HARLEM WEEK 2017 Celebrates New York's Diversity

One of New York's most enduring and highly attended summer activities is the HARLEM WEEK Festival. HARLEM WEEK, which started as a one day event in 1974 has grown to a month-long celebration of the most famous community in the world. As HARLEM WEEK celebrates it's 43rd Anniversary in 2017 the focus will be celebrating the mosaic of Harlem and all of New York.

The theme for HARLEM WEEK 2017 is "Harlem: Home Of Immigrants, Honoring New York's International Diversity". This year's HARLEM WEEK will feature the second year of the Harlem/Havana festival with artists, designers, dance companies, chefs and performers coming from Havana, Cuba. HARLEM DAY, August 20th has always been referred to by attendees as a "family reunion" where you can see people that you haven't seen all year or in multiple years as you walk up and down the street enjoying the activities of the day. This year HARLEM DAY will be not only a family reunion but an international celebration highlighting not only the ongoing partnership with Cuba and the Harlem/Havana performances but also the Dominican Village with performances and exhibits and the Senegalese Village also with performances and exhibits celebrating the nature of Senegal. Harlem has always been an international community and this year HARLEM WEEK celebrates that fact.

HARLEM WEEK 2017 kicks off on Sunday, July 30th from Noon - 8PM with "A Great Day in Harlem" at Ulysses S. Grant National Memorial aka Grant's Tomb (122nd Street & Riverside Drive). This FREE Outdoor event features performances from local dance groups and cultural organizations, A Gospel Caravan featuring artists such as Multi Award Winning artist and radio host Bishop Hezekiah Walker plus the McDonald's Gospel Super Choir and more, The Fashion Fusion Showcase and the concert under the stars paying tribute to the music of Patti LaBelle & Bill Withers with the Harlem Music Festival All Star Band led by music director for the hit series "Dancing With The Stars" Ray Chew plus special performances from The Force MD's & James "D Train" Williams. Over 200 young people from Harlem and throughout the city will participate in The Youth Conference and Hackathon hosted aboard the USS Intrepid Sea, Air Space Museum at 46th Street & 12th Avenue. This event taking place on Tuesday, August 1st is not only the second public event of HARLEM WEEK, it also kicks off the Intrepid Space & Science Festival The day includes panel discussions on careers in technology, technology based exhibits and the hackathon. The public is invited to the Intrepid to observe the activities of the day.

Special discounted coupon codes are available for those interested.

Business in Harlem and throughout the region as well as nationally and internationally is the focus at The NYC Economic Development Day at Columbia University on Thursday, August 10th with conferences on health, a discussion on Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise, The Basil Paterson Awards Luncheon. And the Urban Technology Meet-up hosted by Silicon Harlem as well as a daylong expo featuring local entrepreneurs, medium sized businesses and Fortune 200 companies.

HARLEM WEEK celebrates its history and that of the community through events like The Senior Citizens Day/Elders Jubilee on Tuesday, August 15th where seniors are recognized during an Awards Luncheon and provided with information during an indoor/ outdoor expo.

Families are invited to join us on Saturday, August 19th & Sunday August 20th for the 2-day NYC Children's Festival at 135th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd & Malcolm X Blvd. On Saturday, the smaller kids enjoy the Children's Festival with rides, games, entertainment, boxing exhibitions, game-a-thons and much more, while the young adults and families can visit the Higher Education Fair & Expo featuring CUNY and SUNY colleges as well as over 50 Historic Black Colleges providing information on scholarships, financial aid and more.

Also on Saturday, "Summer In The City" takes place all along 135th Street with live radio broadcasts, vendors and exhibitors selling arts & crafts, jewelry, clothing, food and much more, plus the main Entertainment Stage on St. Nicholas Avenue & 135th Street paying tribute to the late Cuba Gooding Sr. and featuring a performance from R&B Star Johnny Gill. 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 featuring the critically acclaimed documentary "I Am Not Your Negro".

HARLEM WEEK began as HARLEM DAY in 1974 and the day remains the festival's largest activity. The day includes four Entertainment Stages along 135th Street. Theses stages pay homage to urban cultural and heritage featuring emerging and established international performers. Musical salutes for the day include late jazz icon Dizzy Gillespie, Cuban musical great Cuban musical great Chano Pozo, plus chart topping artists Bruno Mars and Beyonce. Plus there is the Upper Manhattan Auto Show, business and health pavilions, the UpMarket Pavilion featuring upscale clothing, accessories and art exhibits from around the country.

HARLEM WEEK 2017 events conclude on Saturday, August 26th with The Percy E. Sutton Harlem 5k Run/NYC Walk and Children's/Youth Race in partnership with the New York Road Runners is supported by the NAACP, the NY Urban League, Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E. and other organizations. After the run & walk the community is invited to come out for a "Family Fun Day" in St. Nicholas Park with performances, dancing and more in conjunction with the Hip Hop Hall of Fame & Museum The day ends with the HARLEM WEEK/ImageNation Outdoor Film Festival in St. Nicholas Park featuring the film "Queen of Katwe"

For detailed information on all the HARLEM WEEK events and to register for selected events