Almost Home/Casi Llegando a Casa is a storytelling, oral history, art, and video series presenting story-sharing and art-making workshops from April-July 2017 in different locations throughout Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, and Corona, and a culminating celebration in January 2018.

Exploring the meaning of “home” through telling the powerful stories of the challenges our communities face, and inspiring victories that local organizers have won, Almost Home/Casi Llegando a Casa aims to strengthen community connections through public programs, participatory art, and documentaries that examine themes of vulnerability, resilience, and resistance.

Almost Home highlights the struggles and victories of community organizing against gentrification and displacement, criminalization, and hyper-policing of immigrant communities in Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, and Corona, Queens. The project aims to support the local organizing movement for housing justice and the human rights of immigrants.

The project was developed by 2016 Engaging Artist Fellows Bridget Bartolini and Priscilla Stadler, with Milton X. Trujillo, in collaboration with Queens Neighborhoods United, a grassroots coalition.

media.

upcoming events.

Almost Home Culminating Celebration
Saturday, January 27, 6:00-8:30pm
D’Antigua, 84-16 Northern Blvd, Jackson Heights

The Almost Home/Casi Llegando a Casa culminating celebration features interacitve art, and storytelling, music, and poetry performances by notable Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, and Corona residents who will tell powerful stories about gentrification, displacement, immigration, activism and housing justice in our neighborhoods.

FREE EVENT

Featuring:

* Goussy Célestin – Haitian-American, Brooklyn-born, Jackson Heights-based “Renaissance Woman” who interchanges the roles of pianist, composer, vocalist, dancer, and arranger.

* Shekar Krishnan – community activist, tenant lawyer, and co-chair of Friends of Diversity Plaza who leads efforts to bring Jackson Heights neighbors together around this unique public space.

* Yessica Martinez – poet and teaching artist originally from Medellin, Colombia, who has lived in Corona since she migrated to the United States at age ten.

* Leticia Ochoa – activist with Queens Neighborhoods United and daughter of a street vendor on Roosevelt Avenue widely known as La Chola Cuencana.

* Esneider X – Colombian-born social movement activist, Queens food tour guide, and vocalist in punk band Huasipungo.

Following performances by featured artists, add your voice to our open mic!

Throughout the event experience a pop-up art “Fragile City” installation by Priscilla Stadler, live painting by Oscar Toro, and a “City of Stories” activity that invites you to collaboratively build a city by adding your own story to a paper building.

past events.

Sunday, April 23, 5:00-7:00pm
Manhattan Cocktail Lounge (formerly Tempo Libero)
88-08 Roosevelt Ave, Jackson Heights

The artists led the second round of story circles where participants shared experiences, listen to each others stories, and discussed the challenges of resisting the forces of gentrification rapidly changing the neighborhoods of Jackson Heights, Corona, and Elmhurst, Queens.

This was a free workshop, open to all, with yummy refreshments from El Toro Bravo.

Sunday, April 30, 11:00am-4:00pm
Park of the Americas, 41-98 104th St, Corona
(at the corner of 104th St & 42nd Ave)

At Queens Se Defiende / Defend Queens, Almost Home joined local community and grassroots groups to offer a story-sharing workshop following a presentation by Queens Neighborhoods United and Queens Is Not For Sale. The presentations began at 1:30pm, followed by a story circle in the park.
Organized by ICE Free Queens in collaboration with Free University of NYC, this was a day of interactive presentations and family activities.

Saturday, June 17, 12:00-3:00pm
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
(near Queens Zoo entrance at 111th St, btwn 54th & 56th Avenues)

Tell your story, and get free food from our BBQ! Come enjoy a day in the park, exchange a story for food, meet neighbors, join conversations about our ever-changing neighborhoods, and make your voice part of a collaborative City of Stories installation.