(via the HB Studio Weekly)
On October 16th La MaMa will open its doors and close off East 4th Street to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The day's events include tours of La MaMa's two theaters, performances by Blue Man Group, The Silver Cloud Native American Drummers and Singers, Pua Ali'i 'Ilima o Nuioka Hula Dancers, and the Balkan gypsy punk rock band, Bad Buka.
Restaurants from the neighborhood will serve free samplings of their cuisine. During the afternoon visitors will also be able to take tours of the La MaMa Archive, Ellen Stewart's private collection documenting the history of the Off-Off Broadway movement. Since its inception, the La MaMa Archive has served as an educational tool for students from all over the world.
At the conclusion of the block party, city officials will co-name the block "Ellen Stewart Way," at which time bells all over the neighborhood and world will ring in a salute to Ms. Stewart – or "MaMa," as she was affectionately known by artists and audiences alike – who regularly marked the start of performances at La MaMa by ringing a hand bell before welcoming theatre goers.