LES Art & Architecture Fest Kicks Off 10/30

Once upon a time, Manhattan's Lower East Side was not home-to-the-hip; it was where turn-of-the-century European immigrants settled, crowded into tenements, speaking a Babel of languages, bringing their food, culture, religion with them and spawning generations of successful Americans. The Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy invites you to glimpse their world at its Art & Architecture Fest, Sunday, October 30, 2011, from 11:30 am - 4 p.m. at the Kling & Niman Family Visitor's Center, 400 Grand Street, New York (between Clinton St. and Norfolk St). Admission is free, except as noted.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
11:30 - Meet the Gals from the Hood who will reminisce about life on the Lower East Side; vintage tchotchke and fashion jewelry for sale to benefit the Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy. Admission is free. (additional details below)

11:30 - Insider walking tour of the Lower East Side. It includes the majestic Bialystoker Synagogue, an authentic, historic East Side "shtebel," sites along historic East Broadway plus surprise peeks at some places the public rarely sees. 75 minutes in length. $10 adults; $8 seniors; $6 students; children under 6 are free.

1:00 - Insider walking tour of the Lower East Side. It includes the majestic Bialystoker Synagogue, an authentic, historic East Side "shtebel," sites along historic East Broadway plus surprise peeks at some places the public rarely sees. 75 minutes in length. $10 adults; $8 seniors; $6 students; children under 6 are free.

1:30 - Meet photographer/writer Julian Voloj who will be there to showcase his new exhibit. Admission is free. (additional details below)

2:30 - Crossing Delancey walking tour. Learn about historic and religious sites north of Delancey Street and revisit the world of the Ellis Islander. $10 adults; $8 seniors; $6 students; children under 6 are free.

DETAILS:
German-born photographer and writer Julian Voloj is celebrating the opening of his exhibit "If you live in New York...", architectural and photo-journalistic images exploring Jewish New York in its surprising diversity. Mr. Voloj's work explores aspects of identity and heritage. Voloj's photos have appeared in various newspapers and magazines such as the Washington Post, the Forward, Tablet Magazine, Publishers Weekly, Jerusalem Post, Basler Zeitung. He will be on hand to greet viewers at 1:30. The exhibit will remain on display through December 30. Admission is free. Exhibit hours are Sundays 1-6; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 1-5; other times by appointment by phoning , 212-374-4200, ext. 1.

Beginning at 11:30, the Lower East Side Art & Architecture Fest welcomes the Gals from the 'Hood, women who grew up on the Lower East Side and have been friends for more than 50 years. They will share their memories. Who are they? Marilyn Guss Altman is the daughter of the iconic Guss's Pickles, a Lower East Side institution. Carol Hordin's father ran a deli. Carol Schneider Margolin's "tatte" was a "knish man," selling the definitive New York street food from a cart. Hesta Fortgang will be displaying and selling mid-century vintage tchotchkes and her own line of era-inspired fashion jewelry (all proceeds benefit the Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy).

The Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy. The Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to the historic preservation of the Lower East Side's sacred sites. The Kling & Niman Visitor's Center is a gateway into the world of the Jewish immigrant experience of the last century, where guests view photographs, memorabilia and artifacts that help bring the Lower East Side to life. For further information, please visit www.nycjewishtours.org.