In the 1960s, the streets of Spanish Harlem and the Bronx vibrated to a new sound: Latin Boogaloo, spearheaded by figures like Joe Cuba. Joe Cuba’s sextet combined English lyrics, African-American soul rhythms, and traditional Puerto Rican beats (son montuno, mambo) into a massive, danceable fusion that defined the urban experience of Nuyorican youth. This […]
The representation of political figures in mid-century portraiture often oscillated between rigid propaganda and romanticized photojournalism. This essay explores the visual identity of Fidel Castro and the Cuban revolutionary leaders during their first visits to New York in 1959. The contrast between the formal business suits of local officials and the green fatigues, long beards, […]
Tuli Kupferberg was more than a poet; he was a living theatrical event. As co-founder of The Fugs alongside Ed Sanders in the East Village, Tuli represented the pure, unadulterated heart of the counter-culture. Observing Tuli in performance during the Fugs revival concerts in New York was a masterclass in political satire and dadaist comedy. […]