‘Harlem Week’ At 50; Festivities Kick Off This Saturday

HARLEM, NY – Harlem Week, which began in 1974 as Harlem Day, turns 50 this year.

The festival, which runs from August 3rd to August 18th, presents two weeks of programming celebrating the extraordinary people and culture of one of New York City’s most iconic neighborhoods.

A schedule of events, which includes live music, markets, film screenings, a 5K, spelling bee, climate conference, job fair, and much more, is available here.

The New Amsterdam News spoke with one of Harlem Week’s co-founders, artist Marvin Kelly, for a conversation about the festival’s origins – and how it was almost rained out on that first day back in 1974.