Concrete Safaris in East Harlem is hitting the streets this month with three dates for kids to save. Friday, August 6th and Friday, August 13th, get ready for Youth Host Jungle Gym 2021; On Friday, August 13th explore the Youth Host Photo Expo and Streetscape Garden Tour.
Continue reading “Concrete Safaris Hits the Streets in East Harlem Beginning this Weekend!”
Philippe Labaune Gallery will open its doors to Tale of Unrealism ~ an exhibition featuring a selection of large-scale drawings and illustrations by French artist Georges Bess. This is the first time the artist will be exhibiting in the United States. Bess, an illustrator of comics and graphic novels, is recognized as a master of line and ink and his collaborations with renowned Chilean-French artist Alejandro Jodorowsky. In recent works, Bess breaks away from the parameters of the book, creating ornate world originating from a single page that he expands upon intuitively, in a trance-like state of drawing. Also on view will be a collection of original comic strips from Bram Stoker Dracula (2018) and his 1989 graphic novel Le Lama Blanc (The White Lama).
Continue reading “Georges Bess: Tale of Unrealism to Open at Philippe Labaune Gallery in September”
Summer Streets is back and will take place on two Saturdays in August ~ August 7th, and 14th from 7:00am to 1:00pm on Park Avenue from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park.
Continue reading “It’s Time for Summer Streets 2021 ~ August 7th and 14th”
Where do we begin with the work of this incredible artist! Trying to pin her down is like trying to capture a breath of fresh air ~ but we think we captured just a few of the parks, private spaces and campuses where we found her work. The artist, Yvonne Shortt,
Continue reading “Exploring the Artist, Yvonne Shortt and her Hair Stories in Art + Conversation”
Mastercard will present the “Jennifer Hudson Live at The Apollo” concert on August 19th, the first live audience performance at the Apollo Theater since March 2020. At this intimate gathering of Black women entrepreneurs and select cardholders, Ms. Hudson will perform classic Aretha Franklin hits featured in Respect as well as songs from her own catalogue. Limited tickets are available for purchase on Priceless.com here, with 100% of sales benefiting Fearless Fund.
The Garment District Alliance unveiled a 225-foot-long painted mural by local artist, Steed Taylor. Broadway in the Garment District will receive a custom ‘road tattoo’, titled Magic Hour, created by local artist Steed Taylor. Presented by the Garment District Alliance, the 225-foot-long painted road mural stretches from 39th to 40th Streets on Broadway in the Garment District and will be available to the public through this fall. New Yorkers can watch the design come to life, as artist Steed Taylor finalizes the mural on Wednesday, August 4th. The artwork is also part of GDA’s summer programming, which features Broadway Rhythm, a series of weekly musical performances from 12 – 2pm on the Garment District plazas.
On Saturday, August 14 at 11am ET, the Apollo Theater will celebrate HARLEM WEEK and Free Comic Book Day, the largest annual comic book event, with an exploration of Harlem-based superhero, Luke Cage. This free virtual panel of comic creators and television producers illuminates Luke Cage’s rise from the comic book page to Netflix series while tackling social justice issues.
Storefront for Art and Architecture opened Something Broke: 2011-Windows-2021, an exhibition by Buenos Aires-based artist Mariela Scafati that presents an installation of hand-painted posters lettered by the artist with her writings and reflections on art, activism, and community. The exhibition, hosted at Storefront’s gallery space at 97 Kenmare Street, is open Wednesday through Saturday until September 15th, 2021.
We just love the Broadway Mall Association public art installations, and have been waiting to see what would come next after ‘Nicolas Holiber: Birds on Broadway.’
Broadway Blooms: Jon Isherwood on Broadway, a sculpture exhibition located at eight locations between 64th Street and 157th Street is now on view. The sculptures are shaped in the form of flowers, celebrating the return to life from a long and difficult winter into spring.
Continue reading “Broadway Mall Association Unveils ‘Broadway Blooms: Jon Isherwood on Broadway’”
This month, we lead our Roundup into August with three of many NYC Parks Department art installations that reflect the times we live in, as we kick-off the month outdoors with everything from miniature golf in Battery Park City to a plethora of concerts and walking tours. Many of our favorite annual events are back on track, like the 9th annual Hindu Lamp Ceremony in Brooklyn Bridge Park, East Harlem’s Giglio, and the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival – plus a new mural that makes the Guinness Book of World Records. There are still tons of installations and exhibits “Still on View,” and a few wonderful finds “Out East” and “Heading North,” Here are art installations, exhibits and events to add to your list in August.
