HARLEM WEEK 2014
40th Anniversary Celebration
“Forever Harlem: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow”
(New York) – One of the most anticipated and heavily attended summer festivals in the Northeast will celebrate its 40th Anniversary this year. HARLEM WEEK, which started as a one day event in 1974 and has grown to a month-long week of activities will celebrate the festivals impact on Harlem and New York City and look toward the future with some twists on standard events along with new activities added for this year.
The theme for HARLEM WEEK 2014 is “Forever Harlem: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow”. The festival kicks off on Sunday, July 27th with “A Great Day In Harlem” at U.S. Grant National Park. The day’s musical theme is “Celebration” and will feature entertainment from community and cultural artists, a Gospel Extravaganza featuring Bishop Hezekiah Walker, The Fashion Fusion show featuring designs from some of the hottest up and coming urban designers and the Concert Under The Stars which this year will pay special tribute to Motown and “The Philly Sound” with performances from members of the cast of Motown The Musical, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes and many others.
HARLEM WEEK will celebrate its history and that of the community through events like The Senior Citizens Day/Elders Jubilee on August 5th where our Seniors are recognized during an Awards Luncheon and provided information during an indoor and outdoor expo. The Economic Development Day Awards Luncheon on August 7th will be renamed in honor and memory of the Hon. Basil Patterson, lawyer, labor negotiator and federal mediator who also served as a state senator, a deputy mayor and New York’s secretary of state and was one of HARLEM WEEK’s founders. The Economic Development Day takes place throughout the day on August 7th at Columbia University with and features local entrepreneurs, medium sized businesses and Fortune 200 companies plus seminars on business and health as well as a jobs & career fair.
Throughout this year’s celebration HARLEM WEEK will salute 40 in various categories including Businesses, Sports & Entertainment Personalities, Cultural Institutions, Scholarship Recipients and key historic HARLEM WEEK participants over the years. There will also be special exhibits through the summer and fall featuring historic photos, posters, artwork and memorabilia from 40 years of HARLEM WEEK.
Families are invited to join us on August 16th & 17th for the NYC Children’s Festival at 135th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd & Malcolm X Blvd. While the smaller kids enjoy the children’s Festival the college bound young adults can visit the Historic Black College Fair & Expo on August 16th also on 135th Street featuring over 50 Historic Black Colleges providing information on scholarships, financial aid and more. It’s truly “Summer In The City” on August 16th all along 135th Street with live radio broadcasts, vendors and exhibitors selling arts & crafts, jewelry, clothing, food and much more plus a stage of entertainment on St. Nicholas Avenue featuring local and national performing artists. As the sun sets, all are invited to relax on the great lawn of St. Nicholas Park to enjoy the HARLEM WEEK/IMAGENATION Outdoor Film Festival
HARLEM WEEK began 40 years ago as HARLEM DAY which takes place this year on August 17th at 135th Street from St. Nicholas Avenue to 5th Avenue featuring 4 stages of entertainment, a health village, the Upper Manhattan Auto Show, vendors & exhibitors from around the country and much more.
The final public event of HARLEM WEEK takes place on Saturday, August 23rd. It’s The Percy E. Sutton Harlem 5kRun & NYC Walk celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. This special event is supported by the New York Road Runners and organizations including the NAACP, the NY Urban League, Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E. and many more. The run and walk will concludes with a special concert. Everyone in the region is invited to come out and participate in this very important event.
For detailed information on all the HARLEM WEEK events and to register for selected events please visit www.HARLEMWEEK.com or call 877-427-5364.
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