¶ ¶ >>> COMING UP, STORIES WE'RE CONNECTING YOU WITH TONIGHT.

AFTER ALMOST CLOSING DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, A BELOVED HAVEN FOR MUSIC AND THE ARTS GETS A SECOND CHANCE.

>> WE GOT 60,000 RESPONSES RIGHT AFTER WE ANNOUNCED.

AND THAT TO US WAS AMAZING.

>> A LOCAL WOMAN TACKLES THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS IN HER COMMUNITY.

>> ONE IS INDEPENDENT, 2, TRANSPORTABILITY, AND 3, A SEMBLANCE OF A HOME.

>> AND A VICTORY THEATER PLAYERS BRING YOU ELPUERTO RICO 4.

>> THE FIRST RESPONSE WAS LIKE, JUST SHEER JOY.

I THINK YOU KNOW, I WAS NEAR TEARS WHEN I HEARD THE SOUND OF THE INSTRUMENTS TOGETHER.

I MEAN, IT'S JUST SUCH A PRECIOUS THING.

>> DETAILS AND THOSE STORIES AND MORE UP NEXT ON CONNECTING POINT.

¶ ¶ >>> GOOD EVENING.

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR JOINING US FOR CONNECTING POINT.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S ALL TOO COMMON FOR SOME TO WALK PAST THE HOMELESS AND DISREGARD THE PERSON LYING ON THE STREET OR IGNORE THE SIGN BEING HELD AT THE INTERSECTION WITH A PLEA FOR HELP.

THAT'S NOT THE CASE FOR MELINDA SHAW OF FLORENCE.

RECOGNIZING THE SERIOUS ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS IN HER CITY, SHE STARTED A NONPROFIT GROUP CALLED "HOPE ON WHEELS."

ITS MISSION IS TO PROVIDE THE LOCAL UNHOUSD POPULATION WITH A MODULAR LIVE-IN UNIT, GIVING THEM PRIVACY, SECURITY, AND SAFETY FROM THE ELEMENTS.

AND PRODUCER DAVE FRASER BRINGS US THE STORY.

>> IT'S FEELING OF DESPERATION, REALLY.

I HAD MY STUFF ON MY BACK AND NO PLACE TO PUT IT.

>> AS OF JANUARY 2020, MASSACHUSETTS HAD AN ESTIMATED 17,975 PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ON ANY GIVEN DAY.

>> I WAS IN MY LIFE WHERE I WAS BETWEEN JOBS AND I HAD A BIG DEBT TO PAY TO MY LANDLORD AND I JUST DIDN'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO GO.

AND I DIDN'T HAVE ANY RESOURCES.

THAT PROPERTY ME TO THE STREETS.

>> TODAY KELLY IS NO LONGER PART OF WHAT SOMETIMES IS REFERRED TO AS AMERICA'S HIDDEN POPULATION.

BUT FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, FINDING A SAFE SHELTERED PLACE TO STAY IS A CONSTANT CHALLENGE.

ENTER NORTHAMPTON RESIDENT MELINDA SHAW WHO STARTED "HOPE ON MEALS," BUILDING MOBILE HUMANITY PODS THAT CAN BE TOWED BEHIND A BICYCLE, GIVING SOMEONE WHO IS HOMELESS A SECURE PLACE TO SLEEP, EAT, AND STORE THEIR PO SAYS.

>> I BELIEVE THAT -- POSSESSIONS.

>> I BELIEVE THAT IT HELPS ACCOMPLISH SEVERAL THINGS, ONE IS INDEPENDENCE.

TWO, TRANSPORTABILITY, AND THREE, A SEMBLANCE OF A HOME.

>> THE INSPIRATION FOR THE PODS CAME FROM HER WORK WITH THE FIRST CHURCHES OF NORTHAMPTON WHERE SHE HELPED RUN A COT SHELTER AS WELL AS DISTRIBUTE RESOURCES TO THE HOMELESS.

>> I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE SLEEPING ON THE FRONT STEPS OF THE CHURCH THIS THE WINTER.

SO I WOULD SAY IT IS GREATLY IMPROVED FROM THAT.

AND IT'S CERTAINLY IS MORE DURABLE THAN A TENT.

IT WON'T COLLAPSE IN THE SNOW.

AND IT'S DEFINITELY WEATHERPROOF.

>> HER HOPE IS TO HAVE 20 PODS BUILT BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

SHE'S LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER TEAMS TO STEP UP AND COMMIT TO BUILDING A POD.

