MEMORY
ARTS CAFE
The Memory Arts Café is a series of free cultural events for people living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, their caregivers, family members and friends. The Café is co-produced by New York Memory Center and the Alzheimer’s Poetry Project. Each program features local professional guest artists including musicians, magicians, poets and dancers.
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Partially funded by Axe-Houghton Foundation, Brooklyn Arts Council, New York State Department of
Health, and the Poetry Foundation, with further support from Acadia Pharmaceuticals.
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SAVE THE DATE! The Memory Arts Café returns on July 16, 2025 with a COMMUNITY DANCE PARTY (no experience necessary)
​Join dance artists Magda Kaczmarska and Hilary Brown-Istrefi for this evening of dance, music and celebration commemorating 7 months of co-creative connection with New York Memory Center community members.
No prior dance experience needed
Activities are modified to support all abilities
Through the Stories in the Moment: Building Connection project we join together through co-creative dance and storytelling to establish new connections, tease away stigma, cultivate a sense of trust, dignity, confidence and purpose, and support growth of dementia inclusive spaces.
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DanceStream Projects has a mission to spark brain health and build creative community through dance and movement. Stories in the Moment: Building Connection is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
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Past Programs at the Memory Arts Cafe
A special Memory Arts Cafe was held on March 22, 2024, to celebrate the life of Josephine Brown, longtime staff person and former Executive Director of the Center. The evening was recorded, and you can watch it on YouTube. Thank you to Josephine's daughter Sara and Joanna for creating a beautiful program in tribute to their mother.
Presenters included:
Susan Ramos, Chief Operating Officer, NYMC
Sara Brown, Josephine's daughter
Mattia poem by W H Auden
Sydnie Zera (niece) - Prelude to the Sound of Music
Judith Grimaldi, NYMC Board member
Henry Torani, former staff member and friend
Joseph Giambio, NYMC Board President
Deborah Karpel, Center Artist in Residence reads tribute from Ismail Butera, longtime Artist in Resident at NYMC
Michael Brown plays a little guitar in interlude
John Reardon. (nephew) plays guitar and sings Redemption Song, Wild Horses, Heart of Gold, and sing along to Piano Man with Sydnie (who is cut off from video)
Susan reads tribute from caregiver George Schumacher
Sara's friend and "adopted daughter" Nitza “Spritza” Jones adds a tribute
Words from Josephine's husband Michael Brown