The free event, which is being funded by the New York State Council for the Humanities and coordinated by the city of Jamestown’s Cultural Bridges Action Team, will take place Saturday from 5 to 6 p.m. inside the Reg.

In light of the current economic crisis in Puerto Rico and the growing population of Puerto Ricans in Jamestown, this public discussion will address issues related to migration, inclusion, and the complex relationship between the U.S. and its Territory.

the topics that will be focused on include What are the larger economic and political forces that fuel this migration, What led to previous waves of migration, and how might the Jamestown community become more welcoming to newcomers.

Panelists for the forum will include Nelson Denis – a former New York State Assemblyman.  Indo Quiñones – an Outreach & Engagement Specialist/Technical Assistant at Evergreen Health Services. And Peter Lombardi – a Jamestown native, city planner, and local author.

The event will be moderated WRFA’s Jason Sample.

This event is part of a daylong celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month including art, food tastings, and live music.

The day begins with a public “Meet the Artist” reception at 2 p.m. in the 3^rd on 3^rd Gallery with Pablo Shine, one of two artists featured in the exhibit “Hispanic Heritage.”

David Gonzalez will perform with Poetic License during a free show for the community on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Reg Lenna.

Also just before the forum at 4:45 p.m., the Reg Lenna will present a short video – Jamestown: The Welcoming City – examining the lives of local Hispanic citizens and their experiences in Jamestown.

The 5 p.m. forum will immediately be followed by a Latino Food Fiesta hosted by CHQ Foods, starting at about 6 p.m. A cash bar will be open to offset costs for the evening.

Also starting at 6 p.m. – four Videoworks students from Jamestown High School will be available to record any local residents who would like to tell share their story.

The evening will end with a free concert at 7:30 p.m. by David Gonzalez with the band, Poetic License.

All events are free and family-friendly.

Hispanic Heritage events are made possible by support from New York State Council on the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities and New York Council for the Humanities.

For more information, call 716.484.7070 or visit reglenna.com.

The City of Jamestown’s Cultural Bridges Action Team (part of the city’s Strategic Planning and Partnership Commission), Reg Lenna Center for The Arts, and 3rd on 3rd Gallery are inviting the public to a day and evening of free activities on Saturday, Oct. 15 as part of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

As part of the weekend, the current 3rd on 3rd Gallery show, Hispanic Heritage, will culminate with a public “Meet the Artist” reception on Saturday  at 2 p.m. with Pablo Shine.

Also on Saturday at 4:45 p.m., the Reg Lenna Center for The Arts Theater will present a short video – Jamestown: The Welcoming City – examining the lives of local Hispanic citizens and their experiences in Jamestown.

Then at 5 p.m. a Community Conversation will take place, with the topics of Migration and Inclusion planned to be discussed in this town hall-style event. In light of the current economic crisis in Puerto Rico and the growing population of Puerto Ricans in Jamestown, this public discussion will address issues related to migration, inclusion, and the complex relationship between the U.S. and its Territory.

The event will immediately be followed by a Latino Food Fiesta hosted by CHQ Foods. A cash bar will be open to offset costs for the evening. Both events are not ticketed and are free and open to the public.

The evening will end with a free concert at 7:30 p.m. by David Gonzalez with the band, Poetic License.

Hispanic Heritage events are made possible by support from New York State Council on the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities and New York Council for the Humanities.

For more information, call 716.484.7070 or visit reglenna.com. Reg Lenna Center for The Arts and 3rd on 3rd Gallery are located at 116 E. 3rd Street in Jamestown.

The focus group meeting is scheduled for 3 to 5 p.m. and is open to the public. It is part of the upcoming Democratic Dialogue Project, a town hall style meeting intended to address issues of migration and tolerance.  The Democratic Dialogue Project is being facilitated by the New York Council for the Humanities and which will take place in Jamestown later this year.

Tuesday’s focus group will discuss panel participants, specific topics for the public discussion, text or visual materials to ground discussions and audience outreach strategies.

The Democratic Dialogue is a series of town hall meetings in six communities across the state, including Jamestown, designed to address different aspects of inequality in national life and in the community. A main town hall meeting will take place in Jamestown in October.

Funding for the statewide project was provided by a $200,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.