TEAMS MUST BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A USED BIKE AND PAY A $500 REGISTRATION FEE TO COVER THE COST OF MATERIALS.

>> I HAVE SEVEN TEAMMATES REGISTERED AND FOUR OF THEM -- TEAMS REGISTERED AND FOUR OF THEM ARE ACTIVELY BUILDING WRITE NOW.

>> REFLECTIVE TAPE.

THE ABILITY TO LOCK WITH A PADLOCK HERE.

THE INSIDE WE'VE GOT CUP HOLDERS HERE, THIS WILL BE A FOUR-INCH MEMORY MOMENT FAT TRES -- FOAM MATTRESS, CARGO NETS, CUPBOARDS.

>> SHE'S TRYING TO ESTABLISH PLACES WHERE THESE PODS CAN BE PARKED OVERNIGHT.

SHE KNOW IT WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF HOMELESSNESS.

WHAT THEY CAN PROVIDE IS SOME PERSONAL DIGNITY AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SOMEONE WHO NEEDS IT TO HAVE THEIR OWN SPACE.

>> IT'S FILLING A GAP.

AND YOU KNOW, WHEN I -- WHEN I INTERACT WITH PEOPLE DOWNTOWN, I OFTEN GET THE, WELL, WHAT ABOUT THIS AND WHAT ABOUT THAT.

AND YOU KNOW, I CAN'T FIX EVERYTHING.

YOU KNOW, I'MT NO GOD.

-- I'M NOT GOD.

AND I'M DOING SOMETHING.

AND SO I JUST SAY, I'M DOING SOMETHING.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

¶ ¶ >>> LAST DECEMBER, LIKE MANY LOCAL BUSINESSES, GATEWAY CITY ARTS IN HOLYOKE FELL VICTIM TO THE PRESSURES OF THE PANDEMIC AND ANNOUNCED THAT AFTER NEARLY 10 YEARS IN OPERATION, IT WOULD BE CLOSING ITS DOORS FOR GOOD.

HOWEVER, THIS SPRING, THE COMPLEX RECEIVED A NEW LEASE ON LIFE BY ENTERING INTO A PARTNERSHIP WITH DSP SHOWS, WHICH WILL BE TAKING OVER THE BOOKING AND PROGRAMMING FOR THE LIVE MUSIC ASPECT OF THE BUSINESS.

I SPOKE WITH CO-DIRECTORS AND OWNERS LORI DIVINE AND VITEK KRUTA ALONG WITH JOHN SANDERS PARTNER AND TALENT BUYER AT SDSP SHOWS TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THEIR PARTNERSHIP AND THE VALUE THAT THIS VENUE ADDS TO THE REGION.

>> WE GOT THE FIRST PPP LOAN.

WE TRIED TO KEEP STAFF.

WE DIDN'T WANT TO CLOSE BUT WE ALSO KNEW THAT WE HAD TO, PROBABLY AROUND DECEMBER, MADE SENSE FOR US.

WE JUST -- WE JUST COULDN'T KEEP GOING.

IT WAS MONEY.

IT WAS MONEY.

IT WAS THE UNCERTAINTY.

IT WAS ANXIETY.

IT WAS NOT KNOWING WHEN THIS PANDEMIC WOULD GONNA BE OVER, IF EVER, IF LIFE WOULD RETURN TO NORMAL.

SO WE JUST DECIDED WE JUST COULDN'T DO IT ANYMORE.

>> AND AS CO-DIRECTORS AND CO-OWNERS OF GATEWAY CITY ARTS, I KNOW THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THE BOTH OF YOU TO NOT ONLY WANT TO SELL THE BUSINESS BUT TO SELL THE BRAND AS WELL.

WHY WAS THAT SO IMPORTANT FOR YOU AND WAS IT CHALLENGING TO FIND SOMEONE TO CARRY ON THAT VISION?

>> IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT GATEWAY ARTS FROM THE VERY BEGINNING BECAME THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE REVITALIZATION OF DOWNTOWN.

AND WE GOT 60,000 RESPONSES RIGHT, LIKE THE SECOND DAY AFTER WE ANNOUNCED.

AND THAT TO US WAS AMAZING INCENTIVE ALSO TO LIKE, OKAY, WE REALLY NEED TO FIND SOMEBODY NOW WHO'S GOING TO CONTINUE SIMILAR OPERATION SO THIS DOESN'T BECOME A WAREHOUSE OR IT DOESN'T BECOME SOMETHING ELSE.

