2017 - 2015 events

Terri Lyne Carrington Quartet, with Marc Cary and Others
Melba Joyce
The Sugar Hill Quartet, with Patience Higgins, Marcus Persiani, David Gibson
—and—
Reading Across Harlem Kick Off, featuring Book Signing and Reading by Author Herb Boyd

The Terri Lyne Carrington Quartet plays reimagined takes on Duke Ellington’s “Money Jungle.” Through her unique vocal stylings, Melba Joyce presents the classic sound of jazz. 

The Sugar Hill Quartet continues the swinging Harlem tradition.

A Celebration of New York’s Most Famous Neighborhood From the Renaissance to the 21st Century is Reading Across Harlem’s “primer.”

A discussion covering the first nine chapters of The Harlem Reader. Reading Across Harlem, A Community Read is inspired by One Book/One City, a project of the American Library Association. Kick Off and Book Signing of The Harlem Reader and Black Detroit with Author Herb Boyd

Other events accompany this community read, allowing the participants to gain an understanding of why Harlem became the “Black Cultural Capital of the World.”

Countee Cullen Library
104 West 136th Street  Harlem, NY

With Herb Boyd, Jeffrey B. Perry, and Others TBD

A wide-ranging talk, focusing on pages 34 to 79, that demonstrates the extraordinary growth of Harlem as a site of international influence.

Three Sisters and Their Parents: Discussion and Walking Tour

Tour Leader, Michael Henry Adams

The common architectural histories of 409 and 555 Edgecombe Avenue and 800 Riverside Drive are highlighted in this discussion and walking tour. Also covered will be the history of Black ownership of these important structures.

Panelists: Deuel Ross, Esq., Esmeralda Simmons, Esq., Elizabeth Yeampierre, Esq.
Moderator: Joan P. Gibbs, Esq.

409 Edgecombe Avenue. Harlem, NY
(On the sidewalk)

This important panel about the legal legacies of 409 Edgecombe Avenue, including Thurgood Marshall’s, takes place right in the Harlem community, in front of the building that housed some of the nation’s and city’s most significant legal movers and shakers—all of whom, during the 20th century, shaped the legal landscape of the United States.

Jackie Robinson Park Bandshell
145th Street between Edgecombe and Bradhurst avenues  Harlem, NY

There’s a chance that Leroy had something to do with your favorite disco tune or house music jam. As writer, producer, arranger, keyboardist, and/ or vocalist, his special touch can be felt on hits like “Mainline,” “Let’s Do It,” and “Moment of My Life.” Leroy “Father of the Boogie” Burgess is a man of many musical talents, and has funked it up “Big Time” for Rick James and got “Over Like A Fat Rat” with Fonda Rae.

Jazz, Spirituals, European Classical

Featuring a SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMER

We’ll Be Closing Out the Day With A Jam Session!

- Melba Joyce
- The Sugar Hill Quartet
- The West Village Quartet
- Angela L. Owens (soprano) and Charles David Carter (bass-baritone)— operatic duo, with accompaniment by Roy Jennings

Emcee, Daa’iya Lomax of WHCR’s “Gardens of Tranquility and Contemplation” 

Panelists, Herb Boyd and Terrance McKnight
Moderator, Felipe Luciano

Many musical innovators called 409 and 555 Edgecombe home: From Andy Kirk, Jimmie Lunceford, Billy Strayhorn, Coleman Hawkins, Johnny Hodges, and Count Basie, through Paul Robeson, travel the journey with us all the way through to the era of Cassandra Wilson. Will also present European classical music and the contributions of Harry T. Burleigh and Clarence Cameron White.

The gracious Geri Allen played solo piano for While We Are Still Here's first concert on September 3, 2016.

By June 27, 2017, she had departed this earthly plane, leaving behind a musical legacy that Patricia Spears Jones honors in a poetic tribute.

Free Reading and Discussion Series with Baldwin Biographer, Herb Boyd.

Sponsored by the New York State Council for the Humanities.

Session 1
Baldwin in Harlem
March 5, Revolution Books, 437 Malcolm X Boulevard (at 132nd Street)

This is an overview of the series, and will include a showing of the acclaimed documentary, “Price of the Ticket.” 

Session 2
Baldwin the Essayist
March 12, Tsion Café, 768 St. Nicholas Avenue (at 148th Street)

We’ll view excerpts from “The James Baldwin Anthology,”including his debate with Malcolm X. Baldwin’s early aspirations, the subsequent book reviews,
and his rift with Richard Wright will be discussed.

Session 3
Baldwin’s Fiction
March 19, Tsion Café

“Go Tell It on the Mountain,” with Paul Winfield, will be this session’s film. We’ll consider how Baldwin’s fiction mirrors his life.

Session 4
Baldwin - Citizen of the World and Civil Rights  
April 2, Revolution Books, 437 Malcolm X Boulevard, Harlem, NY

We’ll view clips of Baldwin abroad in France, Turkey, etc.; discuss Baldwin’s last works; and summarize what has transpired from previous sessions.