In response to the heartbreaking effects of Hurricane Sandy, cultural organizations in Downtown Brooklyn are taking action. Tuesday, November 13, the Irondale Center will host “Brooklyn Loves Brooklyn” an evening of performances featuring the Downtown Brooklyn Arts Alliance, 80 Arts Alliance, Soul of Brooklyn Consortium Members, Councilwoman Letitia James, Mark Morris Dance Group, the Irondale Ensemble and more artists to be announced. Laurie Cumbo, Founder of MoCADA will serve as the Master of Ceremonies.
Councilwoman James and Laurie Cumbo, Founder of MoCADA approached the Irondale Ensemble with the idea for the relief benefit. Irondale was originally scheduled to host its own annual gala, the M. Edgar Rosenblum Awards but quickly changed its plan. “We felt that we had to respond to this call.” said Irondale’s Executive Director, Terry Greiss. “With so much pain and suffering so close to home, this has to take precedence. We’ll reschedule our event for the spring. Our sponsors and honorees all support this effort and we’re proud to have been asked to host it.”
Among the fantastic array of Brooklyn artists who have agreed to perform at the event are Dan Zanes, Mark Morris Dance Group, Urban Bush Women, Alexandra Beller Dances and Irondale Arts organizations will present dynamic work in all mediums ranging from film and dance to theatre and poetry inspired by a theme of hope and healing. Artists throughout Brooklyn have been eager to respond, and the roster will be determined by the end of the week.
All proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Reaching Out Community Services Food Pantry in Coney Island and the Red Hook Initiative who have been working around the clock to provide on the ground relief and support during this challenging time in our beautiful Borough.
About Reaching Out Community Services
Reaching Out Community Service’s mission is to create a caring atmosphere for the welfare of the Brooklyn communities they serve. They provide food subsidies through their supermarket style client choice food pantry and assistance in applying for social services such as Social Security, food stamps, housing, health insurance and other benefits that clients may be entitled to. They are dedicated to maintaining continuous growth in services to meet the goals of their mission.
Find out what's happening in Fort Greene-Clinton Hillwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
About Red Hook Initiative
Red Hook Initiative believes that social change to overcome systemic inequities begins with empowered youth. In partnership with community adults, they nurture young people in Red Hook to be inspired, resilient, and healthy, and to envision themselves as co-creators of their lives, community and society. They envision a Red Hook where all young people can pursue their dreams and grow into independent adults who contribute to their families and community.
About Downtown Brooklyn Arts Alliance
DBAA is a coalition of 30 cultural groups organized to connect and serve Downtown Brooklyn cultural organizations, to communicate their impact on Downtown Brooklyn and to actively mobilize the best interests of artist communities.
About Irondale
Through the power of the ensemble process, Irondale creates and presents theater, performance and education programs that challenge traditional assumptions about art, and help us to better interpret contemporary culture. The Irondale Center, our theater, laboratory and classroom, is a home for ensemble artists of all disciplines and cultures, and a resource for our community.
