Harlem Community News

Drumline Live!
2025-01-18 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
Drumline Live, the show-stopping attraction created by the musical team behind 20th Century Fox’s hit movies, Drumline and Drumline: A New Beat, has already paraded onto some of the biggest theatre stages in America, Japan, and Korea. After performing over 300 shows since 2009, it’s time for a BRAND NEW show, with new music and choreography. The Legendary Historically Black College and University (HBCU) band experience comes alive with this world-class cast of percussionists, musicians and dancers.

Be prepared to laugh, sing, dance, and cry because DRUMLine Live is a high-octane musical roller coaster ride that will hit every emotion in your body!

Brooklyn Poetry Slam
2025-01-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Brooklyn Museum, 3rd floor. 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY, 11238, United States
Amplify the voices of Brooklyn at a series of pay-what-you-can slams, presented by poets and cofounders Mahogany L. Browne and DJ Jive Poetic. Come to listen to poets, or arrive early to sign up if you’d like to join the slam (limited availability).
Brooklyn Poetry Slam rules

Brooklyn Poetry Slam is a two-round performance poetry competition.
Each poet is given three minutes to read their own original work (no props or accompaniments).
The top five poets from the first round advance to the second round.
Five random judges from the audience score each round on a scale of 0–10. The highest and lowest scores for each poet are dropped each round. The poet with the highest cumulative score is the winner.

Eastwood Manor Bridal Show
2025-01-15 18:30 - 21:30 | Eastwood Manor, 3371 Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY, United States
FREE TICKETS
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Eastwood Manor 3371 Eastchester Road Bronx, New York 10469
Boss Lady Bridal Expos is recognized as one of the top bridal shows. As always, the expo features top wedding professionals.
Our expo has everything you need for an incredible and memorable event. It features top wedding planners, who can help with advice, ideas and direction. We have the best in hair and make-up, creative invitation designers and enthusiastic videographers and photographers. We’ve got great resources for looking your absolute best on that special day by experts for face, your smile, hair and body makeovers.
Connecting you with Top Professionals. Everything for your event under one roof!

Meet with 25+ Wedding Professionals
See the latest fashion styles
Gowns and tuxedos
DJ Entertainment
Grand Prize: Cruise
FREE admission for you and your guests
Online Reservations required or register at the door.

See great floral designs and décor ideas. Fun ideas for your bachelorette and bachelor party options. Transportation options so you can really enjoy yourself. We have some great recommendations for desserts and cakes.
Many of those participating in the bridal show are offering gift certificates for the raffle, concluding with a GRAND PRIZE Cruise.
Our guests will receive an event program, so they can take notes when they visit with our wedding professionals. The turned-in registration form will be your ticket to enter raffle drawings and be eligible for the Grand Prize
See you at the Show….
Boss Lady Bridal Shows
914.265.5356

Stomp, Clap and Sing with Princess Backpack and Benjamin
2025-01-14 10:30 - 11:30 | brooklyn central library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY, 11238, United States
Who’s cute and tough and holds your stuff? Princess Backpack! Princess Backpack and Benjamin can’t wait to bring their unique style of silly, sweet, and interactive music to the Brooklyn Public Library. Benjamin writes scripts and songs for shows like Dora on Paramount+, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and has a picture book coming out with Simon and Schuster. Princess Backpack is a magical talking bag from the land of Backpackia. And for this show, they’ll be joined by renowned fiddler Melody Allegra to sing songs from their upcoming album, Carry On!

Stomp, Clap and Sing programs are made possible through generous support from the Estate of Pearl S. Reuillard in memory of her parents Yetta and Louis Schwartz.

Open Mic for Poets and Writers with Tobias Carroll
2025-01-12 14:00 - 15:30 | Queens Central Library, 8911 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica, NY, United States
Come share your writing and discuss it with others in this supportive space! Our featured reader is Tobias Carroll, the author of four books — most recently the novel “Ex-Members.” He lives in Brooklyn, where he’s the managing editor of “Vol. 1 Brooklyn” and writes a monthly column for “Words Without Borders.”

Voices by Margarita Athanasiou
2025-01-12 08:00 - 2025-01-15 17:00 | Brooklyn Academy of Music, 30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY, United States
In “Voices,” artist Margarita Athanasiou dives into the hidden histories of Victorian-era mediums and New Age spiritualists, as well as her own grandmother. What emerges is a story about female empowerment, capitalism, and the unexpected relationship between information technology and the spirit world. Her riveting video essay makes the case for the body as the ultimate communication device.
“Voices” is a part of TECHNE, a program of four large-scale digital artworks curated by Onassis ONX, an initiative by Onassis Culture dedicated to the development of new media art and digital experiences.