Continue reading “Art Installations, Exhibits & Events in NYC to Add to Your List in August, 2021”
As we approach August, and the return of the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, Summerstage, and Jazzmobile’s Summerfest, ~ Uptown Grand Central and Jazzmobile announced the August 12th commemorative street co-naming of East 126th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues. Art Kane Harlem 1958 Place will be named on the 63rd anniversary of the gathering of the 57 jazz luminaries in the iconic East Harlem photograph taken by Art Kane ~ A Great Day in Harlem.
Continue reading “Celebrate Art Kane Harlem 1958 Place ~ a Co-Street Naming on August 12th”
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Universal Hip Hop Museum (UHHM) Executive Director and President Rocky Bucano today announced with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and New York State Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie the dynamic lineup of Hip Hop, Latin freestyle, dance, freestyle, techno, and funk artists set to perform at the “It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC” concerts to be held at outdoor venues in The Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens.
Continue reading “It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC ~ Summer 2021 in all 5 Boroughs!”
The Public Theater announced a fabulous schedule of performances for its Summer of Joy Mobile Unit. The Mobile Unit will be touring all five boroughs from July 31 to August 29, 2021 ~ all performances free and open to the public.
Continue reading “The Public Theater Mobile Unit ‘Summer of Joy’ Coming to All 5 Boroughs!”
On the heals of the exhibition ‘At Home’, Living with Art Salon opens its doors to The Summer Salon, creating a unique and colorful conversation between Ceramics and Fiber Art. This new exhibition features the works of two artists ~ Reuben Sinha and Tomo Mori.
Continue reading “Living With Art ‘Summer Salon’ with Works by Tomo Mori + Reuben Sinha”
This summer, Union Square is hosting several public art installations, promoting social justice. The first of the installations ~ a Street Busway Mural entitled ‘Collective Vision’ ~ was just completed.
Today, the Apollo, in collaboration with 125th Street Business Improvement District (BID) and the Harlem Commonwealth Council (HCC), announced the recipients of the Harlem Entrepreneurial Micro-Grant Initiative, a $20,000 program created to provide support to small and independent Harlem businesses affected by COVID-19. Following last year’s successful launch of the program, this year it was expanded in scope, providing funding to local community-based arts organizations and arts collectives and local businesses in financial need. The 20 $1,000 micro-grants were distributed to local merchants and organizations that define the culture and the vitality of Harlem.
The statewide NY PopsUp! Initiative—designed to revitalize the arts and entertainment sector of New York—will culminate this summer on Little Island.
NYC FREE, curated by Mikki Shepard, celebrates the creativity of New York City’s artists and the resilient spirit of all its people with four weeks of free live performances at Little Island. With performances occurring throughout the park every week, come and enjoy shows of innovative dance, experimental music, interactive poetry, late-night comedy, and more!
Continue reading “Free Concerts on Little Island in August ~ #NYC Free ~ Reserve Your Tickets Now!”
The Stone Age, New York City’s premiere immersive, multi-sensory cannabis experience, will welcome its first ticket holders on September 15. Located at 607 Avenue of the Americas in the Flatiron District. The limited-run pop-up is designed to offer participants a unique, captivating experience dedicated to cultivating awareness on the wellness and lifestyle benefits of cannabis.
Continue reading “The First Immersive Cannabis Experience to Launch in NYC on September 15th!”
This summer, La Sirena will be setting up shop at Chelsea Market for a pop-up marketplace featuring museum-quality Mexican Folk art. La Sirena “The Mermaid,” is known for their unique, traditional merchandise and whimsical, collectable folk art from many regions of Mexico. According to owner and creator Dina Leor, La Sirena can be described as “a museum where you can buy things.”
Continue reading “La Sirena Mexican Folk Art Shop Pops-Up at Chelsea Market”
Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that the City of New York will host concerts in each of the five boroughs—between August 14th to 22nd—as part of NYC Homecoming Week and to celebrate the Summer of New York City.
Free tickets, as well as VIP tickets for purchase, will be released to the public in batches at nyc.gov/HomecomingWeek starting on Monday, August 2 at 10 a.m. EDT. Additional free and VIP ticket release dates and times are as follows:
“Joining one of the greatest Central Park concerts in history will be momentous concerts in each borough featuring renowned artists who have made New York City proud,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “It’s time to celebrate our city, support our local businesses, and have an incredible Summer of New York City.”
