish Theatre presents THE BEST OF THE BEST of COLOMBIA. A new music/dance spectacular from Ballet Mestizo. A celebration of the exhilarating music and dance of Colombia. A mix of sizzling new numbers and reimagined favorites from past hit shows. Thalia Spanish Theatre, 41–17 Greenpoint Avenue, Sunnyside, NY. 8PM; Admission: $25-$30. For information call (718) 729-3880 or visit www.thaliatheatre.org.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts presents Fiesta Hanukkah. Celebrate Hanukkah with a Latin fl air! This year, as part of the Skirball’s ongoing initiative to commemorate Jewish life in Latin America, the annual Hanukkah family festival invites families of all backgrounds to enjoy Latin Jewish music, art-making, and storytelling, as well as tasty variations on holiday food favorites. NYU Skirball Center, 566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Sq. South, NYC. Activities from 10:45AM-4PM. Admission: $10 General; $7 Seniors and Full-Time Students; Free to Members and Children under 12. For more information, visit www.skirballcenter.nyu.edu.


National Institute for Latino Policy (NiLP) presents the 27th Anniversary ¡Orgullo Latino! Awards and Benefit Reception

“2010 Census: Making Latinos Count”. Annual fundraiser to support the work of the National Institute for Latino Policy. Sazón Restaurant, NYC. 6:30PM-9PM.Admission: $150 per person. For information or tickets, contact [email protected].

Joyce Theater presents Ballet Hispánico: Batucada Fantastica, A new work by Ron DeJesus, Locked Up Laura, and Club Havana. Ballet Hispanico explores the essence of Latino cultures with a season of new voices and bold dance. Under the new artistic leadership of Eduardo Vilaro, the program refl ects the dynamic range of Ballet Hispanico’s repertoire with exciting premiers by Andrea Miller, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and a live music collaboration featuring Oscar Hernandez. Joyce Theatre, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street, NYC. 2PM. Tickets $10-$59, for group sales, seniors and students call (212) 242-0800 or www.joyce.org.

Joyce Theater presents Ballet Hispánico: Naci, A new work by Ron DeJesus, Locked Up Laura, and Batucada Fantastica. Ballet Hispanico explores the essence of Latino cultures with a season of new voices and bold dance. Under the new artistic leadership of Eduardo Vilaro, the program refl ects the dynamic range of Ballet Hispanico’s repertoire with exciting premiers by Andrea Miller, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and a live music collaboration featuring Oscar Hernandez. Those pieces, alongside works by dance masters Ramon Oller and Vicente Nebrada, create an engaging evening of Latino-infused dance! Joyce Theatre, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street, NYC. 7:30PM. Tickets $10-$59, for group sales, seniors and students call (212) 242-0800 or www.joyce.org.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Repertorio Español presents Carmen Rivera’s La Gringa, directed by René Buch. A young woman travels from NYC to Puerto Rico to meet her family and discovers her roots. Her misconceptions are transformed as she learns that being Puerto Rican is a matter of the heart and spirit. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. $20 - $35. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org. Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Repertorio Español presents Carmen Rivera’s La Gringa, directed by René Buch. A young woman travels from NYC to Puerto Rico to meet her family and discovers her roots. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. $20 - $35. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College presents Barrio Professors Tales of Naturalistic Research by Lloyd H. Rogler. Meet the author, discussion and reception. Hunter College: Centro Library East Bldg. 3rd Floor. 6PM. Admission: Free. 6PM. For more information, visit www.centropr.org or call (212) 772-5714.

Joyce Theater presents Ballet Hispánico: Goodnight Paradise, a new work by Ron DeJesus, Locked Up Laura, and Club Havana. Ballet Hispanico explores the essence of Latino cultures with a season of new voices and bold dance. Under the new artistic leadership of Eduardo Vilaro, the program refl ects the dynamic range of Ballet Hispanico’s repertoire with exciting premiers by Andrea Miller, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and a live music collaboration featuring Oscar Hernandez. Joyce Theatre, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street, NYC. 7:30PM. Tickets $10-$59, for group sales, seniors and students call (212) 242-0800 or www.joyce.org.


El Museo del Barrio presents Alice + Carlos (heart) Havana-New York. Explore the life and work of Alice Neel and Carlos Enriquez and catch a special screening of Andrew Neel’s’ documentary on Alice Neel. Moderated by Elvis Fuentes, Curator, El Museo del Barrio El Café at El Museo del Barrio, 1230 5th Avenue, NYC. 6:30PM. Admission: Free. RSVP required at www.elmuseo.org.

Joyce Theater presents Ballet Hispánico: Goodnight Paradise, a new work by Ron DeJesus, Locked Up Laura, and Club Havana. Ballet Hispanico explores the essence of Latino cultures with a season of new voices and bold dance. Under the new artistic leadership of Eduardo Vilaro, the program refl ects the dynamic range of Ballet Hispanico’s repertoire with exciting premiers by Andrea Miller, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and a live music collaboration featuring Oscar Hernandez. Those pieces, alongside works by dance masters Ramon Oller and Vicente Nebrada, create an engaging evening of Latino-infused dance! Joyce Theatre, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street, NYC. 7:30PM. Tickets $10-59, for group sales, seniors and students call 212-242-0800 or www.joyce.org.

Repertorio Español presents Nobel Prize Winner Gabriel García Márquez’ Cronica de una Muerte Anunciada (Chronicle of a Death Foretold). Directed by Jorge Alí Triana. A spectacular wedding, a savage scandal, and a murder to which an entire Latin American town appears to be an accessory to the fact. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.


Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture and Mass Transit Street Theatre presents AIN’T EASY. A multi-media, storytelling play by Lyn Pyle with Karen Wilson & Aisha Norris performed with live rap & fi lm. Post-performance discussion with actors & director. Especially appropriate for groups & classes, middle school & up. Repertory Theater at Hostos Community College, 450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street in the Bronx, NY. 10AM & 12PM.