Thursday Nights Jazz
2025-01-09 20:00 - 22:00 | Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Avenue, Queens, NY, 11432, United States
Thursday Nights Jazz, featuring a performance by Tyler Bullock II, a New York-based pianist, composer, and arranger. Fans will see him at Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 161-04 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica, NY.
Cutting-edge contemporary jazz artists are presented October to May. The season culminates in the annual two-day Downtown Jamaica Jazz Festival each June.
From Curator Rio Sakairi:
​​​​​​​“I’m really happy and excited to bring once again a wide array of artists to the JCAL stage… I programmed the series so that everyone has something that you can relate to during the course of the season. You don’t have to know anything about them. You’ll just have to open your ears and hearts and let them speak to you. It’s all about exploration and learning about yourselves through these artists and their offerings!”

World Music Concert Series - QC Jazz Collective
2025-01-09 19:00 - 20:00 | Forest Park
Get warm from the cold with the soothing notes from the QC Jazz Collective! Part of our FREE Fall & Winter World Music concert series at Oak Ridge at Forest Park, in collaboration with the Queens College School of Arts and NYC Parks. Artists include:
Drums: David Najera Gonzalez
Trombone: Kazoo Murakami
Piano: Yeon Ji Lee
Bass: Yuhang Jiang

Live Puppet Show at Flushing Library
2025-01-09 16:00 - 17:00 | Flushing Library, 4147 Main St., Flushing, NY, United States
Experience a captivating puppet show presented by Chinese Theatre Works. The performance will take place at the Flushing Library, 41-17 Main St., Flushing, NY.

NYC Winter Jazzfest 2025
2025-01-09 08:00 - 2025-01-15 17:00
Celebrating 21 years, NYC Winter Jazzfest is proud to continue highlighting artists deserving greater attention while nurturing an audience for Black American Music and amplifying artists’ messages of justice, wellness and progressive change on and off the stage. Artist-in-Residence Makaya McCraven will perform four different sets. Festival highlights include an opening night concert with Aja Monet; the signature two-day marathon in each Manhattan and Brooklyn; a concert of jazz legends at The Town Hall celebrating the re-launch of Strata-East Records; the 60th year anniversary of John Coltrane’s seminal Impulse Records album ‘A Love Supreme’ featuring Ravi Coltrane; legacy groups performing the music of Roy Hargrove and Henry Threadgill.

Brooklyn Nets Home Game
2025-01-08 19:30 - 22:00 | Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, United States
Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center
A new era for Nets basketball began with the opening of Barclays Center for the 2012–13 season. The state-of-the-art arena offers fans an intimate setting, outstanding sightlines, premium amenities, and the distinctive Brooklyn Taste program, bringing the borough’s culinary favorites to the arena’s concessions, suites, restaurants, and clubs. Located in the heart of Brooklyn, Barclays Center is easily accessible by 11 subway lines at the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center station, plus the Long Island Rail Road at Atlantic Terminal.

Story and Play at Brooklyn Public Library
2025-01-03 11:00 - 12:00 | Red Hook Interim Library, 362 Van Brunt Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11231, United States
Join us for Friday morning storytime at our interim Red Hook location at 362 Van Brunt Street! All ages 0-5 are welcome. Stories, songs, puppets, and playtime! Registration is not required.

3rd Annual Holiday Jazz & Latin Jazz Parranda
2024-12-15 15:00 - 17:00 | Hostos Community College, 450 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY, 10451, United States
Holiday Jazz & Latin Jazz Parranda returns for its third season! Grammy-nominated and NEA Master Artist Papo Vázquez leads his band with a stellar lineup of special guest artists who bring the spirit of the holidays to life at Hostos. This special afternoon concert will feature favorites, new arrangements, Latin jazz-infused holiday songs, traditional aguinaldos and more! Papo Vázquez will be joined by special guests Camille Thurman, the renowned vocalist and saxophonist, the masterful Rodney Jones on jazz guitar, and Alvin Medina, a Cuatro virtuoso direct from Puerto Rico. For all ages, the entire family and all backgrounds.

Thursday Night Jazz Presents: Melissa Aldana
2024-12-12 20:00 - 22:00 | Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Avenue, Queens, NY, 11432, United States
Thursday Night Jazz continues with this exciting performance!

