RELIEF DRIVE for ARTISTS

“El pueblo unido jamás será vencido” (The People United Will Never Be Defeated) is now a universally known chant for popular solidarity and the struggle for justice. It dates back to dark days in the history of Latin America, and is an extraordinary example of when artists raise their voices to inspire millions of persons to work in concert, to prove no challenge or adversary is forever. The aftermath of Hurricane María and imminent humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico is one such moment. El pueblo unido is especially poignant here, at this moment of eroding national leadership and rampant misinformation, because Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens and millions of lives remain in harm’s way.

The first wave of creative responses to hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and María, and to the earthquakes in México, is nothing less than extraordinary: “Let’s do a benefit concert! Let’s raise awareness and money with a performance! Let’s keep the relief effort energized and spirited!” Many of us are stretched to capacity, looking to support our loved ones and everyone directly and indirectly impacted. We do what it takes. Rooted in Puerto Rican history and community, the artists of Pregones/PRTT say PRESENTE!

DISASTER STRIKES, ARTISTS DELIVER
In times of need, the community naturally turns to the cultural workforce —artists in all disciplines, cultural organizers, producers— for ways to craft and amplify the call for support. We help shape and deliver the right message, and are notoriously generous with our time, talents, and resources. We will donate our songs and performances, our works of art, our networks, and use of our spaces. Artists in Puerto Rico —on the receiving end of emergency today— are no exception, and it is their formidable generosity that we specifically seek to relief and help replenish.

PREGONES/PRTT’s RELIEF DRIVE for ARTISTS
Today we are launching the Hurricane María Relief Drive for Artists, which will provide $500 micro-grants to theater, music, dance, visual and literary arts practitioners in Puerto Rico. The drive will put emergency cash in the hands of artists with whom Pregones/PRTT has a history of exchange and collaboration, and who are also invited to identify subsequent micro-grant recipients. The drive’s reach will depend on how much money we raise throughout the month of October, when we are dedicating 100% of ticket sales for two scheduled performances, on October 7 and 20, and 100% of all tax-exempt donations, through October 31, transactable online, by phone, by check, or in person.

CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU, EL PUEBLO UNIDO
Your paid attendance in October is central to our ability to help artists in need after Hurricane María. Your generous donations to the drive throughout October are also key to our collective reach and impact. Your sponsorship of one or more $500 micro-grants, on your own or in partnership with friends, is another great way to participate. We make it easy for you to take action!

• BUY TICKETS TO OCTOBER SHOWS HERE: TICKETS
• MAKE A TAX-FREE DONATION HERE: DONATIONS
• SPONSOR $500 MICRO-GRANTS via DONATIONS
• CALL 718-585-1202  TO COMPLETE BY PHONE

ENSURING DIRECT DELIVERY TO ARTISTS IN NEED
This is a peer-to-peer artist relief drive, with no intermediary delivery costs. Pregones/PRTT uses Patron Manager secure technology, powered by Salesforce, to safely transact all ticket purchases and donations for the María Relief Drive for Artists. We are using the same platform that you use at our box office year round. 100% of money raised will be transferred by electronic wire to recipients in Puerto Rico.

THE MORE THE MERRIER
Remember: The People United! We know there are dozens of support initiatives active right now throughout New York City and the nation. The people of Puerto Rico need each and every one of them, and will continue to need them for months to come. Here are three distinct and dependable efforts that the artists of Pregones/PRTT are also proud to support:

• Hispanic Federation/Unidos – www.hispanicfederation.org/unidos
• Acacia Network/DonatePR – www.donatepuertorico.com/donate-today
• Eco Kit Duffle/Puerto Rico – www.ecokitpuertorico.org

IMPACTED PUERTO RICAN ARTISTS FLY TO THE BRONX
Later this fall, directly from Puerto Rico, Pregones/PRTT welcomes the dance theater troupe of Hij@s de La Bernarda, led by Rosa Luis Márquez and Jeanne d’Arc Casas. Two performances of their brave riff on Lorca’s classic La casa de Bernarda Alba are scheduled at Pregones in The Bronx on December 2 and 3. A conversation and documentary screening about the creation of Hij@s, presented in partnership with La Marqueta Retoña, is also scheduled on December 1 at the Julia de Burgos Latino Cultural Center in El Barrio/East Harlem, Manhattan. The NYC premiere of Hij@s de La Bernarda immediately follows its showcase at the XXXII Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro in Cádiz, Spain, where it proudly represents the indefatigable artistry of La Isla del Encanto!

Your attendance and generosity is crucial every step of the way! We will also collect donations for the Hurricane María Relief Drive for Artists at live events — bring your check book and big bills!

¡Nos vemos en el teatro! See you at the theater!

[Edited on 10/11/17 to reflect new performance dates in December.]