"Echoes of San Juan Hill" Film Screening and Conversation

About this event

A screening of the documentary film "San Juan Hill: Manhattan's Lost Neighborhood (https://www.firelightfilms.tv/films/san-juan-hill-manhattans-lost-neighborhood)" (2026) will be followed by a conversation exploring the intersections of history, music, culture, and the importa nce of preserving community stories. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson and narrated by Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose, the film explores the rich cultural history of a once-thriving New York City neighborhood that helped shape generations of Black artists, musicians, and cultural pioneers, including jazz legend Thelonious Monk. A thought-provoking conversation about the neighborhood's lasting legacy, the significance of preserving community histories, and the ways in which music, art, and storytelling help us understand the communities that have shaped our collective history will follow the screening. The panel discussion will feature Sierre Monk, Thelonious Monk IV, Kerry Kincy, and Di rector of the Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Piano Instructor, and Visiting Professor in Liberal Studies Noah Baerman. Moderated by Assistant Professor of African American Studies Gary Bertholf. As we reflect on whose stories become part of our shared history, this gathering offers an opportunity to consider the importance of cultural preservation, community memory, and the role we all play in ensuring these stories are carried forward for future generations. This event is sponsored by Wesleyan University's Jewett Center for Community Partnerships, Center for the Arts, Creative Campus Initiative, Center for African American Studies, and Music Department, in collaboration with the Estate of Thelonious Monk. The film is screened courtesy of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.Admission is free, and everyone is welcome.We encourage you to RSVP to help us with our planning and to get a reminder the day before this event. While RSVPs are not required for entry, they are a big help!While you're on campus, we encourage you to visit the Center for the Arts (https://www.wesleyan.edu/cfa/) to explore current art exhibitions and other programming. href="https://www.firelightfilms.tv/films/san-juan-hill-manhattans-lost-neighborhood" target="_blank" rel="noopener">San Juan Hill: Manhattan's Lost Neighborhood" (2026) will be followed by a conversation exploring the intersections of history, music, culture, and the importance of p reserving community stories.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson and narrated by Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose, the film explores the rich cultural history of a once-thriving New York City neighborhood that helped shape generations of Black artists, musicians, and cultural pioneers, including jazz legend Thelo nious Monk.

A thought-provoking conversation about the neighborhood's lasting legacy, the significance of preserving community histories, and the ways in which music, art, and storytelling help us understand the communities that have shaped our collective history will follow the screening.

The panel discussion will feature Sierre Monk, Thelonious Monk IV, Kerry Kincy, and Director of the Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Piano Instructor, and Visiting Professor in Liberal Studies Noah Baerman. Moderated by Assistant Professor of African American Studies Gary Bertholf.

As we reflect on whose stories become part of our shared history, this gathering offers an opportunity to consider the importance of cultural preservation, community memory, and the role we all play in ensuring these stories are carried forward for future generations.

This event is sponsored by Wesleyan University's Jewett Center for Community Partnerships, Center for the Arts, Creative Campus Initiative, Center for African American Studies, and Music Department, in colla boration with the Estate of Thelonious Monk. The film is screened courtesy of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

Admission is free, and everyone is welcome.

We encourage you to RSVP to help us with our planning and to get a reminder the day before this event. While RSVPs are not required for entry, they are a big help!

While you're on campus, we encourage you to visit the

Center for the Arts

to explore current art exhibitions and other programming.