IN THIS ISSUE: Powered by Partnerships • Artful Aging • The Director’s Cut • The BIG Read!

FA L L 2 0 1 4 | G O D D A R D . O R G

Creating Community through the Arts

For the Goddard Riverside community to thrive, access to the arts is nearly as essential as food and shelter. This belief reflects our deep roots in the settlement house movement. Its 19th century founders demonstrated that the arts united people despite socio-economic barriers and encouraged cross-cultural conversations. Goddard Riverside’s Community Arts Programs have the same mission today – to bring together our highly diverse community to experience the richness and beauty of theater, visual arts, music, dance, and film.

At post-event activities, we present knowledgeable audience members and first time attendees the opportunity to engage in dialogue with the artists. Children experience the thrill of live performances and educational activities that enable them to delve deeper into the artistic experience. Exhibits appeal to neighborhood residents and seasoned gallery goers. The roster of events includes non-traditional fare that draws in admirers of the avant-garde, as well as those who previously have had little interest in the arts.

Now in the third year of operation, the Community Arts Programs have hosted a number of nationally acclaimed artists and rising, local talent. We are an Upper West Side arts hub, attracting artists, actors, dancers, and musicians from New York City and across the tri-state region.

Our dynamic, multi-cultural program awakens the intellect and creative side of all participants, no matter what their age, circumstances or previous history with the arts. Our events are high-quality, yet remain accessible to all with low cost

This edition of the Goddard Riverside newsletter shares highlights and happenings from our Community Arts Programs and offers a glimpse into our dynamic, artistic community.

The Community Arts Program is partially funded by a gift from the Mirken Family.

The Harlem Chamber Players introduced fourth and fifth graders in our after school program to woodwinds in an interactive workshop.

and often free admission. That is why we are able to bring our diverse community together through the Community Arts Programs.

“Our Community Arts Programs serve a social purpose while they develop an appreciation for the arts. We engage individuals and families and introduce them to different cultures. Arts programming provides a sense of connectedness within our community which is truly invaluable,” said Stephan Russo, Executive Director of Goddard Riverside.

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The Art of Aging Retiree Selma Schmerz believes in the power of art. She is a talented painter and dedicated member of the Goddard Riverside Senior Center, where she participates in a weekly art class.

Art keeps her mind active and creative juices flowing, according to Selma. She declares emphatically, “I plan to keep painting and will resist the urge to make a judgment about any of it. I do the work and enjoy the process.”

This summer, she received an award for her artistic accomplishments and commitment. One of her paintings, Who ELSE?, was selected to hang in the FEGS’ annual Haym Salomon Art Show. It celebrates the unique talent and art of older individuals, and acknowledges organizations such as Goddard Riverside that provide creative programming for elders.

Partnerships dramatically increase the impact of our Community Arts Programs. We collaborate with individuals and organizations who share our vision of the arts as a means to enrich and enhance the human experience. Our partnerships make it possible for adults and youth from the Goddard Riverside community to experience theater, film, music, visual arts and dance in their own neighborhood, learning from seasoned professionals who make it a priority to give back to their communities.

Hudson Warehouse Theater Company, an independent theater company known as “The Other Shakespeare in the Park”, became the first of Goddard Riverside’s resident artists in 2013. The collective of actors and

writers has performed outdoor theater on the Upper West Side for 11 years and has become a summer staple in the neighborhood, appearing regularly at the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument at 89th and Riverside Drive. As our resident theater company, Hudson Warehouse has given performances for audiences of all ages and developed a play writing intensive for fourth and fifth graders enrolled in our after school program. In the coming year, Hudson Warehouse will return to The Bernie Wohl Center in November and March.

TheEdwardMorganBallet is a renowned dance company founded by the former Joffrey Ballet NYC principal Edward Morgan and directed by Joseph Alexander. It became our first resident dance company in 2014 and hosted over the summer a six-week musical theater for youth. Students mastered the basics of dance and technique. They immersed themselves in special exercises unique to TheEdwardMorgan Ballet that encouraged budding dancers to focus inwardly to center themselves. This practice allowed students to more easily learn choreography and relish their newly discovered creative abilities.

Collaborations such as these define the essence of community – joining efforts to create transformative experiences that uplift and educate us, no matter our age or circumstances.

POWERED BY PARTNERSHIPS

The creative team and cast of Harlem KW Project, LLC – inspired Goddard Riverside audiences with their evocative production, “Renaissance in the Belly of A Killer Whale,” which explored gentrification in Harlem. A fusion of spoken word, poetry, theater, and song helped audiences grapple with this challenging issue. We are bringing back this hit show in February, 2015 as part of our Big Read Initiative (See article on page 3).

Youth in class with TheEdwardMorganBallet at the Bernie Wohl Center.

Hudson Warehouse brought the hilarious “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged)” to the stage at The Bernie Wohl Center

BIG News: Goddard Riverside does

At The Bernie Wohl Center, I have a front row seat to the bustling activity of our growing arts center programming. One of the great joys of my day is meeting students, parents, artists and sometimes curious neighbors who stop by to see who we are and what we do here. I tell them that we are trying to discover how we can bring the best of drama, visual arts, dance, music, and film to our community.

