Uptown Fiesta: The Latin Grammy Street Party @ Inwood Hill Park

BY Led Black (@Led_Black)

Photography Art By Dj Boy (@ArtByDjBoy)

This past weekend, Uptown had the honor of kicking off the national Latin Grammy Street Party Tour at our very own Inwood Hill Park. The neighborhood came out in droves to take part in this celebration of Latino music, culture and heritage. Some heavyweight entertainers such as Los Hermanos Rosario, Eddy Herrera and Delexilio among others came out to raucous support and applause. To scan the crowd was to see folks of all ages having an old fashioned great time.

It is only fitting that this event would take place in what Remezcla has dubbed “the current center of the Latin world.” I have been saying this for quite some time; Washington Heights is a Latino Mecca. This community is experiencing a resurgence, that I have dubbed the “Uptown Renaissance”, that is being led in large part by the very people that grew up here, the sons and daughters of the very same immigrants that came here from distant shores decades ago. To see the outside world finally starting to realize that is a welcome validation indeed. Long live the Latin Grammy Street Party; we hope to see you next year.

The Uptown Tweet of the Week

Presenting the Uptown Tweet of the Week, our pick that represents the good, the bad, and the lovely in this week’s UC Twitterverse…

http://twitter.com/#!/taniarashid9/status/119270987832365056

Pics From the Eco-Fashion Gala @ Highbridge Park

Photography by G Photo NYC

Remezcla Interview: Mike Diaz vs. Juan Bago

BY Claudio E. Cabrera

This is the story of Michael Diaz, a.k.a. Juan Bago: the actor, the community activist, the producer, the writer, and the son.

When you look at your profile, you see actor, producer, writer, activist, and community board member? Do you ever feel like you’re over-extending yourself?

I used to over-extend myself when I was younger. Everyone does so when they first come in as you want to gravitate to everything. You can do all the stuff and dedicate the right amount of time. But you don’t want to over-commit, and I found myself doing that at times. One of the most important skills to have in entertainment is the ability to manage your time well.

There was a point in time where I thought I could do everything. It then gets to a point where you can thin yourself and can’t do every little thing yourself. You learn that being a volume actor isn’t as important as being a quality actor.

If you could rank all the things that you’re doing right now in terms of importance, what would be their order?

Well producing and acting are my two passions. After that, I must say that writing comes next as I’ve always had that skill. Last, but not least is activism and my new responsibility as a Community Board 12 member in my Washington Heights and Inwood neighborhoods.

Read more: Interview: Mike Diaz vs. Juan Bago | Article | New York | Remezcla.com.

Best things to do in Washington Heights | Time Out New York

By Linnea Covington

Photo: Virginia Rollison

10am

Once the site of a Revolutionary War base (which later became Fort Washington Park), Washington Heights is home to Bennett Park (183 St and Fort Washington Ave, nyc.gov/parks), the highest point in Manhattan (it’s more than 260 feet above sea level). On your way there, grab an egg sandwich ($2.95) and a cup of coffee ($1.45) from Hudson View Restaurant (770 W 181st St between Fort Washington Ave and Colonel Robert Magraw Pl, 212-781-0303), and savor your breakfast on one of the park’s benches.

11am

One of Manhattan’s prettiest expanses is Fort Tryon Park, a nearly 67-acre green space that was built on land owned by John D. Rockefeller Jr. in 1917. The park is also home to The Cloisters (99 Margaret Corbin Dr; 212-923-3700, metmuseum.org), which was built in the 1930s using pieces of five Medieval buildings. The museum features a vast collection of ninth- to 15th-century art, including the famous Unicorn Tapestries: The artwork includes seven textiles that depict a group of hunters trying to capture the mythical creature. (You can thank Rockefeller for their placement in the museum—the tapestries were in his personal collection from 1922 to 1937 when he donated the work to the Cloisters.)

1pm

For lunch, follow Margaret Corbin Drive to New Leaf Restaurant and Bar (1 Margaret Corbin Dr; 212-568-5323, newleafrestaurant.com). The restaurant opened in 2001 as part of the New York Restoration Project’s efforts to revitalize and maintain Fort Tryon Park. If the weather is nice, snag a table on the tree-covered outdoor patio, and nosh on dishes like ricotta ravioli with fresh basil and garlic tomato sauce ($12) or onion soup topped with Gruyère cheese ($9).

Read more: Best things to do in Washington Heights – New York Neighborhoods – Time Out New York.

Santo Domingo Invita: Dominican Republic As Seen By Dj Boy

BY Art By Dj Boy (@ArtByDjBoy)

Drove for the first time in a foreign country.

