Block Parties + Festivals Are Coming

+ The Black Swans of Harlem

Author

The Harlem Neighborhood Block Association
May 03, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

  1. Remembering our loved ones. Full Street Closure on East 132nd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue, on May 5, 2024

  2. WeOutside. Full Street Closure on East 115th Street between Lexington Avenue and 3rd Avenue, on May 16, 2024

  3. Africa Day Celebration at 1280 Fifth Avenue. Partial Sidewalk Closure on 5th Avenue between East 109th Street and Frawley Circle, on May 18, 2024

  4. Cultural Event. Full Street Closure on East 116th Street between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue, on May 19, 2024

  5. Museum Mile Festival. Partial Sidewalk Closure on 5th Avenue between East 109th Street and Frawley Circle, on June 18, 2024

  6. Mt Sinai Greenmarket. Sidewalk and Curb Lane Closure on Madison Avenue between East 98th Street and East 99th Street, Wednesdays, June 19 – November 27, 2024

  7. June Block Party. Full Street Closure on East 100th Street between 3rd Avenue and Lexington Avenue, on June 22, 2024

  8. 109th Street Annual Block Party. Full Street Closure on East 109th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue, on July 6, 2024

  9. Kids Community Block Party. Full Street Closure on East 117th Street between First Avenue and Pleasant Avenue, on July 15, 2024

  10. Community Day. Full Street Closure on East 100th Street between Lexington Avenue and Park Avenue, on July 27, 2024

  11. Back To School Education Block Party. Full Street Closure on East 100th Street between Lexington Avenue and Park Avenue, on August 24, 2024

  12. Annual Freestyle Old Timers Cancer Awareness Day. Full Street Closure on East 100th Street between Lexington Avenue and Park Avenue, on August 3, 2024

  13. Hispanic Heritage Fest. Full Street Closure on East 116th Street between 3rd Avenue and 2nd Avenue, on September 15, 2024

  14. Mexican Independence Day Festival. Full Street Closure on East 116th Street between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue, on September 15, 2024

The Black Swans of Harlem

The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas, Fifty Years of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History is a book that evolved from a New York Times article published in 2021. It chronicles the journey of five pioneering Black ballerinas from the Dance Theatre of Harlem, including founding members Lydia Abarca Mitchell, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, and first-generation dancers Karlya Shelton-Benjamin and Marcia Sells. The book is a testament to their groundbreaking history under the direction of Arthur Mitchell, co-founder of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and the first Black principal ballet dancer with the New York City Ballet.

Karen Valby, the author of the book and adoptive mother of two Black girls with a passion for performance, found herself connecting with the Swans of Harlem. She believes the book serves as a beacon for her daughters and other Black girls who are often the only ones in their dance studios or classrooms. The book is a celebration of existence, with the recurring line, “‘I was there, we were there’” symbolizing the importance of acknowledging and preserving their stories.

The dancers, who will be sharing their stories at a Chicago Humanities Festival event, express their frustration about their legacy being overlooked. Abarca Mitchell emphasizes the importance of their stories coming out of their own mouths. Shelton-Benjamin echoes this sentiment, stating that these stories speak to a larger effort to have Black people and their history documented. She believes they are responsible for their own stories and this has given them the opportunity to place it properly in history.

The book also delves into the personal journeys of the dancers. Abarca Mitchell, who grew up in the projects in Harlem, shares her transformation from having no interest in being a ballerina to becoming one under the guidance of Arthur Mitchell. Shelton-Benjamin, who began dancing at an early age, talks about her experience of being the only person of color in the room and how auditioning for Dance Theatre of Harlem opened up a whole new world for her. The book, set to release on April 30, serves as physical documentation of the dancers’ role in ballet history and underscores the importance of community and sisterhood.

Participatory Budgeting

The voting phase of the annual "The People's Money" citywide participatory budgeting process is now officially open. Until June 12th, all New York City residents ages 11 and older, regardless of immigration status, will be able to vote on how to spend $3.5M of city funds to address community needs.

All New Yorkers have the opportunity to vote on a ballot for their home borough. Residents can vote online by inputting their zip codes. Paper ballots will also be available citywide at sites listed on Participate.nyc.gov. After June 12th, ballots will be tabulated, and winning projects will be announced.  Implementation of selected projects will begin later this year, by community organizations to be selected through a competitive process.

This year's campaign, "Play Your Part: Your Money, Your Community, Your Vote," centers The Sunnies, playful yellow sculptures that represent optimistic New Yorkers who care about each other and their community. Throughout the voting period, The Sunnies will be installed at public locations throughout New York City, including libraries, parks, and halls, to generate excitement and inspiration among everyday New Yorkers to become engaged in "The People's Money" process and beyond. The Sunnies project was developed by CEC's Artist in Residence Yazmany Arboleda and brought to life in partnership The People's Creative Institute who commissioned a group of immigrant mothers from Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, and Venezuela.

Democracy is made by people who participate, and "The People's Money" is the City's widest doorway to democracy.  We invite you to vote and also spread the word about this opportunity for all New Yorkers 11 years and older, regardless of citizenship status, wherever they live in New York City, to help us make them partners in decisions that impact their lives. Use this digital toolkit to help spread the word via social media, email, etc.

We look forward to hearing from New Yorkers on what expense projects they want to see implemented!

Warmly,
Dr. Sarah Sayeed
Chair and Executive Director
NYC Civic Engagement Commission

 

Follow us on social media and learn about our programs on our website : https://linktr.ee/NYCCEC

Twitter: @NYCCECInstagram: @NYCCECFacebook: /NYCCECLinkedIn: /NYCCECParticipate: participate.nyc.govWebsite: nyc.gov/cec

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