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Admission: $6. For tickets call Mass Transit Street Theater at (718) 512-8519 or email: [email protected]. Info: www.mtstv.org.

Repertorio Español presents: La Casa de Bernarda Alba by García Lorca, directed by René Buch. Bernarda Alba attempts to dominate and control her fi ve unmarried daughters. In this repressed environment, Lorca creates an explosion of hatred, jealousy, despair and passion. Performances presented in Spanish simultaneous English translation via headphones available for an additional $3.00. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for seniors, students, children and groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College and Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center presents Collegiate Research-Based Essay Competition & Award Ceremony: Life & Times of Clemente Soto Vélez. CUNY student prize winners will present their particular topics and share their research experiences. Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center, 107 Suffolk Street, NYC. 6PM. Admission: Free. For more information call (212) 396-6318 or email: [email protected] .

Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College presents Urban Jíbaro Poetry: Open Mic Night Poetry Readings. Hunter College: Thomas Hunter Hall, Room 105. 7PM. Admission: Free. For more information, visit www.centropr.org or call (212) 772-5714.

Joyce Theater presents Ballet Hispánico: Goodnight Paradise, a new work by Ron DeJesus, Locked Up Laura, and Club Havana. Ballet Hispanico explores the essence of Latino cultures with a season of new voices and bold dance. Under the new artistic leadership of Eduardo Vilaro, the program refl ects the dynamic range of Ballet Hispanico’s repertoire with exciting premiers by Andrea Miller, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and a live music collaboration featuring Oscar Hernandez. Joyce Theatre, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street, NYC. 8PM. Tickets $10-59, for group sales, seniors and students call (212) 242-0800 or www.joyce.org.

Friday, December 11, 2009 Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College presents Pathways to Economic Opportunity: Improving the Prospects for Puerto Ricans in Low Wage Jobs. Discussions on trends of Puerto Ricans in low wage labor markets, barriers impeding economic opportunities, the role of local workforce development systems and community-based strategies. Hunter College: Location TBD. All day conference. Admission: Free. For more information, visit www.centropr.org or call (212) 772-5714.

Repertorio Español presents: La Casa de Bernarda Alba by García Lorca, directed by René Buch. Bernarda Alba attempts to dominate and control her fi ve unmarried daughters. In this repressed environment, Lorca creates an explosion of hatred, jealousy, despair and passion. Performances presented in Spanish simultaneous English translation via headphones available for an additional $3. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for seniors, students, children and groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Joyce Theater presents Ballet Hispánico: Goodnight Paradise, a new work by Ron DeJesus, Locked Up Laura, and Club Havana. Ballet Hispanico explores the essence of Latino cultures with a season of new voices and bold dance. Under the new artistic leadership of Eduardo Vilaro, the program refl ects the dynamic range of Ballet Hispanico’s repertoire with exciting premiers by Andrea Miller, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and a live music collaboration featuring Oscar Hernandez. Those pieces, alongside works by dance masters Ramon Oller and Vicente Nebrada, create an engaging evening of Latino-infused dance! Joyce Theatre, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street, NY. 8PM. Tickets: $10-$59, for group sales, seniors and students call (212) 242-0800 or www.joyce.org.


Honorable Assemblyman Rivera and Hostos Community College presents Celebrando la Hermandad Antillana. A Gala Concert with Son de la Loma, Excelencia & José Alberto “El Canario”. Hostos Community College, Main Theater, 450 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY. 7PM. Admission: $15, or free from the Assemblyman’s offi ce. For more information, call (718) 518-4455. Society of the Educational Arts, Inc. (SEA) presents Little Red Riding Hood / La Caperucita Roja. This bilingual musical play retells the classic fable of a very courageous Little Red through an exciting journey full of song, dance and original music. Teatro SEA at Los Kabayitos, 107 Suffolk St., 2nd Fl., NYC. 3PM. Admission: children $12.50, adults $15. For more information call 212-529-1545 or visit www.sea-online.info.

Repertorio Español presents El Quijote. A carnivalesque adaptation of Cervantes’ masterpiece. Through Don Quijote’s adventures, the production presents the illusion of an utopian world with a festive and colorful spirit. El Quijote is a polyphonic play in which many different genres such as comedy, tragedy and farce collide to form a carnival-like and vibrant Don Quijote that is rich in its musicality.” The play is a collection of 12 scenes that present different stories based on the original text of Cervantes. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington and Third Avenue), NYC. 3PM. $25-$50. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or

www.repertorio.org.

Joyce Theater presents Ballet Hispánico: Batucada Fantastica, A new work by Ron DeJesus, Locked Up Laura, and Club Havana. Ballet Hispanico explores the essence of Latino cultures with a season of new voices and bold dance. Under the new artistic leadership of Eduardo Vilaro, the program refl ects the dynamic range of Ballet Hispanico’s repertoire with exciting premiers by Andrea Miller, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and a live music collaboration featuring Oscar Hernandez. Joyce Theatre, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street, NYC. 2PM. Tickets $10-59, for group sales, seniors and students call (212) 242-0800 or www.joyce.org.

Joyce Theater presents Ballet Hispánico: Goodnight Paradise, a new work by Ron DeJesus, Locked Up Laura, and Club Havana. Ballet Hispanico explores the essence of Latino cultures with a season of new voices and bold dance. Under the new artistic leadership of Eduardo Vilaro, the program refl ects the dynamic range of Ballet Hispanico’s repertoire with exciting premiers by Andrea Miller, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and a live music collaboration featuring Oscar Hernandez. Those pieces, alongside works by dance masters Ramon Oller and Vicente Nebrada, create an engaging evening of Latino-infused dance! Joyce Theatre,175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street, NYC. 8PM. Tickets $10-59, for group sales, seniors and students call (212) 242-0800 or www.joyce.org.

