MUSIC FROM ZON DEL BARRIO & SAMMY AYALA
DANCE PERFORMANCE BY DANZA FIESTA
FEATURED AT UNION SETTLEMENT ASSOCIATION'S
SEVENTH ANNUAL SOUNDS OF EAST HARLEM BENEFIT
New Yorkers Invited to Celebrate the Energy, Diversity and Spirit of East Harlem
New York City - March 17, 2008 - Music and dance representative of the diversity of the East Harlem community will ring in Union Settlement Association's seventh annual Sounds of East Harlem Benefit on Tuesday, April 8th, 2008, at The Hudson Theatre. Union Settlement, one of the largest human service agencies in East Harlem, invites New Yorkers to celebrate the vibrant and diverse cultures of "El Barrio," and to help support the neighborhood where Union Settlement has operated for 113 years.
The highly acclaimed Latin music phenomenon Zon del Barrio will perform funk-based classic salsa, plena, meringue, bomba and boogalu, blending today's urban, bilingual and bicultural lifestyle with rich musical traditions. Zon del Barrio will perform with special guest artist and living legend Sammy Ayala, an original member of Rafael Cortijo's Combo, a band that blazed new musical, racial and economic trails in Puerto Rico in the 1950's and 1960's. Danza Fiesta will also bring the cultural manifestation of Puerto Rico's folkloric music to life with traditional theatrical dance performances.
In addition to performances, the evening will also feature a silent auction which will include a museum-quality print of Bruce Davidson's photograph (left), "East 100th Street." Davidson generously donated the photograph, which depicts the tenement houses that lined East 100th Street in 1966. It is from a collection of images captured as the recipient of the first ever photography grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, after which he spent two years photographing one block of Spanish Harlem.
Drawing Inspiration from East Harlem's Vitality and Hope
For more than a century, Union Settlement has changed and grown with the needs of this immigrant neighborhood. Attendees and sponsors of this year's Sounds of East Harlem Benefit will join other caring New Yorkers in supporting the residents of this vibrant but struggling community. Proceeds from the celebration will go towards the broad spectrum of education programs and human services that Union Settlement provides to over 13,000 East Harlem residents year round. Union Settlement programs focus on creating opportunities for people of all ages.
"Change is the only constant in East Harlem, and today the greatest change facing the community is economic," said Ellen Simon, Union's Executive Director. "Despite the neighborhood's recent gentrification, the majority of East Harlem residents face more challenges than ever in a neighborhood with one of the highest concentrations of public housing in the city. Union Settlement has a critical role to play in ensuring lower- and middle-income residents are not left behind or forced out, but can reap some benefits from this evolution and continue to have a voice in their community."
A Legacy of Generous Support from New Yorkers
The evening's program will also honor Union Settlement board member Kate Townsend for 20 years of dedication and service, and financial services firm Morgan Stanley, whose partners and employees have supported Union Settlement financially and otherwise for more than 44 years.
"Kate has inspired us all by so generously giving of her time, caring, concern and commitment to improve our community,"said Simon. "We are equally proud to honor Morgan Stanley which, over the years, has given nearly $500,000 in support with a particular interest in our College Readiness Program, which as sent over 17,000 young people to college. Morgan Stanley's support of Union Settlement over the last 44 years has been critical to our success in serving East Harlem."
Thanks to Benefit co-sponsors Morgan Stanley and Universal Business Solutions, N.A., all donations and ticket sales will go towards running Union Settlement's programs. Abe Thomas and Philip John of UBSNA have additionally pledged a $50,000 matching grant, which means every dollar up to $50,000 donated at the Benefit becomes $2 for Union Settlement.
The Hudson Theatre was granted landmark status in 1987. In 2004 hotel developer Harry Macklowe launched a $1.2 million restoration and in a thrilling series of discoveries, long-forgotten Tiffany mosaics and panels were found under layers of old paint and plaster. Just over 100 years old, the Hudson Theatre - described as a "twentieth century time capsule" - now survives as one of the outstanding architectural and decorative spaces in New York City. Like Union Settlement, a thriving legacy of a great city.
For more information and/or to purchase tickets, please contact Dana Wolf, Union Settlement Director of Development at (212) 828.6024.
Union Settlement Association is one of the largest and oldest settlement houses in New York City. Since its inception in 1895, Union Settlement has provided resources to the community of East Harlem, while advocating for social and economic justice and fostering local leadership. Each year we serve more than 13,000 people of all ages with effective programs in education, childcare, senior services, the arts, recreation, counseling and community development.
Union Settlement Association is one of the largest and oldest settlement houses in New York City. Since its inception in 1895, we have worked with and for the community of East Harlem. Each year we serve more than 13,000 people of all ages with effective programs in education, childcare, senior services, youth development, recreation, nutrition, counseling and community development.
Dana Wolf
212.828.6024
dwolf@unionsett.org
