Saturday, 19 October 2019, starting 2PM, in The Bronx

Film Screening, Play Reading, Conversation & Walking Tour

Pregones/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, in partnership with We Stay/Nos Quedamos, WNET • Thirteen, and Indie Lens Pop-Up, presents a multi-part afternoon arts and humanities program on the subject of the Bronx fires!

I. FILM SCREENING — Scenes from Decade of Fire: In the 1970s, fires raged through the South Bronx. Abandoned by landlords and city officials, nearly a half million residents were displaced from their beloved neighborhood. With the help of fellow survivors, filmmaker and Bronx native Vivian Vázquez Irizarry tells the story of the residents who banded together amidst the rubble and built a better future for their community. Decade of Fire premieres nationally on PBS Independent Lens on 4 November 2019.

II. PLAY READING — Scenes from TORCHED! The Mostly True Story Behind The South Bronx Fires: Conceived and directed by Pregones/PRTT’s Artistic Director Rosalba Rolón, TORCHED! sets straight the story of the neighborhood that went up in flames. A rich mix of investigative theater and oral history, the developing story draws from testimony of Bronxites who lived through the devastation to tell their own stories. The world premiere of the fully produced musical is forthcoming during Pregones/PRTT’s 2020-2021 season.

III. CONVERSATION — The makers and shakers behind Decade of Fire and TORCHED!, including Ms. Vázquez, Ms. Rolón, and Bronx multidisciplinary media maker Edwin Pagán (Latin Horror, Seis del Sur, Latinos Beyond Reel), will highlight key themes, controversial facts, and ongoing activist opportunities related to the Bronx fires and their aftermath.

IV. WALKING TOUR – Local residents, media and arts enthusiasts, and history buffs of all stripes and ages are invited to join in a walking tour led by renowned Bronx experts Elena Martínez (Bronx Music Heritage Center, City Lore) and Petr Stand (We Stay/Nos Quedamos, KRVC/Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortlandt). The walk route will include points of interest and infamy, known and unknown, in the long history of the Bronx fires. Wear comfortable shoes and bring your own personal stories to share!

WHEN: Saturday, 19 October 2019, starting at 2:00 PM
WHERE: Pregones Theater, 575 Walton Avenue, The Bronx

FREE EVENT — RSVP online or walk right up!

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Event Details

  • Location

    Pregones in THE BRONX
    575 Walton Avenue

  • Date & Time

    October 19, 2019 at 2PM

  • Afternoon Program:

    Film Screening
    Play Reading
    Conversation
    Walking Tour

  • Featuring:

    Vivian Vázquez, filmmaker
    Rosalba Rolón, theatermaker
    Edwin Pagán, mediamaker
    Elena Martínez, folklorist
    Petr Stand, architect

  • Event Partners:

    Pregones/PRTT
    We Stay/Nos Quedamos
    WNET • Thirteen
    Indie Lens Pop-Up

Pregones/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, in partnership with We Stay/Nos Quedamos, WNET • Thirteen, and Indie Lens Pop-Up, presents a multi-part afternoon arts and humanities program on the subject of the Bronx fires!

I. FILM SCREENING — Scenes from Decade of Fire: In the 1970s, fires raged through the South Bronx. Abandoned by landlords and city officials, nearly a half million residents were displaced from their beloved neighborhood. With the help of fellow survivors, filmmaker and Bronx native Vivian Vázquez Irizarry tells the story of the residents who banded together amidst the rubble and built a better future for their community. Decade of Fire premieres nationally on PBS Independent Lens on 4 November 2019.

II. PLAY READING — Scenes from TORCHED! The Mostly True Story Behind The South Bronx Fires: Conceived and directed by Pregones/PRTT’s Artistic Director Rosalba Rolón, TORCHED! sets straight the story of the neighborhood that went up in flames. A rich mix of investigative theater and oral history, the developing story draws from testimony of Bronxites who lived through the devastation to tell their own stories. The world premiere of the fully produced musical is forthcoming during Pregones/PRTT’s 2020-2021 season.

III. CONVERSATION — The makers and shakers behind Decade of Fire and TORCHED!, including Ms. Vázquez, Ms. Rolón, and Bronx multidisciplinary media maker Edwin Pagán (Latin Horror, Seis del Sur, Latinos Beyond Reel), will highlight key themes, controversial facts, and ongoing activist opportunities related to the Bronx fires and their aftermath.

IV. WALKING TOUR – Local residents, media and arts enthusiasts, and history buffs of all stripes and ages are invited to join in a walking tour led by renowned Bronx experts Elena Martínez (Bronx Music Heritage Center, City Lore) and Petr Stand (We Stay/Nos Quedamos, KRVC/Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortlandt). The walk route will include points of interest and infamy, known and unknown, in the long history of the Bronx fires. Wear comfortable shoes and bring your own personal stories to share! Remember The Fires Remember The Fires Remember The Fires Remember The Fires Remember The Fires

WHEN: Saturday, 19 October 2019, starting at 2:00 PM
WHERE: Pregones Theater, 575 Walton Avenue, The Bronx

FREE EVENT — RSVP online or walk right up!

Free Event — Reserve Now!

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