116th Street Festival in New York

On Si tv, there is a show called Latination. On Thursday, March 20, 2008 there was a Boricua special talking about the 116th Street Festival in New York City. It talked about the Puerto Rican culture both in New York and Chicago.

The 116th Street Festival started about 20 years ago because Nick Lugo, the co-creator of the festival, felt that there was a need for some sort for celebration to take place. It is the day before the Puerto Rican Day Parade because they felt that it would be more like a pep rally to get the younger population more involved. It is also a way to share the Puerto Rican culture with other cultures.

Tito Puente was a huge influence on this festival and started his career in Spanish Harlem. He is known as the "King of Latin music." He opened the door to everyone in Latin music. By age 13 he was playing professionally and some even called him a child protegy. As we discussed in class, music is extremely important to the Puerto Rican culture. La Casitas in the Bronx is a place where Puerto Ricans can go to play music, eat Puerto Rican food, and just socialize with other Puerto Ricans.

In Paseo Boricua, located in Chicago, is home to thousands of Puetro Ricans. There are two of the largest flags in the world are located on the roads leading into Paseo Boricua in order to make Puerto Ricans feel at home and like there is a place that they can go to feel safe. They also have a Puerto Rican Day Parade, just like New York. There is also a large library located within Paseo Boricua, where Puerto Ricans of any age can go to learn about their history and culture.

Rosie Perez made a documentary called “Yo Soy Boricua Pa’Que Tu Lo Sepas! (I’m Borican Just so You Know).” She decided to make this documentary to show people about the history, the island, the people and the unique relationship between Pueto Rico and the United States. Puerto Ricans fight in wars, fight for our President, and yet cannot vote for the President. It begins and ends with the Puerto Rican Day Parade.