Repertorio Español presents Pantaleón y las visitadoras (Captain Pantoja and The Special Service,). From novelist Mario Vargas Llosa, this comic tale unfolds when the Peruvian Army recruits Captain Pantaleón Pantoja, a model soldier, a man of integrity and a good husband, for an outlandish mission: to create and manage a Special Service of “visitors” to fulfi ll the troop’s necessities. Recommended for adults. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 8PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org. Sunday, December 13, 2009

Joyce Theater presents Ballet Hispánico: Batucada Fantastica, A new work by Ron DeJesus, Locked Up Laura, and Club Havana. Ballet Hispanico explores the essence of Latino cultures with a season of new voices and bold dance. Under the new artistic leadership of Eduardo Vilaro, the program refl ects the dynamic range of Ballet Hispanico’s repertoire with exciting premiers by Andrea Miller, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and a live music collaboration featuring Oscar Hernandez. Joyce Theatre, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street, NYC. 2PM. Tickets $10-$59, for group sales, seniors and students call (212) 242-0800 or www.joyce.org.

Repertorio Español presents Pantaleón y las visitadoras (Captain Pantoja and The Special Service). From novelist Mario Vargas

99

Llosa, this comic tale unfolds when the Peruvian Army recruits Captain Pantaleón Pantoja, a model soldier, a man of integrity and a good husband, for an outlandish mission: to create and manage a Special Service of “visitors” to fulfi ll the troop’s necessities. Recommended for adults. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 2:30PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Lehman College in association with The Bronx Tourism Council and the NYC & Company Foundation presents A Bronx MESSIAH with Michael Spierman, Conductor. Enjoy Handel’s timeless holiday concert performed by the Bronx Opera Chorus, then delight in sampling the cuisine of the Bronx’s top restaurants at a great, on-site food show immediately following the concert. Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, Bedford Park Blvd West, Bronx, NY. 3PM. Admission: $10-$25. For more information, contact Maritza Suarez at (718) 590-2502. Purchase tickets online at www.lehmancenter.org.

Joyce Theater presents Ballet Hispánico: Goodnight Paradise, a new work by Ron DeJesus, Locked Up Laura, and Club Havana. Ballet Hispanico explores the essence of Latino cultures with a season of new voices and bold dance. Under the new artistic leadership of Eduardo Vilaro, the program refl ects the dynamic range of Ballet Hispanico’s repertoire with exciting premiers by Andrea Miller, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and a live music collaboration featuring Oscar Hernandez. Joyce Theatre, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street, NYC. 7:30PM. Tickets $10-$59, for group sales, seniors and students call (212) 242-0800 or www.joyce.org.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Repertorio Español presents: La Casa de Bernarda Alba by García Lorca, directed by René Buch. Bernarda Alba attempts to dominate and control her fi ve unmarried daughters. In this repressed environment, Lorca creates an explosion of hatred, jealousy, despair and passion. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street, between Lexington & Third Avenues, NYC. 11AM.Tickets: Begin at $30, with discounts available for seniors, students, children and groups. Performances presented in Spanish with simultaneous English translation via headphones for an additional $3. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Repertorio Español presents: La Casa de Bernarda Alba by García Lorca, directed by René Buch. Bernarda Alba attempts to dominate and control her fi ve unmarried daughters. In this repressed environment, Lorca creates an explosion of hatred, jealousy, despair and passion. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street, between Lexington & Third Avenues, NYC. 11AM. Tickets begin at $30,

with discounts available for seniors, students, children and groups. Performances presented in Spanish with simultaneous English translation via headphones for an additional $3. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.


Repertorio Español presents La Vida es Sueño by Calderón de la Barca. Directed by Rene Buch. Segismundo, a prince, is imprisoned after his horoscope reveals that he will bring disaster to the country. After almost a lifetime in prison, he is released to reign over the country. However, he turns rebellious and commits rape and murder. Drugged and re-imprisoned, he is told that the previous events were a dream, which brings him to question what parts of his life are reality and which are dreams. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. Admission: $30-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students,and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.


Repertorio Español presents Carmen Rivera’s La Gringa, directed by René Buch. The play is about a young woman who travels from NYC to Puerto Rico to meet her family and discovers her roots. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. $20 - $35. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.


Repertorio Español presents Carmen Rivera’s La Gringa, directed by René Buch. The play is about a young woman who travels from NYC to Puerto Rico to meet her family and discovers her roots. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. $20 - $35. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.


El Museo presents SUPER SABADO! Three Kings-all day activities. El Museo del Barrio, 1230 5th Avenue, NYC. 11AM-6PM. Admission: Free. Visit www.elmuseo.org for details!

Repertorio Español presents Doña Flor y sus dos maridos. Doña Flor misses her late husband’s passionate intimacy. She re-marries and magical realism allows her to live (and sleep) with her two husbands. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 8PM. $25 - $55. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Repertorio Español presents Doña Flor y sus dos maridos. Doña Flor misses her late husband’s passionate intimacy. She re-marries and

magical realism allows her to live (and sleep) with her two husbands. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 2:30PM. $25 - $55. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.


¡FELIZ NAVIDAD!


