January 2015 | Issue No. 25
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 Dear Friends, Starting another year gives us an opportunity to reflect on our past achievements and to proclaim, predict or at least wish for what the next year will bring. Without a doubt, BBLA had a truly successful year, and we should all be very proud. What makes me really happy is that our individual organizations and our core team will not only wish for great results but they will also roll up their sleeves and go right to work, shaping those outcomes the best they can. The result is a collection of meaningful events that have a strong unifying goal: of not only preserving but more like presenting our heritage and sharing our interactions with our former homelands. We will engage in deeper discussions with our friends, representing various branches of the Czech government, about how our community can participate in the ongoing dialogue concerning the future of the Czech Republic. Our terrific relationship with the Consulate, the Mission to the UN, the Embassy and the Czech Center allows us to be of assistance where we can and where it might bring a positive impact. We also work closely with the representatives of Slovakia. For instance, hands on participation of our sister organizations, the Vaclav Havel Library Foundation and the American Friends of Czech Republic in the events celebrating 25 Years of Freedom, show profoundly how these activities play such a significant role in the political agendas of the current leadership of the country. We shall continue this work as this is clearly is part of our mission. Wishing you all a prosperous, happy and above all healthy 2015. Joseph Balaz, President Bohemian Benevolent & Literary Association
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HERE IS WHAT'S COMING THIS YEAR
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Monday, January 12, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Guided Tour: CELEBRATING PRINT 2014
art exhibition
Free and open to the public. RSVP required; email your name to Helen at: celebratingprint@gmail.com
Join curator Katerina Kyselica for a guided tour of the exhibition Celebrating Print 2014 and explore the world of fine art prints and printmaking. 30 artists from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany and the USA present their recent projects featuring a variety of printmaking techniques. Walk through with the curator to explore the artists' visual language and approach to printmaking, Jiri Anderle's exploitation of Old Masters, Jindrich Pilecek's surreal etchings, and see how printmakers expand the traditional two-dimensional medium into objects. Learn about the Czech modernist artist Jiri Kolar and how New York-based artists reflect on his legacy.
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Friday, February 27, 7:30 - 9:30 pm
DVORAK'S LEGACY
concert
The Aaron Copland School of Music Orchestra, under the direction of Maurice Peress, will perform works by Antonín Dvořák and George Gershwin, exploring the Czech composer and his American legacy.
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BESEDA BALL
An extraordinary night of dance, music and delicious food. Our BESEDA BALL continues its long tradition of Czech immigrant balls with festivities in the Grand Ballroom of the historic Bohemian National Hall.
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April 18 & May 2, 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Guided Tour: BOHEMIAN NATIONAL HALL
In July 2014 the Bohemian National Hall celebrated the 20th Anniversary of its designation as a New York City Landmark, and in April 2015 the city of New York marks the 50th Anniversary of New York City Landmarks Preservation Law.
As part of the citywide celebration initiated by NY City Landmarks 50 Alliance, BBLA offers two special guided tours of the Bohemian National Hall. Explore its history and architecture.
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NEW
Celebrating Print 2014 magazine presents Czech and Slovak fine art prints with essays on printmaking and profiles of the artists.
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Bohemian Benevolent & Literary Association | 321 East 73rd Street, 3rd floor | New York, NY 10021 (212) 988-1733 | www.bohemianbenevolent.org | info@bohemianbenevolent.org
BBLA is a not-for-profit organization established in 1891 in New York City as an umbrella organization for almost eighty Czech and Slovak immigrant organizations. The mission of BBLA is to preserve and support Czech and Slovak culture in New York City. BBLA's member organizations include American Fund for Czech and Slovak Leadership Studies, Association of Free Czechoslovak Sportsmen, Czech and Slovak Solidarity Council, Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences in America, Dvorak American Heritage Association and Sokol New York. BBLA is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.
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