Don’t miss this installment of Thursday Night Jazz featuring a can’t miss performance by Melissa Aldana!
GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist and composer Melissa Aldana has garnered international recognition for her visionary work as a band leader, as well as her deeply meditative interpretation of language and vocabulary.
Aldana’s celebrated 2019 album Visions (Motéma) earned the saxophonist her first-ever GRAMMY nomination for Best Improvised Jazz Solo. In naming Visions among the best albums of 2019 for NPR Music, critic Nate Chinen wrote that Aldana “has the elusive ability to balance technical achievement against a rich emotional palette.”

Harlem Holiday Show
2024-12-12 - 2024-12-21 | Harlem School of the Arts, 645 St Nicholas Ave
Celebrate the season with Harlem School of the Arts at our 2024 Annual Holiday Show!
This joyful event brings together students from all HSA departments-Music, Dance, Theatre, and Visual Arts—for an inspiring showcase that captures the magic of the holidays and the talent of our young artists. Audiences will be treated to a heartwarming mix of performances and festive cheer, highlighting the unique spirit and creativity cultivated within HSA. Join us for a family-friendly evening that’s sure to leave you inspired and full of holiday joy!

EL PARRANDÓN DE NEW YORK
2024-12-07 20:00 - 22:00
EL PARRANDÓN DE NEW YORK

with LA GRAN MANZANA y EL EQUIPO, and JOSÉ ALBERTO “EL CANARIO” featuring VÍCTOR ROQUE, DIONI FERNÁNDEZ, PABLO MARTÍNEZ, VÍCTOR BRITO, TONY VALDEZ, WILLIE GÓMEZ, and CHARLIE RODRÍGUEZ

Get ready for an exciting Latin Holiday concert featuring some of the best salsa artists in the business!
You will not want to miss this celebration of music with La Gran Manzana y El Equipo, and the Lehman Center favorite José Alberto “El Canario!” Featuring musical talent from Víctor Roque, Dioni Fernández, Pablo Martínez, Víctor Brito, Tony Valdez, Willie Gómez, and Charlie Rodríguez.
Patrons who purchase VIP tickets (first 9 rows of Orchestra Center) are invited to attend a special reception at 6:30pm on the day of the show. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres catered by Havana Cafe.

Winter Wonderland at the Bronx Museum
2024-12-07 13:00 - 16:00 | Bronx Museum, 1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY, 10456, United States
Celebrate the season at The Bronx Museum with our popular annual event: Winter Wonderland! The festive occasion is fun for all ages and appropriate for families with young children. Winter Wonderland includes: Art activities inspired by The Bronx Museum’s current exhibition, FUTURA 2000: BREAKING OUT, and by the winter holidays! A musical performance (more details to come). StoryTime with Bronx Museum Educators. Hot chocolate, treats, and more! FREE! Optional RSVP

Brooklyn Pop Up Market at Brooklyn Navy Yard
2024-12-07 - 2024-12-08 | Brooklyn Navy Yard, 63 Flushing Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11205, United States
The Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNY-DC) will be hosting its seventh annual holiday pop-up market, Wallabout Wonderland at the Yard’s Brooklyn Storehouse (Building 293). The market will feature over 200 local vendors offering a wide range of products, including clothing and accessories, home décor, health and beauty items, food, beverages, and more. Attendees can also enjoy free family-friendly activities such as cookie decorating, holiday card-making, and LEGO adventures. With festive music setting the scene, guests can savor diverse culinary offerings, including Caribbean cuisine, soul food, seafood, and more. And attendees can get creative with hands-on gift crafting, signature scent creation, and cocktail-making sessions.

Dru Hill at the Concert Hall
2024-11-30 20:00 - 23:00
Dru Hill is an American R&B group, whose repertoire included soul, hip hop soul and gospel music. The group was founded in Baltimore in 1992 by Tamir “Nokio the N-Tity” Ruffin.
Dru Hill recorded seven top 40 hits, and is best known for the R&B number-one hits “In My Bed”, “Never Make a Promise,” and “How Deep Is Your Love”. Its original members were lead singer Mark “Sisqó” Andrews, Tamir “Nokio” Ruffin, Larry “Jazz” Anthony and James “Woody” Green. Now, the group is led by Scola, Nokio, Sisqó, Smoke, Black, and Jazz.
Patrons who purchase VIP tickets (first 9 rows of Orchestra Center) are invited to attend a special reception at 6:30pm on the day of the show. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres catered by Havana Cafe.

Tianyu Lights Festival NYC
2024-11-29 08:00 - 2025-01-19 17:00 | Citi Field, 41 Seaver Way, Flushing, NY, United States
From November 29 to January 19, experience an enchanting night with Koda’s Adventure to the Magical Forest at Citi Field in Flushing this winter! Walk through the whimsical wonderland to see Koda’s dreams through the luminous art installations. Try out delicious foods and beverages at our Forest Food Court, enjoy live cultural music and dance performances throughout the journey, and complete your visit with a trip to the Marketplace, filled with unique, handcrafted treasures.

