New Heritage’s, Harlem Serenade

Theater

American Museum of Natural History in Association with Community Works and New Heritage Theatre Group

Honor Black History Month

Harlem Serenade – A Moment in Time

Satuurday, Februaur 21 – includes Performancs and films

Saturday, February 21, 2009, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, in honor of Black History month, the American Museum of Natural History joins forces with Community Works and New Heritage Theatre Group to present Harlem Serenade – A Moment in Time. This special daylong event will celebrate African–American history with a special passport to Harlem ’s rich artistic legacy.  Harlem Serenade explores the cultural capital of Black America through music, dance poetry, and film.  Hosted by Broadway actor and director, James Stovall, highlights of Harlem Serenade will include performances by the All-Star Orchestra of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, led by the Jazz Museum’s executive director, Loren Schoenberg; Silver Belles – 2^nd Generation, a group of exceptional senior female dancers; the Jitterbug Kids and Cotton Club Dancers, a group of dancers that capture Harlem’s Swing Era.  The afternoon will also feature screenings of the films Lullaby of Harlem and Hughes Dream Harlem.  A discussion led by 94-year-old actor/director/producer and founder of the Hadley Players, Gertrude Jeanette will follow the latter film.  Harlem Serenade will close with a performance by Broadway veterans Mabel Lee (Shuffle Along and Bubbling Brown Sugar); Harold Cromer (a member of the dance comedy team Stump & Stumpy); Baakari Wilder (Bring in Da’ Noise, Bring in Da’ Funk); and renowned tap dancer Michela Marino Lerman.

Community Works is a leading arts-education organization founded in 1990, with the mission to build bridges between diverse cultures and neighborhoods by using the arts as a tool for social and personal change, and sharing community stories that connect us all. The organization currently serves over 350,000 people throughout NYC each year through acclaimed performances, workshops and exhibitions.

The American Museum of Natural History ’s Global Weekends are made possible, in part, by the City of New York and the New York City Council.  Additional support has been provided by the May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Inc., the Tolan Family, and the family of Frederick H. Leonhardt.  Public programs are made possible, in part, by the Rita and Frits Markus Fund for Public Understanding of Science.

For more information visit the American Museum of Natural History website at: www.amnh.org or contact Community Works at 212-459-1854.

Shaun M. Rasmussen, Media Relations Community Works NYC, 55 West End Avenue, New York, NY 10023, P: 212-459-1854. F: 212-459-1857, E: sr@communityworksnyc.org