The Harlem Neighborhood Block Association

Neighbors united to improve the quality of life in Harlem

Tag: Kente Royal Gallery

NYC’s Landmarks Preservation Commission

Posted on by Harlem Shill

The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) regulates what can and cannot be built/altered in historic districts across the city. The Historic Districts Council (HDC) reviews every public proposal to the city’s landmarks and historic districts and provides testimony on whether or not HDC believes the architectural changes should be changed or supported.

An empty lot, formerly occupied by a neo-Grec style rowhouse designed by Cleverdon & Putzel and built in 1885, and demolished between c. 1940 and 1980 has an application is to construct a new building at 137 West 131st Street in Central Harlem – part of the West 130-132nd Street Historic District.

HDC writes:

HDCis generally comfortable with this proposal but we find two items to be in need of modification. First, the proposed windows should be aluminum-clad wood windows, these will provide finer detailing more appropriate to a house of this scale. Second, we question the need for the bulkhead on top of the roof top extension. We believe that the code does not require this bulkhead and that the requirement for rooftop access could be accomplished with a steel ladder on the front of the extension. We ask that the applicant verify this understanding as the bulkhead adds an awkward element to an already excessive protrusion.

Exhibit at Kente Royal Gallery

Make sure to check out the current exhibit at Kente Royal Gallery:

2373 ADAM CLAYTON POWELL JR BLVD NEW YORK NY 10030
Wednesday – Friday
2pm – 8pm
Saturday & Sunday 12pm to 8pm
[email protected]

Pelham Fritz Center Has Re-Opened

The Pelham Fritz Recreation Center has reopened In Marcus Garvey Park after a 2+ year hiatus!

During the height of the pandemic, the Center was repurposed as a food distribution hub in support of COVID-19-related services. The center remained closed while they made improvements to the building—including reconstruction of the front lobby, retaining walls, and park entrance.

The center now features a new vestibule, new signage, and front windows, and enhanced ADA accessibility.

They’re excited to welcome members back and they’re inviting the Harlem community to join.

Membership is free for New Yorkers 24 years and under and low-cost for adults and seniors.

Kente Royal Gallery

Posted on by Harlem Shill

Make sure to take a moment to visit the Kente Royal Gallery on ACP at 139 to see Elan Cadiz’s work on Scaffold: The Equality of Treatment:

https://www.kenteroyalgallery.com/gallery

The current exhibit there from

Scaffold: Equity of Treatment

2020 – ongoing

Scaffold: Equity of Treatment is about the importance  of self-reflection and preservation and how these very important practices need to be manifested  through  equitable treatment in our homes, communities and world. The use of the scaffolding is to symbolize the individual care and support we all need. Elan’s goal is to encourage discussions on self-reflection, self-love and practice in deciphering what we need as individuals and ways our systems of support can better meet these needs. 

Cadiz sees the Scaffold project as a kind of visual spiritual alchemy that challenges the viewer and subject to see themselves as a universal being made up of their experiences and understanding. The scaffold serves as a form of protection and support, it symbolizes the relationship between consciousness and matter within self. When we know ourselves and the kind of support we need, we can better ask of what we require  from the world in order to  bring satisfaction and harmony to ourselves and others. 

College Scholarships for Harlem Teenagers

If you know of a Harlem or East Harlem teenager who fits the criteria on the PDF (below), get them on it! MMPCIA has released their annual college scholarship application.

2021 College Scholarship Application – MMPCIADownload
Annual College Scholarships

Community Fridge

126 West 134th Street

Harlem Link is hosting a Spring Fair

In The Heights

This note from Carolyn Brown, the head of our sister block association on Sugar Hill:

Dear Friends, Family and Neighbors,
I wanted to alert you all to the wonderful ‘peoples’ showing of  Lin Manuel- Miranda’s musical IN THE HEIGHTS.  It’s showing outdoors in 5 different spots in Manhattan and in other boroughs.  And also in the beautiful theater across from the GW Bridge Bus Station.
It’s streaming on HBO MAX tomorrow, which is $14.00 a month but you can cancel it after. 
WHY WATCH IN THE HEIGHTS?This is the first award winning production of Lin Man.uel, a graduate of Hunter High School . I saw the Broadway version and apparently this one has been updated – about the Dreamers, gentrification of Washington Heights  – It begins with – ” I’ll tell you a story about Washington Heights and a block that’s disappearing.”  
The Broadway version featured a young Dominican girl who got into Stanford but flunked out because she ran out of money, had to get a job, and couldn’t keep up with her classes. She returns to the neighborhood ashamed to face everyone whose hopes were on her – they called her ‘The Genius’. And then she fails.  I don’t know if she remains in the story but it’s kind of like Harlem’s story. 
The dancing and music is spectacular – a combination of Salsa, Bolero, Merengue, Reggaeton – and the lyrics are so political.  The dance scenes in the middle of the street!!!!  And the swimming pool in Washington Heights. Hundreds of dancers!!! You’ll recognize all the spots. Superb!! Jimmy Smits is the father. A  family friend – Daphne Rubin Vega  from Panama – who played in the original RENT plays one of the grandmothers. You’ll recognize the taxi drivers, the Dominican beauty parlor ladies , the corner bodegas, etc. The shots of the GW Bridge are just amazing.
So – Be sure to watch it. I’ve been watching the trailers for several months just waiting for it to start. There are also some incredible interviews with Lin Manuel and several commentators explaining what a brilliant artist Lin is. He went to Hunter and he produced  Fiddler on the Roof , which some commentators say was one inspiration for the style of the musical. Also the West Side Story. This is a wonderful picture with a ton of excellent LatinX actors. It’s really something when you see your city on the big screen.
Here are some of the links:Trailers 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbyFM4dggCA&list=RDCMUCnIup-Jnwr6emLxO8McEhSw&index=2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0CL-ZSuCrQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa9jMTkN5Q4
Carolyn “You can’t walk down the street without running into someone’s BIG PLANS”

P.S. There’s  also a very political documentary about Lin’s father Luis Miranda. It’s called SIEMPRE LUIS, also on HBO. He came from PR, helped pull Latinos into NYC government and supported Letitia James for Atty Gen’l.  It’s about how he – after the hurricane hit Puerto Rico – arranged for Hamilton to be there to raise money for the restoration of the island It’s a beautiful  It opens with him in a doctors office having a check up after a heart attack!
His trailer is amazing too: https://youtu.be/WHttYJysAV8  Siempre Luis Attachments areaPreview YouTube video IN THE HEIGHTS “96,000” Song ClipIN THE HEIGHTS “96,000” Song ClipPreview YouTube video IN THE HEIGHTS – Official TrailerIN THE HEIGHTS – Official TrailerPreview YouTube video In the Heights Trailer #2 (2021) | Movieclips TrailersIn the Heights Trailer #2 (2021) | Movieclips TrailersPreview YouTube video Siempre, Luis (2020): Official Trailer | HBO