Walter’s World: The Lark Ascends at Dance Theatre of Harlem

By Walter Rutledge

Thursday April 28^th is the last studio showing of the Harlem Dance Works 2.0 at the Dance Theatre of Harlem. The series has offered both balletomanes and dance novices a rare glimpse into the creative process of choreographers Thaddeus Davis and Tanya Wideman. This week the series is taking a very different route, it will present The Lark Ascending a masterwork by dance legend Ailey Alvin.

Secret Place To Find Solitude in Harlem

Harlem is a village of teeming streets, labyrinthine subway stations and imperious buildings. It’s a place whose denizens are used to fighting for space in a cacophony of crowds, cabs and chaos. Needless to say, this can begin to wear on a Harlem soul. Which is why we seek places of solitude hidden within the frenetic village.

Snoop Dogg And Pabst Push ‘Crack In A Can’ To Youth

Before coming to a Harlem store near you, seventeen state attorneys general are urging Pabst Brewing Co. to stop marketing to young drinkers and halt production of a new malt beverage promoted by rapper Snoop Dogg.

Intersections: Conversations on Art and Culture

Join the Studio Museum for a special discussion about art and dance with Misty Copeland, the first African-American female soloist for the American Ballet Theatre and Raven Wilkinson, the first African-American ballerina to become a member of a major ballet company.

Does Chris Rock’s “The Motherf**ker with the Hat” Rock?

For his Broadway debut, Hollywood funny man Chris Rock didn’t want to headline a “hoity-toity” play for theater snobs.

Hey Harlem, Get KidFit Free!

Harlem In The Movies

Lights. Camera. Harlem! Uptown has been the backdrop of some of the most popular films on the silver screen and here are some of my favorites. Get your popcorn and check you these five flicks “co-staring” you-know-where:

American Gangster. The plot:  Denzel Washington stars as real life Harlem heroin kingpin Frank Lucas, and  Russell Crowe, as detective Richie Roberts, and his quest to bring him down. Find out Lucas’ ingenious and horrific method of smuggling high grade heroin into the United States.  Lucas’ product had drug kingpins buying their product directly from Lucas.

Libyan Rebels Inspired By Rap Music

Libyan rebel fighter Jaad Jumaa Hashmi cranks up the volume on his pickup truck’s stereo when he heads into battle against Moammar Gadhafi‘s forces. He looks for inspiration from a growing cadre of amateur rappers whose powerful songs have helped define the revolution.

No Accountability On Columbia Expansion?

Columbia University’s plans to build a new public school for those affected by its multi-billion-dollar expansion into West Harlem have been dramatically scaled back, angering residents who were counting on the space for their kids.

Esperanza Spalding On The Bright Track

We just received the May issue of InStyle mag with Grammy Award winning hot girl, Esperanza Spalding on the cover. She’s rocking perfect Harlem park Versace, Prada, Prabi, Michael Kors, Jil Sander bright colors! Esperanza says her her eclectic fashion sense is to, “…. choose what works and what is good.”

Spirit of Community At Dwyer Cultural Center

Spirit of Community, presented by Community Works, opened to an exuberant gathering of Harlem artists and community members at the Dwyer Cultural Center on the evening of Tuesday, April 12^th. Over 300 attendees were greeted to more than 30 striking paintings, sculptures, and multi-media pieces chronicling the sights, sounds, colors, textures, cadences, and people of Harlem.

Happy Easter From The Harlem World Magazine Family