Category: Community Events

April is Arab American Heritage Month

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From actors like Rami Malek and Tony Shalhoub, musicians such as French Montana and Shakira, to politicians such as George Kaseem and James Abourezk, Arabic Americans have contributed to the fabric (1) of American history and culture. 

Arab America and the Arab America Foundation launched the National Arab American Heritage Month initiative in 2017, with just a handful (2) of states participating.

In 2022, Congress, the U.S. Department of State, and 45 state governors issued proclamations commemorating the initiative.

Check out the video below to learn more about Arab American Heritage Month, why it’s so important, and how we can all be better Americans by learning about each other’s heritage!

Phrases: 

1. The fabric of (something) –   the basic structure of (something)

2. Just a handful- only a small amount

References: National Arab American Heritage Month – Arab America Foundation %

List of Arab and Middle Eastern Americans in the United States Congress – Wikipedia

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St. Patrick’s Day!

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It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day in NYC!

Originally, St. Patrick’s Day began in Ireland as a Catholic holiday, but over the years it has grown into a festival of Irish culture. A week-long celebration of Irish music, theater, and visual arts takes place in many regions of Ireland. Family get-togethers are also important, as people sit down for a special meal. The feast of corned beef and cabbage, though, is an American tradition; in Ireland one is more likely to find bacon or a savory roast chicken on the table. 

Although the St. Patrick’s Day Parade has become a part of celebrations in Ireland these days, it’s the result of an American influence, where the tradition was created by homesick Irish immigrants. More recently, St. Patrick’s Day has become a highly marketable and promoted event in Ireland, resulting in an attractive draw for tourists visiting the country.

The NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade dates back to March 17, 1762, when it was first organized by a group of homesick Irish immigrants and Irish military in the American colonies of NYC. Participants enjoyed  the freedom to speak Irish, wear the color green- which was banned in Ireland at the time, sing native songs, and play the bagpipe.

These things gave powerful meaning to those people who fled their homeland.

Join in the fun! Come to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade!

The NYC Parade is held on March 17th and begins precisely at 11:00 AM. The Parade marches up Fifth Avenue beginning at East 44th Street and ending at East 79th.  

Reference: CUNY Baruch: NYCdata | Uniquely NYC (cuny.edu)

  1. Homesick- adj the feeling of missing your home
  2. Banned-adj not allowed
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Fifth Avenue for All- Holiday Season in NYC!

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Arguably, the best time of the year in NYC is here! It’s finally the holiday season. The holiday season in New York City is famous for many reasons. Visitors from all over the world come to see the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree, Rockette Christmas Spectacular, and window displays on Fifth Avenue.

 

With the excitement of the holidays, come large crowds. It can be hard to comfortably enjoy the holidays and the scenery within the small confines of the city blocks.

For this reason, the mayor is trying something new this year! The new open streets program, called Fifth Avenue for All, closes nine blocks, from 48th to 57th streets, on Dec. 4, Dec. 11 and Dec. 18. No cars will be allowed in that area on those days from noon to 6 p.m.

The goal, according to the association, is to provide a “one-of-a-kind holiday experience for families and sightseers of all ages” as the Big Apple looks to continue its post-pandemic recovery during the busiest shopping season of the year.

Don’t miss the oversized red holiday mailbox at 51st Street, which will collect letters to Santa. These letters will be mailed to “The North Pole” and sent replies.

Also coming to Fifth Avenue on those three Sundays: food kiosks, seating areas and live music.

Source:

5th Avenue Goes Car-Free From Rockefeller Center to 58th in December: What to Know – NBC New York

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Come Roar with Us!

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ROAR will take place in Chinatown and the Lower East Side in the summer of 2022! Every Saturday and Sunday in June, July and August, we’ll be in Sara D. Roosevelt Park with activities, programs and classes for the whole family. Pop in for an art workshop or a sunset yoga class, take a walking tour of Chinatown, or watch live performances by the gardens.

All programs are FREE to attend, no registration, and are offered in Cantonese, English, Mandarin, and Spanish!

WEEKLY EVENTS

SATURDAYS

TIMEEVENTLOCATIONPARTNER
12pm–1pmZumbaA. ROAR Info Booth @ Rivington St PlaygroundInfinite Movement
12pm–2pmFamily Art WorkshopA. ROAR Info Booth @ Rivington St PlaygroundFABnyc
12pm–2pmProject SunflowerC. West side front plot next to the Hua Mei Bird GardenSara Roosevelt Park Community Coalition
1pm–2pmThe CONBODY WorkoutA. ROAR Info Booth @ Rivington St PlaygroundCONBODY
2pm–3pmPop Up PerformancesA. ROAR Info Booth @ Rivington St PlaygroundTBD
3pm–4pmStoryTelling with YukoB. The M’Finda Kalunga GardenUntapped Storytellers
3pm–4pmDance with Simon-Jiao Yi Wu in SummertimeA. ROAR Info Booth @ Rivington St PlaygroundTBD

SUNDAYS

TIMEEVENTLOCATIONPARTNER
12pm–1pmTraditional Chinese MusicA. ROAR Info Booth @ Rivington St PlaygroundMencius Society for the Arts
12pm–2pmHealing Movement and Protecting YourselfA. ROAR Info Booth @ Rivington St PlaygroundBKind b0ne
1pm–3pmKids’ Soccer ClinicA. ROAR Info Booth @ Rivington St PlaygroundStreet Soccer USA
2pm–3pmSupport Group: Trauma to TriumphsB. The M’Finda Kalunga GardenBKind b0ne
3pm–4pmFiesta with Flor!A. ROAR Info Booth @ Rivington St PlaygroundFlor Bromley
4pm–5pmRefresh and Relax YogaE. Lion’s Gate FieldMaisah Hargett

INFO BOOTH

Visit our Info Booth on Rivington Street inside the park all summer long to gain information about the festival and participate in fun activities throughout Chinatown and the Lower East Side!

INFO BOOTH ACTIVITIES

Family Association: A Soundwalk by George Tsz-Kwan Lam

“Family Association” is a soundwalk experience that uses collected oral history recordings from five members of the Chinese-American community who are connected to NYC. Using GPS technology, listeners will hear interviewees’ memories of their extended families, how their families emigrated to the United States, and whom they imagine their ancestors to be. “Family Association” embeds these recordings within the sites of five historic “family associations” in Chinatown. As listeners approach these locations in Chinatown, the speech gradually becomes more whole, recalling the way in which these micro-communities have helped generations of Chinese-Americans to both reconstruct and reconnect with their past.

小吃 “Snack” Food Scavenger Hunt!

Festival-goers can come to the info booth to receive a “Little Bites” bingo card!: listing 15 participating restaurants in the L.E.S./Chinatown area. Participants who visit all 15 places by August 26th, purchase at least $5 of food, and turn in their completed card will receive a ROAR T shirt (while supplies last!)

Museum Mania!

New York is home to many cultural institutions that showcase the kaleidoscope of human experiences and the breadth of the human imagination – it’s one of the things that makes our city special. Stop by the ROAR info booth for free passes to the Museum of Chinese in the Americas, sign up for a complimentary tour of the Tenement Museum, and learn about other free events and offerings in Chinatown and the Lower East Side all summer long!

ROAR Prize Wheel!

ROAR with US! Share a photo from ROAR on social media, and spin our prize wheel to win some ROAR swag! Prizes include tee shirts, tattoos, wristbands, and coupons from local businesses!

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