By Led Black
July 7 – July 12
The next installment of the Led Black Book Club goes down on Thursday, July 24th at Word Up Books (2113 Amsterdam Ave @ 165th Street) from 7 to 9pm. Our featured author is AJ Sidransky, who recently released his 2nd novel, Stealing A Summer’s Afternoon. The book is a solid sophomore effort from an author who really knows how to tell a story. Come out for a great night of deep conversation and hearty laughs. Please check out the site for my review of the novel as well as excerpt from the book. While you are at it, please read the award-winning short story, La Libreta, by the novelist. I cannot overstate the importance of supporting local talent. By now, you know the motto, Spread Love It’s The Uptown Way!
Unless you have been living under a rock, you have seen the Freedom City logo. The iconic Park Bench stickers are quite literally ubiquitous in New York City. The brainchild of brothers Alvin and Alfonso Garcia, Freedom City has been producing out cool and conceptual streetwear since 2009. As it’s logo implies, Freedom City is a brand that is deeply influenced and rooted in the street culture and ethos that shaped the lives of the siblings growing up in Washington Heights. Check out our interview with the talented Garcia Brothers.
We also featured some awesome video content on the site this week. Uptown sound architect, influencer and creative Frankie P sat down with the folks at HYPEFRESH to chop it up about his body of work, collaborations and some of his plans for the future. We also unearthed a really cool Lego stop motion video of the song Blackout from the musical In The Heights.
Paradise Garage may have closed in September of 1987, but the legacy it left behind spans generations. On May 11, 2014, a block party was held in front of the club’s former home in SoHo. Jon Ullman captured the magic of the moment with his must-see video.
Don’t forget folks, the Classical Theatre of Harlem is presenting an updated version of Romeo n Juliet, by William Shakespeare at Marcus Garvey Park until July 27th.
Performances are free but are on a first come, first serve basis.
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.