Repertorio Español presents Pantaleón y las visitadoras (Captain Pantoja and The Special Service,). From novelist Vargas Llosa, this comic tale unfolds when the Peruvian Army recruits Captain Pantaleón Pantoja, a model soldier, a man of integrity and a good husband, for an outlandish mission: to create and manage a Special Service of “visitors” to fulfi ll the troop’s necessities. Recommended for adults. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 2:30PM & 6:30PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts available for Seniors, Students, and Groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org. Friday, January 1, 2010

¡FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

El Museo de Barrio presents Día de los Tres Reyes/Three Kings’ Day Celebration Parade. Celebrate the joy of the holiday season with El Museo’s 33rd Three Kings’ Day Parade. Learn about the tradition of this festive holiday celebrated throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. El Museo’s Parade, led by the Three Kings, winds throughout the streets of El Barrio. Admission: Free. Registration 8:30AM; Parade begins at 11AM. Advance registration is required for group participation in the parade and theater program. For more information call (212) 831-7272 or visit www.elmuseo.org.

The Society of the Educational Arts/La Sociedad Educativa de las Artes, (SEA) presents Los Tres Reyes Magos/The Three Kings. On January 6th 2010, the light from a star will lead the Three Kings to Teatro Sea to celebrate one of the most important Latin American Holidays for children, El Día de Los Tres Reyes Magos/Three Kings Day. On this day, the fi rst thousand kids to arrive at Teatro Sea will personally meet The Three Kings as well as receive a free gift/toy. SEA at Los Kabayitos Puppet Theater, 107 Suffolk Street (between Rivington Street and Delancy Street) NYC. 3PM – 6PM. Free. For more information visit www.sea-online.info or call (212) 529 – 1545.

Fourteenth Annual

Benefit Gala

23rd Anniversary23rd AnniversaryC o m i t é N o v i e m b r eC o m i t é N o v i e m b r e



New York Hilton

NYC



November 13, 2009

Dear Friends:

On behalf of Comité Noviembre, CN, I would like to welcome you to our fourteenth annual benefit gala celebrating twenty-three years of Puerto Rican culture and history in this country. I would like to thank and recognize our Gala Vice-Chairs: Carmen Gomez Goldberg President of Gomez, Goldberg & Partners, Jay Hershenson, Executive Vice Chancellor of the City University of New York, Don Lowery, Vice President of Nielson Media Research and Jose Nicot, Director, Food and Beverage Global Procurement - AMER Hotels Intercontinental Hotels Group for their leadership, commitment and support of Comité Novimebre and its programs.

I want to acknowledge and thank each of the members – the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, ASPIRA of New York, Inc., El Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños, El Museo del Barrio, Eugenio María de Hostos Community College, National Institute for Latino Policy, National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights – Justice Committee, LatinoJustice: PRLDEF, PROMESA, the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration and our members at large for their dedication and commitment to keeping our mission alive.

For the past twenty-three years, CN, has created and developed programs all geared to the support and enhancement of educational opportunities and leadership development for Puerto Rican youth with a cultural twist. These programs are firmly rooted in the belief, that in order to succeed in life, you must pursue a higher education, give back to your community through volunteer efforts and know your cultural history. CN is thrilled that all of you here today are now part of our success story that boasts over 170 scholars with a 90% college graduation rate since the inception of the CN Scholarship Program in 1996, an average of 12 scholarships a year. An additional $7,000 has been awarded in the Richie Pérez Scholarship for Peace and Justice since 2006. The proceeds of this gala dinner support both scholarship programs as well as other CN annual programs. It is our sincerest hope that all of you here tonight will continue to support this effort.

I would like to thank Jaime and Jane Bello co-chairs of the Scholarship Selection Committee and its members and Martha Laureano, co-chair of the Richie Perez Scholarship for Peace and Justice for their commitment to the educational and leadership development of our youth. I congratulate our honorees: Carlos A. Picón, Katilia Velez and Jesús Omar Rivera, for the role that each of you, play, in leaving our mark as Puerto Ricans on this country by developing and strengthening our history.

To all of the corporations and individuals that are in attendance tonight thank you for participating in this great event and for your continued and generous support. I want to especially acknowledge the City University of New York, CUNY and Vice Chancellor for Budget and Finance Ernesto Malave for his steadfast commitment to this organization and the employees of Bristol Meyers Squibb who took it upon themselves to raise funds for Comité Noviembre and getting the company to matched their contribution dollar for dollar.

This year more than ever your support was crucial and each one of you here today said presente! Your help tonight will enable CN to continue to ensure our mission of providing educational and leadership opportunities to exceptional youth who are making a difference in their community by volunteering and becoming involved in the social, civic and global issues of their time.

This year the Puerto Rican community made historic accomplishments from the first Puerto Rican in space Astronaut Joseph Acaba to the confirmation of Justice Sonia Sotomayor to the highest court of this nation to the unprecedented national Latino voter turnout for the historic Presidential election of Barack Obama, with Puerto Ricans leading the way. We have a lot to be proud of let us take ownership of the contributions we make to the very fabric of this nation of this world and let always remember that no matter where we are in this world de nuestra raíces nace un solo pueblo.

Sincerely,

Teresa A. SantiagoChairperson

Carmen Gomez Goldberg is an entrepreneur, political advisor, community leader and Puerto Rican woman. She is the President of Gomez Goldberg and Partners, C&E Affiliates, LLC an investment company for women and Hayley’s Comet a school bus transportation company. She was president of AVET Coach Corp. for over 20 years. Prior to AVET, Ms. Gomez Goldberg supervised five dialysis centers that administered to, many underserved and minority communities. Her compassionate, multi-cultural and bilingual services greatly im-proved the quality of life and health of the many individuals that have crossed her path and would normally not receive these services.

Carmen Gomez Goldberg is also a dedicated community and civic leader as well as a great public servant. Through her steadfast commitment to her community she has made a difference in the lives of many people especially women. Ms. Gomez Goldberg is a founding member of the 100 Hispanic Women of Westchester, a member of the Hispanic Advisory Board for the Board of Elec-tions and President of the Yonkers Federation of Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She has served as a Director of the National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, empowering young Latinas to stay in school and as President of the Yonkers Puerto Rican/Hispanic Day Parade Foundation Inc. and has been a board member for nine years. She has served on the prestigious Westchester County Business Association Board and is a past member of the Workforce Investment Board. She is currently on the Board of the Somos el Futuro Foundation.

