A rose bloomed in Brooklyn earlier this month at Elsewhere where a fundraiser was held for Educated Little Monsters (ELM), a Brooklyn-based grassroots organization, est. 2013, that provides avenues for local youth to express themselves artistically, empowering them to become leaders and agents of change in their communities. ELM strives to be a “home away from home for its youth, whose neighborhoods are rapidly changing, displacing not only families because of gentrification, but also after-school opportunities and higher policing.” Jazo Brooklyn founded it for her son around ten years ago to support him and his friends. Now that her son is 24, ELM has grown into Monsta House. (Link to donate is at the end of the article)
The ongoing fundraiser strives to raise money to rebuild the Monsta space lost on September 30th, but the organization is always looking for support. The event lineup included artists such as: Brooklyn-born R&B artist Zoey, also known as Zhanasia Young; NYC-based pop singer/songwriter Angelyse Mariah; and a friend of mine, the amazing Aura, also known as Aura Moreno, who blends hip-hop, house, dance, and trance music to create her unique sound. Watch her performance below!
I learned of this amazing organization through Aura (pronounced Ow-rah), whose energy is contagious and who prioritizes collaboration in her music. I first met the Rhode Island born artist in Seward Park (Lower East Side) for an interview with another publication, on a lovely spring day, back in May of 2021.
“Playing in NYC has always been a delight for me since the very first time, back in 2017,” she tells the Deli. “I’m humbled to have been on bills with NYC legends back when they were just starting out and performing, and I use their success as inspiration to keep working to receive my own.” Aura just got back from spending a year in the Dominican Republic, and is based in New York again starting next week.
“The underground scene [in New York] has grown so much,” Aura continues, “and I’m grateful to be back post-height-of-the-pandemic, with more wisdom, deeper understanding, and acceptance of my journey and work. NYC is known to be a melting pot, which makes the underground [music] scene that much more unique–artists from here, there, and everywhere come together through a plentitude of events in every borough, every single night, to shine their light to presumably some of the most open-minded people on earth! How special is that?”
See?? I told you her energy was contagious!
Aura is sonically inspired by a vast amalgamation of music, including house music and early hip hop groups like Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Slick Rick, and Digable Planets. She also cites Kelis, Azealia Banks, Gorillaz, M.I.A., Sade, and Crystal Castles as influences.
More from Aura here: https://auramoreno.net/
Monsta House Universe is a nucleus of creativity, and includes multiple branches, like ELM; Monsta Lab Entertainment, a label supporting music, art, dance, fashion, modeling, films, Dj’s, and more; Arts in Bushwick, a visual and performing arts community; NYC Vibes, an entertainment service curating music events, art shows, fashion shows, and parties; Bushwick Venders Market, a community market with a Winter Open Studio event (flyer below) coming up on December 15th, hosting vendors, flash tattoos, an art show, and DJ’s; and Bushwick Street Art, which calls itself an “art dispensary.”
The network of Monsta House welcomes all ages, and is a fabulous way to support Brooklyn’s arts and music community and Brooklyn’s youth, as well. The video below is the kind of work you or your kid can create through the amazing community organization.
During her speech at the November fundraiser at Elsewhere, founder of Monsta House Jazo Brooklyn said, “We’re tired of being pushed out…the only failure is not continuing…I’ve failed so many times and we’ve kept going. Keep doing what you’re doing and your tribe will come.” Amen to that. DONATE HERE!
The Monsta House Bio & Mission Statement:
The Monsta community faced a setback on September 30 when we lost our space. Now, we’re on a mission to not just rebuild but create something extraordinary in New York. Picture a “monsta house” bursting with music, art, media and a safe haven prioritizing youth of color with apartment residencies. We have been taking up space at Elsewhere for about 3 impactful years, hosting events to raise funds, but we need your passion and support. With $12,000 raised so far through different community events within different spaces, we’re pushing forward, crafting a documentary to capture the heart of our community. Your contribution, big or small, fuels our dream. The recent fundraiser, where artists like Aura poured their hearts into, raised $300. Join us in this passionate journey to build a new Monsta home! Learn more about us here: EDUCATED LITTLE MONSTERS & people can DONATE HERE
“At Monsta House, our mission is to empower and educate young individuals from diverse backgrounds, particularly those who have been affected by gentrification, systemic racism, and oppression in New York City. Since our establishment in 2013, our program has been dedicated to fostering the creative potential of youth by providing opportunities in the visual and performing arts, with a special emphasis on the expressive use of color.
We firmly believe that as our city evolves and resources increase, it is essential for the native youth to have equitable access to these resources, enabling them to become positive leaders within their communities. We are committed to nurturing social responsibility among the youth and instilling in them the importance of becoming integral members of their neighborhoods.
Educate Little Monsters offers a diverse range of artistic disciplines, including art, music, media, hip-hop, dance, theater, entrepreneurship, photography, and film. Through these avenues, we create safe spaces for youth of color to explore their creativity, experience healing through art, and view it as a form of therapeutic expression.
In addition to our arts-focused initiatives, we also prioritize addressing the needs of homeless young individuals aged 18 to 25. We strive to provide creative housing solutions and support their journey towards stability.
At Educate Little Monsters, we are driven by a vision of a vibrant and inclusive society, where young people are empowered to shape their futures through artistic expression, community engagement, and personal growth. Join us in our mission to create a positive impact on the lives of these young individuals and build a stronger, more connected community.”