Nush: In New York City’s deep downtown music, there has never been any shortage of stories to tell: CBGB, the Fillmore East, the Ramones, Iggy Pop, the New York Dolls, Blondie, Talking Heads and so much more are woven into this vital neighborhood’s lore.
Documentaries on all of the above abound, and as fascinating as these topics are, they don’t necessary qualify as current events. For an LES film with a sense of urgency, eyes are turning to a real-life shoot currently in production, the story unfolding as you read this: The Miguel Algarin Story.
If Miguel Algarin’s name doesn’t immediately register with you, his brainchild almost certainly does. The Nuyorican Poets Café that he founded in 1973 has long stood as a beacon for emerging poets, hip hop mavens, musicians, visual adventurists, and sonic/visual artists of virtually every other stripe. For aficionados of any of the above, the NYC live experience is incomplete without at least one visit to the hallowed space, which continues to present an almost nonstop schedule of performances in its home on East 3rd Street between Avenues B and C.
But according to Will Roberson, President of NYC’s Diggin 4 Brown Films and Executive Producer and Director of The Miguel Algarin Story, the golden years of Algarin’s life are no Shakesperian sonnet. A better comparison would be a full-on slam (body, not poetry), as Algarin labors to get on the same page again with the landmark club he founded, keep his home, and manage his HIV+ status. The result is a documentary in progress that’s also a race against time.
How did you get involved with Miguel Algarin? Why did his situation become important to you personally?
Umar Bin Hassan of the Last Poets suggested to a mutual friend named Robin Benton that I get involved and work with him as well as Miguel Algarin. It became important to me personally, because it’s the type of project that’s not only about entertainment but its also about culture and history.
I gravitate towards real people who have made an impact on society, like Miguel. Miguel is like myself: He is a pioneer of thoughts, and he created something out of nothing. He forged a path on his own and that is something I have always done in my life and with my career. I automatically respect those who are fearless, and have a vision and who are not afraid to execute their vision.
Source: http://www.sonicscoop.com/2011/06/01/cliffhanger-on-the-les-documenting-the-miguel-algarin-story/
Documentaries on all of the above abound, and as fascinating as these topics are, they don’t necessary qualify as current events. For an LES film with a sense of urgency, eyes are turning to a real-life shoot currently in production, the story unfolding as you read this: The Miguel Algarin Story.
If Miguel Algarin’s name doesn’t immediately register with you, his brainchild almost certainly does. The Nuyorican Poets Café that he founded in 1973 has long stood as a beacon for emerging poets, hip hop mavens, musicians, visual adventurists, and sonic/visual artists of virtually every other stripe. For aficionados of any of the above, the NYC live experience is incomplete without at least one visit to the hallowed space, which continues to present an almost nonstop schedule of performances in its home on East 3rd Street between Avenues B and C.
But according to Will Roberson, President of NYC’s Diggin 4 Brown Films and Executive Producer and Director of The Miguel Algarin Story, the golden years of Algarin’s life are no Shakesperian sonnet. A better comparison would be a full-on slam (body, not poetry), as Algarin labors to get on the same page again with the landmark club he founded, keep his home, and manage his HIV+ status. The result is a documentary in progress that’s also a race against time.
How did you get involved with Miguel Algarin? Why did his situation become important to you personally?
Umar Bin Hassan of the Last Poets suggested to a mutual friend named Robin Benton that I get involved and work with him as well as Miguel Algarin. It became important to me personally, because it’s the type of project that’s not only about entertainment but its also about culture and history.
I gravitate towards real people who have made an impact on society, like Miguel. Miguel is like myself: He is a pioneer of thoughts, and he created something out of nothing. He forged a path on his own and that is something I have always done in my life and with my career. I automatically respect those who are fearless, and have a vision and who are not afraid to execute their vision.
Source: http://www.sonicscoop.com/2011/06/01/cliffhanger-on-the-les-documenting-the-miguel-algarin-story/
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