Artists on Artists, Studio Museum in Harlem Celebrates the Historic Smokehouse Associates ~ August 5, 2023

 

 

 

 

Neighborhood children and Smokehouse’s founding member William T. Williams are drawn to the completed mural site at Sylvan Place (now Harlem Art Park at E. 120th St. between Lexington and 3rd Aves.). Artwork created by Smokehouse Associates. Courtesy William T. Williams Archives

The Studio Museum in Harlem presents the culminating event in celebration of the Smokehouse Associates publication.

Join The Studio Museum in Harlem in Harlem Art Park, the site of one of the Smokehouse Associates’ first painted walls, for a multimedia program featuring sonia louise davis, David L. Johnson, and Shamel Pitts. Through participatory activities and insightful conversation, visitors will be guided through reflections on Smokehouse’s collaborative work and will explore their own connections to—and interpretations of—the collective’s ethos to “let the message be the change.”

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The Annual East Harlem Street Games Set for Saturday, April 30, 2022

 

 

 


Street Games in Thomas Jefferson Park, April 30, 2022. Image credit: Malcolm Pinckney/NYC Parks

NYC Parks celebrated its 13th annual Street Games in Thomas Jefferson Park on Saturday, April 30, 2022.! This FREE family-friendly event featured classic games, including double dutch, pogo sticks, hula hoops, a boxcar derby, and more.

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Uptown Grand Central Unveils Blocks of Canvas Fencing ~ Continuing The Uptown Grandscale II Mural Project in East Harlem, 2021

 

 

 

Uptown Grandscale on East 125th Street ~ BLAZAYny

The Uptown Grandscale Mural Project is back!  Uptown Grand Central unveiled canvas fencing extending all the way to Third Avenue, kicking-off the opening of our City with color and fun. In this second edition of Uptown Grandscale, murals were painted by more than 100 artists in May, June and July, with a closing celebration ~ The Roller Jam ~ on Saturday, July 10th from Noon to 7:00pm at the newly renovated 125th Street Plaza at Park Avenue.

The Roller Jam will be headlined by D.J. Ted Smooth, D.J. Arson, the World Famous Brucie B. Kool D.J. Red Alert, Ninoflex and D.J. Kenny Maneuver. Roller skates will be available for rent, and the African-American Roller Skate Museum will also be on hand to share historical perspective. Participating artists will give a tour of the murals ~ art tour at 3:00pm.

Sign up for the free closing party murals tour Here!

Continue reading “Uptown Grand Central Unveils Blocks of Canvas Fencing ~ Continuing The Uptown Grandscale II Mural Project in East Harlem, 2021”

National Black Theatre Teams up with ‘Ray’ to Create ‘Ray Harlem’ on National Black Theatre Way & Celebrates Topping Off !

 

 

 

Architect Frida Escobedo. Image via raycommunnity.com

When the National Black Theatre announced its intention to develop its current site, concerns about the interior (and exterior) artistic treasurers were of great concern. The property, which was purchased by the Theatre’s founder, Dr. Barbara Ann Teer in 1969, houses the largest collection of Nigerian New Sacred Art in the Western Hemisphere. Hand carved wood totems and copper, aluminum and brass relief were created for the Theatre by traditional Nigerian artisans from the Sun-Oshogbo Sacred Grove. They carved these works using tools and methods which spanned seven generations. With its founder, Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, dedicated to the preservation of this unique spiritual tradition, it is no wonder that the upcoming project, demolishing the current structure, and creating a new, would present questions about the preservation of the artwork.

Enter ~ Ray ~ a company whose mission states that it builds urban projects as vertical villages in a way that includes art along with architecture and design.

Take a look inside the newly completed Ray Philly ~ the apartments and neighborhood.

Continue reading “National Black Theatre Teams up with ‘Ray’ to Create ‘Ray Harlem’ on National Black Theatre Way & Celebrates Topping Off !”

MTA’s Second Avenue Subway in East Harlem Moving Forward

 

 

 

Rendering of Phase 2, Second Avenue Subway at 125th Street. Image courtesy new.mta.info

In anticipation of Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway, an MTA community information center with rotating exhibits is open to the public on East 125th Street, steps from the MTA Metro North Station, and halfway between the #2/3 and #4/5/6.

The New York Post reported on October 23, 2023 that the Biden Administration has agreed to pick up half of the $6.6 billion tab to extend the Second Avenue Subway through East Harlem, providing funds the MTA says are essential to finally getting the project off the drawing boards and into construction.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-Harlem) announced deal Tuesday, which will provide $3.4 billion to pay for the 1.5 mile subway extension that will add three new stops on the Q line at 106th St./Second Ave, 116th St./Second Avenue and 125th St./Lexington Ave.

AND, (October 4, 2023) Plans on now on the table to extend the Second Avenue subway west, across 125th Street, to Lenox Ave at the #2/#3 trains. Fingers crossed!

Rendering for Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway for 106th Street Station courtesy new.mta.info

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Gourmet Bistro, Amuse Bouche Located in the Historic La Marqueta Market, East Harlem

 

 

 

Amuse Bouche Bistro reopens in La Marqueta

Oh, how New Yorkers enjoyed the gourmet bistro, Amuse Bouche, when they opened their doors in the historic East Harlem La Marqueta Market last year. It quickly became a go-to place for a wide selection of tempting treats, fresh baked goods, sumptuous prepared meals, finely brewed coffees and teas ~ and a great place to meet for Sunday Brunch.

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Restoration Completed on Keith Haring’s Mural ‘Crack is Wack’ in East Harlem

 

 

 

Completed mural. Photo credit: NYC Parks

A restoration of the historic, two-sided mural ‘Crack is Wack‘ by Keith Haring was underway on the East Harlem handball court located on Harlem River Drive at 128th Street (Second Avenue). It was inspired by the crack epidemic and its effect on the community.

NYC Parks and the Keith Haring Foundation are pleased to announce today that the restoration of Keith Haring’s “Crack is Wack” has been completed. The mural was refurbished and repainted by artists Louise Hunnicutt and William Tibbals, and the project was sponsored by the Keith Haring Foundation.

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CCCADI ~ Making Music in El Barrio

 

 

 

The Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) moved into a historic firehouse in East Harlem in 2016.  Since then, a plethora of art, education and entertainment have filled the floors within. Here are a few events coming up that caught our eye.

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125th Street in East Harlem ~ a Work in Progress?

 

 

 

One East Harlem will be located at 201 East 125th Street. Rendering courtesy of S9 Architecture will include a two-story supermarket! The building topped-off in June, 2020.

125th Street in East Harlem has seen a constant stream of renovations and building over this past several years. We thought this might be a good time to review what we know about projects coming to East Harlem this year, and continue to update as the year unfolds.

In addition, the Second Avenue Subway extension will provide direct passenger connections to the Lexington Avenue (4/5/6) subway line at 125th Street, and an entrance at Park Avenue to allow convenient transfers to the Metro-North 125th Street Station.  Continue reading “125th Street in East Harlem ~ a Work in Progress?”