About Us

Historically, the metaphor of a “Melting Pot” was coined by the playwright Israel Zangwill, in his 1908 production, which described the integration and absorption of immigrants of varied European descent into mainstream American society at the turn of the century. At the time, this assimilation was positively viewed as a means of improving one’s social and economic position in the world.

The Melting Pot NYC (TMP) challenges this traditional definition. TMP celebrates the diversity of influences that give shape to New York City’s artistic and cultural landscape. TMP provides a context for underrepresented artists of various ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds and disciplines to create their own unique and collaborative stew. Each Melting Pot venue invites a variety of artists to interpret a common theme in terms of their individual and cultural perspective. The result is a unique synergy in which the artists and audience members share in the creation of interactive and complex art experience. It is the implicit belief of The Melting Pot founders that this kind of participatory arts venue provides both the artists and the audience with a depth of shared experience that fosters cultural understanding and tolerance. Our target community is the “melting pot” of NYC. The rich fabric of local and international artists, musicians, poets, filmmakers, dancers, designers and their audience, form a unique community, which is specific to New York. The Melting Pot NYC celebrates this varied and dynamic mix of individuals. The Melting Pot events create a unique composition of cultures and art forms that will ultimately appeal to a broad constituent of viewers and participants of all ages, races, and socio-economic audiences.

The Melting Pot (TMP) serves a culturally and socio-economically diverse community. This diversity is reflected in the cultural backgrounds and wide array of artistic professions that form the Melting Pot’s founding team (see attached biographies). One facet of the TMP’s mission is to provide a venue for underrepresented artists of all disciplines and races.

The Melting Pot is a labor of love and inspiration. The most brilliant and creative people in the Arts are presented monthly. The artists are truly masters of their disciplines and their presentations are unique. The spectrum ranges from a subway station tap-dancer, to an 8-piece samba band, to an artist whose canvas is stained-glass. Beautiful music is presented that touches the soul and moves the body. There is no limit to what can be conveyed.

With that said, The Melting Pot NYC does not only give opportunities to talented artists to showcase their talents to a wider audience but also participate and take action on social and humanitarian issues. The Melting Pot NYC is not only a monthly party, but a collective whose goal is to enrich lives through events, activism and education.

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Mission

To enlighten, inspire and move people through the exploration of art, culture and life through music.

To celebrate diversity of culture and art in an ever-evolving blend that is universal in nature allowing the distinct characteristics of each element, to be experienced and savored.

To provide a setting that encourages interaction and improvisation between cultures, the audience and the artists.

To share a multi-cultural and artistic journey evolving around the diversity of underground dance music.

To encourage, influence and inspire a more prominent and positive community.

To document, sponsor, support, guide and to advise towards the proliferation and prominence of the underground culture of New York City.

To find and explore the common bonds of rhythm, song and spirit by placing the cultural gems that we discover in a new setting, making them infinitely more accessible on the physical, mental and spiritual level.

To create an open and loving environment for people to experience music, art, dance, the ecstasy of celebrating life and the spiritual beauty of artistic expression.

To present this artistic mélange with a focus on benefiting the community intellectually, spiritually and physically.

To create the opportunity to explore, establish and expand common bonds and to discover and delve into the diversity of the NYC experience.

To present with passion, purpose and focus, musician, painter, poet, writer, sculptor, singer, dancer, artist!