Carmen has received numerous awards for her dedication to the Latino community including: the National Hispanic Magazine Latina Excellence Award in 2004, the Comité Noviembre Puerto Rican Heritage Award, the Entre Nosotras Award and El Diario La Prensa Top Latina Award for 2006. In 2004, The New York Post ranked Ms. Gomez Goldberg as the most influential Latina in New York State. Carmen is the recipient of the Advancement of Women Award from Westchester County, the Griffon Award from Untermeyer Performing Arts Council, and the Westchester Fund for Women and Girls Leadership Award. In 2007, she was the first Puerto Rican woman to receive the Martin Luther King Award for her hard work and dedication to the African American community of Westchester County.

Jay Hershenson is Senior Vice Chancellor for University Relations and Secretary of the Board of Trustees of The City University of New York — the leading public urban university system in the nation. He over-sees the development and implementation of CUNY’s external relations program, including governmental, media and community relations, marketing, communications and CUNY-TV and the administration of the Board of Trustees’ agenda, meetings and records. Mr. Hershenson has served as a leader in many non-profit

organizations and held many national and state-wide public service appointments including: Executive Director of the Committee for Public Higher Education; appointment by former President Jimmy Carter to the National Advisory Committee on Education; appointment by former Governor Hugh L. Carey as one of five Commissioners on the Temporary State Commission on the Future of Postsecondary Education; and the Task Force on State Aid to Education. He currently serves on the New York State Board of Regents/ University of the State of New York Technology Policy and Practices Council and the Ogilvy and Mather Advisory Committee on Diversity.

Mr. Hershenson’s leadership has been instrumental in the establishment of major CUNY academic exchange and outreach agree-ments established with the governments of Mexico and the Dominican Republic. He helped secure critical funding for the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute at City College and the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College. Together with Allan Wernick, he established the CUNY Citizenship and Immigration Project. He is the co-founder of the Model Senate Session, a mainstay of the annual New York State Legislature Hispanic Task Force’s Somos El Futuro Conference, and initiated CUNY’s co-sponsorship for ASPIRA’s annual youth conferences. He organized support to establish “CUNY in the Heights” and “CUNY Express” in Washington Heights to assure greater access to CUNY for immigrants. He worked closely with 100 Hispanic Women, Inc. to help establish the Young Latinas Leadership Institute. Together with Trustee Hugo Morales and Robert Isaacson, he helped create “Nueva York” on CUNY-TV.

He has been involved with and recognized by many cultural groups and institutions including: the United Negro College Fund Scholarship Committee; the Board of Directors of the Council of Churches; Casa Cultural Dominicana; receipt of the National Education Award from the National Hispanic Corporate Achievers; presented with the “Man for All Seasons Award” from The NYC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; honored by One Hundred Hispanic Women, Inc.; awarded the Dr. Antonia Pantoja Lead-ership Award by ASPIRA, Inc.; honored by the CUNY Committee for Disabled Students at their 30th Anniversary of Recognition Ceremony; and awarded the Community Partner Award by Alianza Dominicana, Inc.

Vice Chairs

Carmen Gomez Goldberg

Jay Hershenson

Don Lowery is Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs for Nielsen Media Research, the world’s leading provider of television audience measurement and related services. In his role, he supports Nielsen’s on going programs that provide information about its various activities to local and national media organizations including the trade, general and specialty press. In addition, he plays a key manage-ment role in Nielsen’s outreach efforts to community, civic and special interest groups and local, state and federal governmental bodies.

Lowery has worked in newspapers, television and public relations positions for more than two decades. He began his career as a general assignment reporter for the Roanoke (VA) Times & World News followed by reporting jobs for the Norfolk (VA) Ledger Star and the Arizona Republic in Phoenix. In 1980, Lowery joined the Boston Globe as a busi-ness reporter specializing in coverage of the financial and credit markets and economic news. Three years later, he was hired as editorial director of WNEV-TV (later to become WHDH-TV) and subsequently added the role of director of public affairs to his responsibilities. From 1991 thorough 1993, he worked as a pubic finance investment banker for Lazard Freres and First Albany Corporation.

In 1994, Lowery joined the New England Patriots Football Club first as vice president of pubic relations and community affairs and later vice president of player development and community affairs until March 2002. Lowery spent two years as executive director of communications for Viacom Boston’s WBZ-TV, WSBK-TV and WLWC-TV in Providence, RI. He joined Nielsen in July 2004. Lowery has received several journalism awards during his career including those from the Associated Press, United Press International and Lincoln (MO) University for editorial writing. A native of Chicago, Lowery received a Bach-elors of Arts Degrees in economics from Wesleyan University.

Jose Nicot has built a solid career with over 25 years experience as a management and procurement ex-ecutive in both the public and private sectors. As Director of Food and Beverage Purchasing for the In-tercontinental Hotel Group’s Global Procurement-Americas Division, Jose works with a global sourcing team to purchase over $90 million in good and services for over 3,800 owned, managed and franchised hotels in the United States. He served at the highest levels of New York City and New York State govern-ment and has worked extensively within the pharmaceutical, medical care and wholesale food industries.

