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On March 20 & 21 (Saturday and Sunday), The American Museum of Natural History will be hosting Global Weekends: From the Motherlands to El Barrio: New York’s Latino Immigrant Experience.  Filled with performances, this festival is Free to attend (with Museum admission).

Global Weekends
From the Motherlands to El Barrio: New York’s Latino Immigrant Experience
Saturday and Sunday, March 20 and 21, 1–5 pm
Kaufmann and Linder Theaters, first floor
Free with Museum admission

The story of the ancient Silk Road is, in part, a story of immigration and of the cultural exchange that occurs at the borders of immigrant communities. Through performances, interactive workshops, conversations, and films, this family-friendly event focuses on Latino communities in New York City while drawing parallels between immigrant experiences throughout time.

Highlights include performances by the Coatlicue Theater Company, which will weave part of the Mayan creation story with stories of migration; Los Pleneros de la 21, a leader in the resurgence of Puerto Rican traditional music in New York; Samba Nation Productions, will bring rhythms of Brazilian Carnival; and Tahuantinsuyo, a pioneer folk music group from the Andes.

*Please note that not all performances are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

See http://www.amnh.org/programs/specials/latinoexperience  for more information.

Events: Saturday, March 20 1:00 – 5:30pm

Linder and Kaufmann Theaters
Theatrical Presentation: Holding up the Sky

1:00pm Linder Theater, first floor The Coatlicue Theater Company weaves a part of the Mayan creation story with stories of migration, relocation forced by exploitation of natural resources and militarization, border-crossing and discrimination, human rights violations, and the destruction of the family unit. This interactive theatrical presentation offers insight into how to “keep the world in balance” from an indigenous perspective.

Performance: Los Pleneros de la 21

2:00pm Kaufmann Theater, first floor Los Pleneros de la 21 is New York City’s preeminent ambassador of Afro-Puerto Rican bomba and plena music and dance. The troupe is a leader in the resurgence of Puerto Rican traditional music in New York. In this interactive and informative concert, Los Pleneros presents the swinging groove of bomba and plena with contemporary jazzy arrangements and dance
Film and talk: The Other Side of Immigration

3:00pm Linder Theater, first floor

Written, directed, and produced by Roy Germano, 2009. 55 min. The Other Side of Immigration asks why so many Mexicans come to the U.S. and what happens to the families and communities they leave behind. Following the screening, director Roy Germano provides a thought provoking perspective on undocumented immigration.

Performance: Samba Nation Productions

4:30pm Kaufmann Theater, first floor Samba Nation Productions is dedicated to bringing audiences an authentic Brazilian experience through live entertainment, classes and educational programs, and events. In this dynamic and participatory program, audiences will be introduced to the sounds of samba, the excitement of capoiera, and the rhythms of Brazilian Carnival.

Sunday, March 21 noon – 5:00pm

Linder and Kaufmann Theaters
Performance: Los Pleneros de la 21
noon Kaufmann Theater, first floor Repeat performance

Theatrical Presentation: Holding up the Sky

1:00pm Linder Theater, first floor Repeat performance (see description above).

Discussion: YouthVideo and Latino Immigration
2:00pm Linder Theater, first floor New Children/New York, a Brooklyn-based organization, uses film to tell immigrant Latino stories through the perspectives of children. This presentation of youth-made media will include a thoughtful discussion with filmmakers and community representatives.

Performance: Tahuantinsuyo

4:00pm Kaufmann Theater, first floor Tahuantinsuyo is a pioneer folk music group from the Andes whose work has helped pave the road for the many Andean groups now performing across the U.S. The group will use regional instruments and costumes during this special concert presentation dedicated to reuniting local communities with their culture.

For details, call 212-769-5315 or visit amnh.org/latinoexperience

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