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Harlem Rhythm 2nd Annual Community Dance

Harlem Rhythm, preserving the culture while promoting community pride.

 

Leader

Alicia James

Location

River Bank State Park New York , NY 10031

About the project

Harlem Rhythm 2nd Annual Community Dance is an inter-generational cultural and educational community event.

 

This year the event will be held at the River Bank State Park. The annual event promotes community mental wellness, cultural heritage, community pride through genres of music and free dance instruction.

The event is an opportunity for Harlem residents and guest of each generation opportunity to engage and learn from one another.

The community will be introduced to various genres of music and four different dance forms: Swing Dance, Salsa, Chicago Steppin' and Afro Dance. The selected dances were chosen to make Harlem residents of all backgrounds and ages feel included. Each dance instruction focuses on a time period, certain generation and or culture. With each genre of music and choice of dance welcomes individual shared stories, life experiences and fitness fun.

The day will also be a resource day for the community. Invitations for tabling are open to various nonprofits, government agencies and institutions who serve the Harlem community. In partnering with the River Bank State Park, attendees will have various activities and information about the park's programming and resources.

Our goal is to make this Annual Community Dance a succesful and memorable cultural learning experience for years to come for all of Harlem residents.

 

The Steps

  1. Plan the event and secure the proper permits
  2. Invite elected officials from the Harlem community districts and community leaders to attend
  3. Form alliances with various community groups and provide tabling opportunities
  4. Promote the event on social media platforms and list serves
  5. Create an Eventbrite account to invite the community and recruit volunteers
  6. Secure the professional dance instructors from the Harlem community
  7. Distribute flyers at various community events and network to spread the word
  8. Purchase all the needed marketing materials and equipment for the event
  9. Schedule meetings with volunteers and community partners
  10. Reach out local senior centers, schools and youth serving agencies
  11. Secure coverage from local media
  12. Solicit in kind donations for raffles and volunteer staff

Why we‘re doing it

We are aware of the many changes in the Harlem community and the importance to preserve it's rich culture and celebrate community pride.

Harlem has a large senior community and they are it's greatest resource for Harlem's younger generations. With all the many changes there is a need for innovative ways to promote and preserve Harlem's rich history and culture.

 

Harlem is historically known as the great destination for black culture, arts and creative self expression, we want to preserve it's legacy.

 

Our goal is to create an annual educational and cultural Harlem experience in which each generation can gain from each other. The event would provide an opportunity to keep Harlem's rich culture and history a live for generations to come. Each engagement can provide teachable moments for the entire community to embrace each other and their individual culture.

 

We are aware of the decline in the interest in certain music and dance forms as well as knowledge about Harlem's history and cultural landmarks.

 

We are committed to preserving and promoting the "Rhythm of Harlem" for years to come through cultural and educational community engagements.

 

$1,480.00 / $1,480.00