Continue reading “NYC Homecoming Week ~ Concerts Coming to all Five Boroughs in August”
The largest stenciled mural in the world was completed this week by (who else would you expect to do it?) artist, Logan Hicks, located within the East River Plaza complex on 117th Street in East Harlem. How cool is that!
“This started with a vision of going beyond making just a mural. I wanted to make an environment where people could forget they were in the middle of the city – even if only for a minute.” ~ Logan Hicks
Continue reading “Logan Hicks: Tunnel Vision comes to East Harlem”
A dialogue began last year, serious and thoughtful discussion ensued, and artists have continued the conversation. Here, alongside a small pocket-park on 128th Street in Harlem, artist Julio Valdez unveiled his installation this week entitled ‘I Can’t Breathe.‘ The installation is just a few blocked away from last year’s colorful ‘Black Lives Matter‘ mural on Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. extending from 125-127th Streets.
Continue reading “Julio Valdez: I Can’t Breathe unveiled at Harlem’s Collyer Brothers Park”
The Manhattan Community Board 11 Environment, Open Space & Parks Committee present an El Barrio Parks Tour, exploring 14 parks in northern East Harlem!
Continue reading “CB 11 Presents an El Barrio Park Tour of 14 Parks!”
Here’s a piece of old New York for you ~ The Collyer brothers – Homer, born in 1881 and his brother Langley, born in 1885. They were the children of an eccentric gynecologist and a former opera singer. The family moved to a four-story brownstone, located at 2078 Fifth Avenue in 1909, where it is said that Dr. Collyer would occasionally paddle his canoe to work at the City Hospital on Blackwell’s Island. The canoe, his preferred method of transportation, he would carry to and from his home in Harlem at 128th Street.
Continue reading “The Incredible History Behind The Collyer Brothers Park in Harlem”
Fremin Gallery’s latest exhibition, “SUMMER BREEZE”, captures the peaceful energy of the summertime with stunning artworks from Bob Tabor, Antoine Rose, and Christophe Pouget. Their images tap into our collective desire to escape the heat and relax along the water as the hot summer days take over.
Continue reading “‘Summer Breeze’ Opening at Fremin Gallery NYC”
Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pebble Beach will host the 9th Annual Hindu Lamp Ceremony on Saturday, August 7th. This traditional Aarti ceremony conveys gratitude to mother river, reflects on community, and remembers loved ones.
Continue reading “The 9th Annual Hindu Lamp Ceremony Returns to Brooklyn Bridge Park in August”
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Civic Practice Partnership Artist-in-Residence, Miguel Luciano, is having a party and we’re all invited! The block party is a celebration of his new exhibition, on view at Hope Community Inc.’s Galeria del Barrio, and it is also a celebration of the culmination of Luciano’s there-year residency at The Met.
Continue reading “Miguel Luciano: Cemi-Libre Block Party Celebration & Exhibition in East Harlem”
Let’s take a ride! This time, Upstate to Poughkeepsie/Highland, where the artist. Suprina, will be exhibiting The DNA Totem on The Walkway Over the Hudson ~ a walking bridge that spans the 1.28 miles across the Hudson River, connecting Poughkeepsie to Highland, beginning July 26th.
Continue reading “Suprina’s DNA Totem to be On View on The Walkway Over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie!”
The Cherry Lane Theatre has been sold for $11 million to The Luciille Lortel Theatre Foundation, under the leadership of Executive Director George Forbes. It is the oldest continuously running Off-Broadway theatre in New York City,
Continue reading “Cherry Lane Theatre in Greenwich Village Sold for $11M”
The Garment District Alliance announced the latest in its ongoing series of public art exhibits, showcasing The Magician’s Daughter (is a Painter), a display of seven paintings nestled within “magic boxes,” created by artist Cheryl Parry.
Located in a street-level window at 215 West 38th Street, the free exhibit is accessible to the public from July 18 through September 9. The Magician’s Daughter (is a Painter) is part of the Garment District Space for Public Art program, which showcases artists in unusual locations and over 16 years has produced more than 200 installations, exhibits and performances.
Save the dates because it’s only a two-day event ~ Thursday, August 12th at Bryant Park and Friday, August 13th at Marcus Garvey Park, and it’s the culmination of Harlem Stage’s Afrofuturism series that launched in 2019 as a citywide, multi-venue held at Harlem Stage, Park Avenue Armory, and Metropolitan Museum of Art, celebrating Sun Ra’s legacy.
