Harlem Week 2022: Food, Dance, Music & More On Tap

HARLEM, NY — Late summer has a special significance to those who live above 110th Street: the start of Harlem Week.

The annual 10-day celebration is back in grand fashion starting Thursday, jam-packed with events across the neighborhood. Some events will be virtual, in a nod to those who would still rather stay home.

Harlem Week began in 1974 as a single-day event designed to boost spirits in the neighborhood. In the ensuing 48 years, it has grown into a major festival designed to "uplift, direct and encourage" attendees around this year's theme: "Inspiration, impact, legacy," organizers said.

A full schedule of events can be found on the Harlem Week website. But here are a few highlights:

Aug. 11

The return of the Uptown Night Market, which launched to much buzz last year, will coincide with the first night of Harlem Week. From 5-9 p.m., under the Riverside Drive Viaduct "arches" along 12th Avenue at West 133rd Street, more than 60 food, beverage, merchandise and art vendors will celebrate "the best of Harlem and NY," organizers said.

The majority of vendors are local and minority-owned, organizers said. The music, meanwhile, will include Soul Power Band, City Love NYC, and DJ Cosi.

That same night, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building on 125th Street will host "Harlem SummerStage," featuring a salute to trumpeter Joey Morant by the National Jazz Museum All Stars.

Aug. 13

From 4-7 p.m. at the Great Hill in Central Park (Central Park West and 106th Street), catch free jazz with the Jimmy Heath Legacy Band, the Antonio Hart Quartet and Tammy McCann. Guests are encouraged to "bring a picnic, blanket, and dancing shoes" to swing dance while you watch.

Aug. 12, 15-19

For the at-home crowd, next week will feature five a livestreamed, at-home dance parties live from under the Apollo Theater marquee (5-7 p.m. each night). The link will be available at harlemweek.com.

Aug. 14

From noon-7 p.m. at Grant's Tomb on Riverside Drive, "A Great Day in Harlem" will feature an international village of arts and crafts, jewelry and food vendors, plus a main stage with hours of performances.

Scheduled performers include Grammy-nominated singer Kenny Lattimore, a tribute to Marvin Gaye by Ray Chew & The Harlem Music Festival All-Star Band, and the Uptown Dance Academy.

Aug. 17

Next Wednesday will be a special Harlem Week edition of Amateur Night at the Apollo, with a new slate of ambitious young performers. The event runs from 7-10 p.m., with tickets on sale online.

Aug. 21

The "largest and final day" of the festival will be Harlem Day, running from 1-7 p.m. on three different stages. The afternoon's worth of performances will include a Sundae Sermon Dance Party, a back-to-school fashion show, Broadway tunes, and concerts in genres that include jazz, R&B, hip hop, reggae, gospel, Latin and more.

Hundreds of vendors selling food, arts and crafts, jewelry and more will also be on hand, according to the event webpage.

Learn more and view the full list of events at Harlemweek.com.