The Streets Where We Live

Wednesday: Music and Conversation with Cuban Saxaphonist Yosvany Terry

		Visit us at www.nyc.gov/parks  for the latest in Parks news and information.
City of New York/Parks & Recreation The Arts, Culture & Fun Series and Jazzmobile Presents   An Evening of Music and Conversation with Yosvany Terry Cuban-born jazz saxophonist/composer/educator Yosvany Terry explores cross-sections between the traditions found in today’s music and the enduring legacy of the culture that came from West Africa and continues to thrive in Cuba and the Caribbean.   This program has been made possible with support from Chamber Music America’s Residency Partnership Program, funded through the Doris Duke Foundation.   Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. J. Hood Wright Recreation Center 351 Fort Washington Avenue and 174th Street   To RSVP, please call (212) 408-0296 or email artsculturefun@parks.nyc.gov. This event is free and open to the public.

Sunday: 2009 Medievel Festival in Fort Tryon Park

Will you be attending the Medieval Festival this weekend? What is this kooky festival you ask? Well, the organizers anticipated that question and many more on their site. 

"The Medieval Festival brings to life the customs and spirit of the Middle Ages. Manhattan's Fort Tryon Park is transformed into a medieval market town decorated with bright banners and processional flags. Performers, guests and festival goers dress in medieval costume. Visitors are greeted by authentic medieval music, dance, magic, and minstrels, as well as jugglers and jesters. The afternoon is concluded with a thrilling joust between four knights on horseback. Costumed vendors will be on hand to demonstrate and sell a wide variety of medieval crafts as well as food and drink."

Date: Sunday, October, 4, 2009 11:30AM - 6PM 

 Rain Date: Sunday, October 11th, 2009

And for a taste, watch this short video from last year's festival:

Taikoza Concert, Saturday, September 5

Saturday, September 5th, 2009

Isham PArk in Inwood

Taikoza - 5:30PM

Park Terrace East at Isham Park, in Inwood ManhattanPrice: free

Free concert in the park Saturday afternnon in Inwood.

One hour concert for the community.

Experience the exciting rhythms of the ancestral Taiko and the magical sounds of the bamboo flutes.

Taikoza uses the powerful rhythms of the Taiko drums to create an electrifying energy that carries audiences in a new dimension of excitement. Drawing from Japan's rich tradition of music and performance, Taikoza has created a new sound using a variety of traditional instruments. Taikoza has performed in Europe, Asia and has extensively toured North America. They have appeared on ESPN, Sumo tournament at Madison Square Garden and recorded for a Nintendo wii game: Red Steel.

This performance is made possible in part by funds from East Winds, Inc. and in part with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and in part by public funds from the Fund for Creative Communities/NY Council on the Arts Decentralization Program, administered by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.

East Winds, Inc.

CONTACT MARCO LIENHARD

212-569-1336 or shaku8@aol.com, www.taikoza.com

Effect of Gentrification on Northern Manhattan

I almost missed this article last week, but thank you to Evan Abramson for writing the story we've all been talking about for years. Hell, I was thinking about this before even moving to Inwood when I saw the divide between east and west of Broadway in Manhattan Valley.

This kind of situation exists to some degree all over the city and the concerns of being pushed out of your home to make way for a new crop of people better able to pay rents is frightening--I lived it in the aforementioned Manhattan Valley-- but it is heartening to see some proof of somewhat harmoniously mixing cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds up in our hood as the article looks at what's going on throughout the area and filters it through a moment at the Red Room.

From "Where Boundaries Are Melting, a Place to Celebrate Differences:"

Today, these differences are most apparent north of the convergence of Broadway and St. Nicholas Avenue, at 169th Street. To the east, paint peels and graffiti spreads on blocks where maintenance has not been a priority; the streets are louder, the sidewalks more crowded. Signs on stores are translated more often into Spanish. To the west, rents are higher, there are more parks, and one can hear a mix of English, Russian, Spanish and Yiddish.

Now, with newcomers pushing north, the lines are not as clear as they once were, residents say, but they are there. “Because of the lack of development in housing, and a larger white population coming up here,” Mr. Nuñez said, “it is bringing things to a point of friction.”

“The rent is going up, you see more people that you’re not used to seeing around — it’s heightened that friction,” he added.

In the Know - Free Old Radio Cabinet Available in Inwood

A little birdy told me about this hot free item and I thought y'all might like to take a peak. 

From the posting: "Anyway it's free and I'd like to get rid of it by this weekend. I can imagine this piece has seen it's share of shag carpeted wood paneled living rooms and maybe even bowls filled with the keys of eager party guests. If you listen closely you can hear the sweet sounds of disco filling the air while Riunite on ice helps to free up the libido. Sway your hips and lick your lips. You know deep down you want this thing. I would even say you need this. Now more than ever let this freaky piece of furniture into your life."