African Diaspora International Film Festival
2024-11-29 - 2024-12-15 | The Forum at Columbia University, 605 W 125th St, Harlem, NY, 10027, United States
Established in 1993, the African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF) is a Harlem based minority-led not-for profit international film festival that presents, interprets and educates about films that explore the human experience of people of color all over the world in order to inspire imaginations, disrupt stereotypes and help transform attitudes that perpetuate injustice.
In our reality, people from diverse races, nationalities and backgrounds come together to enjoy important cinematic works of creativity, intellectual expansion, identity, and equality. In this world there are no boundaries around people because they are embraced in a universal understanding of humanity. This is the element of commonality that weaves through this annual event of images from Africa, the African Diaspora and beyond.

Amateur Night at the Apollo
2024-11-27 19:30 - 22:30 | Apollo Theater, 253 W 125th Street, United States
Known as one of New York’s most popular live entertainment experiences, Amateur Night at The Apollo attracts performers and audiences from around the world in a classic talent competition that has launched the careers of countless legendary artists, from Ella Fitzgerald, Luther Vandross, Lauryn Hill, H.E.R, Machine Gun Kelly, Jazmine Sullivan and more.

Join the fun with the weekly classic competition that sheds light on the careers of a whole new roster of stars. Be a part of the notoriously “tough” audience in an interactive evening unlike any other and lend your voice to decide who will “Be Good or Be Gone!” to win the triumphant grand prize.
‍Amateur Night at The Apollo sponsored by Coca-Cola, is hosted by the comedian Capone. Each show begins with a festive pre-party featuring video and music by DJ Jess and Set It Off Man Greginald Spencer. Keep a lookout for C.P. Lacey, the resident Executioner who sweeps bad talent off the stage!

‍Runtime: Appx 90 minutes – 2 hours with intermission.
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Grab your crew! To book your group of 10 or more, contact group.sales@apollotheater.org.
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Please contact The Apollo Box Office ataccess@apollotheater.org or (212) 531-5305 if any other special assistance is required for your visit. Learn more about our accessibility options here.

Phil's House of Blues with Phil Young
2024-11-26 18:00 - 22:00 | Silvana, 220 W 116th St, Harlem, NY, 10027, United States
Already veteran bookers of world-class musical acts from their experience at Shrine World Music Venue, Silvana’s music schedule is filled with musical talent from New York City and all over the globe. On any given night you can enjoy the soothing music of a jazz quartet, a master conguera from Cuba, a reggae band and then, if you’re lucky an impromptu jam session. After, dance the night away with our DJs who spin everything from funk to hip-hop to house to reggae to African music.
Harlem legend Phil Young has been playing drums on and off since Bobby Blue Bland spotted him at an amateur night at the Apollo Theatre, when he was fifteen, and invited him to come play in black night clubs across the South. Since then, he has toured internationally and played with greats such as Stanley Turrentine, George Benson, and Dizzy Gillespie. He is reviving his House of Blues concept at Silvana with A-list musical collaborators and featuring vocalists Andy Story and Marvel Allen.

Artist Talk with Charlotta Janssen
2024-11-23 15:00 - 16:30 | 2075 Seventh Ave, 2075 Seventh Ave, Harlem, NY, 10027, United States
“Islands of Humanity Art, Resilience, and Collective Memory” an inspiring artist talk with Charlotta Janssen. Charlotta will explore how team sports symbolize shared human experiences and reflect on how her life across Maine, Iran, Germany, and New York has shaped her art. You’ll also discover her unique techniques, including oxidation, collage, and her distinctive color palette, which convey resilience and the passage of time. See how she challenges artistic boundaries, much like athletes push limits in sports. Engage directly with Charlotta during an interactive Q&A session, where you can dive deeper into her creative process and vision. Curtiss Jacobs Gallery Please RSVP to secure your spot for this intimate and engaging event. Gallery Hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 12 noon – 6 PM, or by Appointment 212.865.2111. Located at 2075 Seventh Ave.

