The Immigrant American Folk Project/the other side
Bringing to light the stories of immigrants in Houston
equipment used to make this video: Sony Alpha 6000 DSLR camera and Adobe Premiere Rush editing software. Song: “Cu Ti Lu Dissi” Sicilian Folk Song performed by myself.
What began as an initiative to teach English as a second language (ESL) through music, funded and endorsed by the Houston Arts Alliance, became a collaborative storytelling project when creator and singer/songwriter Amanda Pascali was inspired by the stories of immigrant ESL students.
“The Other Side” is a continuation of the Immigrant American Folk Project created by bilingual singer/songwriter Amanda Pascali in 2020. This project uses visual art to create a space where musical, literary, film, and lecture events are carried out by Pascali herself as well as other artists from Houston’s immigrant community. The walls of the Other Side will be adorned with art by first-gen and immigrant artists as well as old recipes, poems, and letters donated by project participants who would like to share their family’s stories. Stacked suitcases in the space will represent both the tangible and intangible things that Houston’s immigrants carried with them to America such as food, music, and ideas that became part of American culture through cultural diffusion.
This project uses music, poetry, film, writing, and visual art to foster a sense of belonging by encouraging immigrants and first-generation Americans to build their own definition of what it means to be “American” in their own unique way. Houston, America’s most diverse city, is home to over 1.7 million immigrants with stories that are seldom highlighted in mainstream media. This project aims to highlight the stories that fall outside the boundaries of conventional American storytelling.
Why Does This Matter?
Every year, the U.S. lawfully admits over one million people; more than any other country in the world. Naturally, it is immigrants, these one million, who have for years set our nation apart from the rest, distinguishing us and establishing our identity as a country. Because music transcends borders, sharing songs from the immigrant community leads to stronger solidarity between immigrants and non-immigrants and a more powerful community that promotes togetherness and empathy.
Music influences our identities; how we see ourselves. Music is a powerful tool that can continue to change the world. Music defines us; our names, where we come from, and where we are going.
Photo from the Pascali Family Archives.
