East Village Arts

Written by Erica R., Program Assistant at FABnyc

Live performance has been a part of my life for a long time. It has presented itself in several forms, from dance to theater, spoken word to the ever-elusive genre of performance art.

As my relationship with the performing arts has grown – from baby ballet, to high school productions, to revolutionary theories in college, to real world applications here in the real world – I have witnessed an intellectual revolution take place in myself. It has been fascinating, and the self-reflection has been half the fun of exploring the New York art scene.

Being a part of FABnyc has been one of my luckiest scores in the city. At once I was submerged in a sea of “downtown theater” where high-flying morals and recycled storylines are mostly avoided, and the human experience – the experience of having an experience – is what’s valued.

Which brings me to some bittersweet news. The theater that played a vital role in starting this movement, birthed here in New York, will be leaving Clinton Street at the end of this month. The Living Theatre, leader of the “Beautiful, Non-Violent, Anarchist Revolution,” (and FAB’s Member of the Month) is presenting its last production, Here We Are, before their LES doors shut. As a recent New York Times article appropriately explained, “[a] mandatory activity is attending a production of participatory, experimental theater — especially at the primogenitor of it all, the Living Theatre.”

The Living Theatre’s historical significance is not what should be celebrated here, but their commitment to their mission – constantly pushing the boundaries of an artist’s purpose, the theater’s purpose and the audience’s purpose. “Part examination of historical anarchist movements, part indictment of the current sociopolitical order and part team-building love-in,” Here We Are is a beautiful example of how The Living Theatre (and Founder/Artistic Director/Playwright Judith Malina) has reflected upon itself, helping the ideology of living theater survive beyond the confines of a theater house.

Here We Are will be running until next Saturday, February 23rd. You can see the schedule and buy tickets HERE.

Curious about the history of East 4th St.? Now not only can you learn about its unique architecture, you can discover a history of its public pools, gourmet culture, and musical significance! Take a tour of our beloved block at Place Matters.

The Place Matters mission is to foster the conservation of New York City’s historically and culturally significant places. These are places that hold memories and anchor traditions for individuals and communities, and that help tell the history of the city as a whole. We are convinced that such places promote the well being of New York’s many communities in ways that too often go unrecognized.

Place Matters is a joint project of City Lore and the Municipal Art Society that encourages education and conservation of culturally significant areas of New York City. Members of the public are encouraged to nominate areas of NYC that they believe should be added to the Census of Places that Matter. Nominate your favorite NYC spot and help New Yorkers learn more about our city’s vibrant past and present!

The Laundromat Project

The Laundromat Project is a community-based non-profit arts organization that works to bring art and creativity to NYC communities who do not have access to mainstream arts and cultural facilities. If you are an artist who is interested in learning about how to develop socially relevant and socially engaged art, the Laundromat Project is now accepting online applications for a six-month, bi-weekly Professional Development Fellowship program. 

To learn more about the fellowship, applicants can attend in-person info sessions:

• Wednesday, February 20, 5:30-6:30 PM: Studio Museum in Harlem, 144 West 125th St, Harlem

For info sessions RSVP to info@laundromatproject.org 

Last Thursday evening, FABnyc staff headed over to Whole Foods Market Bowery for Lower East Side Eats: Culture Nosh, a decadent chef demonstration and tasting to benefit our work in the neighborhood.

If you’ve never taken a glimpse into Whole Foods Markets’ Bowery Culinary Center, you’d be surprised by their elaborate set-up. It looks like the set for a cooking show – certainly fit for last Thursday’s show of talent! A big thanks to instructors Tony of Kimcheelicious and Thomas of Mexicue for your generosity and participation. And a BIG thanks to Min and the Culinary Center for the support as well.

We’re still in a food coma of the best sort from this perfect pairing of cuisines. If you missed Culture Nosh this time around, Tamara was on site snapping foodie photos that will make you’re mouth water. Check out Tony’s recap of the event on Kimcheelicious if you’re hungry for more.

Kimcheelicious setting up

Miss Wit at Culture Nosh

Food is coming at Culture Nosh - Korean fried chicken with kimchi

Mexicue makes green chili Mac & Cheese

And the results!

Lots near the levees in the lower 9th ward in New Orleans

Last month, The Network of Ensemble Theatre raised several questions to engage with presenters, participants, and writers at MicroFest USA: New Orleans as a way to create important discussions about race and gentrification in art and theater:

• What does the work look like?
• What makes the work work?
• How does place impart art?
• How does art impact place?

