For my research, I wanted to find out what areas of New York City had the highest Bangladeshi populations, where Bengali musicians perform, and where the Bangladeshi music and dance schools are.
I first compiled a list of all of the venues that the Bangladeshi musicians mentioned to me in interviews. I noticed that many of the places where traditional Bangladeshi musicians perform are either in cultural centers, public schools, or bigger theaters.
Venues:
Brooklyn
o PS 179
o Kumble Theater (LIU, Brooklyn Campus)
o PS 230
o Avenue C Plaza, Kensington
The Bronx
• Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community Center
• Lehman College
• Westchester Square Business Improve District (BID)
o 25 Westchester Square, Bronx, New York, 10461
Queens
o Queens Theatre
• 14 United Nations Ave S, Queens, New York 11368
o PS 182
o PS 234
o Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts
• 36-01 37th Ave, Astoria, New York 11101
Then, I wanted to generally map the areas that had high populations of Bangladeshi immigrants:
o Astoria, Queens
o Parkchester, Bronx
o Jackson Heights, Queens
o Kensington, Brooklyn
o Jamaica, Queens
o City-Line, Queens/Brooklyn
o Ozone Park, Queens
Lastly, I discovered that music and dance schools serve an important educational and cultural function in the Bangla community. So, I mapped a few music and dance schools.
Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA)
• Offers language, dance, music and instrumental classes
• Provides opportunities and support for established and emerging Bangladeshi artists and performers
• Promotes harmonious relationship through cultural activities between the Bangladeshi-American communities, regardless of ethnic or social origin.
• Background Info (from their Facebook page)
o The Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA) was launched in 1993 with the intention of keeping the rich Bengali culture alive in the Bangladesh-American communities of New York City. To promote Bengali culture, BIPA offers (1) language, dance, music and instrumental classes, (2) opportunities and support for established and emerging Bangladeshi artists and performers, and (3) the cultivation of harmonious relationships through cultural activities, regardless of ethnic or social origin. BIPA’s mission includes the bridging of Bangladeshi and American communities. BIPA offers classes in Queens and Brooklyn. Since its founding in 1993, each year BIPA has offered performances to commemorate major civic holidays and over 100 classes in language, music and dance annually for more than 2000 students. BIPA performances of traditional folk and classical dance have been featured by the American Museum of Natural History, Queens Council on the Arts, and Queens and Brooklyn Public Libraries. Since its birth BIPA has dedicated itself to keeping the rich traditions of Bengali culture alive through music, dance and language classes, and performances in public libraries, schools, theaters, and parks.
AnandaDhwani USA
• Cultural Association, Jamaica, Queens
• AnandaDhwani USA, Inc. is a Bangladeshi cultural organization in Jamaica, New York. The group was founded in 2015 with an aim to practice and celebrate Bangladeshi culture, heritage and tradition in USA. Anandadhwani USA welcomes members of Bangladeshi community and anyone interested in Bangla culture. The group is a membership based organization.
• The organization provides a platform and environment for Bangladeshis living in New York City to practice, participate and enjoy music, song, drama, dance etc.
Bonhishikha Sangit Niketon
• Dance School in Astoria
• Bonhishikha Sangit Niketon teaches Bangla/Bengali songs to Bangladeshi children living in New York City. The organization is located in Astoria, New York City and not-for-profit in nature. It was founded by Sabita Das in 2008.
• The principal aim of Bonhishikha Sangit Niketon is to help new generations of Bangladeshi kids to connect to their ethnic roots through music, song, dance, recitation and other cultural activities. Bangla instruction for all students are provide free. Besides teaching music, Bonhishikha Sangit Niketon also participates in various local Bangladesh community events, such as Ekushey celebration, Bangla New Year, etc.
Hindol Sangeetaloy
• Bangladeshi Cultural Organization in Jackson Heights
• Hindol Sangeetaloy, a Bangladeshi cultural organization, was first established in 1999 in Astoria, New York. In 2005, Hindol Sangeetaloy found its present location in Jackson Heights. Meanwhile, Hindol’s curriculum evolved to include not only classical ragas, but also Robindro, Nazrul, Folk, Patriotic, Ghazal, Thumri and much more while still remaining faithful to our original concept of classical vocal training
Sadarang Worldwide Music Center
• Music school in Jackson Heights
• Sadarang Worldwide Music Center teaches various kinds of Bangladeshi music to kids, young and adults. The company is located in Jackson Heights, New York and operated by Dada Tapan Kanti Baidya. Sadarang Worldwide Music Center teaches all kinds of traditional Bangla music, Nazrul songs, Rabindra songs, Bangladeshi folk songs, vatiali, Hindi movie songs, vajan, gazal, etc. Voice training are also provided.
