Lower East Side History Month to Return in May 2015
The Lower East Side History Month steering committee is pleased to officially announce the second annual May is Lower East Side History Month. 2014's festival included dozens of events and over sixty participating organizations.
This year promises even more activity inspired by three themes: "LES Heroines," "Activism and Anarchy in the Lower East Side," and one theme inspired by ideas generated from the community. Theme suggestions will be reviewed by the festival's steering committee.
The steering committee has released an invitation to local businesses and organizations to celebrate the diverse history of the Lower East Side with events and programming throughout the month. Programming will range from exhibitions and tours, to book and artist talks, to LES History Month specials and discounts.
Additionally, all are invited to participate in special kickoff activities including Chalk/LES, a community engagement project that brings neighborhood stories and histories to the streets; and the LES Community Hero Awards, which celebrate under-recognized leaders who have helped shape the Lower East Side.
The month takes on the historical definition of the neighborhood, which includes the East Village, Chinatown, Little Italy, and Alphabet City. Conceived and launched by LES-based cultural and community groups, LES History Month aims to connect the present to the past, exploring how history can inform and inspire the future.
All interested businesses and organizations are invited to fill out the participation form at www.leshistorymonth.org/participate. The LES History Month theme suggestion form may be filled out separately at www.leshistorymonth.org/theme-submission.
The festival's steering committee includes City Lore, Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center, Downtown Art, East Village Community Coalition, Fourth Arts Block, Greenwich Village Society for Historical Preservation, Jimmy's No. 43, The Loisaida Center, Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy, New Museum, Merchant's House Museum, Pushcart Coffee, and many more organizations in the Lower East Side.
About LES History Month - Lower East Side History Month (LESHM) is an annual celebration of the rich, diverse history of New York City's Lower East Side. Conceived and launched by LES-based cultural and community groups, LES History Month aims to connect the present to the past, exploring how history can inform and inspire the future.
Fourth Arts Block is leading the visibility and communications efforts for Lower East Side History Month.
Fourth Arts Block (FABnyc) FABnyc was founded in 2001 as the nonprofit leadership organization for the East 4th Street Cultural District, a historic and vibrant arts corridor in Manhattan between Second Avenue and Bowery. Now a neighborhood-wide coalition of arts and community groups, FABnyc drives community and economic development, while also preserving the Lower East Side's rich heritage and creative energy.
