Latin Heritage Celebration Electrifies East 54th Street Recreation Center
Teenage band “De la Isla” performs at East 54th Street Recreation Center.
Photo Christopher Acosta
The East 54th Street Recreation Center proudly presented the 2nd Annual Latin Heritage Celebration on Friday, October 16, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The event was a celebration of the diversified Latin Cultures with music, dance, and great food!
This year’s talent showcase included Maria Cangiano, a tango singer from Argentina accompanied by violin and classical guitar, Caña y Cadencia, a Spanish Flamenco dance group, St. Mary’s Recreation Center’s own ‘Second Generation’ youth and teen salsa/folk dancers, and from Brandeis High School in Manhattan, teenage Salsa/Merengue/Bachata band De la Isla’ performed to a dancing crowd!
In addition, Latin restaurant Sofrito on East 57th Street served samplings of their fine Puerto Rican cuisine and Rosa Mexicano offered its signature guacamole and chips.
Children from the East 54th Street Afterschool program also contributed to the event with a special exhibit highlighting famous Latinos. Teens from the Ranger Conservation Corps displayed informational plaques of the 20 Latin countries (can you name them all?).
The celebration, hosted and organized by Urban Park Ranger Christopher Acosta, is part of a series of events held at the E.54 St. Recreation Center that spotlight culture, history, community, recreation and fitness.
QUOTATION FOR THE DAY
“What matters in life is not what happens to you but what you remember and how you remember it.”
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
(1927 - )