By José Francisco Ávila
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As our society becomes more culturally diverse, organizations are understanding the need to work with other organizations in order to “turn up the sound,” so their voices are heard and their issues will be addressed. This means that individuals and institutions can no longer deny the sometimes-uncomfortable realities of cultural diversity. Organizers and activists are realizing that they have to develop new strategies and tactics to attract multicultural interest in their collaborative initiatives.
As part of the celebration of Garifuna Arts & Culture Appreciation Month in New York City, I’d like to thank The Bronx Music Heritage Center and WHEDCO for partnering with the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. in its commitment to promoting Garifuna Music and cultural Traditions in New York City and serving as role models in the development of new strategies and tactics to attract multicultural interest in collaborative initiatives. Furthermore, I’d like to highlight the importance of networking and nurturing relationships to link up with like-minded professionals.
In 2011, I completed the CORO New York Leadership Center’s Immigrant Civic Leadership Program; the program builds the capacity of those leading change in immigrant communities across the five boroughs. In May 2012, I read an article on Crain’s New York Business and posted it on the CORO alumni mailing list, “A great article about CORO alumni Kerry McLean, director of community development for the nonprofit Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corp. ” Soon after, I received a message from CORO’s Director of Community Development” Jose-thank you so much for sharing, Kerry is part of your Coro alumni community and a member of last year’s inaugural Neighborhood Leadership program. You both are doing tremendous work in the Bronx and I think there is synergy there. Hope you both connect! ”
That led to a series of email exchanges between Kerry and I that culminated with a meeting on Monday, February 4, 2013. After the meeting, I received an email from Kerry stating, It was good to meet with you today, hear about your wonderful work, and discuss the ways our organizations can collaborate. Among other things, you mentioned an interest in the Bronx Music Heritage Center (BMHC) for film screenings, to refer musicians/artists, and hopefully, to connect audiences too.
I think you may already know each other, but I’m introducing you here to Elena Martinez and Bobby Sanabria, Bronx Music Heritage Center (BMHC) Advisory Board members and also co-curators of BMHC programming, including Bronx Rising!, the now monthly performance series featuring music/film/palabras of the borough. Elena is Staff Folklorist at City Lore and for BMHC, and Bobby, among other things, is a multi-Grammy nominated Latin Jazz artist and educator.
The Bronx Music Heritage Center (BMHC) is a performing arts and community center for incubating new work, cultivating a community of artists, and bringing together audiences to celebrate Bronx music. It also produces various programs in partnership with many Bronx and citywide organizations, including The Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc.
Founded by the Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco), the Bronx Music Heritage Center is committed to preserving and promoting Bronx music, cultivating Bronx artists, spurring neighborhood revival, and providing free cultural programs for the community. It celebrates the rich history and creative spirit that defines Bronx music, from jazz, salsa, R&B and hip-hop to new sounds coming to life across the borough. The Bronx Rising! series is curated by City Lore award-winning folklorist Elena Martínez and Grammy-nominated Bronx musician Bobby Sanabria. Bronx Rising! programming includes Latin music & jazz, comedy, poetry and book readings, and film screenings with Q&As.
Next I received a message from Elena Martinez, Kerry McLean put us in contact because the musician Bobby Sanabria and I are curating the Bronx Rising! Series at the Bronx Music Heritage Center. As she probably explained we are presenting Music on Thursdays, Documentary Films on Fridays, and Palabras on Saturday–poetry readings, book readings, etc. Starting in March we’ll be doing this on the third week of each month. Since March/April is Garifuna-American Heritage Month I’m interested in presenting something related to Garifuna culture in March. I was wondering if we could do something for the Palabras event–is there anyone who could do a reading from the Drama of King Shotaway?
On Saturday, May 18, 2013 Bronx Rising! Palabras/Spoken Word: The Life and Times of Chotoyer AKA “Drama of King Shotaway” by Sidney Mejia was presented at the Bronx Music Heritage Center and began a collaboration to promote Garifuna Music and cultural Traditions in New York City. Evoking the Puerto Rican tradition of “Parrandas” Christmas Caroling processions and the “Paranda” Garifuna Music Genre, led Folklorist Elena Martinez and Bobby Sanabria, Artistic Directors at The Bronx Music Heritage Center to partner with the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. to bring the two communities together based on their cultural similarities, and their common home in the Bronx. The result was the annual Bronx Rising! Parranda con Paranda A Puerto Rican and Garifuna Holiday Celebration on December 19, 2013. According to Bobby Sanabria, “Listening closely to the drums both groups use, you can hear echoes of familiar rhythm that call to both. The groups are also connected by a shared home in the Bronx, which is the largest Puerto Rican City after San Juan and the Bronx is the home of the largest Community of Garifuna outside of Central America.
According to The Center for an Urban Future’s report 2015 Creative New York, “Many immigrant artists sustain and promote unique and deeply rooted cultural traditions. Leading practitioners of Garifuna music and dance reside in the Bronx.” We are proud of this mention because it is the result of our efforts to serve as the focal point of Garifuna culture center in New York City. By actively sponsoring music, dance and other arts and cultural events, promoting social activities and participating in community coalitions, has helped ensure that the Garifuna’s proud and unique heritage is alive and well!
The permanent Bronx Music Heritage Center space is being built as part of Bronx Commons in the Melrose Commons neighborhood of the Bronx. WHEDco’s Bronx Commons is an arts-based mixed-use development that will include nearly 300 affordable apartments with a set-aside of live/work space for elder musicians, a grades 6-12 Charter school in partnership with Bard College, a hydroponic rooftop garden, and a public park. The BMHC will include recording studios, a community performance venue, and a gallery space. The BMHC will be home to an inter-generational oral history project and hold community archives, allowing Bronx residents to share and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of their borough. The new Bronx Music Hall will showcase the forgotten music history of the borough, while catalyzing economic development in the surrounding area.
Partnering with the BMHC has been a great learning experience, I was interviewed by the architect and Business plan designer for the new Bronx Music Hall, and participated in the Community stakeholders meeting. Earlier this year, I was invited to join the Advisory Board of the Bronx Music Heritage Center, which guides the BMHC and includes Grammy winners, music historians, artists and community members.
As we celebrate Garifuna Arts & Culture Appreciation Month in New York City, Seremei (Thank you) The Bronx Music Heritage Center and WHEDCO for partnering with the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. in its commitment to promoting Garifuna Music and cultural Traditions in New York City and serving as role models in the development of new strategies and tactics to attract multicultural interest in collaborative initiatives.
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