Lemon Andersen may be enjoying a six-week run for his solo show at the Public Theater in Manhattan, but it was El Puente (211 South 4th Street), the pantheon-like theater space in Williamsburg where Anderson got his start, that hosted its own emotional night of performances to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS in Brooklyn.
“It’s been 16 and I’m still here/ It’s been 16 and I’m still here, let me say it loud so you can hear/ It’s been 16 and I’m still here,” said Simply Rock, who pronounced that it felt like he was coming home after performing at El Puente.
The arts organization hosted the 5th Annual Performance in Recognition of Latino AIDS Awareness Day called “Live 4 It!” which featured a wide array of spoken word performers, singers, musicians, and hip hop artists.
The theme was to share experiences living with HIV/AIDS, to honor those in the Latino community who have dedicated their lives to AIDS awareness and prevention, and to remember those friends with AIDS who have died.
“I look pretty normal, right?There are some people who look like me… I wouldn’t say better,” said Kim, from Love Heals, who performed on stage.
During the evening’s most emotional moment, El Puente Executive Director Frances Lucerna presented the Brendan Upson Awards to Lisette Narrero, Luna Luis Ortiz, and Dennis deLeon, while honoring the memory of Upson, a choreographer with a long history with El Puente.
“He choreographed a piece about alcoholism at BAM which featured a homeless couple on the subway,” said Lucerna.“One reviewer said, ‘He doesn’t need to move to be powerful and move our hearts.’”
El Puente is located at 211 South 4th Street. For more information about events, call 718-387-0404 or visit www.elpuente.us.