Don Hogan Charles, 79

Don Hogan Charles, Lauded Photographer of Civil Rights Era, Dies at 79
by Niraj Chokshi, The New York Times, December 25, 2017

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Upper Manhattan's dance advocates speak out

Look who's speaking out for dance!
Above: Nia Love
Below: Charmaine Warren

47 notable leaders and local residents of Upper Manhattan--including choreographer Nia Love, Yuien Chin of Harlem One Stop, Mikki Shephard of the Apollo Theater, Darren Walker of the Ford Foundation--tell what they value about the art of dance in Dance/NYC’s NEW YORKERS FOR DANCE video campaign.

Here are a few samples from the series: 

Nia Love

Charmaine Warren

Mikki Shepard

All videos are now live on DanceNYC.org website and YouTube channel.

Gotham Chamber Opera's "El gato con botas (Puss in Boots)"

Now here's a poor cat in a whole lotta trouble--and sans boots. But just you wait!
(photo: Richard Termine)

Are you tired of Nutcrackers? Want something a little different this season?

Then head to El Museo del Barrio where Gotham Chamber Opera and Tectonic Theater Project bring the fun with their opera/puppet show production of composer Xavier Montsalvatge's El gato con botas (Puss in Boots), directed by Moisés Kaufman and conducted by Neal Goren.

Yes, fairy tale fun for all ages. I'm sure the adults among you will have more nightmares from staring at the looming, lurching Ogre (the excellent bass Kevin Burdette) than will the little kiddies.

The Ogre in his dark castle
(photo: Richard Termine)

What you'll have to watch for with the kids is that they, like you, will fall in love with the desperate, wily Cat and take away the lesson that lying is an acceptable practice. Oh, wait. They've already learned that from the news.

Hmmm. The wiliness of this cat might be no match for the survival instincts of these rabbits.
(photo: Richard Termine)

A poor miller (baritone Craig Verm) receives an inheritance. Hooray? Not quite.

It's not riches. It's a big-eyed orange tabby (voiced last night by the supple mezzo-soprano Karin Mushegain), scrawny, trembling, weeping at the man's swift rejection. But this is one determined cat. Facing sure death, kitty brainstorms an elaborate plan to bring good fortune--and the love of a good woman--into the life of this simple (and clearly not PETA-friendly) fellow.

The cat knows a thing or two about gullibility and works it, and the forces of nature, to amazing effect. Along the way, we get to enjoy some deliriously amusing Bunraku puppetry by London's Blind Summit Theatre and choreography by Seán Curran.

As it turns out, so many lives are saved--and changed--by the actions of one feline who would not take no for an answer. Sure, take your kids. That's a damn good lesson.

El gato con botas continues through this weekend on the following schedule:

Thursday, December 11, 7pm
Friday, December 12, 7pm
Saturday, December 13, 2pm
Saturday, December 13, 7pm
Sunday, December 14, 2pm

For more information and tickets, click here.

El Museo del Barrio
1230 Fifth Avenue (between 104th and 105th Streets), Manhattan
(map/directions)

Marta Moreno Vega and the culture of East Harlem

From Expanded Home, Celebrating the Cultures of the African Diaspora
by Kia Gregory, The New York Times, September 24, 2014

With new leadership, El Museo del Barrio moves forward

At Museum Born of Politics, New Chief Faces Economics
El Museo del Barrio, Stabilized, Expands Its Mission
by Holland Cotter, The New York Times, June 5, 2014

Jack Agüeros, 76

Jack Agüeros, 79, a Champion of El Barrio, Dies
by David Gonzalez, The New York Times, May 6, 2014

In celebration of Celia Cruz

Celia Cruz

Celia the Queen

film screening and discussion

El Museo del Barrio

Wednesday, February 5, 7pm

Free admission

Celia the Queen, a film produced by Joe Cardona, is a loving look at the amazing life and legacy of a woman whose voice symbolized the soul of a nation and captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Erupting onto the Cuban music scene as the lead singer for La Sonora Matancera, Celia Cruz broke down barriers of racism and sexism.

With the powerful weapon of her voice and the warm tolerance of her heart, Celia soon became all things to all people.

The film shows the diversity of the people whose lives she touched, from stars like Quincy Jones, Andy Garcia and Wyclef Jean, to ordinary people all over the world who loved not only her music but her incredible spirit.

El Museo del Barrio
1230 5th Avenue (between 104th and 105th Streets), Manhattan
(map/directions)

A Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute presentation in collaboration with El Museo del Barrio, the Apollo Theater and the National Black Programming Consortium

El Museo del Barrio names new Executive Director

Jorge Daniel Veneciano to Lead El Museo del Barrio

The New York Times, December 13, 2013

Tato Laviera, 63

Tato Laviera, Nuyorican Poet, Dies at 63

by David Gonzalez, The New York Times, November 5, 2013

Director Margarita Aguilar resigns from El Museo del Barrio

Amid Turmoil at Museo del Barrio, Its Director Steps Down
by Felicia R. Lee, The New York Times, February 15, 2013

Tough times for Nuyorican poetry pioneer

Poet and Prophet of El Barrio May Soon Be a Pauper
by David Gonzalez, The New York Times, February 8, 2013

Arts center/housing planned for East Harlem

Artists’ Development in Harlem Gets Final Financing
By Robin Pogrebin, The New York Times, January 30, 2012

El Museo del Barrio layoffs

Layoffs at El Museo del Barrio
by Kate Taylor, The New York Times, June 22, 2011