On February 27, artists from the Bronx Arts Ensemble performed at the Mercy College Bronx Campus to celebrate African culture. This was the first of a series of cultural events at the Bronx campus.
A new cultural event series aims to put the Bronx Campus on the map as a hub for culture and the arts. This spring, three events — two still to come in April — celebrate dance, music and film.
“Our hope is that Mercy College will become known locally as a center for culture and as a home to students from many diverse cultural and ethnic communities,” said Alan Hartman, director of the Modern Foreign Languages Program. During the fall 2022 semester, he formed a committee of faculty and staff seeking to create a stronger sense of community at the Bronx Campus and engage the local Bronx community — efforts that resulted in this cultural event series.
On February 27, the Bronx Campus — in partnership with Bronx Arts Ensemble — hosted Yahaya Kamate, a dancer originally from the Ivory Coast, along with four musicians. Kamate performed several dances from West Africa. Afterwards, there was a Q&A session and a reception sponsored by Scorpio Rogers, vice president of MercyManhattan and the Bronx Campus.
“Mercy College is proud to serve students from so many diverse backgrounds,” Rogers said. “We hope to bring more cultural events to campus and build deeper connections between Mercy and the vibrant Bronx community.”
On April 4, the Bronx Campus will host Giovanni Princigalli, an Italian-Canadian film director whose films feature minority ethnic and immigrant communities in Italy and Canada. He will screen “Better Days,” a documentary about young Italian immigrants in Montreal. “Many Mercy students can relate to the immigration experience,” said Hartman. “But the film also illustrates the diversity of our globalized world. It’s important to show students that we're part of a larger global mosaic, one that is closer than they may realize.”
On April 17, the Bronx Campus will host a Latin dance performance featuring Salsa and Bachata. The dancers and musicians will also explain the history and importance of these musical art forms. “Even if students listen to Salsa music, they may never have encountered it on an academic level,” said Hartman. “They may not realize, for example, that Salsa comes from New York City. This is a chance to better understand Latin culture and appreciate that we live in a unique area.”
Events are free and open to the public.
Exploring Contemporary Italian Emigration Today
A film screening and discussion with award-winning film director and documentary maker Giovanni Princigalli
April 4, 2023 / 11:30 a.m.
Mercy College Bronx Campus
French Auditorium
RSVP here
Come and Learn about the Sociology of Salsa!
Presentation about NYC’s important role in salsa history, including an “on2” salsa dance lesson by Dr. Carmela Muzio Dormani Plus, salsa and bachata performances by professional dancers: Maria Moreras and Mike & Monique
April 17, 2023
3 p.m.
Mercy College Bronx Campus
French Auditorium
RSVP here