Venezuela's World-Renowned "El Sistema" and Simón Bolívar Big-Band Jazz in the Bronx

Community calendar Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education welcomes Venezuela's world-renowned "El Sistema" Simón Bolívar Big-Band Jazz (SBBBJ) to their performance space on Thursday, November 3, 2011, as part of a concert series. The November 3rd event will be presented by Afro Latin Jazz Alliance at Casita Maria Center for the Arts & Education, hosted by Arturo O'Farrill. Led by Venezuelan percussionist, Andrés Briceño, the Simón Bolívar Big-Band Jazz will perform new and traditional big band repertoire during their historic, inaugural visit to the United States. This significant trip is a good-will tour by the SBBBJ-Venezuelan musicians, all of them products of the internationally-recognized "El Sistema", to share their model and introduce their premier 40-piece jazz orchestra. Serving as the official New York City host is musician Arturo O'Farrill, Founder and Artistic Director of the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance. This series will be a rare chance to experience an international movement that promotes the "El Sistema" method of social organization and community development, which has transformed hundreds of thousands of children's lives globally. "El Sistema" is a government-funded organization, founded by maestro Jose Antonio Abreu, aimed at systematizing youth music education and promoting the collective practice of music through symphony orchestras and chorus. In the spirit of "El Sistema" and in order to engage communities throughout New York, the November 3rd evening performance is free and open to the public. To reserve tickets, please RSVP to info@casita.us

or call 718-589-2230, ext. 6055.

Free workshop for seniors on Medicare and Medicaid with Maria Antonieta Collins

Community calendar Award-winning journalist, TV personality and author of nine books, María Antonieta Collins, will talk to seniors and caregivers to help explain Medicare. The event is free. Attendees can watch segments from “Medicare Explicado,” a new Spanish-language DVD. Narrated by Collins, the DVD provides Medicare beneficiaries as well as their families and caregivers with important information about Medicare in a clear, simple manner. It delves into issues ranging from what Medicare covers to when people can sign up, and to the advantages and disadvantages of the multiple benefits available. Navigating Medicare and Medicaid can be even more of a challenge for people who do not speak English or who speak English as a second language. About 17 percent of dual eligibles, or 1.5 million individuals, are Hispanic. To help Hispanic Medicare beneficiaries understand their health care options, UnitedHealthcare is releasing “Medicare Explicado,” an educational DVD that explains the components of both Medicare and Medicaid in an easy-to-understand and engaging format. WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 19; 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. WHERE: Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture 450 Grand Concourse

AT&T invests in Bronx network

Technology AT&T upgrades its wireless voice and data network across the Bronx and beyond AT&T* has announced it has added or upgraded cell sites in the Bronx. These include sites in City Island, and earlier this year around Yankee Stadium and in the South Bronx as part of its 2011 initiative to deliver the nation’s most-advanced mobile broadband experience. AT&T has spent $200 million improving its wireline and wireless networks in New York State during the first half of this year alone. The Bronx network enhancements are part of AT&T’s plan to invest in the $20-billion range in its national wireless and wireline networks in 2011. AT&T operates the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network with nearly 27,000 hotspots in the U.S. and provides access to nearly 190,000 hotspots globally through roaming agreements. Most AT&T smartphone customers get access to entire national Wi-Fi network at no additional cost, and Wi-Fi usage doesn’t count against customers’ monthly wireless data plans. AT&T’s mobile broadband network is based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) family of technologies that includes GSM and UMTS, the most widely used wireless network platforms in the world. AT&T has the broadest international coverage of any U.S. wireless provider, providing access to voice service in more than 220 countries and data service in more than 200 countries. For more information about AT&T’s coverage in the New York or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit the AT&T Coverage Viewer. source: press release

¡Azúcar! Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Musical Icon Celia Cruz

