Dear
Neighbor,
I
am
very
excited
to
announce
the
launch
of
an
open
call
for
artists
and
vendors
to
participate
in La
Marqueta.
Located
under
the
elevated
Metro
North
railway
tracks
at
115th
Street
and
Park
Avenue
in
East
Harlem,
La
Marqueta
has
been
a
cultural
and
commercial
center
for
the
residents
of
El
Barrio
for
nearly
100
years.
In
its
heyday
in
the
1950’s
and
1960’s,
over
500
vendors
operated
out
of
the
marketplace,
which
served
as
an
important
social
and
economic
venue
for
people
from
all
corners
of
the
City.
Today,
a
major
revitalization
of
La
Marqueta
is
fast
underway
that
includes:
· Creation
of El
Barrio
Youth
Marqueta,
which
will
provide
nutritious,
sustainable
food
options
and
workforce
development
opportunities
for
youth
in
East
Harlem.
· Reopening
of
the
outdoor
plaza
known
as
“La
Placita,”
which
will be
furnished
with
chairs,
tables,
and
public
Wi-Fi
to
encourage
residents
and
visitors
alike
to
use
the
newly-opened
space
and
surrounding
markets.
· Opportunities
for cultural
events
and
programming
that
will
highlight
the
rich
diversity
of art,
history,
music,
and
food
in
El
Barrio.
· Opportunities
and
support
for small
businesses,
artisans,
and
vendors
to
bring
thriving
commerce
to
the
La
Marqueta
corridor.
This
Friday
(Aug.
22nd)
from
6
pm
to
8
pm,
we
will
be
hosting a
mini
open
house
at
La
Marqueta,
where
prospective
vendors
and
artists
can
check
out
the
space,
meet
the
team,
and
get
a
glimpse
of
some
of
the
exciting
programming
that
is
taking
place
at
the
market
this
summer
and
fall.
There
will
be
wine
and
beer,
as
well
as
live
music
from
the
jazz
fusion
group
TROMPO.
Immediately
afterward,
the
International
Puerto
Rican
Heritage
Film
Festival
will
be
hosting
a
special
screening
of
“White
Alligator”
in
La
Placita.
Shot
in
reality
TV
format,
this
feature-length
comedy
about
stereotyping
in
the
entertainment
industry
follows
a
young
Puerto
Rican
as
she
pursues
an
acting
career
in
New
York
City.
Those
interested
in
applying
for
space
at
the
market
can
fill
out
the
attached
application, which
can
be
submitted
electronically
by
clicking
on
the
“Submit
Form”
button
in
the
top
right-hand
corner
of
the
form,
or
by
saving
the
completed
application
and
emailing
it
directly
to
info@LaMarquetaRetona.com. Applications
will
be
accepted
on
a
rolling
basis.
Additional
information
about
the
history
and
revitalization
of
this
cultural
landmark
can
be
found
on
the La
Marqueta
Retoña
website
at
http://lamarquetaretona.com.
And
please
feel
free
to
share
this
information
with
anyone
who
you
think
might
be
interested
in
applying
for
space
at
the
market.
Together,
we
can
help
ensure
that
La
Marqueta
becomes the
prime
location
again
for
local
vendors
and
entrepreneurs
–
a
place
where
people
from
all
walks
of
life
can
buy
unique
products
and
food,
while
moving
their
feet
to
a
rumba.
Gracias!
Sincerely,
Melissa
Mark-Viverito
Speaker