>> YEAH.

AND I WANTED TO GET INTO THAT, BECAUSE FAST FORWARD FIVE MONTHS LATER, HAVING TO DECIDE TO CLOSE THE BUSINESS AND THEN YOU GOT A LIFELINE WITH THIS NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH DSP PAROLE DUCKS.

HOW DID THE PARTNER -- PRODUCTIONS.

HOW DOES THE PARTNERSHIP FORM AND WHAT IS IT GOING TO LOOK LIKE?

>> DSP SHOWS IS MY COMPANY WITH MY PARTNER DAN AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING SHOWS IN -- AT GATEWAY CITY ARTS AND IN OTHER PLACES IN WESTERN MASS FOR A LONG TIME.

AND WHEN VITEK AND LORI TOLD ME THEY WERE GOING TO CLOSE, I WAS DISAPPOINTED AND WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT COULD WE DO, IS -- WOULD THERE BE A WAY TO FIGURE OUT PARTNERSHIP THAT WE COULD CONTINUE TO DO THIS.

AND HAVE MYSELF AND OUR COMPANY STEP UP IN A BIGGER WAY TO TAKE OVER THE OPERATIONS OF THE CLUB AND KEEP BRINGING THE KIND OF SHOWS THAT WE WANT TO BRING TO WESTERN MASS THAT REALLY IF GATEWAY WASN'T THERE, I DON'T THINK WE'D BE COMING TO WESTERN MASS.

SO WE FORMED A PARTNERSHIP, A NEW COMPANY THAT'S GOING TO RUN THE VENUE, AND DSP SHOWS WILL CONTINUE TO PUT CONCERTS IN THERE, REGGAE AND FOLK AND INDY ROCK AND WE HAVE A PARTNER WHO IS A FRIEND OF MINE NEIL ROBINSON, WHO IS GOING TO HELP US RUN THE VENUE AS WELL.

>> NOW, JOHN, AS I MENTIONED, YOU'VE DONE -- AS I MENTIONED, YOU'VE DONE WORK WITH GATEWAY CITY ARTS IN THE PAST ON THE OTHER -- AT OTHER VENUES.

IN NORTH HAMPTON AND PINES THEATER.

HOW IMPORTANT AND VITAL ARE VENUES LIKE THIS FOR THE REGION?

>> THEY'RE HUGELY VITAL AND THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY STUDIES THAT HAVE SHOWN THESE VENUES BRING PEOPLE TO SPEND MONEY ON RESTAURANTS AND BRING FOOT TRAFFIC TO STORES IN DOUBTS, TO HOTELS.

IT'S A HUGE ECONOMIC STIMULUS FOR THESE COMMUNITIES WHERE THESE ART CENTERS ARE.

AND I THINK THAT GATEWAY, LORI AND HAVE I TECH, PROVED THAT HOLYOKE IS A PLACE PEOPLE WANT TO GO.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SPOT.

THERE'S A LOT TO DO.

AND IT'S AN INCUBLATTOR OF ARTS -- INCUBAITOR OF ARTS AND IDEAS.

>> IN ADDITION TO THE CONCERTS, THE VENUE ALSO INCLUDES A THEATER, RESTAURANT, AND A RENTAL SPACE FOR ORGANIZATIONS AND PRIVATE PARTIES.

WITH THE REMAINING COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS BEING LIFTED IN THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, WHAT -úTP GATEWAY CITY ARTS?

>> YES, WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT CONTINUING TO START TO PROGRAM THE THEATER WITH JOHN RUNNING THE MUSIC.

WE WILL BE ALSO MORE FOCUSED ON SMALLER ACTS, WHICH WILL ALSO INCLUDE THEATER, POETRY READINGS, SALONS, MORE COMMUNITY-ORIENTED EVENTS, AND PRIVATE EVENTS AS WELL.

AND OF COURSE, THE RESTAURANT IS GONNA CONTINUE BUT WE DON'T KNOW YET EXACTLY WHEN THEY'RE GOING -- WHEN THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> I THINK IT'S SAFE TO SAY YOU ALL HAVE BEEN ON AN EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER WITH HAVING TO -- [LAUGHTER] >> DECIDE TO CLOSE DOWN IN DECEMBER AND NOW RE -- FORMING THIS PARTNERSHIP TO REVITALIZE GATEWAY CITY ARTS.

