The Sixth Annual Handball Court
Summer Film Series in White Park

East 106th Street (Lexington & Third Avenues)
Saturday Nights – at Sunset (approx 8 PM)

July 26
HEAD OF STATE (Comedy, 2003)
Runtime: 1 hr 35 mins

August 2
BOB ROBERTS (Comedy, 1992)
Runtime: 1 hr 43 mins

August 9
THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN (Comedy,1992)
Runtime: 1 hr 52 mins

August 16
AN UNREASONABLE MAN (Documentary, 2007)
Runtime: 2 hrs 3 mins

August 23
SICK AROUND THE WORLD (Documentary, 2008)
Runtime: 60 minutes
THE MEDICATED CHILD (Documentary, 2008)
Runtime: 60 minutes

August 30
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH (Documentary, 2006)
Runtime: 1 hr 40 mins

MediaNoche presents the free Handball Court Summer Film Series at White Park. “Political Animals” is this year’s theme. Curator Judith Escalona brings together a set of fictional films, dramas and comedies, examining the U.S. electoral process. The Candidate (1972), which looks at how a young politician slowly gives up his ideals to be elected, is as relevant today as when it premiered 36 years ago! In the more recent Head of State (2003), a young politician who knows the ropes finds his voice and a way to embrace his ideals. The last film in this set is actually a documentary entitled An Unreasonable Man, a moving portrait of America’s greatest public advocate Ralph Nader that includes a critical view of the entrenched two-party political system. For information: 212.828.0401 or info@medianoche.us.

Nai-Ni Chen Dance
Harlem School of the Arts Ensemble

Sunday, July 27, 2008
From 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Jackie Robinson Bandshell

With the allure of a singular brush stroke, the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company gently glides across the stage with color, lyricism and the subtle whisper of Chinese tradition. Ms. Chen’s unique repertoire is a seamless blend of ancient rituals and modern concepts, which has earned her multiple accolades over the years. While they have appeared at international festivals in Poland, Korea, and China, the company, in residency at the Harlem School of the Arts, has also been presented by some of the most prestigious concert halls across the United States, from the Joyce Theater in New York to the Cerritos Center in California. OPEN DANCE CLASSES are offered at the beginning of each day's event, welcoming audiences of all ages and skill levels to learn and enjoy the experience of various dance genres. The dance masterclass will be taught by Darrin Henson, in the style of Hip Hop: Fresh funky moves and cutting edge street routines from the star of "Stomp the Yard" and the "Darrin's Dance Grooves" dvds.

Classical Theatre of Harlem Presents:
Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death

Tuesday, July 29, Friday, August 1 and Saturday, August 2
From 8:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Marcus Garvey Park

Peopled by junkies, pimps, drag queens, sweatshops workers, crooked cops, prisoners, lovers, and dreamers, Melvin Van Peebles' Ain't Supposed To Die A Natural Death is a tradition shattering and trend setting work which reinvigorated artistic explorations of urban life through new forms, including spoken word and rap music. Ain't Supposed To Die A Natural Death was a huge hit on Broadway in its original inception running for 325 performances and garnering seven Tony nominations, including Best Musical. This production, interpreted vividly by The Classical Theatre of Harlem, remains raucous, irreverent, and as participatory as ever. Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death contains adult language and content intended for mature audiences.

Latinos and the Future of Catholicism

Tuesday, July 29 • 6:30 PM
The Museum of the City of New York
1220 Fifth Avenue @ 104th Street

The face of Catholic New York is being rapidly transformed by Spanish-speaking immigrants from Central and South America and the Caribbean, but many Latino Catholics are also turning away from Catholicism to evangelical Protestantism. Rafael Pi Roman, the host and senior editor of WNET/Thirteen’s Emmy award-winning program "New York Voices," will lead a distinguished panel in a discussion of the history and future of Latinos in Catholic New York. He will be joined by Reverend Monsignor Lorenzo Albacete, former President of the Pontifical University of Puerto Rico; Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo, Professor Emeritus, Brooklyn College; Barbara Gonzalez, Chair, Centro Altagracia de Fe y Justicia; David Gonzalez, columnist, The New York Times; Sister Veronica Mendez, RCD, Member of RENEW International Service Team; and Mario J. Paredes, President & CEO, Catholic Association of Latino Leaders. Presented in conjunction with Catholics in New York, 1808-1946. using buildings as landscape with Greg Kiss of Kiss and Cathcart and Jennifer Sage and Peter Coombe of Sage and Coombe. Reservations required. $9 General admission; $5 Museum members, seniors, students, and East Harlem residents. For more information please 212.534.1672, ext. 3395.

Hip Hop Theatre Festival: Rock, Paper, Scissors

Wednesday, July 30 and Thursday, July 31
From 8:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Marcus Garvey Park

Rock, Paper, Scissors, three short plays written by Ben Snyder and directed by Kamilah Forbes, explores a relationship between the U.S. Army and the hip hop industry, teamed up to enlist young people who live in depressed areas into the military. Snyder says of this recruiting tactic, “They have a whole hip hop marketing ad campaign that includes driving Hummers, playing hip-hop music, holding freestyle contests, and giving away video games at historically black colleges.” The show has intrigued sold-out audiences at Center Stage New York, P.S.122, New York Theater Workshop, and HBO's U.S. Comedy Arts Festival.

Free Outdoor Pilates Classes!

Saturdays in August, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
East 103rd Street Community Garden, near Park Ave.

