350th Anniversary At Minton’s

Celebrated Novelist Rosa Guy and the Harlem Writers Guild, which she helped found 58 years ago, are being honored as part of the ongoing 350^th Harlem Anniversary Celebrations. Join the Netherlands Consul General Hugo Gajus Scheltema, Congressman Rangel’s representative Elbert Garcia, Governor Paterson’s representative Sandra Hawkins, City Councilman Robert Jackson, and other State and City Officials as we continue to mark Harlem’s 350th Birthday at an “Afternoon Literary Salon at Minton’s Playhouse.” Hosted by WNBC News 4 New York Reporter Tracie Strahan, the event will take place on Tuesday, July 15th, from 2 to 4:30pm at the Legendary Minton’s Playhouse, 208 West 118th Street in Harlem. Come celebrate Harlem’s rich literary legacy with Pianist/Composer Onaje Allan Gumbs, Drummer and Playwright Phil Young and other surprise guests as the distinguished Playwright/Songwriter extraordinaire Irving Burgie presents Ms. Guy’s award for Outstanding Literary Achievement, and the Harlem Writers Guild accepts kudos for its continuing 58-years of literary service to Harlem and the world. 

In addition to Harlem Writers Guild members Judy Andrews, Eugene Hobgood, Betty Ann Jackson and K.C. Washington reading brief excerpts from their latest work, guest Authors such as Herb Boyd and Michel Marriott will also read short selections during the Afternoon Literary Salon.

Writers as varied as Ralph Ellison, Albert Murray and Toni Morrisson have explored and mined the rich connections and cross-pollination of the Jazz/Blues musical tradition in their literary work. It was this same fertile creative nexus that helped fuel the Harlem Renaissance.  And it is in that continuing spirit that the 350^th Harlem Anniversary Celebrations–”Harlem then, now, and forever”– is pleased that it’s tribute to Ms. Rosa Guy and the Harlem Writer’s Guild takes place at Minton’s Playhouse, the legendary birth-place of the Be-Bop Modern Jazz idiom.

The 350^th Harlem Anniversary Celebration is the brainchild of the Harlem Preservation Foundation (HPF) and Neighborhood Artists, Inc (NA, Inc.). It began with an Inaugural Gala shared with the Council of Urban Professionals (CUP) on April 3^rd 2008 at the Capitale Ballroom located at 130 Bowery. Ironically, that’s quite near the original Little Africa enclave of those early African residents of the original New Netherlands Colony. Among our collaborating organizations are Minton’s Mentors Foundation, Jazzmobile and the Harlem Arts Alliance.  WNYC-FM is a Media sponsor. Celebrations marking Harlem’s 350^th Anniversary will continue throughout 2008.

More information can be found at http://www.myspace.com/harlemthennowandforever.