He has directed a comprehensive procurement sourcing management program focusing on operations, medical equipment, pharmacy services and food supplies for a major national health care company focused on senior services. Jose served as President of SERVISA Las Americas, the first wholesale buying cooperative dedicated to supplying the fresh produce needs of the $2 billion+ Hispanic Supermarket owners market in the New York Metro Area. He led the effort to at-tract investors and leading industry firms to deliver savings worth over $10 million to participating firms over the next several years. Prior to founding SERVISA, Jose served as Chief of Staff to the Hon. Efrain Gonzalez Jr. (NYS Senate – 31st District). He managed all of the Senator’s economic development initiatives, particularly those surrounding the investment of over $10 million in state and federal funds towards new commercial real estate development specifically targeting the wholesale food industry located at the Hunts Point Terminal Market. Jose also held senior level management positions at the NYC Housing Authority and NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation where he administered construction, human and institutional food distri-bution services spending worth over $150 million and achieved cost savings of over 20% per annum.

Jose also served as Associate Chief of Staff to the Hon. Rudolph W. Giuliani, Mayor of the City of New York. In this capac-ity, he worked with Deputy Mayor for Operations Randy Mastro and Deputy Mayor for Education and Human Services Ninfa Segarra to oversee implementation of Mayoral initiatives in Education, Human Services, Housing and Disaster Relief Opera-tions, representing some 35% of the City’s overall $40 billion+ annual budget. Jose also holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Princ-eton University and a Master’s Degree from the Milano Graduate School at the New School University in New York City.

Vice Chairs

Don Lowery

Jose Nicot



Su voz no es una voz cualquiera y su dominio de la actuación, el baile y el repique de las congas hacen de Choco Orta una artista de completa.

Nacida en Santurce, Puerto Rico, Choco Orta se graduó con honores del Departamento de Pedagogía, con concentración en Teatro, de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. Ser artista siempre fue su norte y enfo-cada en ese objetivo la joven perfeccionó su talento bajo la tutela de importantes profesores en su natal Puerto Rico.

En el año 1979, sobresale como uno de los personajes de la obra mu-sical “La verdadera historia de Pedro Navaja”, donde su personaje de “Piola”arrancaba aplausos de la audiencia cada noche. Posterior-mente se integró al proyecto músicoteatral “Las bohemias” donde actuó, cantó y tocó percusión.

En 1989 presenta su primer espectáculo “Choco, mambo y algo más...”, en esta producción la cantante recreó musicalmente la época dorada de los años 40 y 50. Tiempo después trasciende fronteras y junto a tres músicos boricuas parte a Francia donde por varios meses participa en un espectáculo musical en el Club Hamou en la Riviera Francesa como cantante y percusionista. Su desarrollo musical en el genero de la salsa fue variado como parte de las orquestas de Nacho Sanabria, Roberto Angleró, Waldo Borres y Julio “Gunda” Merced junto a quien grabo su primer álbum titulado “Sentimiento y sabor” y en el 2001 grabó su segundo álbum “La reina del sabor” con el sello Musical Productions. Este disco, termina de posicionar a Choco Orta como una destacada voz femenina que había llegado para quedarse.

Su fuerza interpretativa y su sabor, así como su energía en la ejecución de las congas, le ganaron un espacio en la cultura salsera y su interpretación del tema “La nueva reina del sabor” corte compuesto por la artista en honor al inmortal Tito Puente, se convirtió en un éxito. En 2004 la artista se radicó en los Estados Unidos. Pero en el verano volvió a suelo boricua para laborar en el musical “El bombón de Elena” que se presentó en la Sala de Drama René Marqués del Centro de Bellas Artes de San Juan. Nuevas posibilidades se dibujaban en el horizonte de la carrera artística de la cantante, percusionista y actriz puer-torriqueña Choco Orta quien regreso a los Estados Unidos con el objetivo de consolidar su música en un mercado importante para todo intérprete de música tropical.

Integrando de manera brillante su voz en la interpretación de preciosos boleros, vibrantes soneos y una gran confianza en su carrera, la cantante motiva al fenecido maestro Tito Puente a invitarla a cantar compartiendo con conciertos junto a La Reina Celia Cruz, Oscar de León y otras reconocidas estrellas en una histórica presentación en el Madison Square Garden. Hoy Choco Orta es una de las mejores exponentes del género de la salsa emulando las voces de otras grandes como, Celia Cruz, Celeste Mendoza, Graciela y La Lupe. Su nueva producción discográfica “Ahora Mismo” sale al mercado a través del sello Camínalo Discos de Gilberto Santa Rosa y es prueba irrefutable de que la intérprete es la voz femenina de la salsa de hoy, del mañana, como que es La Salsera del Milenio.

Comité Noviembre Gala Honorees

Choco

Orta



Carlos A. Picón, an authority on Greek and Roman sculpture, was elected Curator-in-Charge of the Department of Greek and Roman Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1990. His principal responsibilities since that time have been the realiza-tion of a four-phase master plan for the complete renovation and reinstallation of the galleries for the Museum’s extensive col-lection of Greek and Roman Art. The plan’s initial phase was completed with the 1996 opening of the Robert and Renée Belfer Court for prehistoric and early Greek art; the April 20, 1999, opening of seven newly refurbished and reinstalled galleries for archaic and classical Greek art marks the conclusion of the sec-ond phase. Most recently on April 11, 2001, the new Cypriot galleries opened, which was the inauguration of phase three. The culmination of the 15-year-long project includes the installation of a sculpture court and exhibition spaces for Roman art as well as new galleries for the display of Hellenistic, South Italian, and Etruscan art.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mr. Picón received a B.A. in Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology from Haverford Col-lege and Bryn Mawr College, and both a master’s and doctoral degrees in Classical Archaeology from the University of Oxford. Prior to his appointment at the Metropolitan Museum, he served as a Curator of Ancient Art at the San Antonio Museum of Art in Texas, where he not only established the Department of Antiqui-ties but also built a new wing to house the Museum’s growing collection of ancient art. While in England, he also held for five years the position of Junior Research Fellow at Christ Church, Oxford, and Assistant Curator of the Ashmole Archive at King’s College, London.