On August 25, Public Art Fund will present ANTI-ICON, a 300-site exhibition of ten new photographs by Brooklyn-based photographer and performance artist Martine Gutierrez. The exhibition will be on view on 100 JCDecaux bus shelters across New York City, 150 in Chicago, and for the first time in this exhibition series, 50 JCDecaux bus shelters in Boston. With ANTI-ICON, Gutierrez continues her exploration of identity across the landscapes of race, gender, class, and culture.
This is the story of an immigrant, coming to America in the 1880s, building an empire, and donating most of his millions to fund public libraries across the country. The man was Andrew Carnegie, who arrived in the U.S. at the age of thirteen with his family from Scotland. His family was dirt poor, but young Carnegie’s world opened up when he was invited to spend Saturday afternoons at a local private library by a wealthy Pittsburgh man. It was then that he resolved that if he would ever obtain wealth, it should be used to establish free libraries.
Continue reading “A Look-Back at Andrew Carnegie and the NYC Historic Carnegie Libraries”
A mesmerizing 3D digital ‘media execution’ arrived in Times Square via Silvercast Media. This spectacular 30,000 square-foot screen, known as The Big Kahuna, will exhibit ‘Whale’, a realistic ocean environment occupied by a massive blue whale moving freely among the waves.
Continue reading “Silvercast Media unveils ‘Whale’ on 3D Screen in Times Square!”
NYC Parks today announced that a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) has been issued for the renovation, operation and maintenance of a cafe in Hunter’s Point South Park, a popular waterfront destination in Long Island City, Queens.
“Hunter’s Point South is a treasured waterfront gem that offers some of the best views of New York City,” said Queens Parks Commissioner Michael Dockett. “This is an amazing opportunity for qualified and experienced professionals to establish a fresh take on the in-park dining experience, and create a destination that will attract parkgoers and visitors for years to come.”
The 13th Annual Stan Michels Memorial Jazz Concert will take place on Saturday, July 31st in Fort Tryon Park to honor the late New York City Council Member, Stan Michels.
Continue reading “The 13th Annual Stan Michels Memorial Jazz Concert in Fort Tryon Park, July 31st”
The doors of The Museum of Chinese in America are back open after a fire that nearly devastated their collection. Responses: Asian American Voices Resisting the Tides of Racism will open on July 15th. It is an exhibit that helps to navigate through a plethora of targeted assaults across the country, and a way to explore solutions, including raising a collective voice against anti-Asian hate and violence.
Harlem-based non-profit the Marcus Garvey Park Alliance, Public art organizer Connie Lee and Harlem-based artist Susan Stair are pleased to announce the installation of Ascending the Mountain, a public artwork in Marcus Garvey Park. Installed in three distinct sections along the staircase that leads up to the overlook terraces known as the Acropolis and the Harlem Fire Watchtower. The artwork is exhibited as part of NYC Parks’ Art in the Parks program and is one of six temporary public art installations organized by the public art committee in Harlem this Summer.
Continue reading “‘Ascending the Mountain’ to Open in Marcus Garvey Park in July, 2021”
Another sign that New York has thrown open its doors to ‘Back to Normal‘ is the news that The Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership’s Historic Flatiron Walking Tours will return to an in-person format on Sunday, July 18, 2021, at 11:00 AM for the first time since the COVID pandemic began. Following a year of virtual tours, the Partnership’s professional guides will return to the streets, leading groups on a fascinating stroll through the historic and vibrant Flatiron District. The tours are FREE and will take place every Sunday morning at 11:00 AM, rain or shine, year-round. No advance registration is required.
Continue reading “Historic Flatiron Walking Tours Return in July!”
Organized by the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, the Obama Portraits will travel across the U.S. from June 2021 through May 2022, reaching millions of people who might not otherwise have an opportunity to view these remarkable paintings.
The much anticipated portraits will be arriving at The Brooklyn Museum of Art this August as part of a five-city tour throughout the United States, beginning the tour appropriately enough, at The Art Institute of Chicago, the location of ‘Barack & Michelle’s’ first date!
Continue reading “The Obama Portraits Tour unveils at The Brooklyn Museum of Art in August”
Pixar Putt, the ultimate pop-up, open-air mini-golf experience, popped up at Pier A in Battery Park City, open from August 1st through October 31, 2021! The colorful mini-golf experience is made up of 18 fun and interactive holes inspired by the stories, characters, and icons from some of Pixar’s most beloved films.
