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Cemi Underground's All-Star Extravaganza is more than a fundraiser
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The Cemi Underground shop in East Harlem may have closed its doors, but Cemi lives on.(1).jpg)
This Thursday Cemi Underground will host its “All-Star Extravaganza,” featuring art, poetry, music and food at the Taller Boricua Multi Arts Space @ the Julia de Burgos Cultural Center on Lexington Avenue in East Harlem as a way to help raise funds and to pave the way for Cemi’s future.
Luis Cordero, Cemi Underground’s owner, says he considers this show an extravaganza because it “features come of the best talent that our community has produced in the last few years.”
Performers who have volunteered their time include the Grammy-nominated Los Pleneros de la 21, poets La Bruja, Mariposa and Bobby Gonzalez and “El Boogie Down Comedy Show.” The night will also showcase a silent art auction. The extravaganza is an event that will cover Cemi Underground's debt from the old space.
Cordero launched Cemi Underground, an independent bookstore, gallery and gift shop, in June of 2007. The goal was to establish a space to promote and proclaim Puerto Rican and Latino art and culture in New York City and to the world. Cemi Underground quickly became a cultural treasure, showcasing underground as well as more prominent names in the Latino arts and literary scene.
But Cemi Underground, like many small businesses, was struggling to make ends meet. Cordero explained that Cemi depended solely on the sales of merchandise, the income from the admission to its non-stop lineup of cultural events to pay the artists and Internet sales. Even though many of the events were well attended, it was sadly not enough to keep the shop open. Cemi closed its store in late April.
The goals of its upcoming extravaganza are simple.
“Even though we closed our doors, we still have bills to pay, namely loan payments,” Cordero says. “These are payments that will hang over my head for years to come. This fundraiser will not resolve that situation.”
But he is optimistic.
“The event will establish what will hopefully be a model of what we can do if we put our heads and our efforts together toward a common goal,” he says. Cemi Underground still exists online, and its core mission continues.
Cordero has also not completely abandoned the idea of finding another space.
The funds raised, he says, may also be used to help in relocation efforts if that is the best viable business option.
“I have several options open to me in terms of sharing space in the near future,” he says.
For now, his plans are to focus on his online marketing to reach a larger audience on the Internet.
He also plans to restart the publishing ventures that he started three years ago. Under his Cemi Press, he published poet Bobby Gonzalez’ book “The Last Puerto Rican Indian,” which was well received.
Through Cemi Underground, Cordero has met more artists and writers who wish to have their work published and now has a large pool of talent.
Cordero recalls that the extravaganza was being planned even before the store closed in the hopes of keeping the location. But after reviewing the shop’s financial situation, he decided to close the space.
Cordero says he is proud of his effort to maintain the store for nearly two years. He is especially grateful to his loyal team, the friends of Cemí Underground: Elena “Mamarazzi” Marrero, Jose and Carmen Medina (Boricuation), Raul Rios (LatinosNYC.ning.com), Candy Warixi Soto (Tamucono Tanama Yucayeque Taino and Ku Karey Spiritual Circle), Maria Aponte, Lisa Jimenez, Mia Roman Hernandez (Art By Mia), Debbie Quiñones, Maria Cardes (Socorro Fashions) and Maximvs Prophet.
Cordero is also grateful to the artists participating in the extravaganza.
“The participating artists (in the extravaganza) are all volunteering their time,” he says. “They all volunteered to participate, and so it was not a question of who can we ask and will say yes. Every one of them came to me and asked what they could do to help when they heard about the event.”
The “All-Star Extravaganza” kicks off at 6 p.m. at 1680 Lexington Avenue (between East 105th and 106th streets).
Admission is $15 per person. For more information, visit www.cemiunderground.com.
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