THE BRONX MUSEUM OF THE ARTS AND DIGITAL DIASPORA FAMILY REUNION SEEK REAL BRONX TALES: CELEBRATING FAMILY AND THE BRONX!
Thomas Allen Harris' family photograph taken in the Bronx during the 1950s-1960s.
Digital Diaspora Family Reunion (DDFR) in cooperation with The Bronx Museum of the Arts, invited the public to join them for ‘REAL BRONX TALES’ at a special DDFR ROADSHOW GRAND FINALE at The Bronx Museum of the Arts, 1040 Grand Concourse (@ 165th Street,) the Bronx, on Saturday, July 20th, from 4:30pm – 6:30pm, to celebrate family history and stories of growing up and living in the Bronx. Everyone, of all ages, participated – bringing a few of their favorite family photographs to share with the audience, as well as the stories behind the pictures!
- Audience members hold up their family photographs during our Digital Diaspora Family Reunion Roadshow stop in Staten Island, June 2013. Photo taken by Natalie Shmuel Courtesy of Chimpanzee Productions, Inc.
WHAT’S YOUR BRONX TALE?
DDFR and The Bronx Museum of the Arts want to uncover the hidden stories of the real Bronx, New York’s most misunderstood borough. We were seeking stories from local residents and those with long ties to the area of what life in the Bronx is really like for them, their family, their friends and neighbors and the people on their street, their block, in their community. We succeeded in illuminating and sharing the history of strong families and vibrant communities that have made the Bronx a real treasure for many generations of people seeking a better quality of life. Through the images and stories we shared unique cultural histories, traditions, and customs, emerging from the Lower East Side, to West Africa, from California to Latin America, in the process that made and continues to make the Bronx a diverse and exciting community. Special presentations for the afternoon included Tales of the Grand Concourse by Sam Goodman and City of Memory by City Lore. We also showcased the history of one corner of the Bronx as seen through photographs over time.
- Jahongir Usmanov shared photographic archives of Brooklyn College’s history during the Brooklyn College DDFR Roadshow Grand Finale, October 2012. Photo taken by Natalie Shmuel Courtesy of Chimpanzee Productions, Inc.
DDFR consists of a touring live-event, DDFR ROADSHOW and an online web portal, DDFR.tv, which together uncover, illuminate, educate, and entertain participants about hidden history as captured in their family photo albums, creating in essence a “people’s history” of our world. To upload your own photographs and stories, just join the DDFR SocialNet, http://ddfrsocialnet.ning.com/.
- Chief Richard “Wolf Paw” DeGroat Thomas of the Ramapough Lunaape tribe presents his photographs during the DDFR Roadshow Grand Finale at Staten Island, June 2013. Photo taken by Omar Columbus Courtesy of Chimpanzee Productions, Inc.
The DDFR Roadshow—the brainchild of Bronx-born filmmaker, journalist and educator Thomas Allen Harris—brought together the diversity of the Bronx community to share stories contained in their family photographs in an exciting, multimedia community photo-sharing event, funded by the Rockefeller Foundation NYC Cultural Innovation Fund.
Special Presentations Included:– Tales of the Grand Concourse by Sam Goodman – City of Memory by City Lore
wish I could be there. I have tons of photos and movies!
It would have been wonderful if you were there Linda, We would have loved to see them all! Of course if you know any other families that might be able to make it, please let them know. Thank you!