Among the exhibition organized by Mr. Picón at the Metropoli-tan Museum are The Greek Miracle (1993), a landmark exhibition of original sculpture from fifth-century B.C. Greece co-organized with the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Greece; Greek Gold: Jewelry of the Classical World (1994), which brought to-gether for the first time nearly 200 of the finest pieces of Greek jewelry of the Classical period from all parts of the Mediterranean world; and Master Plan for the Greek and Roman Galleries (1995), which displayed five large architectural models representing the separate phases of the gallery renovations.

Mr. Picón is a widely published authority on ancient and classical art whose publications include the 1986 exhibi-tion catalogue Ancient Art from Private Collections in Great Britain. Most recently, he co-edited the Catalogue of Greek Vases in the San Antonio Museum of Art, which appeared in 1995. Dr. Picón is a Trustee of the Corning Museum of Glass and a corresponding member of the German Archaeological Institute.


Carlo

s A. P

icón



Katilia Y. Vélez Quiñones was raised in Newark and Kearny, NJ and currently resides in San Germán, Puerto Rico. She attended St. Michael’s Elementary School in Newark, where she developed a strong foundation in speech communications and writing. As a student in Queen of Peace High School in North Arlington, NJ she participated in array of activities including theater, power-lifting and running a Hurricane Georges Relief Drive graduating in 1999.Katilia then went on to Kean University where in her first semester she landed the role of Rosaura in Pedro Calderon de la Barca’s “La Vida es Sueño”. Unsure of what field to delve into she changed majors various times, exploring the English, Theater, Psychology and Communications departments. Throughout this time she began participating in Slam Po-etry competitions and other Spoken Word events throughout New York and New Jersey, and produced original cabaret nights with Urban The-ater Company in Union, NJ. Ms. Vélez left Kean University in her third year with the intent to dis-cover the world around her and find her footing. For the next five years she went to various trade schools and worked in diverse fields. Her expe-riences include working as a bilingual account manager for a credit card company, to working as a youth mentor and domestic violence counselor at La Casa de Don Pedro in Newark, NJ. Throughout this time she con-tinued to focus on the arts attending Ward Actors Studio in New York, NY.In 2007 she decided she was ready to continue her education and was accepted in Inter American University of Puerto Rico, San Germán cam-pus. Majoring in Sociology, she is a recipient of the Leadership Award from the Social Sciences department. Throughout her time in Puerto Rico she has co-founded Areyto Lunar, which is an informal artists’ co-alition on the islands’ west side that produces open-mic nights with art exhibitions and live visual art being done on-site. She is set to graduate in December 2009 with honors, and will pursue her Master’s Degree in January 2010 majoring in Art History and Education.

In January of 2009 while watching an episode of MTV’s docu-series True Life, entitled “I’m Nuyorican” she started a facebook group page calling for the cancellation of the episode as it was socially and historically inac-curate as well as racist and exploitative. Shortly thereafter she drafted an on-line petition demanding the show be pulled off the air and calling for the production of a new program based on accuracy and integrity in its presentation on behalf of MTV. Appealing to the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights she found support and together with the NCPRR, the Hispanic Media Coalition, the National Puerto Rican Coalition, the National Institute for Latino Policy, author Linda Nieves-Powell and a representative from the government of Puerto Rico, a meeting was held with MTV in May. There was also written endorsement and encouragement from Women of El Barrio as well as a variety of community organizations, leaders, politicians and academia from different areas of the country.The interaction with MTV prompted the cancellation of the episode as well as a production of a youth forum highlighting the Nuyorican experience which will be filmed in November of this year. Additionally, MTV has promised to support the community directly in a financial capacity and is revising their protocol with respect to the production of their docu-series. Katilia is convinced that the issues brought up by these occurrences are of the utmost importance and relevance to the future of Puerto Ricans both in the states and on the island. The cultural schism between Puerto Ricans and Nuyoricans, the controversial nature of the word Nuyorican, the historical processes of both which are so intertwined and simultaneously disconnected are themes that must be explored, discussed and shared, within our own community and with the world. This must be done in the interest of progress and growth, in the interest of awareness, to go beyond what is omitted from the schoolbooks and not allow the media’s sensationalism of our image to overpower our reality. Her grandfather’s favorite saying rings loudly throughout this process, “El que persevera, triunfa…. He who perseveres, triumphs.”

Katil

ia Y

. Véle

z Quiñ

ones




Ramon ZayasANCHOR “EL INFORMADOR”,

WNJU

Ramon Zayas, a native of Puerto Rico, is the anchor of WNJU’s weekend news magazine program “El Informador” that airs on Sat-urday and Sunday at 11 p.m. In addition, he is an award winning reporter, and files investigative and community reports for the sta-tion’s various newscasts.

Zayas joined Telemundo in December of 2002 from WXTV/Univi-sion 41 where he anchored “Al Despertar”, the early morning news edition since 1999. Most recently he anchored he station’s weekend newscasts at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Throughout his career, Mr. Zayas has demonstrated a valuable versatility both in Sports and News.

Prior to his arrival in New York, Zayas was a Sports Anchor for “Telenoticias”, a CBS owned and oper-ated 24 hour news channel with coverage to all Latin America. He has been a Boxing Analyst/Commenta-tor, and has done live coverage of major sporting events, such as Championship Boxing, The World Cup and the Olympics.

His broadcasting career was launched in 1986 as a Radio Producer and later Announcer for various Span-ish radio stations in Northern California. He was only 17 years of age, and was pursuing a degree in Jour-nalism and Radio/Television Production at San Jose Sate University. He later concluded his education at San Francisco State University.

