A student-led panel and open mic presentation will culminate a yearlong project titled Pa’ la calle (To the Streets) on March 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. This event is free and open to the public at La Casita Cultural Center, 109 Otisco St., Syracuse, New York.
Pa’la calle, opened to the public in September of 2019 after months of planning and interacting with community members who collaborated in the production. Inspired by urban culture, Pa’ la calle explored life in the barrios, street art, graffiti and artistic expressions through music genres that spring from the hip-hop culture, such as reggaeton, now a global phenomenon.
Pa’ la calle features a collection of paintings, a series of portraits that recognize prominent Latinos and Latinas of Syracuse who are committed to the continued development and well-being of this community and who are enthusiastic partners in support of La Casita’s programs. Pa’ La calle presented the work of Syracuse-based, up and coming artist Bennie Guzmán. Guzmán also worked with a group of teens from the Westside’s Spanish Action League and other local communities to create a mural inspired by the dreams and aspirations of these young talents.
“We greatly appreciate the students, volunteers and community members who joined this project. Their passion, their talent and and warm-hearted participation made Pa’la calle a successful project for people to share their stories, express their opinions and show their creativity,” says Tere Paniagua, dxecutive director of cultural engagement for the Hispanic Community at the College of Arts and Sciences.
Besides the exhibition, Pa’la calle engaged a group of Syracuse University scholars, faculty, students and local DJs in an open dialogue about the controversial nature of hip-hop and reggaeton lyrics, the global impact on these genres in the music industry and its undisputed success in conquering young markets in almost every culture worldwide. Pa’la calle provided a new path to view the hip-pop culture within the social context and historical background behind it. It offered an opportunity to understand artists’ struggles for freedom, equality and the future.
La Casita serves as a bridge to connect the Hispanic community to other communities and artists to students through exhibitions, music and dancing. We collect items as well as stories behind them; we create artworks as well as stories; we learn culture as well spread it.
“It is the love and encouragement of our communities that make La Casita an artistic home. We look forward to hosting this upcoming event for all to share their love of the arts and free expression,” says Bennie Guzman, visual artist and communications manager at La Casita.
