Spanish-American Institute

Student Club Newsletter

215 West 43 Street Times Square Manhattan, New York 10036-3913

voice: 212.840.7111 fax: 212.719.5922 www.sai.nyc info@sai.nyc VoIP internet phone: 166.84.191.135 student news groups: news://166.84.191.133 library catalog: http://166.84.191.133/m3

March, 2008		Vol. 4, No. 3
	An old English saying states that March roars in like a lion and goes out like a lamb (a baby sheep). Spring starts March 21. Daylight Saving Time (DST) Spring forward, Fall behind! DST begins March 9. Before you go to sleep on Saturday night, March 8, remember to set your clocks ahead one hour. DST moves an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening to save energy by providing more hours of light during normal waking hours. Enjoy an extra hour of daylight until Fall when we move our clocks back an hour. New York City: A City of Immigrants New York City is truly a city of immigrants. Did you know that NYC has over 180 different culture groups speaking 116 or more different languages? The Urban League, an African-American group, has a saying: “We all came over in different ships but now we are all in the same boat.” St. Patrick’s Day celebrates not only the Irish presence in America but also that of the many immigrant groups who have contributed to this country’s history. St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) St. Patrick’s Day originated with the immigrant Irish who came to the USA in large numbers from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. The Irish came to escape famine (starvation from lack of food), poverty, and British oppression (unfair or cruel treatment) in Ireland. According to legend, St. Patrick (d. 461) drove all of the poisonous snakes out of Ireland. Irish opponents of the British often wore green in tribute to their saint, St. Patrick. The shamrock, a green cloverleaf, became a national symbol. In attempting to stamp out resistance, the British forbid the Irish from wearing green. This is the origin of the expression, the Wearing of the Green. Many New Yorkers wear something green on St. Paddy’s Day—green clothes, green flowers, or green hats. There is an expression that “Everyone’s at least a little bit Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.” The Wearin’ O’ The Green (excerpt) Oh! Paddy dear, and did you hear the news that’s going round, The Shamrock is forbid by law to grow on Irish ground. No more St. Patrick’s Day we’ll keep, his colors can’t be seen, For there’s a cruel law against the wearing of the Green. I met with Napper Tandy*, and he took me by the hand And he said ‘How’s poor old Ireland and how does she stand?’ She’s the most distressful country that ever yet was seen, For they’re hangin’ men an’ women for the wearing of the Green. *Napper Tandy was an Irish revolutionary hero (d. 1803). The Shamrock, An Irish Symbol of Good Luck Some people believe that a shamrock with four petals or a four-leafed clover represents good luck. What are some of the good and bad luck symbols in your culture? Do you believe in luck? St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March 17) The St. Patrick’s Day Parade marches up 5^th Ave. from 44^th to 86^th St. starting at 11 am on Monday, March 17. Various Irish groups march at the head of the Parade followed by different Irish clans (social groups, tribal divisions) in their colorful plaids (cloth pattern of crossed lines and squares—each clan has a plaid pattern of its own). Bands, Irish musicians, and other marchers reflect Irish culture and honor the immigrant contribution to the United States. Over 150,000 people march each year in New York City. Easter: One of Many Spring Celebrations Throughout history, Spring has been seen as a time of renewal and rebirth celebrated in religion and in custom. For example, Christians observe Easter to celebrate the death and rebirth of Christ. However, they also follow some of the old customs of pagan (pre-Christian) Europe. In ancient Europe, eggs symbolized new life and rabbits symbolized fertility (reproduction). Eggs and bunnies (baby rabbits) continue to play an important role in Western non-religious Easter celebrations. American children often color hard-boiled eggs for Easter, a custom that probably arrived here with German and Dutch immigrants. The most famous Easter Parade in the USA is in NYC.	Easter Parade, New York City (March 23) New York City will hold its famous Easter Parade on Sunday, March 23. The parade marches up 5^th Ave. between 49^th and 57^th St. from 10am to 4pm. Participants often wear beautiful Spring clothes and, of course, colorful Easter bonnets (hats). Also expect to see live rabbits, flowers, clowns, and more. March in New York—Things to Do for Free There is so much to see and do in New York City. A lot of it is free. Check out the Spanish-American Institute Student Club Bulletin Boards in the Student Room and Founders Rooms (room 13) for recent information about free or low cost: museums, concerts, flu shots and other immunizations, swimming, Parks Department Recreation Centers with gyms, etc. The Vision and Art of Shinjo Ito, to March 30 at the Milk Gallery, 100 pieces by Japan’s foremost Buddhist sculptor and artist. Free $4 MetroCard when you mention code MTA07 at the gallery gift shop (while supplies last.) M-W, 10-6, Th-Sun 10-9. 450 W. 15^th St. near 10^th Ave., A,C,E to 14^th St. or L to 8^th Ave. Exoticism, to May 7, Museum at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology). 250 years of fashion inspired by the “exotic” and “foreign” from diverse cultures. Tues-Fri. noon-5 pm, Sat. 10-5pm. 7^th Ave. @27^th St. Walk from the Spanish-American Institute or take 1,C,E,F,V,N,R trains to 23^rd or 28^th St. stops. Target First Saturdays at the Brooklyn Museum, Sat. Mar. 1, Apr. 5, etc., 5-11pm. Free art, music, dancing, entertainment, etc. First Saturday of every month. www.brooklynmuseum.org/visit/first_saturdays.php. 2,3 trains to Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum at Museum entrance. Starry Nights Live Jazz Performance, First Fridays at the American Museum of Natural History, Fri., March 7, April 4, May 2, etc, 6 & 7:30 pm. Free with pay-as-you-wish Museum admission. Some of the world’s greatest jazz musicians play one-hour sets at 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. Enter through the Rose Planetarium on W. 81^st St. off Central Park West. C to 81 St., 1 to 79^th St. and Broadway and walk east. Art of William Steig, to March 16, Jewish Museum. View the work of the “King of Cartoons” and author of Shrek. Free Saturdays 11am-5:45pm. 5^th Ave. @92^nd St. 6 train to 103^rd St. iRetumba! Sat., March 8, 3pm, Museum of the City of NY. Celebrate Women’s History Month with this all-female band. Pay what you wish admissions. 5^th Ave. @103^rd St., 6 train to 103^rd and walk west. Watch it, Move it, Wear it! Sat., March 15, 11am-1pm, El Museo de Barrio, visit the galleries with artist educators. See how artists create movable performance art. Produce your own portable and wearable works of art. 1230 5^th Ave. near 104^th St., #6 Lexington Ave. train to 103^rd St,; 2/3 trains to 110^th St. A Festival of New Irish Song, Sun, March 16, 7pm, Winter Garden at World Financial Center (WFC) on Battery Park Side at the Hudson River. See map for WFC on school bulletin boards. Any train to lower Manhattan: A, C, J, M, Z, 2, 3, 4 or 5 to Fulton Street/Broadway-Nassau: Exit onto Fulton Street and walk west to Church St.; turn right and walk to Vesey St.; turn left and continue across West St. to the WFC. E to World Trade Center: Exit onto Church Street and walk north to Vesey St.; turn left and continue across West St. to the WFC. R or W to City Hall: Exit onto Broadway and walk south to Vesey St.; turn right and continue to the WFC. 1 to Rector Street: Exit onto Greenwich Street and walk north to Liberty St.; turn left and continue to the WFC.

NEW: check out Student Club MySpace @ www.myspace.com/studentclubnews