His professional introduction to Television started as a Sports Anchor for Telemundo’s KSTS in San Jose, California in 1989. Two years later, he accepted a position as News Bureau Chief for Univision’s KDTV in San Francisco where he remained until Telemundo hired him as a Producer and Reporter for the Network’s News Magazine “Ocurrió Así” in Miami.

Awarded with a prestigious Emmy for the production and report of an investigative series on youth gangs in San Antonio, Mr. Zayas has since earned several other nominations for this award. He is also an ac-complished Classical Guitarist, and is the proud father of Nicole and Andres Zayas.



SILENT AUCTION

For the past four years at the annual gala, CN has conducted a Silent Auction. Many companies have supported the Silent Auction by donating items that promote their company at the same time raise additional funds for CN’s annual programs. CN has received items ranging from Couture Gowns by Puerto Rican Designers Lisa Thon, Carlos Alberto and Luis An-tonio; one of a kind Artwork by Puerto Rican Artist Gregory Torres entitled: “Escudo de Puerto Rico,” Grammy Award winning Artist Dave Valentin’s Autograph Bamboo Flute & Case from his Japanese Collection, Certificates for stays at the Five Star Hotel Gran Melia, Puerto Rico Golf Resort for 2. Three Night stay at the Embassy Suites San Juan Hotel & Ca-sino, 2 certificates for a 2night at the Embassy Suites Dorado del Mar Beach & Golf, Resort,Ricky Martin Autograph book and CD collection, CD Collections of Lissette, Victor Manulle, Jennifer Lopez, and Marc Anthony, Tickets to Tony Award winning musical, In the Heights, Tickets to the Jose Feliciano concert, to 2 VIP Tickets to the 30th Anniversary Concert of “el Pavarotti de la Salsa” Tito Nieves at Carnegie Hall, Moet/Hennessey champagne and cognac, two $250 Macy’s Gift Certificates, a criollo meal for 10 from Salsa Caterers, dinners at La Fonda Boricua and Havana Central to Salsa Sensation Frankie Negron’s Complete Autograph CD Collection, Shape Magazine Fitness Basket, Scholastic Maya and Miguel Fun Basket, Framed CN Posters by Ray Rosario, Colgate Palmolive Product Basket, Season Tickets for Pregones, Tickets to the Conan O’Brien Show, Celia, Marc Anthony concert and items from the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau, PRIDCO, Latino Sports Ventures, Banco Popular. The proceeds from the Silent Auction go towards the CN Scholarship Awards Programs as well as other educational, cultural and youth leadership development programs of the organization. Last year the Silent Auction raised an additional $8,000.00 for these scholarships and programs.

YONKERS PUERTO RICAN/HISPANIC PARADE & FESTIVAL, INC.

SALUTES

COMITÉ NOVIEMBREMES DE LA HERENCIA PUERTORRIQUEÑA

ON ITS TWENTY-THIRD ANNIVERSARY &

CONGRATULATES ITS HONOREES

CHOCO ORTA

CARLOS A. PICÓN

KATILIA VELEZ

&

JESÚS OMAR RIVERA2009 SPOKESPERSON

P.O. Box 467, Yonkers, New York 10705, (914) 885-4969, (914) 376-6829 www.yonkersprhparade.com

IPRO Congratulates Comite Noviembre on its 23rd Anniversary & its

2009 HonoreesChoco Orta

Carlos A. PicónKatilia Velez

&Jesús Omar Rivera2009 Spokesperson

BRONX-LEBANON HOSPITAL CENTERTHE MAJOR VOLUNTARY PROVIDER OF INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT SERVICES

TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE SOUTH AND CENTRAL BRONX

CONGRATULATES

COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE

and the Honorees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OFFICERS

RITA DIMARTINO, CHAIRMANCRISTINA TOOSIE, VICE CHAIRMAN/SECRETARY

SHIRLEY RODRIGUEZ REMENESKI/ VICE CHAIRMAN/ASSISTANT SECRETARY

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBERS

ROSE ROBLES BIRTLEYJOHN R. COLON

RICARDO R. FERNANDEZ, PhDANDRES V. GIL, ESQ.

MATTHEW GOLDSTEIN, PhDBARBARA A. LOWE, RN, MPH

JOSEPH NEDLINHARVEY NEWMAN

JESUS RANGELELI SEIFMAN, PhDJOSEPH SEMIDEI

ANTONIO SIRVENTMINTO L. SOARES

MIGUEL A. FUENTES, JR., PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

SALUTES COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE On its 23rd Anniversary &

CONGRATULATES Its 2009 Gala Honorees

IPR/HE Celebrating 30 years of Dedicated Service

INSTITUTE FOR PUERTO RICAN/HISPANIC ELDERLY

HOSTOS CENTER FOR THE ARTS & CULTURE&

COMITÉ NOVIEMBREMes de la herencia puertorriqueña

are thrilled to present for the first time in New York

Jesus Omar Rivera, El BoricuazoHistorian & Author

Puertorriqueñidad…defendiendo nuestra imagen

Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 7:30PM

Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture Theatre450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street

Bronx, NY 10451

For ticket information call 718.518.4455

Space is limitedPerformance will be done in Spanish

Experience a “Boricuazo” moment that you will remember for the rest of your life!

Growing up in Puerto Rico all he heard was that Puerto Rico was a tiny island that produced noth-ing. So, he became determined to prove this statement wrong and armed himself with knowledge and information. The more he researched the more he realized the significant impact this tiny island and

Puerto Ricans have had on the world.

His enthusiasm, energy and love for all things Puerto Rican is contagious.He will leave you dizzy with the “tidbits” he expounds, some funny, trivial and others extremely

profound, but most of all he will leave you with a renewed sense of self, pride, determination and a challenge to go forth and teach others.

Documents

2009 Calendar Journal _sm