WHAT HAVE YOU ALL LEARNED DURING THIS PAST YEAR?

>> WE'VE LEARNED HOW IMPORTANT THESE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT VENUES ARE TO COMMUNITIES AND HOW MUCH PEOPLE MISS THEM AND HOW WATCHING LIVE MUSIC ON A COMPUTER CAN ONLY GO SO FAR.

AND THEN THE CONNECTIONS THAT YOU MAKE WITH OTHER HUMANS IN THE SAME ROOM SHARING THE EXPERIENCE ARE JUST INVALUABLE.

AND NOT REPLACEABLE.

AND I MISS IT AND I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE MISS IT AND WE JUST ARE REALLY EXCITED TO GET BACK TO IT.

>> AND FOR ME, ON A MORE PERSONAL NOTE, I FEEL LIKE WHAT I'VE LEARNED AND REALIZED IS HOW IMPORTANT OUR ENTIRE STAFF WAS.

THAT IT REALLY DID FEEL LIKE FAMILY AND WE ARE STARTING UP AGAIN AND NOT EVERYBODY -- BUT SOME PEOPLE ARE VERY EXCITED TO COME BACK.

AND IT JUST FEELS LIKE WE'RE READY TO EXPLODE AGAIN, YOU KNOW.

AND JUST HAVE FUN!

AND BE SAFE.

MOSTLY BE SAFE.

¶ ¶ .

>>> EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT CONNECTING POINT EXPLORES THE CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKE US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND, BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE.

YOU CAN FIND US ONLINE ANYTIME FOR EXCLUSIVE FEATURES AND CONTENT.

IN OUR DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE THIS WEEK, WE'RE EXAMINING THE UNIQUE HISTORY OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS' LARGEST CITY.

SPRINGFIELD HAS LONG BEEN KNOWN AS THE CITY OF HOMES, AND FOR MANY OF US IN THE PIONEER VALLEY AND BEYOND, IT'S EITHER THE CITY WE LIVE IN OR COMMUTE TO FOR WORK.

BUT WHAT MANY MIGHT NOT REALIZE IS JUST HOW MANY THINGS HAVE BEEN INVENTED IN SPRINGFIELD, GIVING IT ANOTHER TITLE, "THE CITY OF FIRSTS."

>> SPRINGFIELD IS ALSO HOME TO THE FIRST-EVER PARKING METER.

I'M NOT SURE WHO THOUGHT THAT WAS A GOOD IDEA.

OF COURTS, PARKING METERS TO NOT APPLY TO FIRE ENGINE WHEN HE ARRIVE ON THE SCENE.

THEY HAVE THE FIRST MOTORIZED FIRE WAGON.

>> DON'T MISS THIS DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE AVAILABLE ONLINE RIGHT NOW AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

THE DECADE-LONG WAIT FOR WINDSOR STATE FOREST TO BE A FUNCTIONS -- FUNCTIONING, EMPLOYEE-LED STATE PARK IS NEARLY OVER.

BRIAN SULLIVAN VISITED THE SECLUDED WOUND ISLAND AREA TO SPEAK WITH MEMBERS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION ABOUT THEIR PLANS FOR RE-OPENING THE PARK.

HE WAS INVITED BACK THIS SPRING TO BING US THIS PROGRESS REPORT.

>> SOMEWHERE DEEP IN THE WOODS OF THE BERKSHIRES, THERE'S A TALL TREE MINDING ITS OWN BUSINESS.

ELSEWHERE A TRIBUTARY SPILLS OVER ROCKS AND STONES EN ROUTE TO A WATERWAY.

THERE'S EVEN A HIKER WALKING THROUGH THIS FOREST FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY HALF A YEAR.

NOTHING REALLY OUT OF THE ORDINARY HAPPENING HERE.

THAT IS UNTIL WE STEP OUTSIDE THIS CURTAIN OF PINE AND OAK AND SEE MORE ACTIVITY TAKING PLACE IN THIS PARKING LOT IN ONE DAY THAN THE PREVIOUS 10 YEARS COMBINED.

FOR THE PAVING CREW IN CHARGE OF THIS OPERATION, IT'S JUST ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE.

BUT AT THE WINDSOR STATE FOREST, IT MEANS THIS LOCATION IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO BECOMING A FUNCTIONING PARK AGAIN.

>> WHERE WOOL EXCITED ABOUT -- WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

PARK HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR 10 YEARS.

