MIX NYC
According to Stephen
Kent MIX was created in 1987 “out of a heartfelt need because neither gay venues
nor experimental showcases were hospitable to the films MIX championed.”
Creators Jim Hubbard and Marguerite Paris envisioned fostering a festival where
they could make available work which evoked the spirit of original and visionary
stories reflective of the turbulent feelings of that time. For the last 21 years
MIX has strived not only meet those challenges but expand. On top of their
annual major festival in November every year since there conception, they have
begun to reach out and make connections to many of New York’s smaller ethnic
communities and conducting monthly movie screenings with Q and most recently
partnering up with the Bronx Academy of Dance and Music. They are also currently
solidifying a film making workshop to mentor at-risk youths.
Bell Italia
Mia
Created in January 1998 by Diego
Lodico, it began simply as a directory for Italian-American events in the
Queens area but quickly grew to producing
events of their own. Their main event is the monthly membership meetings that
are usually followed by a lecture from a visiting professor to discuss Italian
history and/or musical performances organized and performed by the members.
These events allow them to fulfill their purpose to promote the positive image
of Italy, Italian-Americans and their
descendants through the written word and the arts. The group is well known and liked by their
neighbors in Maspbeth as well as Italian Associations here in the United
States and aboard. They have been acknowledged
by the Italian consulate and regularly supported by grants through the NY State
Assembly, City Council and private funding.
