Poetas con Cafe Saturday, September 24, 2005 Hope Community, Modesto Flores Garden    Photographed by Angelo Rivera

New York cool photographer Angelo Rivera is always out, scouting the city for the events that make living in New York so very special. And on Saturday September 24th he hit paydirt at the Modesto Flores Garden. There he saw the Poetry Jazz Ensemble featuring: Poet Am érico Casiano Jr.; Edy Martinez (keyboard); Ray Martinez (bass); Gene Golden (Chekeres & Cajita ); Dave Coleman (Vocals, Congas & Caja); Warren Smith (Chekeres & Cajon); and with guest poets Jesus Papoleto Melendez and Frank Perez in an event hosted by Roger Caban of Hope Community, Inc.

Americo Casiano	Frank Perez

Jesus Papoleto Melendez	Maria Aponte

Here is a quote from their press release: “ Poets, artists, tourists and more gather at the beautiful, vest pocket park garden located in the heart of “El Barrio” where a mural of the “Spirit of East Harlem” stands at the corner of 104th & Lexington as witness to the diverse beauty, struggle and soul of a community facing change.   Every summer, for the past six years, the sounds of poems & music mingle with the aroma of coffee, tea and pastries creating a special summer setting for literary learning and enlightenment.  An oasis of creative flavors, “Poetas con Café” brings a community together to express their poetic soul through the open mic process while inspiring the neighborhood with poems from featured artists, Americo Casiano, one of the original Nuyorican poets who will be joined by the NuyoRican jazz ensemble and Mariposa.

Roger Caban	NuyoRican School

For more information on this program: Hope Community, Inc. @ 212-987-3942 or NuyoRican School @ 718-931-9500 ext. 19. Modesto Flores Garden is located on Lexington Avenue between 104th Street and 105th Street.