The creative process of building our program these past two years has been both eye-opening and exhilarating. The Community Arts Programs have hosted and introduced talent to the wonderful families, children, and adults who make our center their second home and to arts lovers from all over the city.

Working with a dynamic roster of performers, observing the care and dedication they commit to their craft and to the community, has transformed the way I consider the arts. I have witnessed teens turn their curiosity into a meaningful experience as they work behind the scenes in the production of our stage shows. During a summer intensive, I’ve watched brand new dancers learn to convey a powerful message through movement, creatively interpreting the experience of homelessness. I have listened to local poets as they come out of their shells to share their personal stories and face their fear of the stage. I’ve seen older adults and young children dance in the aisles with happiness on all their faces.

This transformation is made possible by Goddard Riverside’s commitment to the arts and to our community. We have the opportunity to connect the arts to our larger mission and it’s a great experience to bring people together to celebrate each of our stories through the arts.

Goddard Riverside is the proud recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts grant to host The Big Read, a community-wide reading of a single great work of literature. One of only 77 Big Read programs funded in the U.S., we will host a series of events for various ages that introduce participants to the highly acclaimed novel, “The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears,”

by Dinaw Mengestu. The beauty of the writing and its themes of gentrification, immigration and isolation prompted our selection of this book. Big Read activities will take place in January, February, and March, 2015, and include a launch event with the author, Ethiopian-born writer Dinaw Mengestu, who is also an Upper West Sider. Multiple book discussions at venues throughout the neighborhood; panels with scholars; open mic events; readings; and related theater, dance and music events will further explore the novel’s themes. The St. Agnes and Bloomingdale Libraries are

partnering with us and will host other Big Read activities. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.neabigread.org/communities.

The Director’s Cut Susan Macaluso, Director of Community Arts

Highlights from our Fall/Winter season

Goddard Riverside’s Community Arts Programs is excited to host a number of events, shows, and workshops for the 2014-2015 season! For more information and to register, please visit goddard.org/communityarts or call 212-799-9400. We look forward to seeing you!The Harlem Chamber Players Dvorák, Glière and More, Sunday, October 12, 2014, 3 pm

Hudson Warehouse Theater Company Same River Twice, November 6-16, Thursdays-Saturdays, 8pm and Sundays, 7pmDancer Savion Glover Saturday, December 6, 2014, at 7:30pmBig Read Kick-off Event The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears with author Dinaw Mengestu, Saturday, January 24, 2015, 7:30pmThe Harlem KW Project Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale, performance and discussion, Saturday, February 7, 2015, 2pm and 7:30pm

Hudson Warehouse Theater Company Shakespeare’s play, Measure for Measure, March 4-15, Thursdays-Saturdays, 8pm and Sundays, 7pm

In Scena Italian Film Festival Friday, May 15 through Sunday, May 16, 2015, 7:30pm

Composers Concordance Generations V (a music competition for composers under 25 and over 65 years old), Saturday, May 23, 2015, 8pm

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Goddard Riverside Community Center593 Columbus Avenue, New York, New York 10024212-873-6600 / info@goddard.org / www.goddard.org

Goddard Riverside Board of DirectorsBetsy NewellPresident

Kayalyn A. MarafiotiSecretary

Howard S. SteinTreasurer

Joan AmronSummer AndersonChristopher AugusteDoris V. BrunsonRichard A. BurgheimSender CohenBetsy DeanAriela R. DublerPage D. EdmundsMichael Friedman

Hon. Jesse M. FurmanTheresa GillisMaureen GoldenVictor A. GonzalezEvelyn GrantSusan GrobmanStanley D. HeckmanFern J. KhanJ.P. LeventhalDr. Barry Levine

Paola LozanoElizabeth Lubetkin LiptonJacqueline LongJosh MarwellAnn McGovernLinn Cary MehtaSabina MenschelAmy S. MintzerBradley MuroLaura N. Page

Sugeni Pérez-SadlerDavid PhillipsLaurence J. PomeranceKenna ReehilSusan RichmanNancy RochfordMary Ellen RudolphLinda R. SafranDaniel E. SiffBarbara Tarmy

Sheila C. ThimbaWaide WarnerRhonda WhiteCarolan Workman

Stephan RussoExecutive Director

On Thanksgiving and Christmas Days, Goddard Riverside Community Center will host our annual Holiday Meals, and will share more than 3,000 meals with members of the community.

How YOU can help: Donate or volunteer with us! We accept food and monetary donations and hands-on help on day-of.

Home for HOLIDAY meals!

Join us for the 28th Annual New York Book Fair!

On Saturday & Sunday, November 22 – 23, 2014, get deep discounts on a wide range of books, toys and great gift items

while supporting a great cause!

For more information, visit goddard.org

or call 212-873-6600.

CONNECT WITH US ONLINE:

www.goddard.org

Facebook.com/goddardriverside

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Publication of:Goddard Riverside Community Center

593 Columbus Avenue New York, NY 10024

212-873-6600

Executive DirectorStephan Russo

Newsletter EditorChristina McSwain

GODDARD

COMMUNITY CENTER RIVERSIDE