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| IMPACT Repertory Theater |
Young voices, telling stories of their heritage interspersed with the realities of today, filled NYAM’s Hosack Hall on April 7, 2013 as NYAM kicked off this year’s Culture, Humanities, and the Arts series in partnership with Voza Rivers/New Heritage Theatre Group. The event, titled “Speaking in Rhythms: An Afro/Latino Music Mosaic,” featured the IMPACT Repertory Theatre, Harlem's own 2008 Oscar and 2009 Grammy-nominated youth group featuring 40 young performers, along with the talents of Nicky LaBoy and his Latin ensemble, Con Licencia (With License), a well known and well established East Harlem-based group of talented percussionists, vocalists, and dancers sharing their Caribbean culture.
The ornate and stately hall came to life as a crowd of more than 300 attendees enjoyed performances by both groups. The event began with IMPACT, which used song and the spoken word to communicate the path of their ancestors, chained and bound into slavery yet still finding freedom in their songs, particularly in stirring renditions of “Amazing Grace” and “We Shall Overcome.”
Nialah Jackson, 14, who has been with IMPACT since 2009, said the performance had a feeling of a family being together to share expressions of their culture and arts.
“There’s a family vibe that goes on here,” Jackson said. “I grew up around music – to know I can share my thoughts and feelings with everyone here is very important to me. I can use music to teach history, (which) is also very important to me."
Con Licencia then took to the stage, using voice and percussion to perform traditional folk music from Latin America and the Caribbean. The musical selections also included dancing by the performers, bringing a true cross-section of historical and popular Hispanic music. For Nicky LaBoy, it was an opportunity to bring something exciting and different to NYAM through the cultural series.
“Sunday’s event embraced music and dance that NYAM has never had before, reaching people who didn’t really know about the culture and history of our music from the Caribbean,” Mr. LaBoy said. “We got the satisfaction of sharing our musical heritage and our love and passion for the traditional folkloric music of the islands.”
Mr. LaBoy said that as long as people accept and appreciate the music featured during the performance, it will never die.
“Our music and culture are in danger of becoming lost,” Mr. LaBoy continued. “The main point of the performance is to make sure our music lives on from generation to generation.”
Terri Watson, who lived in East Harlem as a very young child in the 1960s and ‘70s, said she’d heard about the event and wanted to bring her daughter, Tyler, 14, so that she too could experience much of what Watson loved about the music and culture of her childhood.
“I’ve never been far from the Latin culture. When I hear about events like this, I want to come and embrace the music with the community,” Watson said. “And I want my daughter to be exposed to this rich and wonderful cultural of music and dance.”
Simone-Marie Meeks, Director of Community and Legislative Outreach at NYAM, said the Culture, Humanities, and the Arts series is a wonderful opportunity for NYAM and Voza Rivers/New Heritage Theatre Group to connect with the East Harlem community through the unique combination of the arts and urban health.
“Most organizations and individuals desire cultural programming simply for its beauty and entertainment value, but at NYAM we see it as a bridge to the possibility of healthier lives for individuals, families, and communities,” said Ms. Meeks. “Our cultural programming provides the opportunity for those interested in entertainment, changing the world, and experiencing something new to intersect at NYAM. It is the place where research and policy will meet the practice of life, and maybe learn how we all have a part to play in altering our tomorrow.”
On May 19, 2013, the series will present Winterkill, a play written and performed by Denise Fleming that captures a psychological illness rarely discussed in communities of color. These events are free, but registration is required. Please visit www.nyam.org/events for more information.
Voza Rivers, NYAM Artist-in-Residence, welcomes crowd
More than 300 attendees enjoy the performance
NYAM Staffer and performer Jose LaBoy and his granddaughter Zoe
Member of the IMPACT Repertory Theatre performing
Members of Con Licencia
Nicky LaBoy of Con Licencia with his dad, Jose LaBoy
Posted on April 8, 2013
Contact:
Andrew J. Martin
Director of Communications
The New York Academy of Medicine
1216 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10029
212-822-7285
amartin@nyam.org
Reporters: to arrange interviews with NYAM medical and urban health experts, contact
Andrew J. Martin, Director of Communications
212-822-7285 / amartin@nyam.org
The 2012-2013 Duncan Clark Lecture - The Affordable Care Act: An Insider’s View
Featured Speaker: Sherry Glied, PhD, former Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
November 19, 2012 - The NYAM Section on Health Care Delivery welcomes Sherry Glied, PhD, former Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, who will deliver the 2012-2013 Duncan Clark Lecture on "The Affordable Care Act: An Insider's View."
Learn more »
The New York Academy of Medicine with support from the New York State Heath Foundation released a new report, Federal Health Care Reform in New York State: A Population Health Perspective.
This report identifies opportunities that build on both the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act (ACA) and New York’s ongoing efforts toward improving the health of its 19 million residents.
Read press release
Read report