Kissed a girl and soon after she asked me about helping her with a visa to come to the US.

Tasted the difference between American and Dominican Cherries, Pineapples, and other fruits.

Discovered that my cousin is a master chef and should be shipped to NYC to open a restaurant.

Got pulled over by cops with no i.d. whatsoever and found out that my uncle has more power in DR than I thought.

Drove drunk for the first and last time.

Saw more greenery than the Federal Reserve.

Saw stars, and stars, and stars, and more stars.

Saw my first waterfall.

Was called “the media” by many people because of my camera.

Was stopped in the street many times to ask about my camera.

Dominicans posed for me before even raising my camera.

Figured out that these poor starving and abused dogs commercials have nothing on the dogs from DR.

Pleasantly surprised to find out that homosexuality is way more accepted in DR than here.

Wi-Fi is a HUGE luxury.

The poorest of people still have cellphones.

The poorest of people still have Facebook.

Girls don’t ask for numbers, they ask for Facebooks.

Santiago’s airport needs an overhaul with the staff.

Drivers are insane, truly, truly insane especially in Santiago.

Crime is apparently really bad, and that’s all I heard on the radio, thank God I didn’t experience any of it.

The music is getting worse every time I hear a new song.

Drinks are super cheap.

People are super friendly.

Dominicans in New York throw trash everywhere. Dominicans in DR…. don’t. Where did we go wrong?

DR in one word – Neato!

Big Comedy Showcase Going Down @ El Morocco On Friday October 7th

BY Led Black (@Led_Black)

The folks at Higher Level Tattoo are at it once again, with another stellar comedy showcase set to go down at El Morocco (3534 Broadway – Corner of 145^th St) on Friday, October 7^th. My good friend and one of the hardest working and most talented comedians/actors out there, Ruperto Vanderpool will be doing his thing alongside Edgar Rivera, Alton Coleman, Miguel “Chandon” Sanchez and Steve Dac. With the super hilarious Tommy 5000 rounding out this amazing line up and holding it down as host. Comedy Uptown on a big stage – you don’t want to miss it. Get your tickets before they are all gone because that won’t be funny. See you there.

For more info: http://www.higherleveltattoo.com/

Check out: The Higher Level Stand-Up Comedy Showcase – The Recap

Photo: Art By Dj Boy

Bogus Postal Service crisis deserves to get a Return to Sender | NY Daily News

Juan Gonzalez – News

Photo: Julia Xanthos | NY Daily News

On any given Saturday, the line of people at my local post office in Manhattan’s Inwood section often stretches out to the street.

Some come to pick up their mail because of a broken box. Others bring wrapped boxes to send to relatives abroad. Many need to buy postal money orders for grandma in the Dominican Republic or Mexico.

Some even buy stamps.

All over America, the poorer the neighborhood, the longer the lines at the post office.

The idea that this most visible neighborhood presence of our national government for more than 200 years faces financial default on Sept. 30 is truly astounding.

Yet, that’s exactly what will happen unless the politicians in Washington act quickly.

Read more: Bogus Postal Service crisis deserves to get a Return to Sender

With that said, please note that the United States Postal Service is conducting a Community Meeting to discuss possible closure of the Fort Washington Sub-Station on West 158th Street and folding it into the Audubon Station on West 165th Street. Folks need to flock to this meeting and make our voices heard on keeping this Sub-Station open!!

Who: The United States Postal Service

What: Community Meeting

Where: Church of the Intercession – 550 West 155th Street

When: Tuesday, October 4, 2011 @ 6:00 PM

Uptown Artist – Emil Baez

BY Led Black (@Led_Black)

Q. What are some of the things you love about living Uptown?

A: The feeling of being family is what I love about living Uptown. Everyone looks out for one another. Even if they are strangers, they consider themselves family. It is a blessing to be Dominican and living in Washington Heights. It’s home, wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

NY Times To Document Autumn On A Weekly Basis From Inwood Hill Park

Photo: Marielle Anzelone | The NY Times

That’s right, the City Room section of the New York Times will be documenting the contours of autumn on a weekly basis in Manhattan’s last remaining forest, Inwood Hill Park. Marielle Anzelone, a botanist and urban ecologist who founded NYC Wildflower Week, will report from a patch of forest in Inwood Hill Park once a week. The first dispatch had an amazing interactive image that you can scroll over and look at the area in view in greater detail. This is going to be very cool.

Check it out: Autumn Unfolds in a Patch of Urban Forest | NY Times

Also, check out Park Portfolio – Inwood Hill Park & Inwood Hill Park – Timeless Treasure.