P R E S S R E L E A S E
Contact persons: Dr. Manuel A. Morán: mmoran@teatrosea.org | Libertad Guerra: lguerra@theclementecenter.org
VIRTUAL VERSION OF A LATINX CULTURAL FESTIVAL BET ON CULTURE AS A CURE
This year’s edition of the Arte pa’ mi gente festival will be celebrated virtually. All the events will take place from Saturday, August 22nd to Saturday, August 29th, free of charge. Under the theme “Cultura que cura/Culture that cures” composed of various artistic mediums and workshops, the festival highlights Puerto Rican and Latin American culture and identity. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizers, Teatro SEA and The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center have decided to broadcast a virtual version of the festival, filled with ambitious family oriented programming that goes from 11AM to 8PM every day. All events will be broadcasted through the facebook live via Teatro SEA, The Clemente and Teatro La Tea https://www.facebook.com/teatroseanyc, https://www.facebook.com/theclementecenter, https://www.facebook.com/teatro.latea
The director/founder of the festival and of Teatro SEA, Dr. Manuel Morán, stresses how important events such as the Arte pa’ mi gente Festival are: “We are experiencing very difficult times. Arts and culture, once again, have proven to be essential because they have the power to improve the quality of life of people and communities. During this quarantine they have contributed to maintaining an emotional balance and connecting with others. It is crucial that, following all the recommendations of the health department and of physical distancing, we can make the APMG Festival, as much as possible, in person and virtual, understanding arts and culture are our rights and will help us to heal.”
From puppet making workshops, to capoeira, bomba and plena classes, to concerts, panels, puppets shows and meditation breaks, the festival will showcase talents from different cultural groups from The Clemente, including Teatro LATEA, and independent artists from Puerto Rico such as Lío Villahermosa and Tito Matos. This edition of the APMG Festival will include some outdoor activities that will also be broadcasted live, on Saturday 22nd and Saturday 29th at the Plaza of The Clemente 114 Norfolk St. in New York. In order to make it safe for everyone, and follow the CDC and WHO recommendations, we will limit the capacity of participants for those days’ events. Interested participants should register here and spaces will be guaranteed on a first come, first serve basis.
Libertad Guerra, director of The Clemente, comments on the event’s purpose: “The Clemente Soto Velez Cultural and Education Center is proud to provide a platform for resident artists to serve our community during a trying period for the nation. We recognize that human connection to cultural and artistic expression is essential to our wellbeing as a community, which is why this year’s Arte Pa Mi Gente will underscore the theme: Cultura que Cura, or Culture that Cures. We also recognize that our cultural spheres will become hyper-local during the pandemic, and we are committed to safe options for family engagement and light hearted espaces within walking distance to refuel, recharge our spirits, and stay connected during times of physical isolation.”
Arte Pa’ Mi Gente / Arts for All Festival is sponsored by: The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson, Council Member Margaret S. Chin, District 1, Council Member Carlina Rivera, District 2, and Teatro LA TEA. For more information and updated schedule of events, please visit www.teatrosea.org, www.theclementecenter.org or www.teatrolatea.org
About us:
The Clemente:
The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center Inc. (The Clemente) is a Puerto Rican/Latino cultural institution that has demonstrated a broad-minded cultural vision and a collaborative philosophy. While The Clemente’s mission is focused on the cultivation, presentation, and preservation of Puerto Rican and Latino culture, it is equally determined to operate in a multicultural and inclusive manner, housing and promoting artists and performance events that fully reflect the cultural diversity of the Lower East Side and the city as a whole.
Teatro SEA:
Since its inception in 1985, The Society of the Educational Arts, Inc./Sociedad Educativa de las Artes, Inc. (SEA) has served as a pioneer in the field of educational theater. Dedicated to the empowerment and educational advancement of children and young adults through an array of effective, comprehensive, and highly powerful Arts-in-Education programs, SEA provides opportunities for children and young adults to examine, challenge and create possible solutions for current educational, social and community issues while fostering their talents, potential, and self-esteem.
Teatro LA TEA:
A performing arts theater company that has been a Latino cultural staple for over 30 years. Through multicultural and multidisciplinary initiatives at The Clemente, which it helped establish, LATEA assiduously promotes Latino performing arts to Latinos and multicultural audiences and presents multicultural work to Latinos.At our theater, New York based Latino / Latin American artists can create multidisciplinary work through co-productions in a collaborative environment.