Josephine Smith Josephine Smith is an enrolled member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation and resides on the Shinnecock Territory near Southampton, Long Island. Josephine has been an educator at the Shinnecock Nation Museum, the Shinnecock Indian Education Program and currently serves her nation as the Cultural Resources Department Director. As an indigenous cook, artist of […]
Young Indian Culture Group The Young Indian Culture Group, Inc. (YICG) is a non-profit Academy based in Herricks dedicated to preserving the rich culture of India through education, performances, and workshops. Their programs include classes for children and adults in Hindi, Sanskrit, and Tamil languages, Cultural Traditions, Classical and Folk Dance, Music, Arts, and Yoga. […]
The Workmen’s Circle: Jewish Cultural Organization The Workmen’s Circle is a national Jewish cultural organization that was established in 1892 by a group of cloak makers who gathered in a tenement on New York’s Lower East Side. The mutual aid society was formally chartered in 1900 as The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring. As new immigrants, the […]
Kevin Westley, Irish Céilí Dance Teacher Teaching Céilí (Irish) Dancing for Over 25 Years by Edwin O’Keefe Kevin Westley’s phone rang. It was Sister Peggy McHugh. It seems the dance instructor at the Bishop Ford adult education Céilí class could not finish the semester. She wanted to know if he would “fill in.” That was […]
Achyut Tope : Tabla Player Achyut Tope was born in Hyderabad, India in the early 1960s. He received his Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in India, and at the age of 21, he immigrated to the United States to continue his studies. He attended SUNY-ESF and Syracuse University where he received his Master’s degree. He […]
Steel Sensation: Trinidadian Steelband Steel Sensation was founded by Trinidadian born Ian Japsi. Ian learned to play from family members, including his uncle, the legendary Jit Samaroo. Trinidad is a small Caribbean island that has had a big effect on music through its contributions of calypso and the steel band. The steel band is composed […]
The Sopasinas Hellenic Dance Academy: Greek Folk Dance School Kitty Sopasis, who was born in the Northern Greek community of Thesalomike in 1949, founded the Sopasinas Hellenic Dance Academy in 1983. The granddaughter of Greek farmers and the daughter of a steelworker who settled in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania with his family, Sopasis was imbued with traditional […]
Denise Silva-Dennis Denise “Weetahmoe” Silva-Dennis (Shinnecock/Hassanamisco-Nipmuc) is a retired Southampton Elementary School art teacher. She is from the Shinnecock Tribe in Southampton. Silva-Dennis graduated from Hamilton College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art. Upon graduation, she received honors in her discipline. Silva-Dennis is also an accomplished bead work crafts woman. The traditional […]
