Rising in the Heights: Music & Storytelling with Rachael Harrington & Leadlights Ensemble

Rising in the Heights: Music & Storytelling with Rachael Harrington & Leadlights Ensemble

 Wednesday, June 11, 2025 5-6 p.m.

Location: Word Up Community Bookshop, 2113 Amsterdam Ave.

Presenter: Leadlights Ensemble

Explore the Cuban folk tale “Martina:the Beautiful the Cockroach” with storyteller Rachael Harrington and Leadlights Ensemble for an afternoon of music and stories on the sidewalk. Free copies of the picture book retold by Carmen Agra Deedy will be available.

Rising in the Heights is a festival of free outdoor public arts performances curated by Leadlights Ensemble in partnership with Word Up Community Bookshop. The festival celebrates the rich artistic contributions of Latinx and Black cultures and promotes children’s literacy through music and bilingual storytelling. Free copies of the featured book will be available.

This project is made possible in part with funds from UMEZ Arts Engagement, supported by the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ); and Creative Engagement, supported by The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) in partnership with the City Council and the Howard Gilman Foundation. UMEZ Arts Engagement and Creative Engagement are administered by LMCC.

Espanol

Rising in the Heights es un festival de espectáculos artísticos públicos gratuitos al aire libre, organizado por Leadlights Ensemble en colaboración con Word Up Community Bookshop. El festival celebra las valiosas contribuciones artísticas de la cultura latina y afroamericana y promueve la alfabetización infantil a través de la música y la narración bilingüe. Habrá ejemplares gratuitos del libro presentado.

Este proyecto es posible en parte gracias a fondos de UMEZ Arts Engagement, con el apoyo del Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ); y Creative Engagement, con el apoyo del Departamento de Asuntos Culturales de la Ciudad de Nueva York (DCLA), en colaboración con el Consejo de la Ciudad de Nueva York y la Fundación Howard Gilman. UMEZ Arts Engagement y Creative Engagement son administrados por LMCC.

Inwood Hill Park: Drums Along the Hudson

DRUMS ALONG THE HUDSON® features an open air pow wow, which is a celebratory gathering of Native American people that will be led by Louis Mofsie and the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers with Host Drums Heyna Second Sons. Mohawk Elder, Tom Porter will give the opening Thanksgiving Address and ceremonial Tree Planting accompanied by the Haudenosaunee Singers and Dancers. This multicultural family-oriented festival combines Native American heritage with the diversity of New York City with performances of world dance and drumming tradition, featuring Kalpulli Huehuetlatolli Aztec Dancers and Drummers, BatalaNY Afro-Caribbean Drumming, Kotchegna African Dance from the Ivory Coast, and more! Activities also include Native American crafts, storytelling, and international cuisine.

Pied Piper: Potato Bug Ranch

About Potato Bug Ranch

Life is perfect on Potato Bug Ranch; the potato crop is fine and everything is coming up spuds… until a new neighbor moves in next door who does things a bit differently.

Can the farmers find common ground and save the ranch for the next generation?
Come to the ranch and find out!

Sat. May 31st 2025, 4:00 pm
Sat. May 31st 2025, 6:00 pm
Sun. Jun 1st 2025, 4:00 pm
Sun. Jun 1st 2025, 6:00 pm

Finding Art, Culture and Unique Events in Washington Heights & Inwood