Conversation: How to Make it in Black America, Pt. 1

By Modesto Flako Jimenez & Saroya Marsh of Brooklyn Gypsies
July 2 - 12, 2015

A meditation on the history and current state of affairs of race relations in the U.S., featuring original poetry by acclaimed spoken word artists Modesto ‘Flako’ Jimenez and Saroya Marsh, who have interwoven historic video and audio with present-day text, surrounding it in a visual art landscape which is created afresh each night.

PERFORMANCES:
Thursday, July 2 at 8 pm
Friday, July 3 at 8 pm
Sunday, July 5 at 7 pm
Wednesday, July 8 at 8 pm
Thursday, July 9 at 8 pm
Friday, July 10 at 8 pm
Saturday, July 11 at 8 pm
Sunday, July 12 at 7 pm

BROOKLYN GYPSIES is an eclectic artist collective made up of New Yorkers both native and immigrant to the city. They present annual showcases of new work in theater, dance, poetry and film that spark dialogues on critical issues of immigration, economics, and urban survival. They curate a mix of established and emerging artists and give them a platform to explore complex issues in a stimulating environment.

SAROYA MARSH is the poet/author of the chapbook Not All of Me Shall Die. She works as a preschool teacher and youth mentor, but has always had a passion for writing. As a spoken word poet she brings a heartfelt intensity and deep beliefs to the stage, brandishing a saber of light that will penetrate those dark pockets of prejudice, injustice, and hurt, that lay buried deep within each of us. Saroya was a finalist in the 2013 Poetry Idol, 2013 Inspired Word Slam Master Jam Champion, 2014 Nuyorican Grand Slam Champion and captain of the first all female slam team in the tristate area, representing Nuyorican Poets Cafe. Saroya has recently been ranked second in the nation at the Woman of the World Poetry Slam. She has been featured at many venues and colleges around the country.

MODESTO “FLAKO” JIMENEZ is a Dominican-born actor, producer, writer and arts educator raised in Brooklyn, New York. Founder of the Brooklyn Gypsies collective, Modesto is an Associate Member of The Wooster Group and also serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Brooklyn Poets. His recent focus has been on writing and on addressing the social and political changes affecting the Latin American communities in his neighborhood. He has appeared on broadcast and online radio to discuss politics throughout the Spanish-speaking world, and to share his poems and stories. He’s also appeared on and been featured in Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Charlie Rose, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, BK Live, TEDxBushwick, NY1, The New Yorker, Los Angeles Times and The San Francisco Chronicle. He has shared the stage with Wallace Shawn, Frances McDormand, Kate Valk, Elizabeth LeCompte and Maura Tierney. In 2012 he published a poetry collection addressing gentrification called Oye, Para Mi Querido Brooklyn (Listen, For My Dear Brooklyn). He is currently working on a memoir and one-man show about growing up as an immigrant in Bushwick, Brooklyn.