The City College of New York, in collaboration with the Harlem Arts Alliance, presents “Harlem in the City,” a weeklong festival of activities celebrating Harlem as a cultural and intellectual force for New York City, America and the world. The festival runs Oct. 1-7.
“Strengthening ties between City College and the Harlem community is one of (CCNY) President Lisa S. Coico’s primary goals,” said Dr. Myrah Brown Green, executive director of arts and culture at City College, who is coordinating the festival. “Through this festival we are bringing Harlem to campus and, at the same time, encouraging our students to become part of this diverse, culturally rich community that is our home.”
The festival will offer an assortment of events, to include art exhibits, lectures, panel discussions, film screenings, tours and poetry readings.
HIGHLIGHTS
New Orleans-style parade through the City College campus to open the festivities on Monday, Oct. 1.
“Harlem in the City: Past and Present,” a two-part panel discussion on Wednesday, Oct. 3
The “Colors of Change” art exhibit opening and the second annual City College Arts & Culture Award ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 4.
Each evening during the festival, works by community artists will be projected onto the North Academic Center art wall from 6 p.m. to midnight.
A complete schedule of events follows.
MONDAY, OCT. 1
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Danny Glover is to be honored during the Harlem Arts Alliance meeting, hosted by CCNY. Marian Anderson Theatre, Aaron Davis Hall.
1 p.m. A New Orleans-style second-line parade opens the festivities, with a band accompanying members of the City College and Harlem communities. The parade begins at Aaron Davis Hall and proceeds along Convent Avenue to West 140th Street.
5 – 7:30 p.m. City College and Harlem Arts Alliance kick off Arts Advocacy Week with a reception and panel discussion on “Harlem Through its Arts Institutions.” Theatre B, Aaron Davis Hall.
6 p.m. – midnight. “Harlem in the City on the Wall.” North Academic Center art wall.
TUESDAY, OCT. 2
10 – 11 a.m. Art enrichment workshop with Harlem-themed activities for City College Day Care students. Schiff House, Convent Avenue and W. 133rd Street.
10 – 11:30 a.m. Daniel Carlton presents “Pig Foot Mary says Goodbye to the Harlem Renaissance.” One of Harlem’s most successful entrepreneurs, Pig Foot Mary, says goodbye to the customers of her highly profitable meat store at 135th and Lenox Avenue in the early 1920s. Theatre B, Aaron Davis Hall.
10 a.m. – noon. Bulb planting and box lunch on the City College campus with the John Finley Day School.
Noon – 2 p.m. Student docent-led tours of the “Harlem & the City: Over 100 Years of Special Moments in Time” photo exhibit. Amsterdam Avenue plaza.
6 p.m. – midnight. “Harlem in the City on the Wall.” North Academic Center art wall.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 3
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. “Harlem in the City: Past and Present.” A two-part panel discussion takes participants on a journey through Harlem from the late 19th century to the present, describing how the sciences, arts and culture have played an important role in Harlem’s history. Dr. Venus Green, City College professor of history, moderates. First panel, 10 a.m. – noon; lunch, noon – 1 p.m., second panel, 1 – 4 p.m. Theatre B, Aaron Davis Hall.
4 – 6:30 p.m. Opening of “Class Action I,” a juried art exhibit and collaboration between City College students and Harlem community artists. Hamilton Landmark Gallery, 467 W. 144th St.
6:30 – 9 p.m. Screening and discussion of “The Barber of Birmingham,” a documentary featuring interviews with barber James Armstrong and other Alabama African-Americans who participated in the struggle for civil rights in cities like Birmingham and Selma during the 1960s. Theatre B, Aaron Davis Hall.
6 p.m. – midnight. “Harlem in the City on the Wall.” North Academic Center art wall.
THURSDAY, OCT. 4
Noon – 2 p.m. “Poetry @ the Gates.” City College students, faculty, staff and Harlem community members will have the opportunity to read and recite poetry at the gates along Amsterdam Avenue between the North Academic Center and Townsend Harris Hall.
Noon – 2 p.m. “Harlem in the City Moves!” Line dance in the Plaza at Convent Avenue. Music by student radio station WCCR.
5:30 – 9 p.m. Opening of “Colors of Change” art exhibit and the second annual Arts and Culture Awards ceremony. Exhibit features the works of Danny Simmons, Leopold Fuentes and Ghariowkhu Lemi. Invited honorees include Stephen and Ruth Hendel, Danny Simmons and Dr. Marta Vega. Aaron Davis Hall Lobby and Marian Anderson Theatre.
6 p.m. – midnight. “Harlem in the City on the Wall,” North Academic Center art wall.