BY Led Black (@Led_Black)
Say it ain’t so. The 2012 Uptown Summer is now one for the record books. Since the chill in the air is a not so subtle sign that it is once again sweater weather, I think it is only right that we end the season like we do every year, with our summer retrospective. Washington Heights is a state of mind and as it continues to expand and evolve we will be there to watch it all unfold. I like to say that we don’t cover the hood, we are the hood.
Here’s to the Uptown Renaissance!
We began the summer as we always do with our top-notch coverage of NoMAA’s Uptown Arts Stroll.
Check out:
The 2012 Uptown Arts Stroll Kick-Off – The Recap
The 2012 Uptown Arts Stroll Kick Off – Art By Dj Boy Edition
The one and only Junot Diaz wished Word Up Books a happy birthday.
Check out: Junot Diaz Wishes Word Up Books A Happy Birthday!
We were there when the homie Audubon rocked Phuket.
Check out: Washington Heights Stand Up – Audubon @ Phuket Lounge
We also threw our 2 year anniversary shindig at Negro Claro.
Check out: The UC 2-Year Anniversary Bash @ Negro Claro – The Recap
We featured the awesome artwork of Natalie del Villar. S/O to Dominican Pie for the Q&A.
Check out: Painting Beauty in the Everyday
While we were in the throes of a heat wave, we posted this cool video courtesy of neighborhood hero, Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The First ever Nutcracker Awareness Day event took place at Le Chéile. By the way, we are also working on the definitive documentary on the Nutcracker and this neighborhood. Stay tuned for more on that and check out the video below.
Check out:
Nutcracker Awareness Day – The Recap
Nutcracker Awareness Day @ Le Chéile In Pictures
But of course, we were at the closing reception of the Uptown Arts Stroll at Arka.
Check out:
The 2012 Uptown Arts Stroll Closing Reception @ Arka Lounge
The Uptown Arts Stroll Closing Reception @ Arka Lounge-DJ Boy Edition
We also had some of the best pics of the 4th of July Fireworks festivities.
Check out: July 4th in the Heights – The Recap
We posted a few pics of the Passing Glances exhibit at Fort Tryon Park.
Check out: Passing Glances @ Fort Tryon Park
Not to be undone, we were at Uptown’s most buzzed about hotspot, La Marina.
Check out: Open for Business: La Marina
And you know we were at Dyckman Park for the best streetball in all of the universe.
Check out: Streetball Lives @ Dyckman Park
We also stopped by the listening party for the immensely talented Oveous’ Kill Your Myth album.
Check out:
Oveous Maximus “Kill Your Myth” Listening Party
The Poet of Rap: 7 Questions With Oveous Maximus
We sat down with artist and activist Alan Ket after the NYPD removed one of his murals it found offensive.
Check out: Q&A With Alan Ket: Art, Censorship and Murder
We also took a look back at the riots that rocked this neighborhood twenty years ago. That by the way is me on the left.
Check out:
The Washington Heights Phoenix – From Riots to Renaissance
The Washington Heights Riots of 1992 Remembered – Part 1
The Washington Heights Riots of 1992 Remembered – Part 2
We also threw a fashion event in collaboration with Being Latino at Negro Claro.
Check out: The UC & Being Latino Fashion Function @ Negro Claro
Not to mention, the little trip we took to D.C. for the first National Dominican celebration.
Can’t forget the beloved Will Teez and how everybody in the neighborhood rallied around him in his time of need.
Check out: Will Teez B-Day Fundraiser @ Le Chéile In Pictures
Now you know we were there for the Dominican Day Parade.
Check out:
The 2012 Dominican Day Parade In Pictures
My 2012 Dominican Day Parade Adventure
A big shout out is in order to the Dynamic Duo of Juan Bago & O who were quite busy this Summer.
Did you know there were Ghosts in Manhattan?
Check out: Ghosts of Manhattan In Pictures
Speaking of the supernatural, we were there when magician extraordinaire Zack Mirza hit the hood for a little magic Swag.
Check out: Uptown Magic: Zack Mirza in Washington Heights
We also were at the 92 Y for an intimate conversation with global icon, Alicia Keys.
Check out: #92Ytalks – Alicia Keys: Girl On Fire
Sonia Manzano dropped by La Casa Azul Bookstore and we were well-represented by journalist Amaris Castillo.
We also couldn’t miss the Faces of Hope exhibit at Le Cheilé.
We ended the summer with a toast…
Check out: A Toast to Fort Tryon Park 2012 – The Recap
With that said, we will leave you with a few pictures from the summer that was… Enjoy!
Photo: Paul Lomax
Photo: Briana E. Heard
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