A community party with music, art, food and Puerto Rican culture in the heart of the Lower East Side
Next Sunday, May 25, the expected Annual Loisaida festival returns, a vibrant celebration of the Latin community, culture and inheritance that will take place from 12 pm to 5 pm, rains or thunder, along Avenida C, between E. 5 and E. 12 streets.
Organized by Loisaida Inc., a community and artistic center founded by Puerto Ricans and based in E. 9 street, the festival attracts thousands of people every year who meet to enjoy live music, art, gastronomy, activities for the whole family and more than twenty local artisans. Among children’s activities are the Biobus mobile scientific laboratory, storyteller in community gardens, screen printing workshops and free recreational games.
This year, the festival is dedicated to the memory of Marlis Momber, a German photographer and filmmaker based in New York, whose documentary “Viva Loisaida” (1978) became an iconic work on the life of the neighborhood. In his honor, the Loisaida Viva Awards will be awarded, which recognize the leadership and cultural contributions of community figures such as Ramon Rodríguez, the dynamics and David “Daso” Soto, among others.
The day will begin at 11 am with a parade headed by the Women’s Batucada Batalá NY group, followed by comparsas of cultural groups such as Loisaida Cabezudos, La Mama, street pleneros and the Circus artisphere.
The main scenario will have the driving of Giraldo Luis Alvaré, presenter of the podcasts “Always pa’lante!” and “Live culture!” Among the guest artists are Joe Bataan, Anissa Gathers, Ana Macho, Alma Moyo, Costeño Sound, Legacy Women and a special presentation of the work “Loisaida, My Love”, composed of the winner of Grammy Jessie Montgomery and played by a classic chelist and an opera singer.
In addition, you can enjoy theaterlab in the Cultural Plaza of Armando Pérez, typical music concerts in the Francisco “Pancho” Ramos community garden, poetry with the Nuyorican Poets Café, and scientific workshops with Biobus.
The event is possible thanks to the collaboration with Acacia Network, the Latin non -profit non -profit organization in the state of New York. “We are proud to offer a safe and cozy space for our neighbors, and to continue preserving culture in difficult times,” said Alejandro Epifanio Torres, executive and artistic director of the Loisaida Center.
Lymaris Albors, CEO of Acacia Network, added: “This festival is my favorite day of the year. Accompany us to dance, eat rich and celebrate in community!”
For more information, visit Loisaidafest.NyC.
