Da: LaConga.Org
Casa Amadeo Needs your support
Casa Amadeo, owned by composer and musician Mike Amadeo, at 786 Prospect Avenue in the Bronx (off Longwood Avenue) is having trouble with its landlord, social service organization, Banana Kelly. They have raised the rent of the store to a disproportionate amount relative to what his rent has been all these years (as well as to what they are charging to the newest commerical occupants of the building--almost half the amount) . This behavior is shameful, especially for an organzation that was founded in the 1970s to help the community. Casa Amadeo antigua Casa Hernandez has been at that site since 1941 when it was opened by Victoria Hernandez (sister of Rafael). Mike bought it in 1969 and kept the store running, even during the 1970s and 80s when he was the only tenant (commercial or residential) in the building when the neighborhood was falling apart.
Not only is Casa Amadeo the longest continually run Latin music store in NYC, but Mike himself is a treasure of historical information. In 2003 Casa Amadeo and the building where it resides were included on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the only Puerto Rican site from the mainland to be included on National Register, due to its importance to Latin music history as well as it being an icon for the Puerto Rican migration to NYC (Victoria was one of only a handful of female Puerto Rican entrepreneurs in the first half of ths century).
Thanks to Joe Conzo (a member of this e-group), he alerted Lorraine Montenegro, the director of United Bronx Parents of Mike's situation. Lorraine and her organization truly reflect community values and work to provide for the neighborhood. She had a meeting with Banana Kelly this afternoon in the hopes that they would understand the significance of Casa Amadeo to the community and they should have more respect to Mike and the history. Lorraine wanted the next step to be support from musicians who know the value and importance of Casa Amadeo.
If you are interested in voicing your support for Casa Amadeo please contact Lorraine Montenegro at ubpexec@aol. com or 718-991-7100.
And if you are in NYC you can go there and support Mike in person by purchasing your music from him!http://www.lasalsavive.com/portale/pagine/biblioteca/recensioni/dudu_ny_day5.shtml
