by Michael Hammond, Face2FaceAfrica.com
In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Harlem Week, running from August 1 to August 18, 2024, promises a packed schedule of concerts, performances, talks, and more.
These events, free to all attendees, will be held in Harlem, recognized as a global hub of Black culture, history, and leadership.
The festivities will span three-quarters of a mile from West 135th Avenue to St. Nicholas Park and feature three stages of entertainment headlined by hip-hop artist Fabolous. The event will also include an Apollo Hour tribute to Harry Belafonte, Harlem Broadway Row with performances from Broadway productions, and discounted tickets to Broadway shows. A Children’s Festival will provide attendees with school bags filled with supplies, and the Harlem Health Village will offer health screenings and information.
Additionally, there will be local, national, and international jazz, Latin jazz, R&B, gospel, reggae, and soca performances, along with hundreds of food and merchandise vendors. The Up Market Pavilion will showcase artisanal arts, crafts, clothing, and jewelry from professional designers and makers.
Highlights of Harlem Week leading up to the grand finale include Thursday evening “Harlem Summerstage” performances, Saturday “NYC Summer Streets” block parties, the Uptown Night Market on August 8, an outdoor film festival on August 10, “A Great Day in Harlem” on August 11, the “Alex Trebek Harlem Children’s Spelling Bee” on August 17, and the “Summer in the City” adult fashion show.
Alex Trebek, the host of “Jeopardy!” and a member of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, which organizes Harlem Week, will be honored. His son, Matthew, a board member of the Chamber who lives in Harlem and owns two restaurants there, will continue his legacy.
Organizers aim to ensure that Harlem Week not only offers a good time but also provides direction, hope, inspiration, leadership, focus, and unity.
Harlem Week began in the summer of 1974 as Harlem Day. Lloyd Williams, President of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, explained, “It was supposed to be a one-time event. It was never supposed to happen again.”
Williams was instrumental in planning the first Harlem Day. “1974 was the height of what was called ‘urban flight,’ and the urban areas of America, the Detroits and Washingtons and Chicagos, the persons with significant incomes, be they whites, Blacks, etc., were fleeing urban areas, and that which was left were in the main people of color who had nowhere else they could go,” he noted.
The event was organized by Percy Sutton, then the Manhattan Borough President and board chairman of what was then the Uptown Chamber of Commerce (predecessor to The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce). Sutton believed it was crucial for the community to have something positive to look forward to and celebrate Harlem’s greatness rather than its problems.
He noted that media coverage often focused on crime, drugs, and fires, and it was essential to highlight Harlem’s rich history and cultural institutions instead.
To learn more about Harlem Week and the schedule of activities, visit https://harlemweek.com/calendar/