Date: Oct 16, 2009

A Night of Cultural Expression to Celebrate Long Island's Diversity

Music, Theater and Dialogue

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – The National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University (NCSS), Hofstra Entertainment and The Hofstra Cultural Center will host an evening of music and theater on Friday, October 23, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Center Theater, Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center, North Campus.

The event blends a musical performance by Luis Cordero y Los Amigos del Amargue, a moderated discussion by Nancy Solomon of Long Island Traditions, a film excerpt from "Islands" (courtesy of Seedworks Films) and a theatrical presentation about the November 8, 2008 fatal assault on Marcelo Lucero in the village of Patchogue, New York.

"Luis Cordero is one of the masters of Dominican merenegue and bachata, having learned these traditional forms within his family and has passed them down to his children who regularly perform with him," said Nancy Solomon, executive director of Long Island Traditions. "Luis is also an accomplished composer, writing songs of love and loss, a common theme in traditional music.  A resident of Freeport, his music plays an important social role in the Dominican community, and provides inspiration to young musicians.  We salute Cordero for his efforts."

Teatro Experimental Yerbabruja Inc.'s "What Killed Marcelo Lucero?" is a compelling set of monologues performed by members of area communities questioning the political and racial issues that lead to hate crimes, and the impact of the attack on their lives.

Margarita Espada, Teatro artistic director, reflects on the origin of the performance, "the death of Marcelo Lucero brought light to a reality of our everyday lives, not only to our community but also to the media, politicians and the general public. This project seeks to keep the issue in the forefront of the collective consciousness at all levels of Long Island from the legislature to the 'man on the street.'"

The admission fee is $10 for the general public, $8 for seniors and one complimentary ticket with a Hofstra ID. For additional information please contact the Hofstra Cultural Center at (516) 463-5669 or visit www.hofstra.edu/culture.

The October 23 event will occur as a part of “The Diverse Suburb: History, Politics, and Prospects,” a three-day international and interdisciplinary conference that will consider the challenging and emergent phenomenon of suburban diversity. The conference, directed by NCSS Academic Director Dr. Christopher Niedt, will be held at Hofstra on October 22-24.

The National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University is a non-partisan research institution dedicated to promoting objective, academically rigorous study of suburbia's problems, as well as its promise. Rooted in the laboratory of Long Island’s diverse and aging suburbs, almost literally in the shadows of the iconic Levittown, the NCSS will study a broad range of issues from local and national perspectives and, whenever possible, collaborate with researchers at other respected institutions. The suburbs have emerged as the nexus of dynamic demographic, social, economic and environmental change in New York and throughout the United States. The tasks of identifying, analyzing and solving the problems of suburbia are essential for the health of the country, and central to the Center's mission.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from about 150 undergraduate and more than 160 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and human services;  and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. With a student-faculty ratio of 14-to-1, our professors teach small classes averaging 22 students that emphasize interaction, critical thinking and analysis. Hofstra offers a faculty whose highest priority is teaching excellence.

Related Link: For Conference Information