Workshops, Readings, Book Clubs, Concerts and More Set for La Casa Azul Bookstore, Aug 2014

La Casa Azul Bookstore has released the program schedule for August 2014. The events include workshops, readings, book clubs, and the summer concert series! Scroll down for details.

AUGUST 2014

Summer concert series: Boleros with Cassandra Oliveras Saturday, August 2, 3:00pm - 4:30pm

Cassandra Oliveras considers the Bolero repertoire a blazing counterpart to the American Songbook; its melodies timeless, and truths universal. She has performed as a soloist and choral singer in venues throughout NYC and in Paris. Tickets: $10, free for children under 4 years of age.

Reading of Remedy for a Broken Angel by Toni Ann Johnson Saturday, August 2, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

About the book: Serena is a Bermudian jazz singer whose mental health problems lead her to abandon her daughter "Artie." Artie's anger and curiosity eventually drive her to seek out Serena's younger lover, Jamie L'Heureux, a jazz superstar. The spirit of Charles Mingus thrums throughout the story as these two women tangle in the complicated mess that is a mother-daughter relationship. Free event.

Workshop for artists: Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Wednesday August 6, 4:00pm - 5:30pm

LMCC's Manhattan Arts Grant programs provide technical support to applicants and awards of up to $5,000 to enable hundreds of arts projects in all disciplines, serving communities from Inwood to The Battery. These grants are often among the first awards an artist or group receives and can help recipients to leverage additional support from other sources. Free event, pre-registration suggested.

Rice and Beans Book Club: Ruins by Achy Obejas Wednesday, August 6, 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Ruins follows the despair of Usnavy and his family in a disintegrated Cuba. This novel allows you to witness how one man confronts life's tragedy with a small glimpse of hope.

Summer Concert Series: Los Pleneros de la 21 Saturday, August 9, 3:00pm - 4:30pm

Los Pleneros de la 21 is an East Harlem traditional performing arts nonprofit organization that fosters awareness and appreciation of Puerto Rican traditional expressions-particularly those of African descent: Bomba & Plena-as indispensable to a healthy community life.

Bomba and Plena are the core of Los Pleneros de la 21's musical production yet música jíbara (mountain music of Puerto Rico), jazz, salsa, rock, rap, and other genres are appreciable influences in their repertoire. Los Pleneros de la 21 brings this interaction to the stage during their performances, as well to the community with their dancing and drumming workshops for people of all ages.

Tickets: $10, free for children under 4 years of age.

Book drive: Unaccompanied Latin American Minor Project (U-LAMP)

Card making for detained children Sunday, August 10, 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Film screening of Sin Nombre Sunday, August 10, 3:00pm

La Casa Azul Bookstore, in collaboration with the Unaccompanied Latin American Minor Project (U-LAMP) at John Jay College of Criminal Justice/Safe Passage Project is launching a book drive for children who were apprehended and detained at the Mexico-US border and are currently in deportation proceedings in the New York City area. These children and teenagers are living in both local shelters and residing with legal guardians and need new and gently used Spanish-language books in good condition. Buy books at La Casa Azul Bookstore for the book drive, mention that the books are for the Unaccompanied Latin American Minor Project and receive a discount on your purchase.

La Casa Azul bookstore will be accepting books from Thursday, July 10th - Sunday, August 10, 2014. We will be delivering books to local shelters and providing them directly to children and teenagers who are currently in deportation proceedings.

Summer reading program celebration! Saturday, August 16, 12:00pm - 2:00pm

We have made it through a great summer and now it's time for the rewards.

Don't miss giveaways, refreshments and other fun activities as we celebrate our 2nd annual De Colores Summer Reading Program!

Summer Concert Series: Chelsey Green Saturday, August 16, 3:00pm - 4:30pm

Having studied classical technique and repertoire for over 20 years, Chelsey Green incorporates principles of standard classical music performance into the performance of original tunes and re-identified popular favorites in genres across the board including Soul, Gospel, R&B, Jazz, Funk, Rock, and more!

Tickets: $10, free for children under 4 years of age.

Create your own masterpiece at La Casa Azul Bookstore's paint party! (BYOB)

Sunday, August 17, 2:00pm - 5:00pm

Bring your favorite bottle of wine and you release your inner-artist with our painting class based on artist Penny Warden. Have fun and release your creativity as you receive one-on-one guidance from experienced instructor as you sip your favorite wine. You will walk away with a beautiful painting to hang in your home or give away as a gift. No prior experience needed. Come with a group of friends or come alone and make new friends + you take home one 12"x16" painting! All material included in art class.

Fee: $25 (3 hours) - bring wine, beer or other drink of choice, must be 21 or over at attend event. Pre - registration recommended, limited seating.

José (Papo) Márquez: Vida y obra del autor de Esquizofrenia puertorricensis, editado por Gloria Waldman

Viernes 22 de agosto, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

"Esta antologi?a recoge por primera vez la vida y obra del autor de la exitosa y controversial obra de teatro popular, 'Esquizofrenia Puertorricensis' (1977). Recrea aquel mundo de protesta y efervescencia creativa de los an?os 70 y 80 en Puerto Rico. Incluye su teatro, su poesi?a, su arte y su 'Diario de la (Des)esperanza, testimonio i?ntimo y desgarrador de su lucha contra las drogas"

Junot Diaz at La Casa Azul Bookstore Saturday, August 23, 1:00pm - 2:30pm

Deemed a "literary lion" by The New York Times, Díaz is the author of two collections of short stories (Drown [1996] and This is How You Lose Her [2012]), as well as a novel, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (2007), which won both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award. In 2012, he was awarded a MacArthur "genius grant."

Copies of all of Junot's books will be available for purchase.

$25 per ticket / limited tickets available / advance ticket purchase recommended.

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Register for all events via email: rsvp.lacasaazul@gmail.com. Please note, the entry to La Casa Azul Bookstore requires walking down two steps. The event spaces (gallery and back patio) are both in lower levels. If you will need accommodations during an event, please include that information in your rsvp email.

One Book, One Barrio - La Casa Azul Bookstore's community-wide reading campaign to promote literacy and foster community through literature in East Harlem.The goal of the #OneBookOneBarrio campaign is to encourage the public to read one particular book and to participate in several educational and literature-based programs associated with the chosen title. These events are possible with your involvement and support, let's get inspired and make history through literature and let's make sure everyone in East Harlem picks up their very own copy of The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano by Sonia Manzano. Visit our website for a listing of the #OneBookOneBarrio events planned from June 2014 - May 2015. Programs will include: book club meetings, film screenings, panels, art exhibits and music performances.