Casa Belongó is bringing arts performance spaces, music education, and a cultural hub to East Harlem. The center will occupy the ground floor and lower level of Timble Terrace, a project that aims to address New York City’s need for affordable housing.
Casa Belongó is inspired by and embraces the spirit of East Harlem, celebrated for its culture as the birthplace of Afro-Latin Jazz. The organization as a whole is driven by the core values of cultural inclusiveness, groundbreaking creativity, social consciousness, excellence, responsible stewardship, and purpose engagement, originally developed by Mega Group Development in partnership with the Lantern Organization and in coordination with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Casa Belongó was founded by Arturo O’Farrill, an extremely talented Grammy-winning jazz musician.
The Chairman of the Board, Eduardo Castell, said, “Casa Belongó represents what is possible when culture and the arts are treated as essential elements to a neighborhood’s wellbeing. Building on East Harlem’s robust history, we are proud to be working with so many great organizations to bring Timbale Terrace and Casa Belongo to life.”
Casa Belongó will provide and feature low-cost music instruction in music classrooms, a performance hall and rehearsal space, music practice rooms, cultural programming and community events, community workplaces, space to house Belongó’s educational and archival work, community spaces to hang out, a cafe and nighttime Jazz Club called Chico’s Corner.
The Development Principal at Mega Group Development, Emanuel Kokinakis, stated that, “Our team is proud to partner on this transformative and important project with Casa Belongo. Timbale Terrace not only addresses the critical need for affordable housing with support services. Principal at Mega Contracting Group, but also brings arts, culture, and education to the community with ties to its great history. This is a special occasion and a celebration for the residents and community of East Harlem.”
More information about Casa Belongó and their celebration of the Americas rooted in African and Indigenous traditions through jazz can be found on their website.
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