WE KNEW IT WAS THIS HIDP RESOURCE.

NOW WE'RE EXCITED.

IT'S LIKE WE'RE OPENING THE CURTAIN ON SOMETHING SOME FOLKS HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT.

>> IT MAY SEEM LIKE A DISTANT MEMORY, BUT THIS LOT WOULD BE JACKED -- JAMMED WITH CARS AND IT WASN'T TOO LONG AGO EITHER AS MOST OF THE CREW HAD STORIES OF COMING HERE WITH THEIR FAMILIES WHEN THEY WERE CHILDREN.

NOW THE BUILDING AROUND WHICH THEY'RE DOING THEIR PAVING OPERATIONS ARE TWO OF THE CENTERPIECES FOR THIS $2 MILLION RECLAMATION PROJECT.

THE FIRST BEING THE CONTACT STATION AT THE EDGE OF THE PARKING LOT.

>> EVERYONE THAT VISITS THE PARK WALKS BY THAT SPACE.

THAT'S WHERE YOU WILL SEE A DCR STAFF PERSON THERE TO GREET, TO INFORM, HERE'S THE TRAILS MAP, HERE'S THE RULES.

HAVING A PICNIC.

>> THE SECOND IS THE COMFORT STATION.

JUST ONE WEEK BEFORE THE PAVING, THIS BUILDING WAS GETTING NEW FLOORING PUT IN.

IT TEACHED TOILETS AND -- FEATURED TOILETS AND SINKS AND SHOWERS AND A DISH WASHING STATION AS WELL AS A PAVED WALKWAY THROUGH THE CENTER AND AROUND THE BACK.

THIS RECREATIONAL AREA WILL EVENTUALLY BE COVERED WITH NEW SOD AND FEATURE A PAVILION IN THE CENTER.

AN UNPAVED ACCESSIBLE WALKWAY MADE WITH A SOIL STABILIZING MATERIAL CIRCLES THE PERIMETER.

AND PASSES BY THE FUTURE SWIMMING LOW CAL.

IT'S CLOSED NOW BUT WILL BE PART OF PHASE TWO IN THE YEAR 2022.

AND AS I LEARNED IN -- 2020 WHEN I FIRST BEGAN TO UNRAVEL THEIR MYSTERIES, THE PATH ALSO LEADS TO SEVERAL HIKING TRAILS.

IT WAS NEAT TO RETURN ALL THESE MONTHS LATER FOREJUST MY SECOND WALK THROUGH THESE -- FOR JUST MY SECOND WALK THROUGH THESE WOODS.

PRIOR TO 2020, I HADN'T EVEN BEEN DOWN THE ROAD THAT LEADS HERE, NEVER MIND THE PARK ITSELF.

BUT IT'S QUICKLY BECOMING ONE OF MY FAVORITE NATURE STARTS AROUND.

FOR STARTERS, THE TREES ARE IMMENSE.

SECONDLY, I CAN ABOUT HEAR -- I CAN HEAR THE SOUND OF RUSHING WATER ALL AROUND.

WHETHER IT'S A STEEP-BANKED BROOK RIGHT HERE, OR THE EAST BRANCH OF THE WESTFIELD RIVER JUST AROUND THE BEND.

BUT IT'S REMOTE.

THERE'S NO CHANCE THAT THIS PHONE WILL GET ANY COVERAGE WHILE I'M OUT HERE, AT LEAST FOR NOW.

THIS PAY PHONE IS THE LAST LINK TO A BY GONERA -- BYGONE ERA.

HIGH SPEED INTERNET WILL COME TO THE PARK.

THE NEXT QUESTION IS WHEN DO THE WORK TRUCKS LEAVE AND THESE SIGNS COME DOWN?

>> WE'RE TARGETING LATE JUNE.

I THINK RIGHT NOW, OUR WORKING CALENDAR DATE IS SATURDAY, JUNE 26TH.

THAT'S SORT OF OUR UNOFFICIAL OPENING OF OUR DAY USE FACILITIES.

SO THAT IS THE WORKING DATE.

WE HOPE TO BE CLOSE TO THAT, MAYBE EVEN A LITTLE BIT AHEAD OF THAT.

SO IT WILL ABSOLUTELY BE OPEN AND OPERATIONAL THIS SUMMER.

¶ ¶ >>> THE MASSACHUSETTS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS VICTORY PLAYERS ARE BACK THIS SUMMER WITH ANOTHER INSTALLMENT OF THEIR POPULAR EL PUERTO RICO SERIES.

