The Harlem Neighborhood Block Association

Neighbors united to improve the quality of life in Harlem

Tag: Dance

Eartha Kitt

Posted on by Harlem Shill

Austin Hansen photographed Kitt leading a dance group at the Harlem YMCA in the early 1950’s.

Eartha had been a professional dancer, dancing and touring with the Katherine Dunham Company between 1943 and 1948 before she became more widely known as a singer.

Note the photo below, and the vents under the windows as the space appears today (not to mention the basketball and other line markings):

This photograph is part of The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture’s collection and is held just down the block from the site of the photograph itself.

There Go The Porches

There are not a lot of homes with front porches in Harlem. Some, but not many. Obviously, the most well-known example is Astor Row, but until recently, there was a small group of row houses on East 129th Street near Park. Obviously the row was a bit forlorn and had been an auxiliary space for the the Storefront Academy, across the street:

Nevertheless, it was sad to see them shaved off, unlikely to return:

Harlem Women Bussed To New Jersey

Posted on by Harlem Shill

This film from the Library of Congress shows Harlem women (and one man) bussed to New Jersey during WWII to work in a munition factory.

The gathering is clearly on a winter’s day, with snow on the ground. You can see that the pickup for the war work was at Adam Clayton Powell and 135th Streeet, near the YMCA.

Here is the link the the full newsreel:

https://www.loc.gov/item/2018600171/

Two Alvin Ailey Events In Harlem

JULY 31 5PM:   ALVIN AILEY COMMUNITY DANCE CLASS @ JACKIE ROBINSON PARK BANDSHELL *Free with RSVP to aajr.eventbrite.com *

Ailey Moves NYC! West African & Hip-Hop Dance Workshop – Jul 31, 2022 : NYC Parks (nycgovparks.org)

What do West African Dance and Hip-Hop have in common? Join Ailey Arts In Education instructors and drummers to experience both dance traditions. Show off your moves in the finale of the workshop—a community circle “dance off.” Everyone can dance with Ailey! 

AUGUST 1 8PM:  ALVIN AILEY DOCUMENTARY @ MARCUS GARVE PARK AMPHITHEATER * Free with RSVP to EventBrite *

Ailey – Rooftop Films

Ailey – Rooftop FilmsAlvin Ailey was a trailblazing pioneer who found salvation through dance. Ailey traces the full contours of this brilliant and enigmatic man whose search for the truth in movement resulted in enduring choreography that centers on the Black American experience with grace, strength, and unparalleled beauty. Told through Ailey’s own words and featuring evocative archival footage and interviews …rooftopfilms.com

Get High-Speed Wifi, Free!

Find out how to receive FREEor REDUCED internet service The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) benefit program providing monthly discounts on internet service and devices for eligible households. This program is a big step forward in digital equity and puts federal broadband assistance on a semi-permanent footing for the first time.

Come learn how to enroll in the program and have your questions answered! July 28th, 6:00 PM

Silicon Harlem
2785 Frederick Douglass Boulevard, New York, NY 10039
Register