Louis Katsos’ Post

Last week’s “4th Hellenic Rembetika/ Harlem Blues/Jazz Concert” and Cocktail Hour The Russian Tea Room in Manhattan. Enjoy. - This video is of the East Mediterranean Business Culture Alliance/ EMBCA hosted “4th Hellenic Rembetika/ Harlem Blues/Jazz Concert” and Cocktail Hour in Partnership with The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce at the historic and iconic Russian Tea Room in Manhattan on June 27, 2024. By all accounts of everyone there the event was nothing short of spectacular with all having a fantastic time to a jam-packed house. Thematically and the fact that June was Black Music Month we decided this year’s Hellenic/ Harlem concert would celebrate the “50th Anniversary of Harlem Week” with a Hellenic/ Greek twist, support for a new home for The National Jazz Museum in Harlem, and to celebrate “bringing back” the Acropolis Marble Castings, cast in the 1840’s and donated in 1852 ( https://lnkd.in/dABCU6Eq) to the City College of New York/ CCNY in Harlem. The “bringing back“ of the Acropolis castings metaphorically for us related to the culturally enslaved Acropolis marbles in London, England being freed and “brought back” to their indigenous homeland - the Hellenic Republic , and Athens. The Hellenic music played that evening after the first song starts with a musical Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Invasion of Cyprus on July 20, 1974, and one of the Hellenic songs played relates to bringing back the stolen Acropolis marbles to Athens. The Hellenic music was played by the “Hellenic Ensemble” with Soprano Julie Ziavras joined by Petros Hatjopoulos on piano, and Kostas Psarros on bouzouki and the Harlem Blues/ Jazz music was played by the legendary The Phil Young Experience. #EMBCA #GreaterHarlemChamberofCommerce #HarlemWeek #NationalJazzMuseum #AcropolisMarbles #Greece #HellenicRepublic #Harlem #Rembetika #Jazz #Blues #Music #Diversity #RussianTeaRoom #FreeTheAcropolisMarbles #CCNY https://lnkd.in/edkarZKX

Paying Respects on the 4th of July. - Today the 4th of July, Independence Day a national holiday , I headed to my home in Shelter Island early and spent part of the day visiting the local cemetery and paying respects to American Patriots from the Island who fought for this great nation’s freedom. May their memories be eternal and may God Bless America !! Shelter Island, although a small picturesque island located between the North and South Forks of Long Island in New York, holds a unique place in the narrative of the American Revolution. While not a primary battlefield in the Revolution , Shelter Island's strategic position and its residents' actions contributed significantly to the war effort. Among its revolutionary patriots and buried in the Presbyterian Church Burying Grounds include Thomas Dering (1720-1785) a member of the 1st Continental Congress, Johnathon Nicoll Havens (1747- 1799) a member of the NY Assembly & 4th Continental Congress, Daniel Brown (1710-1786) buried in the Island’s Quaker Cemetery and in service against Canada & Provincial Congress, Thomas Updike Fosdeck (1754-1811), Capt. James Joseph Havens (1745- 1827) , Lt. Obadiah Havens (17**- 1786), Thomas Conklin Jr. (1733-1783) , and Abraham Parker (1720-1796). During the American Revolution, Shelter Island was inhabited by a community with Patriot sympathies but also housed Loyalists. The island's location made it a critical spot for controlling access to the vital waterways of Long Island Sound and Peconic Bay. This positioning was essential for both the British and American forces, who sought to secure these routes for transporting troops and supplies. The local economy, heavily reliant on agriculture and maritime activities, was severely disrupted by the war. British forces frequently used Shelter Island as a haven for resupplying and launching raids on the surrounding areas. These actions placed immense pressure on the island's resources and its residents, who were often caught in the crossfire of these military operations. Despite the Loyalist leanings of some inhabitants, Shelter Islanders actively supported the Patriot cause. They engaged in covert operations, supplying intelligence and aiding Continental forces whenever possible. These efforts, though not as widely documented as major battles, were crucial in sustaining the Continental Army’s resistance against British domination. The island’s residents exemplified the internal divisions and complex loyalties that characterized much of the American colonial population during the war. The war’s legacy endures in the form of local stories and historical sites that continue to attract interest (for those who seek it) today.

Happy 4th of July/ Independence Day in America !! In the U.S. on July 4th we commemorate the unanimous adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and a national Federal holiday. It is the date in which the 13 United States of America formally declared their independence from Great Britain to achieve freedom from its rule. The U.S. Declaration of Independence, drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, proclaims the inherent rights of individuals and the legitimacy of revolution when a government fails to protect these rights. At its core, the Declaration of Independence emphasizes the principle of equality, stating that "all men are created equal" and endowed with unalienable rights, including "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." This assertion challenged the divine right of kings and underscored the Enlightenment ideals of individual liberty and self-governance. This core emphasizing equality was used later in July 1848 at the Seneca Falls Convention held in Seneca Falls, New York, the first women's rights convention organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, Mary Ann McClintock, and Jane Hunt. They patterned their "Declaration of Sentiments" on the Declaration of Independence, in which they demanded social and political equality for women. Their motto was that "All men and women are created equal", and they demanded the right to vote. Abraham Lincoln later famously expressed this equality belief on slavery referencing the year 1776, in the opening sentence of his 1863 Gettysburg Address: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." More recently Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech and used quotations from the Declaration of Independence to encourage equal treatment of all persons regardless of race when he stated “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'" Furthermore, the Declaration's assertion that governments are instituted to secure the rights of the people establishes a standard for legitimate government. When a government becomes destructive of these ends, the people have the right to alter or abolish it. This radical notion underscores the Declaration's revolutionary character and its enduring influence on democratic movements worldwide. In essence it was more than a statement of secession; it was a profound assertion of human rights and a blueprint for democratic governance. Its enduring legacy lies in its articulation of the ideals of freedom, equality, and justice, principles that continue to inspire and guide democratic societies globally. Enjoy the holiday and may we never forget the Declaration’s words or the sacrifices that followed to achieve liberty. God Bless America !!