IT WILL FEATURE NINE NEW COMPOSITIONS FROM PUERTO RICAN COMPOSERS, AND I SPOKE WITH THE MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE VICTORY PLAYERS TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THIS NEW INSTALLMENT AND WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR THE SERIOUS.

>> WE WANTED FIRSTLY TO CELEBRATE OUR WONDERFUL PUERTO RICO COMMUNITY HERE IN HOLYOKE, WHICH IS WHERE WE ARE BASED AT THE VICTORY THEATER, SPONSED BY MASSACHUSETTS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS.

AND YOU KNOW, WE THOUGHT ABOUT VARIOUS DIFFERENT TITLES AND WE LANDED ON THE ORIGINAL MEANING OF IF WORD "PUERTO RICO, ASK THE WHICH IS THE WHICH PORT.

AND I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE.

PUERTO RICO IS IN SOME WAYS SOME OF THE OLDEST PARTS IN THE OLDEST MUSIC IN AMERICA IS IN PUERTO RICO.

AND IT HAS -- YOU KNOW, HALF A MILLENNIAL-LONG MUSICAL HISTORY AND REALLY RICH MUSICAL HERITAGE, CULTURE.

AND WE WANTED TO CELEBRATE THAT.

SO WE THOUGHT WHAT BETTER WAY TO DO THAT THAN TO APPROACH COMPOSERS, WITH ANIBILITY IN PUERTO RICO -- AN INTEREST IN PUERTO RICO, IT'S FROM PUERTO RICO OR SOMEBODY WHO HAS ENGAGED WITH PUERTO RICO IN THE PAST, TO WRITE PIECES ABOUT THAT AND WHAT WE HAVE NOW IS 10 NEW PIECES BY NINE DIFFERENT COMPOSERRERS, WITH ALL OF THEM VERY DIFFERENT STYLES AND VERY DIFFERENT TAKES.

AND AND WHAT A WAY TO EXEMPLIFY THE WORD "RICH."

AND A PORT OF CALL WITH ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT IDEAS COMING TO MEET IN PUERTO RICO.

>> SO SAS -- SO AS YOU MENTIONED, IT WILL FEATURE NEW COMPOSITIONS BY THESE PUERTO RICAN COMPOSER.

WALK ME THROUGH THE CREATIVE PROCESS AND WHAT IT'S LIKE BRINGING ALL THESE COMPOSERS AND MU SUBMISSIONS -- MUSICIANS TOGETHER IN THE SAME SPACE.

>> I HAVE TO SAY IT'S SUPER EXCITING, FIRST OF ALL!

I THINK WITH THE COMPOSERS, IT'S REALLY AN EXPLORATION.

WE START WITH -- WITH MEETING AND TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THEIR VISION OF WHAT THEY WANT TO SAY.

AND YOU KNOW, I THINK FOR A LOT OF OUR COMPOSERS OF ROKIAN DESCENT, THERE -- PUERTO RICAN DESCENT, THERE WAS THE QUESTION OF IDENTITY AS PUERTO RICAN, AS AN AMERICAN, AND YOU KNOW, WHAT THAT MEANS AND HOW AM I GOING TO SAY THAT THROUGH MUSIC.

SO IT WAS VERY PERSONAL FOR SOME OF THEM.

SO CHRISTIANS, FOR EXAMPLE, WROTE A PIECE THAT WAS CALLED "WHAT MY MOTHER WROTE."

AND HE REALIZED, YOU KNOW, HE IS PUERTO RICAN.

AND ESSENTIALLY, WHAT HE DOES IS BY DEFAULT PUERTO RICAN MUSIC.

AND HE WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN THAT.

HE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS MOTHER WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT'S VERY UNIVERSAL.

AND THE MUSIC VERY NATURALLY WAS INFUSED OF ALL THESE WONDERFUL RHYTHMS OF BOOM BOOM PLAYING, EVER SO SLIGHTLY IN THE BACKGROUND.

AND THERE'S ONE PIECE WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT BY J.J. PENA AND IT'S CALLED PRINCE OF LOST BREATH.

AND IT IS INSPIRED BY THE DEMONSTRATIONS IN PUERTO RICO ¶ ¶ IN RESPONSE TO THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD.

