By Led Black
March 18 – March 23
Pulitzer Prize winning Author, Junot Diaz, was in the neighborhood recently to spread a little literary love. Junot Diaz teamed up with the office of Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez and Dr. Eduardo Pignanelli of the Amsterdam Medical Practice for a book signing and giveaway of 200 copies of his work. The event was also held to honor Junot for his continued excellence in portraying and rendering the Dominican-American experience with nuance and to such critical acclaim.
In honor of Women’s History Month, the WHIN Committee has put together quite a formidable force of female artists to showcase their skills at Negro Claro (3805 10th Ave) on Thursday, March 28th. From the Rock/Soul stylings of the one and only Tess, to the grace and showmanship of Karen Rodriguez, to the profound poetry of Frankie Reese, Her-Story is a tour-de-force focusing on the sacred feminine. As you are aware of by now, with WHIN III we made history, on March 28th we will make Her-Story.
Our Monday Mood Music featured the newest song from Camille Safiya Ft L.atasha A.Icindor entitled Immortal Souls. We also posted a new song by Jay Wise featuring Ace IOD named Go Uptown. Speaking of Uptown Hip-Hop, Audubon sat down with Vibe Magazine and talked about his career and the portrayal of Dominicans on MTV’s ‘Washington Heights’. I have to admit, I a, going through serious withdrawal now that the show is no longer on the air.
The 1st Latina Women Encounter in New York City will take place on Saturday, March 30th at 10am – 5pm at Gregorio Luperon High School (501 West 165th Street). The event is being put together by the Da Urban Butterflies and Casa Verde to serve as a platform for women, particularly Latinas to meet and engage in conversations, build connections, and continue to weave creative expressions that will birth and support transformative actions in New York City.
Our Put You On column, written by Jenni Ruiza, feature the dynamic duty of LD & Jhoni, whose music is a mélange of Salsa, Reggaeton, and R&B. The NY Times reported on Columbia University’s $30 million Campbell Sports Center in Inwood. We also posted a great video of the very-talented Karen Rodriguez, of American Idol fame, singing Aaliyah’s I Care 4 U.
Keep checking us out at www.uptowncollective.com.
Led Black
Editor-in-Chief
The Uptown Collective
The UC’s mission is to become “the” definitive, transformative and community-based force impacting the arts, culture, business and New York City’s overall perception of Upper Manhattan. Its objective is to reset, reboot and positively redefine Uptown’s artistic, political, cultural and business spheres via the online space as well the collective’s initiatives and functions.