EMBCA’s “4th Hellenic Rembetika/ Harlem Blues/Jazz Concert” and Cocktail Hour yesterday evening with The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce at the historic and iconic Russian Tea Room was nothing short of SPECTACULAR as well as historic !! Everyone had a fantastic time to a jampacked house. These concerts were started by the East Mediterranean Business Cultural Alliance/ EMBCA where I am the President/ Founder with the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, where I have been a Board Member, a few years ago and in the past were a yearly event but were interrupted by Covid. It was great to restart them again . Comments on all sides were overwhelmingly positive . The feeling was electrifying throughout the evening per everyone there. A video of the event has been taken and will be uploaded when ready. The stars aligned in terms of timing for this particular amazing event that we desired to restart. Thematically we decided to put it together to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Harlem Week during Black Music Month (with a Hellenic twist) and in support of The Harlem Jazz Museum. Also it was to celebrate “bringing back” the Acropolis Marble Castings, cast in the 1840’s and donated in 1852 ( https://lnkd.in/dABCU6Eq) to CCNY and to bring them back to Harlem and which metaphorically for me related to the Acropolis marbles being freed from captivity and brought back from London to their indigenous homeland, and Athens. The Hellenic music was played by the “Hellenic Ensemble” with Soprano Julie Ziavras joined by Petros Hatjopoulos on piano, and Kostas Psarros on bouzouki and the Harlem Blues/ Jazz music was played by the legendary The Phil Young Experience. The Hellenic music after the first song started with a musical Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Invasion of Cyprus as I requested, and one of the Hellenic songs played related to bringing back the stolen Acropolis marbles to Athens. #EMBCA #GreaterHarlemChamberofCommerce #HarlemWeek #NationalJazzMuseum #AcropolisMarbles #Greece #HellenicRepublic #Harlem #Rembetika #Jazz #Blues #Music #Diversity #RussianTeaRoom #FreeTheAcropolisMarbles #Multiethnic #Multicultural

I had a great time with many good long time friends in Harlem at the Cocktail Reception in support of New York City Mayor Eric Adams at the Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel. Many of the close friends there will be at our EMBCA hosted “4th Hellenic Rembetika / Harlem Blues/Jazz Concert” in Partnership with The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce at the historic and iconic Russian Tea Room later this week.

Black Music Month with a Hellenic / Greek Twist- On June 27 the East Mediterranean Business Culture Alliance/ EMBCA will be hosting the “4th Hellenic Rembetika/ Harlem Blues/Jazz Concert” and Cocktail Hour with The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce at the historic and iconic RUSSIAN TEA ROOM (150 W. 57th St. In Manhattan). The by invitation only event during Black Music Month will be to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Harlem Week and also in support of The Harlem Jazz Museum, and BRINGING BACK the Acropolis Marble Castings acquired in 1852 ( https://lnkd.in/dABCU6Eq) to CCNY in Harlem. The Hellenic music, which will start with a musical Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Invasion of Cyprus, will be by the “Hellenic Ensemble” with Soprano Julie Ziavras joined by Petros Hatjopoulos on piano, and Kostas Psarros on bouzouki and the Harlem Blues/ Jazz music will be played by the legendary The Phil Young Experience. UPCOMING EMBCA EVENTS - June 27 - “4th Hellenic Rembetika/ Harlem Blues Concert” and Cocktail Hour at The Russian Tea Room - By Invitation only. August 25 - “The Legacy of the Sevres Treaty (August 10, 1920) in the East Mediterranean” Webinar Panel Discussion September 15- “Latins in the Levant- The Sack of Constantinople (1204)” Panel Discussion September 29 - “100th Anniversary of the Passing of a Multicultural Icon- Lafcadio Hearn” Panel Discussion Best regards- EMBCA Lou Katsos Marina A. Belessis Casoria Stamatis Ghikas Konstantinos Drougos Prof. Nicholas Alexiou Alexander Billinis Peter S. Giakoumis Eric Hill Richard S. Khuzami Constantine Sirigos The photos are from the 3rd Hellenic Rembetika/ Harlem Blues Concer at St. Peter’s at CityCorp. I am the President/ Founder of EMBCA and a Vice President and Board Member of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerse.

Up, up and away at 7 Platt St. in Manhattan !! - Construction has taken off at 7 Platt Street in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan and Congratulations (!!) to The Moinian Group for the development/ construction of this new 37 Story mixed-use retail/ hotel/ residential Tower. They are currently forming the 13th floor of this 464 foot structure in a very complex site in the narrow streets of old New York. The building has been is designed by Hill West Architects with Tishman/ AECOM as the CM, and I am glad to be a part of it. This is the eighth building I have acted as Construction Consultant for The Moinian Group and helped construct some of the largest buildings and towers in New York City that they developed.

Congratulations to my son John, Jay, and Harry !!