Join NYRP in our garden for a series of free morning fitness classes. Classes will be lead by experienced, local Pilates instructor Dallas Fuentes and are suitable for all ages.

Harlem Rent Party: Jazz Film Series

Sunday, August 3 • 2:00 PM
The Museum of the City of New York
1220 Fifth Avenue @ 104th Street

Although they were held to help friends pay their bills, Harlem rent parties of the early 20th century were filled with music and good times. Join Loren Schoenberg, Executive Director of the Jazz Museum in Harlem, for a swinging afternoon of rare film clips featuring the kind of music you would have heard there – Fats Waller, Louis Jordan, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Lena Horne, and many others. Presented in conjunction with Harlem Week. Free to East Harlem residents. For more information please call 212.534.1672, ext. 3395.

The Last Year in the Life of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:
A Rock Operetta Performed by Waterwell

Sunday, August 3, 8:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Marcus Garvey Park

Taking inspiration from the legendary speeches, interviews, and private notes of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the obscured history of his last days shine with new meaning in this powerful performance. The Last Year in the Life..., directed by Tom Ridgley, succeeds by adding new texture to the untold King history with soulful songs, pithy readings, and stunning performances that will rouse and inspire. Although Dr. King was known as a pacifist, this stunning re-enactment reveals the intensity and fiery determination behind the quiet storm that was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Cinderella Samba
Puppeteers from The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre

Tuesday, August 5 @ 12:00 PM
Thomas Jefferson Park

An Unexpected Mexico:
Kinky, Alejandro Escovedo with Strings, Pistolera

Saturday, August 9 - 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Central Park SummerStage

The diversity and vibrancy of Mexican culture comes to Central Park with music, food, crafts, art and giveaways. Kinky is a five member electro-pop band from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico who formed in 1998. After signing to Chris Allison’s label, Sonic360, they recorded three albums and have been touring in the international scene ever since. Their most recent album Reina is a mixture of rock, hip-hop, electronica, Latin rhythm and regional Mexican music that was nominated last year for three Latin Grammy Awards. Texas-born Alejandro Escovedo blends his Mexican heritage with a roots rock/alternative country twist. Hailing from a musical family, Escovedo began his career with the “cowpunk” 80’s group Rank and File, roots rockers True Believers and Buick MacKane. His solo career now spans fifteen years, and in celebration of his upcoming 9th solo release, Real Animal, Escovedo will be accompanied with a lush string section in his Central Park SummerStage performance. Pistolera is an NYC-based quartet that is redefining Latin alternative music, with their accordion melodies, pop-rock sensibilities and an unbeatable rhythm section. Their debut album, Siempre Hay Salida was recorded and released by producer Charlie Dos Santos, and has guest appearances by members of Si*Se, Slavic Soul Party and Antibalas. In addition to their extensive southwest tour of the US, the group has been featured on NPR’s “Open Mic,” and “Soundcheck” on WYNC. Central Park SummerStage is located at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. Enter the park at 69th Street and 5th Avenue on the east side or at 72nd Street and Central Park West on the west side.

Pa'Lo Monte: Dominican Concert

Saturday, August 23 • 2:00 PM
The Museum of the City of New York
1220 Fifth Avenue @ 104th Street

Pa'Lo Monte performs the traditional rhythms and melodies of some of New York's newest immigrants from the Dominican Republic and Haiti, keeping alive the musical styles of Palos, Salve, Gaga, Congos, and Sarandunga rhythms that have been passed down for generations. Presented in association with Community Works and in conjunction with the exhibition Catholics in New York, 1808-1946. Free to East Harlem residents. For more information please call 212.534.1672, ext. 3395.

Charlie Parker Jazz Festival

Saturday, August 23 & Sunday, August 24th @ 3:00 PM
Marcus Garvey Park
124th Street & Mt. Morris Park

The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival annually assembles some of the finest musicians in the world who reflect Parker’s musical individuality and genius, to promote appreciation for this highly influential and world-renowned artist. The two days of free concerts take place in neighborhoods where Charlie Parker lived and worked, in Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park and the Lower East Side's Tompkins Square Park.

Photos by Angelo Rivera, Photographer

Since February 2007, parishioners from Our Lady Queen of Angels Roman Catholic Church have protested the closing of their spiritual "home" by the Archdiocese of New York by holding a Sunday morning mass each week. Please join Carmen Villegas and other worshippers to demonstrate support towards their efforts to reopen their beloved 121-year-old parish as they mark the anniversary of the closing of a church that has served thousands East Harlem residents.

The Museum of the City of New York

Offers Free Admission To the People of East Harlem

The Museum of the City of New York offers free admission to people who live, work, or attend school in East Harlem. “The purpose is simple,” said Susan Henshaw Jones, President and Director of the Museum.  “We want our neighbors in East Harlem to feel welcome.” The “I’m A Neighbor” initiative waives all admission fees for all visitors from East Harlem.  Free admission entitles all East Harlem neighbors to all special exhibitions, all long-term exhibitions, the Museum’s 22-minute film, Timescapes:  A Multimedia Portrait of New York, and all family programs and performances. Neighbors may also attend ticketed public programs at special discounted members’ rates, including lectures, panel discussions, jazz concerts, and events for families and children during the holidays. “Just walk in the door and say ‘I’m a neighbor’,” continued Ms. Jones, “and we’ll say ‘Welcome!’” Click here to read more.