Eric Alexander Quartet
2024-11-22 20:00 - 22:00 | Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Queens, NY, 11354, United States
World-renowned tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander takes the stage for a mesmerizing evening of jazz. Boasting a prolific career spanning three decades, Eric has established himself as one of the finest hard bop and post-bop saxophonists of his generation. Known for his warm, burnished tone and masterful improvisation, Alexander continues to push the boundaries of jazz while honoring its rich traditions.
Join us for an incredible night of soulful melodies, virtuosic performances, and the sounds of Alexander’s latest work, including pieces from his recent albums A New Beginning (2023) and Timing Is Everything (2024). His command of the tenor saxophone and deep connection to the jazz idiom will captivate both seasoned jazz lovers and newcomers alike.
Performing alongside Eric Alexander will be an outstanding ensemble of seasoned jazz musicians:

David Williams on bass
Neal Smith on drums
Rick Germanson on piano

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
2024-11-22 08:00 - 2025-01-05 17:00 | Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY, 10460, United States
Millions of lights and hundreds of wildlife lanterns spread across 6 lantern trails representing almost 100 animal and plant species will connect you to the real wildlife and wild places that WCS staff works to protect through our field programs around the world, and at our zoos and aquarium in New York.
From tiny toads to big cats, there are more than 11,000 animals at the Bronx Zoo. Plan a visit to see your favorite member of the animal kingdom and meet some new ones along the way.

Holiday Lights at Bronx Zoo
2024-11-22 - 2025-01-05 | Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY, 10460, United States
Join us for a beloved family tradition at the Bronx Zoo. During the evenings, the park comes to life with holiday cheer as immersive light displays, custom-designed animal lanterns and animated light shows sparkle across the zoo. Tickets $41.95-$56.95.

reSURGEnce Conference
2024-11-22 - 2024-11-24 | Rochdale Community Center, 169-65 137th Ave, Jamaica, NY, 11434, United States
The reSURGEnce movement hosts conferences and informational sessions that offer solutions and help to provide key areas of access: access to funding and capital, access to investment options and opportunities, access to markets and business growth opportunities, access to franchise and dealer opportunities, access to government and corporate contracts, and access to global partnerships and an Africa-America business exchange. This exchange initiative will engage African businesses, government and clergy participating in these conferences in America and American counterparts traveling to similar conferences in Africa.

Holiday Train Show
2024-11-16 08:00 - 2025-01-20 17:00 | New York Botanical Gardens, 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY, 10458, United States
Enter a winter wonderland unlike any other at the Holiday Train Show, where cherished seasonal traditions find a home in our enchanting train displays, by day…or night. The timeless holiday magic of rail travel fills the Garden with nostalgia as model locomotives and trolleys trundle through our picture-perfect outdoor lawn display and bring the Haupt Conservatory to life with the busy sounds of the season. In the warmth of our landmark glasshouse, you’ll find twinkling, plant-based replicas of famed local architecture creating a cityscape in miniature—a meticulously crafted world brimming with the lively energy of New York City during the holidays.
After dark, our roving Train Conductors welcome you to Holiday Train Nights, and set you on your journey through the warm glow of the Holiday Train Show. Experience the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory like never before, with colorful lighting bringing the holiday spirit under glass. During your visit, you can bop along to holiday classics and Christmas pop favorites sung by performers in our Locomotive Lounge. And with sweet and savory bites, spiked cider cocktails and mocktails, and hands-on gingerbread fun for purchase, the night is made complete with your favorite treats. Whether you’re out on the town with friends for our 21+ nights, or bringing the whole family for an all-ages celebration, make new holiday memories while discovering the magic of New York City’s favorite holiday experience.

Black-Owned Farms in the Bronx in the Early 1800s with J. Keith Doherty
2024-01-09 18:00 - 19:00 | Van Cortlandt House Museum, 6036 Broadway, Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx, NY, United States
This talk by historian J. Keith Doherty will focus on a number of early farms in the Bronx that were owned by free Black men during the era of Gradual Emancipation, when slavery was slowly being abolished (1799-1827). Though several Black-owned farms existed in the rural environs of the city at the time, nearly all have been forgotten by history. This talk is an attempt to shed light on a long-buried chapter in our local history when Black men—many of whom had been enslaved in their youth—rose to become successful businessmen. In addition to being one of the only ways of gaining genuine financial independence, land ownership was critical for Black men as the sole means of acquiring suffrage, due to a racist mandate in the state constitution that required them to possess at least $250 worth of property to vote.
J. Keith Doherty is a former Professor of History and Art History at Boston University, where he earned his doctorate and taught for 14 years. Since returning to his native New York in 2012, he has authored several articles and a short book on the early history of the Bronx and Westchester, with a special focus on Black-owned farms in the area at the turn of the nineteenth century (1799-1850). In addition to his academic work, he is a researcher and educator at the Philipse Manor Hall, the VCHM’s architectural “twin” in Yonkers, and leads tours of various parts of Manhattan for the Big Onion touring company.

Admission is free, but registration is suggested as space is limited.
