Rain or Shine!
Tag Archives: UpTownNYC
Jazz WaHi Festival: Meg Okura Septet
There’s a secret I’ve been grappling with: In the past year, I started hearing whispers, and I’ve started questioning everything, especially the choices that may have caused discomfort or resentment in those I love. This revelation brought a deep sadness and an undercurrent of anger.
For a while, I found harmony in my identities: being a Jew by choice, an ex-Christian from Japan, and a Japanese immigrant married to a Black man, raising our Black daughter, a classical violinist and a jazz composer. But today, I struggle with the feeling of isolation in existing alone in my identity category—navigating a reality where the various parts of me seem at odds with each other. It’s an isolating experience that few, if any, can fully relate to. And sometimes, I can’t help but wonder if I should have made different choices.
One thing I find beautiful about jazz is its ability to unite musicians who are each unique and come from different cultures or beliefs, all driven by a common goal—to create moments of captivation, cohesion, and connection. My latest composition, Re-harmonizing Identity: Shifting Prisms of a Shattered Glass Ceiling”, explores my inner conflict through “vertical and horizontal harmony,” reflecting my attempts to reconcile conflicting truths and find coherence in my complex identity. Winning this year’s Washington Heights Jazz Festival Composition Award wasn’t just an achievement—it was a forced confrontation with my deepest inner thoughts.
I invite you to the world premiere of Re-harmonizing Identity on November 2nd at Le Cheile in Washington Heights during the Wa-hi Jazz Festi
WHCO – Dances: A Celebration of Musical Heritage
The Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra presents our season opener Dances, exploring music written for and inspired by dance around the world.
Program:
- Béla Bartók: Romanian Folk Dances
- Brian Morales: Harlem Dances (premiere of arrangement for string orchestra commissioned by the Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra)
- Leonard Bernstein: Fancy Free
Dance and music are two intertwined art forms that are a fundamental part of cultures across many periods of history and serve as a vehicle for us to tell our stories. We begin our season of musical heritage with Dances, exploring music written for and inspired by dance around the world.
The program begins with Béla Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances, a work for chamber orchestra based on several dance tunes from Transylvania. Originally played on the fiddle or shepherd’s flute, Bartók aimed to capture a variety of moods and dance types from his own and neighboring countries. Next, we feature Washington Heights composer Brian Morales’ Harlem Dances, an exciting work that draws from the rhythms and cultures of Harlem and Washington Heights, in a new arrangement for string orchestra commissioned by the WHCO. The performance concludes with iconic New York composer Leonard Bernstein’s Fancy Free, a ballet that pays homage to the jazz-filled and high energy streets of his home city.
Prior to the concert, at 2:15pm, bring the whole family to our “Meet the Instruments” petting zoo where even our youngest listeners can get up close and personal with their favorite instruments before seeing them come alive onstage. This event will take place (weather permitting) in the beautiful setting of the Fort Washington Green, the community garden space at FWCC.
And finally, join the musicians of WHCO after the concert for a reception!
Up Theater: Year One (Play Reading)
Saturday
October 26, 7:00 PM
YEAR ONE
by Erik Gernand
a free play reading
Directed by Nancy Robillard
A populist’s rise to power exacerbates mounting political and social divisions. When Anna’s brother Max arrives unexpectedly, harboring a dangerous secret, the family matriarch is forced to choose between embracing a radical new country or saving those she loves.
Featuring:
Jessica Arinella
Colin Barham
Thomas Vorsteg
Jennifer Dorr White
Join us for this timely and thought-provoking event at
Buunni Coffee
Inwood
Cabrini Shrine: Medieval Chat featuring Ruth Cunningham
On Sunday, October 27 at 5:30pm St. Frances Cabrini Shrine will host a concert of medieval chant featuring Ruth Cunningham. Ruth is a world-class musician and an uptown treasure. Suggested donation is $20 adults, $10 seniors and students.