The Streets Where We Live

TODAY: Music Across America at Indian Road

Japanese Drum Group Taikoza to Play at Symphony Space

Taikoza is back at Symphony Space this Sunday for an amazing evening of exciting drumming and colorful dances featuring the unique and powerful six-foot Taiko drum. Taikoza, created by Inwood resident (and my friend!) Marco Lienhard, hits the stage with a high-energy performance of traditional and original Japanese tunes featuring flutes and an amazing array of ancestral Taiko drums.

 

For more information on the show and how to purchase tickets, visit Symphony Space.

 

Inwood Writer Bucks the New York Trend, Embraces Optimism

INWOOD — When Adam P. Knave was younger, he thought he might grow up to be a physicist. But his family of writers and publishers had another vision for him.

"They were like, 'Well, you’re going to be a writer, right?' and did away with the idea right then," Knave said. "I was writing like I am now, but even now I still have trouble labeling myself a writer."

But write he does. With four published books under his belt, and two new releases scheduled for next year, the 35-year-old Inwood resident can’t seem to stop himself.

"Why wouldn’t I want to do this?" he said. "Essentially you are getting paid to tell lies. It’s tall tale spinning."

Read more about Knave at DNAinfo.com.  

Inwood Holiday Market Attracts Shoppers Uptown

INWOOD — Uptown shoppers kicked off the holiday gift-giving season this past weekend as they snagged deals on soaps, jewelry, clothing, tea and cupcakes at Off the Map, Inwood’s first holiday market.

The three-day holiday bazaar, which will take place again on Dec. 9 and Dec. 18, featured original, handmade gifts with a strong neighborhood feel made or designed by 15 local artists, artisans and merchants who live and work in Washington Heights and Inwood.

"It’s called Off the Map, because we’re not part of the Bronx, not Harlem, we’re part of Manhattan, no matter what cab driver you ask," said Leo Vasques of the Audubon Partnership for Economic Development, one of the sponsors that partnered with the Inwood Merchants Association.

"It’s amazing to see people coming here without bags from small, cool shops downtown, this is about keeping this economy uptown," said Vasquez, who also heads up the arts group Sound of Art.

Read more about Off the Map at DNAinfo.com.

Manhattan Woman's 'Washington Heights Girl' Impersonation Goes Viral

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — With flame-red hair and pale skin, 23-year-old Chloe Sischtach doesn’t strike most of those who know her as a stereotypical Washington Heights native.

But Sischtach’s video, "Girl from Washington Heights," in which she mimics a fictional neighborhood teenager recounting the story of running into an ex-boyfriend at a local club, has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube and other sites so far, with most fans calling it a dead-on impression and a few others rejecting it as a racist jibe.

"This is how I talk to myself at home," said Sistach, a City College graduate who lives in Hudson Heights. "I just put it on YouTube, because I was driving my mother crazy."

Read more about Sischtach's video at DNAinfo.com.

Just a "Generic Fictional" Washington Heights Girl

I posted this on my Facebook page and Twitter feed earlier, but thought some of you might enjoy listening here.

Enjoy and make sure to check out FunnyChloeMichelle's other imitations. Excellent. It's all in good fun.

I Heart Inwood, Etsy Style

Hudson River above 214th St - Inwood - NYC - Manhattan 

By Jerise

 

Young Artists Show Their Favorite Colors at Inwood Art Show

INWOOD — Upper Manhattan has long been home to a community of artists — it was only a matter of time before the kids caught on.

And when they did, Karin Dando-Hanish and Diane Ninos — local moms and artists in their own right — were there to harness that talent and showcase it in a temporary gallery-style show in the neighborhood.

The two organized a painting party last month where kids ages four to 10 were taught about mixing colors and asked to answer one question through painting: “What’s your favorite color?”

The answer is a multi-colored collection of 48 painted canvases painted by approximately 25 kids (some had more than one favorite color and a few parents participated as well) that run the gamut from sherbet orange to ruddy brown and vibrant purple to ruby red.

Read more about the show at DNAinfo.com.

WEDNESDAY: The Thomas/Hill Drama

Northern Manhattan Inches Closer to Getting $70 Million Children's Museum and Affordable Housing Units

Rendering Credit: Courtesy of Adjaye Associates

UPPER MANHATTAN — Northern Manhattan is one step closer to its very own children’s museum and new affordable housing.

The Broadway Housing Communities (BHC) announced that it would go forward with a $70 million plan to build a 13-story building on West 155th Street and St. Nicholas Place on the border of Washington Heights and Harlem.

The new structure will house 124 apartments and the Faith Ringgold Children’s Museum of Art and Storytelling, named after Harlem native Faith Ringgold, an artist famous for her large painted story quilts.

Read more about museum and housing at DNAinfo.com.