3-03-08
CIMARRON CULTURAL CAFÉ . . . “Where Afro-Latino
Culture Comes Alive”
Proprietors Maria and Juan Cedano opened Cimarron’s
doors at 156 South 4th Avenue in May 2007.
The name Cimarron was given to slaves who ran away to
the mountains to escape slavery. Today those communities
still exist throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
They have been able to maintain their culture, music,
religion and their tradition. Examples of Cimarrones are
the Guarifonas in Honduras, the maroons in Jamaica, The
Liboristas in the Dominican Republic, and The Black
Nicaraguans in Blue Fields etc. Cimarron Cultural
Café is the venue where people can come to enjoy and
experience some of those rhythms and traditions in a
relaxed environment.
The mission of Cimarron Cultural Café is to
promote multi-culturalism through education, cultural
events and art exhibitions. To provide a place for
community residents to come together, learn from each
other and enjoy each other’s company while improving
relationships.
Maria and Juan hope to provide a venue for new artists
and artists of African descent to showcase their work,
whether they are painters, poets, musicians, comedians
or actors. Cimarron will promote cultural
heritage through education, cultural events, art
exhibitions, discussions and lectures. It will provide a
space where young people can learn about our cultures as
it relates to the general society.
Cimarron seeks to create
an environment of unity and cultural identity among all
ethnics groups in Mount Vernon and Westchester County.
Increase civic participation through forums and
discussions and other activities.
The philosophy behind Cimarron envisions the
coming together of people of all backgrounds, beliefs
and experiences to share experiences with each other and
other ethnic groups. Cimarron will identify new
artists and artists of African descent to exhibit their
work and share their knowledge. Cimarron’s
activities are designed as an innovative approach to
enhance and increase knowledge of each other cultures
and traditions.
Cimarron believes that
cultural identity and self pride enable people to
maximize their full potential in education, finance and
civic participation. To achieve this goal, the program
will focus on the following objectives: Knowledge
culture; Basic language skill; Participation in art and
performance activities; Increased civic participation;
Enhance self image; Exposing the community to various
role models; and Increased parental involvement in their
children’s education.
Ongoing cultural activities consist of classes,
workshop and training in art and craft, music, language
skills, history, civic classes. These activities are
conducted in individual and group setting. Seminars,
cultural and educational enrichment activities will also
be provided:
-
Cultural
enhancement programs
-
Art
exhibitions
-
Poetry
reading
-
Comedy
nights
-
Conferences and lectures
-
Seminars
with guest speakers
-
Educational programs
-
Dance
classes
-
Music
classes
-
Language
classes
-
Promote
high moral standards and awareness of the diverse
world in which we live in.
If you are ready to experience something different stop
by and say hello to proprietors Maria and Juan Cedano:
“We celebrate Afro-Culture wherever it may come
from," says Maria.
And don't forget to check out their website at
www.cimarronculturalcafe.net for current events
at this unique cultural enterprise.
Hours: Thursday thru Saturday: 5pm until.