Community calendar Friends of Woodlawn Presents ¡Azúcar! Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Musical Icon Celia Cruz Sunday, October 9, 2011 FREE Hispanic Heritage Month Concert, Panel Discussion and Tour Featuring Award-Winning Artist Bobby Sanabria and The Celia Cruz High School of Music As always, Hispanic Heritage Month has special significance at The Woodlawn Cemetery, as we once again celebrate one of the brightest stars to find her final resting place in the Bronx. Friends of Woodlawn is proud to present ¡Azucar! Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Celia Cruz with The Bronx Music Heritage Center, Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education, and City Lore. Please join us Sunday, October 9, at 1:00 p.m., for a FREE event honoring the legacy of The Queen of Salsa, whose timeless work continues to have a major impact on jazz, pop culture and Latin music worldwide. Program includes: • Panel discussion on the life and influence of Ms. Cruz organized by preeminent City Lore folklorist Elena Martinez and moderated by Grammy-nominated musician Bobby Sanabria • Selection of Ms. Cruz’s music performed by students from The Celia Cruz High School of Music • Guided visit to the Cruz mausoleum, La Guarachera de Cuba’s final resting place.

My Lens: Occupy Wall Street

Labor unions and community organizations participate in march in support of Occupy Wall Street on Oct. 5th.



To view more photos, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/clarisel/sets/72157627835604248/.

Mano a Mano's dia de los muertos celebration

Community calendar

Mano a Mano's dia de los muertos in Manhattan is more than one day. Here's the press release: Hands-On Experience of Traditional Mexican Culture Día de los muertos/ Day of the Dead Manhattan Oct. 29—30 and Nov 1—2, 2011 New York, NY, October 5, 2011.—Mano a Mano: Mexican Culture Without Borders announces its ninth annual Day of the Dead (Día de los muertos). A variety of events and workshops will be offered in the churchyard of St. Mark’s in-the-Bowery (10th Street and Second Avenue in Manhattan) from Saturday, October 29th to Wednesday November 2nd. All events are free and open to the public. Day of the Dead has been one of Mexico’s most important festivals since pre-Hispanic times. It is a time for families to gather and welcome the souls of the dead on their annual visit home. Cempasúchil (marigold) flowers, burning copal incense, fresh pan de muertos bread, candles, sugar skulls, photographs and mementos of the departed adorn special altars. The series of events will include altar building, workshops, dance, poetry and music. This year, we will be remembering the Women of Juárez, Victims of Drug Trafficking, and Children Who Have Died. We will also be remembering beloved Mexican comedian Gaspar Henaine, best known as Capulina, who died Friday September 30th. A weekend Mexican Market will provide visitors with a chance to buy authentic products for their altars. Mano a Mano invites all New Yorkers to come and remember their own departed loved-ones and bring photographs, candles, and marigold flowers to adorn the Altar throughout the four-day celebration. Program Highlights include: A procession through the Village streets and blessing of the altar by the prehispanic dance group Atl Tlachinolli, October 29th at 3 pm starting at Union Square Park Visitors of all ages can attend workshops where they will learn traditional Mexican paper crafts, bread making and poetry writing on Saturday, October 29th and Sunday, October 30st As well as a presentation/documentary film about human traffic victims by CauseVision on Sunday, October 30th The celebration concludes Wednesday, November 2nd with a stunning performance by Mariachi Tapatio de Alvaro Paulino. After the presentation, the public is invited to share the bread and flowers and join in the clearing away of the altar. All events are free and open to the public. Mexican food will be available for purchase throughout the event, including: Hot drinks: Atole (Hot gruel flavored with cinnamon), Chocolate caliente (Hot chocolate) Traditional dishes: Chicken with mole sauce (chilies and chocolate) Tamales and sopes (Corn based dumplings with different toppings and fillings) Accessibility: This event is wheelchair accessible. For information: www.manoamano.us, 212-587-3070 or info@manoamano.us. This program is supported, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts, a State agency; public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and St, Mark’s Church in the Bowery. ###

'Paving the way'

Community calendar Dominican American National Roundtable (DANR)Annual National Leadership Summit Our Advancement in Education, Economic Development & Community Empowerment: PAVING THE WAY October 7-9, 2011 Lehman College of The City University of New York 250 Bedford Park Blvd West Bronx, NY 10468 To register, visit www.danr.org

Stand Up, Rise Up! March To Wall Street Oct. 5

Stand Up, Rise Up! March To Wall Street Oct. 5