David Soto started on his musical journey as a child while performing with his mom in the Puerto Rican folkloric dance troupe, Grupo Cemí. He grew up Loisaida amidst a flourishing culture of Nuyorican poets back in the early 70-80s. Learning from mentors which include his mother María Hernández, Bimbo Rivas, TatoLaviera and Luis Guzmán, … Continue reading Open Arts LES: DASO y el Grupo Cemí
Sundate is an ensemble rooted in the vibrant cultural landscape of New York City. Our group offers live music that blends modern jazz, soul, Latin, and global influences into a sound that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. Led by Victor Solano, and joined by members Alfredo Colon, Jonathan Paik, Justin Henery, Mason O'Donnell, … Continue reading Open Arts LES: Sundate
Free! Saturday October 18, 2025 FULL PROGRAMMING & LINE-UP HERE ABOUT Organized by Fourth Arts Block (FABnyc) the Lower East Side Arts & Culture Open House is now in its third year, welcoming folks into cultural spaces without a ticket to a show or the cost of admission. All organizations will have staff available to … Continue reading Lower East Side Arts & Culture Open House 2025
YiYi, a Ukrainian folk group composed of Caroline Kuhn, Katie Pawluk, and Zoya Shepko, breathes new life into traditional Ukrainian songs through unconventional arrangements and a diverse mix of instruments, including the bandura, violin, banjo, hutsul drum, cello and accordion. Their performances are characterized by three-part polyphony, creating rich sonic tapestries that transport audiences from … Continue reading Open Arts LES: Yi-Yi
Nolan Nwachukwu Project's music features a combination of diverse original compositions and new, funky interpretations of contemporary songs and jazz standards. The compositions and arrangements performed by the group are infused with a blend of African-American genres, including gospel, jazz, R&B, soul, funk, and other world music. About Nolan Nwachukwu Nolan Nwachukwu is a bassist, … Continue reading Open Arts LES: Nolan Nwachukwu Project
Presented by Village Preservation in collaboration with FABnyc Democracy is fragile, as we are learning. Can we renew it by fostering more democratic ways of interacting in our neighborhoods? The East Village has long been home to cultural institutions that play a key role in bringing communities together. What role might they play in promoting a … Continue reading Democracy as Creative Practice
RSVP here Raul Ayala’s practice bridges art, social engagement, and pedagogy through large-scale paintings, site-specific installations, collaborative murals, performance, and other public interventions. Raul has an extensive history collaborating with immigrant and indigenous communities on installations, murals, community ritual, and direct action campaigns in NYC and Quito, Ecuador. Recent local projects include collaborations with Green-Wood … Continue reading Raul Ayala: Creative Action with Immigrant Communities (Creative Action Network workshop)
RSVP here Theatre of the Oppressed is a global practice based on the work of Brazilian theatre director Augusto Boal, and informed by the teachings of Paulo Freire. It engages people’s innate abilities at physical storytelling to spark dialogue, analyze power dynamics, and rehearse future actions. By pairing accessible games with thought-provoking discussions, the tools … Continue reading Theatre of the Oppressed NYC: “Starter Kit” (Creative Action Network workshop)
Lower East Side History Month 2026 Launch Celebration Friday May 1 9:30am - 10:30am FABnyc, 70 East 4th Street Outdoors (if weather permits) Toast to the LES Community at 10:00am! Launch event includes breakfast with home-baking, and chalking 4th Street sidewalks with LES trivia!
Open Arts LES is back on 4th Street. Stop by for Latin music and salsa with our neighborhood favorite, Sonido Costeño! Sonido Costeño (SC) is a modern day latin band in New York City. Their high energy music is a creative fusion of latin music and salsa along with other world music and their fabulous … Continue reading Open Arts LES: Sonido Costeño
