Main Site | About BHS | Visitor Information | Exhibitions | Education | Library | Publications| Support BHS Press | Contact us | Online Store | Site Map
 

September, 2009

...now browsing by month

 

Brooklyn’s Vietnam Veterans

Written by Sady on September 30th, 2009

In Our Own Words: Portraits of Brooklyn’s Vietnam Veteran’s (2007 – ongoing) is the first exhibit in BHS’s oral history gallery.  With the use of oral histories, portraits, and personal artifacts this audio installation explores the impact of the Vietnam War on the lives of Brooklyn’s diverse residents, from the first person perspective.  Meeting people who were touched by the Vietnam War, visitors are prompted to consider the on-going impact of the Vietnam War in the lives of Brooklynites, from their memories of the war to how it affects them today.

From portrait to portrait, from person to person, from personal narrative to personal narrative, a meta-narrative slowly emerges in which we empathize with the stories of the men and women who confront the chaos of an historical period, and share their memories and understanding of the history through which they lived.

Read reviews of the exhibit:

The New York Times December 2007

Journal of American History June 2009

Listen to audio clips from the exhibit:

photo courtesy of Ed German

photo courtesy of Ed German

Ed German, a member of one the first black families to live on Willoughby Street, joined the Marines and was sent to Vietnam in August 1968. He was wounded in May of 1969. In this clip, he talks about coming home:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

photo courtesy of John Hamill

photo courtesy of John Hamill

John Hamill grew up in the “Irish Ghetto” of Park Slope. Although against the war, he enlisted as a medic in 1967. In this clip, he talks about his opposition to the war:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

photo by Bernard Edelman

photo by Bernard Edelman

Bernard Edelman, editor of Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam, is a photographer whose work is featured in the exhibit. In this clip, he talks about being drafted:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

In Our Own Words features more stories from these narrators and fellow veterans: Joan Furey, Anthony Wallace, Paul Knox, Daniel Friedman, Rudy Thomas, Neil Kenny, Ed Blanco, Herbert Sweat, Joseph Giannini, Katherine Bourdonnay, Robert Ptachik, Tony Velez, and Phat Tran.

Admission to the exhibit will be free for all veterans and family on Veteran’s Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2009.

Posted in Brooklyn Past & Present, Oral History | No Responses »
Tags: , ,

FOLK FEET: Irina Roizin

Written by Sady on September 23rd, 2009

This past year, BHS and the Brooklyn Arts Council partnered on an oral history project interviewing local dancers.  BAC initiated Folk Feet, a Folk Arts program dedicated to supporting the work of traditional dancers in Brooklyn, in 2003. The goals of Folk Feet were to identify the range of traditional dance practices represented in Brooklyn by individuals, companies, and community and social dance groups; to document these artists and their practices; and to present them to a wider public by way of concerts, showcases and workshops. This is the fifth in a series of five audio slideshows from that project.

Irina Roizin opened the Brighton Ballet Theater School of Russian Ballet in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn in 1987.

Irina immigrated to Brooklyn from Russia in 1977. Having trained from a young age as an acrobat and character dancer, she continued her dance training in the U.S. with two sisters, Rona and Galina Rybak, who had learned the art of ballet from the renowned Agrippina Vaganova.

In this excerpt, Irina describes how dance teaches children about other cultures and how listening to live piano music gives them a much-needed chance to relax.

Music: Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1: III. Allegro con fuoco by David Zinman and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra


Posted in Brooklyn Past & Present, Oral History | No Responses »
Tags: , ,

FOLK FEET: Carlos Vasquez

Written by Sady on September 18th, 2009

This past year, BHS and the Brooklyn Arts Council partnered on an oral history project interviewing local dancers.  BAC initiated Folk Feet, a Folk Arts program dedicated to supporting the work of traditional dancers in Brooklyn, in 2003. The goals of Folk Feet were to identify the range of traditional dance practices represented in Brooklyn by individuals, companies, and community and social dance groups; to document these artists and their practices; and to present them to a wider public by way of concerts, showcases and workshops. This is the fourth in a series of five audio slideshows from that project, stay tuned!

Carlos Vasquez founded La Salsa De Hoy Dance Studio in Sunset Park, Brooklyn in 1982.

Carlos was born in Spanish Harlem and he grew up in Brownsville, Brooklyn and the “Boogie Down” Bronx.  He is a former member of David Melendez’s Mambo Elite Dance Company, and his father used to dance at the famous Palladium Ballroom.

In this excerpt, Carlos Vasquez describes how the Salsa scene in the 1970s inspires his teaching.

Music: “Guarare” by Ray Barretto
Interview conducted by Nicole Macotsis and Sady Sullivan



Posted in Brooklyn Past & Present, Oral History | No Responses »
Tags: , ,

Bountiful Borough

Written by Alli on September 16th, 2009

A few weeks ago I went to Frankie’s Spuntino on Court St. in Carroll Gardens for the first time. My entire experience at Frankie’s was amazing from the warm service staff to the delicious Soppressata, which even broke the will of my mostly vegetarian boyfriend.

grapes by mlykb9

grapes by mlykb9

I was thrilled to learn a week later that Frankie’s is one of the local businesses taking part in BHS’ Brooklyn Bounty event on October 29. Brooklyn Bounty is BHS’ fall fundraising party and this year Brooklyn Bounty is proud to feature local purveyors of some of the most delectable food and drink in the borough.  We’ll be serving ice cream from Blue Marble, pickled goodies from McClure’s, a variety of seasonally inspired dishes from Naturally Delicious, beer from (where else!) Brooklyn Brewery and wine from Red Hook Wineries. The Brooklyn Kitchen will also bring goodies from their Williamsburg store and if that weren’t enough we’ll also hear an amazing performance by Piñataland and their “grand Americana orchestra”. I hear they are even drafting a tune about our dear old Jasper Danckaerts!

I’m getting hungry just writing about this shindig. If you’re interested in coming to the party to try the food or hear the music you’ll be happy to hear that while you’re sipping Chardonnay or indulging in a some mocha chip you’ll also be supporting BHS’ education programs. Not bad for a night out.             

Posted in Brooklyn Past & Present, Events | No Responses »

FOLK FEET: Donny Golden

Written by Sady on September 15th, 2009

This past year, BHS and the Brooklyn Arts Council partnered on an oral history project interviewing local dancers.  BAC initiated Folk Feet, a Folk Arts program dedicated to supporting the work of traditional dancers in Brooklyn, in 2003. The goals of Folk Feet were to identify the range of traditional dance practices represented in Brooklyn by individuals, companies, and community and social dance groups; to document these artists and their practices; and to present them to a wider public by way of concerts, showcases and workshops. This is the third in a series of five audio slideshows from that project, stay tuned!

Donny Golden has been teaching Irish dance in Brooklyn for over 30 years. In 1995, he received the National Heritage Award from President Clinton.

In this excerpt, Donny describes how his parents, who immigrated to Bay Ridge Brooklyn from Ireland, encouraged their children to learn Irish music and dance.

Music: “The Wind That Shakes the Barley” by The Chieftains

Posted in Brooklyn Past & Present, Oral History | No Responses »
Tags: , ,

« Older Entries