Look for characters from Toy Story, The Incredibles, Monsters, Inc, Finding Nemo, Coco, A Bug’s Life, Wall-E, and Inside Out.
Continue reading “Pixar-Themed Mini Golf Course Popping Up at Pier A from August through October!”
In response to the National Weather Service’s announcement that New York City is at an enhanced risk of severe weather—high winds, thunder and lightning—this evening, NYC Parks recommends New Yorkers exercise caution as the expected 25 – 30 mph winds can impact street and park trees.
Continue reading “NYC Parks offers Proactive Tips for Reporting Fallen or Damaged Trees”
Harlem Art Park unveiled its latest temporary public art installation, Plastic Fantastic! With a kaleidoscope of color, artist Capucine Bourcart encourages the viewer to evaluate their own environmental footprint. The large-scale installation measures over 66-feet wide and 7-feet high, demonstrating the abundance of single use plastics and its impact on our public spaces and our environment. Plastic Fantastic! interacts with Jorge Luis Rodriguez’s permanent sculpture, Growth, installed in 1985, along with the unique architectural elements that make this park a hidden gem in East Harlem.
Join artist Capucine Bourcart for Opening Reception and Preview, Thursday, July 8, 2021 from 5-7pm at Harlem Art Park ~ CANCELLED due to weather.
Continue reading “Capucine Bourcart: Plastic Fantastic! Arrives in Harlem Art Park”
NYC Parks today announced it has selected Wollman Park Partners, LLC for the operation and maintenance of Central Park’s Wollman Rink. Wollman Park Partners, LLC (WPP) has committed to reinvesting all net proceeds back into the Rink, upgrading the facility’s aging infrastructure, and offering inclusive and accessible programming. The group is a joint venture between Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, Related Companies, and Equinox, with official community partners including Great Performances + Melba’s Restaurant, YMCA, Ice Hockey in Harlem, Figure Skating in Harlem, The Boys’ Club of New York, and Green City Force.
Continue reading “Yes, We’ll Be Skating in Wollman Rink this Winter!”
Roosevelt Island unveiled the FDR Hope Memorial, the first memorial to FDR that focuses on his disability, with the sculpture depicting a joyous moment when FDR has turned away from his work to greet a young girl who, like FDR, wears braces on her legs.
Continue reading “FDR Hope Memorial Unveiling on Roosevelt Island Salutes Disabilities”
in 2014, the National Audubon Society and Gitler & ___ Gallery collaborated to create The Audubon Mural Project. The project was inspired by the legacy of the American bird artist and ornithologist, John James Audubon, and the specific birds threatened by a warming climate. The project consisted of painting avian-themed murals on more than 300 gates and windows in the neighborhood, promoting the society’s climate-change-awareness campaign. Fast forward to 2020 ~ The Audubon Mural Project completed its first public mosaic, after two-years of work, unveiling in December, 2020 ~ Trumpeter Swans on Broadway and 163rd Street.
Continue reading “The Audubon Mural Project adds a Stunning Mosaic ~ Trumpeter Swans”
NYC Parks announced this week plans to give Waterside Pier, along the East River Esplanade, a colorful and whimsical redesign. Inspired by the success of the Parks’ Cool Pools initiative, the currently dull underutilized concrete walkway along the East River will be transformed with a retro design, along with turf lawn areas, new furniture and more.
It’s back! The Giglio Society of East Harlem announced this week that the annual celebration will take place this from August 5-8, with a free Freestyle music concert on Friday night, and a Children’s Giglio lift on Saturday, followed by a Sausage & Peppers Eating Contest sponsored by Premio Sausage ~ and Sunday, August 8th,The Giglio Lift! Donations will be collected for the American Cancer Society for Breast Cancer and for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Join FIGMENT NYC 2021 for a small scale interactive art experience at Prime Produce, a unique, artist-friendly event space located in Manhattan. This free event will take place on the weekend of July 10-11 at Prime Produce, 424 West 54th Street, NYC.
In a first for New York City, the Consulate General of France in New York, the French Institute Alliance Francaise (FIAF), and the Committee of French Speaking Societies (CAFUSA) will present a special Bastille Day Celebration in Central Park on Wednesday, July 14th, beginning at 6:00pm featuring live jazz, a dance party and a new French film.
Continue reading “Celebrate Bastille Day in Central Park on July 14th!”
