Mark your calendars – Harlem Week is coming back strong!
From August 12-21, Harlem Week will host a series of events showcasing the people, arts, culture, entertainment and history of Harlem. This 48th annual celebration features in-person and virtual experiences centered around the theme “Inspiration, Impact and Legacy”.
“All New Yorkers are invited to experience HARLEM WEEK from August 12-21 as we honor key elements of our city. Seniors and children can celebrate education, restaurants, technology and theater,” said Lloyd Williams, president of HARLEM WEEK. You’ll hear music ranging from jazz, gospel, R&B, hip-hop, soca, Latin, Caribbean, ‘Afrobeat, etc. Remember – you haven’t done this town until you’ve done it Uptown, so do it in Harlem. We can’t wait to see you!’
Harlem Week events can be enjoyed in person and online at harlemweek.com. The festivities kick off August 12 with Older Persons Day, Harlem’s first major public event of the week, at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building. The event will include health demonstrations, health tests, performances, a tech debunking panel, a Senior Hat fashion show, and more.
On August 13, Harlem Week will host the Percy Sutton Harlem 5k Run and Walk for Health Against Gun Violence. Centered around the theme “Save Our Children”, which is a call to action against gun violence. Participants are invited to register here. That evening, from 4-7 p.m., Harlem Week will host Great Jazz on the Great Hill, which will feature performances by the Jimmy Heath Legacy Band, Antonio Hart Quartet and Tammy McCann in Central Park.
To wrap up the first weekend of Harlem Week, New Yorkers can celebrate “A Great Day in Harlem” on August 14. Starting at noon, guests can head to Ulysses S Grant National Memorial for the opening of the International Village, which features a variety of vendors to shop from, followed by performances and appearances by R&B artist Kenny Lattimore, a tribute to 90-year-old Caribbean legend Lord Nelson (aka “The Soca Daddy”), Uptown Dance Academy, Artz, Roots & Rhythm, Impact Repertory Theatre, Mama Foundation’s Sing Harlem Choir and Isn’t Her Grace Amazing Choir. The evening will conclude with the Under Under the Stars concert featuring national and international artists supported by the Harlem Music Festival All-Star Band led by “star music director” Ray Chew.
For more information and a full list of events, visit www.harlemweek.com.