AND INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON THE DARKNESS THAT'S REPRESENTED, FOCUS INSTEAD ON THE GLOBAL RESPONSE TO KIND OF STRUCTURAL RACISM AND KIND OF THE ANTIRACIST MOVEMENT, AND IF YOU WILL.

AND THE MUSIC CELEBRATES THAT.

BUT IT'S SO SPECIAL BECAUSE WE GOT TO WORK WITH A LOCAL GROUP, WHICH IS BASED RIGHT HERE IN SPRINGFIELD AND HOLYOKE, AND THEY DO A LOT OF WORK IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AND WE'RE CLASSICAL, CONTEMPORARY ENSEMBLE MEETING THIS WONDERFUL BOMBBA BAND AND DANCERS AND WE'RE LEARNING ABOUT THE CULTURE AND THE MUSIC MAKES SO MUCH SENSE TOGETHER AND IT'S SO EXCITING.

>> SO THE COMPOSERS ARRIVED THIS WEEKEND.

AND NOW YOU ARE ALL TOGETHER WORKING ON THESE PIECES FOR ELWERE THE PUERTO RICO IV.

HOW HAS THIS PAST WEEK BEEN GOING FOR YOU SO FAR?

>> YOU KNOW, WE JUST CAME OUT OF A PANDEMIC!

AND I THINK THAT'S THE MOST OBVIOUS THING.

AND IT TOOK A LOT OF DOING TO GET EVERYBODY HERE.

SO I THINK THE FIRST -- FIRST RESPONSE WAS LIKE, JUST SHEER JOY.

I THINK YOU KNOW, I WAS NEAR TEARS WHEN I HEARD THE SOUND OF THE INSTRUMENTS TOGETHER.

I MEAN, IT'S JUST SUCH A PRECIOUS THING AND I THINK FOR MU SITIONZ AND ALSO THE COMPOSERS, FOR MANY OF US, IT'S BEEN 15 TO 16 MONTHS OF NO HUMAN CONTACT.

AND MUSIC IS SO DIRECT.

IT'S SO EMOTIONALLY CONNECTED.

AND YOU KNOW, JUST THE IDEA THAT YOU KNOW, I'M BEEN WATCHING THE DANCER MOVE AND I'M PLAYING SOME SOUND THAT REFLECTS THAT, IS MAGIC.

>> THE FIRST TWO ITER RACES INCLUDED -- ITER RACES INCLUDED MUSICAL WORKSHOPS WITH VICTORY PLAYERS WITHIN SCHOOLS IN THE AREA.

HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED THAT ASPECT?

>> EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL HAD SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT RESPONSES.

I THINK THE CLASSROOM SCHEDULES ARE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT.

THE BUILDING ARE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT.

PL.

BUT I THINK THE MOST DIFFICULT THING IS THE TIMETABLE WAS YOU KNOW, WAS MOVING CONSTANTLY.

I THINK THAT'S THE EXPERIENCE OF EVERYBODY.

DURING THIS PANDEMIC, EVERYTHING KEEPS CHANGING.

YOU DO THE SAME JOB SEVEN TIMES AND THEN AT THE LAST MINUTE YOU DO IT AN EIGHTH TIME.

I THINK THAT'S BEEN THE HARDEST THING HERE.

SO NORMALLY WE WOULD GO TO THE SCHOOLS AND CONTACT THE TEACHERS AND SAY, OKAY, SO WE'RE GOING TO COME THE FIRST WEEK OF JUNE AND WE'RE GOING TO MEET WITH THE STUDENTS.

AND I DON'T THINK ANYBODY COULD HAVE ACTUALLY TOLD US THAT WE COULD MEET WITH THEM IN -- COULDN'T MEET WITH THEM IN PERSON AND WHAT THE PROPOSAL COMES WOULD BE IN FEBRUARY.

SO WHAT WE'VE DONE IS THIS TIME ROUND, WE'RE TAKING J.J.'S PIECE, "PRINCE OF LOFT BREATH," AND WE RECORDING IT IN A STUDIO AND WE'RE WORKING WITH J.J. AND WE WILL ACTUALLY BE CREATING PROGRAMS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND HIGH SCHOOL.

AND THEY WILL NOW ALL BE IN A PACKAGE THAT'S GOING TO BE ONLINE THAT THE TEACHERS CAN ACTUALLY ACCESS AT ANY TIME THAT THEY'D LIKE.

>> THE FIRST TIME THAT YOU EXPERIMENT A LITTLE BIT WITH A VIRAL EVENT WAS EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN EL PUERTO RICO HAD TO GO OVER BECAUSE.

