Puerto Rican musicians soprano Carmen Cancél and singer and percussionist Jainardo Batista join forces with Leadlights Ensemble for an eclectic set of musical crowd-pleasers. Little ones will enjoy an interactive story featuring Margarita Engle’s “A Song of Frutas,” with musical accompaniment by Leadlights.
Free copies of the book will be available, and gifts and giveaways from local business will be raffled.
Rising in the Heights” is a festival of outdoor arts performances curated by Leadlights in partnership with Word Up Community Bookshop. The festival celebrates the rich artistic contributions of Black and Latinx cultures and promotes children’s literacy through music and storytelling.
This project is made possible in part with funds from UMEZ Arts Engagement, supported by the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ); and Creative Engagement, supported by The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) in partnership with the City Council and the Howard Gilman Foundation. UMEZ Arts Engagement and Creative Engagement are administered by LMCC.
Explore the Puerto Rican “Legend of the Coqui” with storyteller Rachael Harrington and Leadlights Ensemble for an afternoon of music and stories for all ages. Free copies of the picture book by Georgina Lazaro will be available, and gifts and giveaways from local business will be raffled.
Rising in the Heights” is a festival of outdoor arts performances curated by Leadlights in partnership with Word Up Community Bookshop. The festival celebrates the rich artistic contributions of Black and Latinx cultures and promotes children’s literacy through music and storytelling.
This project is made possible in part with funds from UMEZ Arts Engagement, supported by the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ); and Creative Engagement, supported by The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) in partnership with the City Council and the Howard Gilman Foundation. UMEZ Arts Engagement and Creative Engagement are administered by LMCC.
NANSEERA’S songwriting ranges from folk to soul to country. Nanseera is a 23-year-old, Kampala/Atlanta-based singer-songwriter with an old soul and a distinctive style. The London born performer grew up in Uganda and Ethiopia, moving to the United States for high school and university. All her travels and adjustments bring a nuanced worldview into her music. Taking inspiration from artists like Tracy Chapman, Lianne LaHavas, and Sheryl Crow, Nanseera weaves together poetic stories of losing home, love, and sense of self, then somehow finding them again. Nanseera released her debut album American Odyssey in 2022 and is currently on her first tour in the eastern United States. She released an Americana album a few years ago and had since been working on a neo soul EP she hopes to release soon
SIDNEY MIYAO creates songs that will stir your soul, bring tears to your eyes, and laughter to your heart. Heavily influenced by musical theatre, Sydney’s lyrics come to life and let you picture every stinging and hilarious moment in your mind. Bringing together exciting rhythms and unexpected chord changes on the piano, and breathy, ethereal vocal choices, Sydney is sure to wow you.
Tickets are $10
Information and tickets available on Eventbrite
BUUNNI COFFEE is an independent coffee shop providing exceptional coffee and baked goods in an inviting community meeting place for all that live, work and enjoy the neighborhood. Located at 4961 Broadway between 207th Street and Isham, conveniently located near the A and 1 trains, the venue presents eclectic programming with the mission to serve the diverse community of upper Manhattan.
ZENA GROUP is a New York City non-profit arts organization operating since 1991. Zena Group has produced, or had a hand in producing, a myriad projects ranging from theater, film and the arts, to educational and health related outreach.
