LES resident (and freelance journalist/producer) Chris Robinson runs an after school program in the neighborhood. He sent us the following story after taking the teens to the Abrons Arts Center earlier today:
Students from University Neighborhood High School participating in the Advantage After School program took a trip to Abrons Arts Center today to check out their current exhibition called, “Where They At.” The exhibition documents the New Orleans ‘Bounce’ scene with portraits of artists like Cheeky Blakk, Katey Red and Juvenile, audio and video clips of bounce tunes and interviews conducted by journalist Alison Fensterstock.
Photographer Aubrey Edwards came down to meet the students and she talked about how the exhibition was developed, discussed the history of the bounce sound, the effect of Katrina, and explained the proliferation of gay and transgender rappers and dancers who challenge stereotypes often associated with hip hop music.
The trip was organized by the Advantage Audio Production program that teaches students how to produce their own podcasts and publishes them on its very own website here. Participants in the program’s Step Team and Science Club joined in on the fun and tried out some of the moves too!
Advantage is an afterschool program coordinated by Grand Street Settlement at two High Schools on the Lower East Side: UNHS and Marta Valle High School. “Where They At” runs at Abrons until March 27th.