RESTRICTIONS OF THE PANDEMIC.

-- BECAUSE OF THE RESTRICTIONS OF THE PANDEMIC.

WHAT WERE THE POSITIVE INSIGHTS THAT YOU LEARNED WITH HAVING TO REIMAGINE THIS SERIES?

>> WHEN WE COMMISSIONED THE PIECES, ZOOM WAS NOT A MAJOR FACTOR.

SO COMPOSERS MADE DECISIONS ABOUT INSTRUMENTS THAT DON'T RECORD WELL ON ZOOM OR DON'T INTERACT VERY WELL ON ZOOM.

AND FOR MUSICIANS I THINK THE BIGGEST TROUBLE IS THIS THING CALLED LAG.

SO BIM THE TIE -- BY THE TIME I PLAY THE TOWM AND IT GOES THE SEVERE SERVER AND BACK TO YOU, IT'S -- ZOOM SERVER AND BACK YOU TOO, IT'S DELAYED AND THEN DOUBLY DELAYED.

WE CAN PERFORM AS IF WE ARE SITTING NEXT TO EACH SOTH.

SO WE HAVE TO PRERECORD SOME THINGS.

SO WE HAD TO QUICKLY DO, WE'RE SO GRATEFUL THAT THE ARTISTS WERE SO FLEXIBLE AND KIND TO US.

WE MET A WHOLE GROUP OF COME POURS BACK IN OCTOBER AND WE SAID, WE CAN'T ACTUALLY PERFORM NORMALLY.

CAN YOU WRITE US PIECES THAT'S PLAYABLE THROUGH ZOOM AND WE CAN RECORD.

THAT WAS ONE BIG THING.

WE SAT DOWN TOGETHER AND EXPLORED THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES AND CREATED PIECES THAT FACILITATED GOOD PERFORMANCES AND WE REDUCE EVERYTHING SO IT WAS TWO PEOPLE.

SO IT WOULD BEs FOR SOMEBODY TO PLAY SOMETHING ON THE BACKGROUND ON THEIR COMPUTERS AND PERFORM LIFE.

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ >> HARD TO BELIEVE FOR ALL OF US, BUT WE ARE NOW ENTERING A POST-PANDEMIC NEW NORMAL.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THE ELPOSURE SERIES?

-- EL PUERTO RICO SERIES?

WHAT WILL BE UNVEILED FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS PROGRAM?

>> WE'RE HOPING WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING VIDEO AND SOUND RECORDINGS AND -- VIDEO RECORDINGS, AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO MAKE PODCASTS, A RADIO SHOW, A SPOT FEATURE, AND CALL ACTUALLY APPEARING SOMEBODY ELSE'S MUSIC SHOW, FOR EXAMPLE.

I'D LIKE A LITTLE MINISERIES WITH VIDEOS AND INTERVIEWS WITH THE COMPOSERS THAT'S GOING TO LIVE ON WGBH'S WEBSITE AS WELL AS THE OTHER WEBSITES.

THAT'S KIND OF COOL, BECAUSE YOU KNOW, I THINK ONE OF THE -- IF YOU WILL, SIDE PROJECTS OF THAT IS LIKE, YOU KNOW, THIS -- WHAT WE SAY IN NEW CLASSICAL MUSIC IS LIKE, WHO'S AFRAID OF CLASSICAL MUSIC?

WELL, NOBODY.

THIS IS LIKE -- THERE'S DANCING, THERE'S PLAYING THAT IS BAUMA.

IT'S JUST SO EXCITING.

AND I THINK PEOPLE RELAX INTO IT AND THE VARIOUS FORMATS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ACTUALLY ALLOW PEOPLE TO GET KIND OF UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH US TO SEE AND TO HEAR AND WE HOPE TO ACTUALLY DO A LITTLE LIVE COMPONENT AT SOME POINT WHERE WE CAN INTERACT WITH THE AUDIENCE AT LARGE.

SO I THINK THAT'S VERY EXCITING FOR THE EL PUERTO RICO PROJECT.

¶ ¶ >>> THAT DOES IT FOR CONNECTING POINT FOR JUNE 4TH, 2021.

REMEMBER, YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND THE STORIES THAT YOU SAW TONIGHT AS WELL AS EXCLUSIVE FEATURES, DIGITAL-ONLY CONTENT, AND MORE ONLINE ANYTIME AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

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