New Orleans native and researcher Catherine Michna shares her own responses to these questions in a thought provoking post entitled “How NOT to be a gentrifier with your theater: a starter list,” giving us a list of suggestions about “how white artists might use their work to push against, rather than roll with and increase, structures of racism and gentrification in the city.” Though her thoughts are specific to New Orleans, we highly recommend checking out this post.

Michna mentions The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond as a valuable resource, and, coincidentally, FABnyc staff recently attended one of their Understanding & Undoing Racism/Community Organizing workshops. We can’t stress enough the importance of tapping into and understanding these discussions to our own East Village/Lower East Side arts community. MicroFest, Michna, and The People Institute The People’s Institute are great places to start!

See a bit of our Executive Director, Tamara Greenfield’s, own experience at MicroFest USA: New Orleans here!

- Written by Erica Cheung & Edited by Hannah Krafcik

MicroFest USA: Revitalize, Reconnect, Renew is a look at America and the role that art and artists play in creating healthy, vibrant communities.

Part festival, part think-tank, the MicroFests are galvanizing local and national artists/activists/thinkers around placemaking efforts, while creating opportunities for learning exchange and inspiring new models across the United States.

Since Hurricane Katrina, much has happened in New Orleans in terms of redevelopment, city hall, the education system—and the arts. Last month, Tamara Greenfield, FABnyc’s Executive Director, ventured south to New Orleans to present on Art and Community Development with NOCD-NY, sharing stories about the power of neighborhood-based arts and culture as an integral part of equitable development and democratic community change.

Though we don’t have a recording of the presentation to share with you, Tamara did manage to snap plenty of pictures of the happenings during MicroFest USA: New Orleans. Get a glimpse of the action below!

Community sing for MLK Jr. Day at Ashe Center

Lots near the levees in the lower 9th ward

Theater performance at the levees

Golden feathers for Mardi GRAS

Hand beaded suit takes 360 days to create for one day of use!

Parade!

Toy Box, Tool Box @ 70 E. 4th Street Scaffolding Bridge

“Toy Box, Tool Box” by Melanie Paterson

Opening Exhibition and Reception
2/1 from 6-8PM @ 75 East 4th Street
Presented by FABnyc & Curated by Keith Schweitzer

Join us for light refreshments and a pop-up exhibition of select works by Melanie Patterson at the opening of her playful, new ArtUp Scaffolding Bridge exhibition.

Toy Box, Tool Box celebrates creation, which occurs all around us constantly. Through a progression of interactions between children’s toys and real world industrial objects, Paterson draws into question the difference between work and play, suggesting that this difference is simply defined by the attitude of those participating. In all her art, Paterson maintains that images can be messages from a source deep within ourselves, however playful they may be.

FABnyc’s newest member, The Hemispheric Institute of Performance and Politics, ventured from their home in the East Village this past week to hold their 8th Encuentro (January 12-19), in São Paulo, Brazil.

The Hemispheric Institute, along with the SESC Vila Mariana, Universidade de São Paulo and the SP Escola de Teatro brought together artists, performers, scholars and activists to present performances, music, videos, installations, exhibits, activist projects, and more at this week-long event, which examined the intersections between urban space, performance and political/artistic action in the Americas.

Among those participating in the Encuentro was Zena Bibler of the The Movement Party, who happens to be one of our long time Dance Block participants! Thanks to her, we have snapshots of the Encuentro from an insider’s perspective. If these pics peak your interest, check out Hemi’s website for video updates from the Encuentro. Enjoy!

Urban Interventions performance series in the Praça Roosevelt

"Requiem for a Lost Land" by Violeta Luna at SESC Vila Mariana

Viewers interact with Nicolas Dumit Estevez during his endurance performance installation "The More I Dance..." at the Trasnocheo (after-hours performance space)

Samba lessons with Brazilian Encuentro Volunteers

Performance by Oi Nois Aqui Traveiz at SESC Vila Mariana

Desvio Colectivo performs "Cegos" at SESC Vila Mariana during Encuentro registration

The Movement Party and guest performer dance the B Sides at SESC Vila Mariana

Dancemakers, do you need…

Accountability?

Support?

Resources?

Commiseration?

Guidance?

Downtown Dance Learning Circles are facilitated peer-to-peer resource sharing groups that meet regularly. Within the circles, dancemakers present their challenges to each other and brainstorm solutions together.

Each Learning Circle is made up of eight dancemakers at similar career stages, providing an opportunity to solve problems, share resources, build relationships, and move your work forward.

Interested in becoming part of a Learning Circle? Apply to participate through Connect the Blocks!

Application deadline is February 15th.