UC Recap- September 7 – September 12
By Led Black
September 7 – September 12
María Montéz passed away on September 7th, 1951, but not before making history. María Montez went from humble origins in Barahona, Dominican Republic to the heights of Hollywood in the 1940’s. Known as the Queen of Technicolor, María Montéz appeared in 26 films in the United States and Europe. Through sheer tenacity, talent and drive, María Montéz forged a career that made her an international star and a Dominican icon. Enter another Dominican luminary, Celinés Toribio, who has taken it upon herself to bring the story of María Montez to the big screen. Celinés not only stars in the movie but also produces it, putting her heart and soul into a film that is an important contribution to Dominican identity as well as the Dominican Republic’s ascendant film industry. Celinés took some time out of her hectic schedule to talk to us about the monumental endeavor. The film debuts in New York City and New Jersey on October 2nd.
Shout out to Uptown representative Jon Batiste for his new gig as the bandleader for the The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. The New Orleans transplant is also an artistic director at large at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem.
A Shave (But No Haircut), the newest video vignette by Arlene Shulman, takes you on an adventure on the New York City subway. Starring Ariel Ferreira as a very neat subway rider and featuring a cast of characters including a beautiful flamenco dancer, an enthusiastic tuba player, a talented painter and an irritated manspreader, the journey begins and ends at 168th Street in Washington Heights.
Uptown Fashion Week is back, bigger and better than before. Uptown Fashion Week has grown from a one-day event with a handful of designers to a full week with 32 designers. The next-level function was held at the magnificent United Palace and is dedicated to giving a platform to emerging designers from all over the world. Check out our pictures of the opening night festivities courtesy of Marcus Johnson.
While you wait for the release of A.J. Sidransky’s latest novel, Forgiving Mariela Camacho, on September 30th please go to our site for an exclusive tale from the Kurchencko and Gonzalvez series that explores police power, race and murder in the 34th Precinct.
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.
