Harlem Meer Festival, East Harlem, NY

Ok, let’s face it.  The weather in NYC has been awful as of late.  I have tried to take my children to a few Adventures and no soon do we get two blocks out that they start complaining about wanting to go home. I have been all too willing to comply. It’s been THAT bad. But after a few days of only short ventures out, we had decided it was time to stop being such babies and enjoy our city.

Today, we decided to head East.  East Harlem to be exact. In all my years with my husband this is a neighborhood I had not yet introduced to my family. I used to come around here often, when younger, to hang out with my Puerto Rican friends, most of them who lived in the area, or to come to my favorite museum of all time, El Museo del Barrio, which is currently undergoing renovation and won’t reopen till October of this year. (I can’t wait!)

We took the C train to 110 St. and walked into Central Park. The day was hot, I won’t lie, but it seemed less so in comparison to the week before. I took my family to the Conservatory Garden. This garden, the only one of it’s kind in Central Park (entrance on 105th and 5th), is so beautiful, so picturesque, that it is the prime location for wedding photos and of other celebratory occasions (though a permit is needed to shoot professional photography there). It is peaceful and seems almost like a scene in Alice in Wonderland, with it’s vines, and flowers…gates, and small mazes.  It truly a place to see. My boys loved watching the water trickling from the Three Dancing Maidens sculpture (by German artist Walter Schott). It’s not a place for little ones to play in, but it is a wonderful place for them to go to enjoy nature’s beauty.

We later walked over to the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center. The Center is known for hosting many different family events. Only steps away from the Conservatory Garden, it is currently hosting the Harlem Meer Festival. This Summer festival is featuring emerging local artists of Latin, Jazz, Gospel, and World music.

Today, we were there to enjoy some Latin music, featuring the Afro-Caribbean band ¡Retumba! , an all-ethnic, all-female music and dance group. The music was wonderful, people of all backgrounds, ethnicity, and ages, were there enjoying it.  The sky seemed to threaten rain, but no one cared, and when the first few drops fell, the only time you saw anyone get up was to dance.

When my little ones wanted to walk around, we took them into the Discovery Center, and let them look around and sit on the bench overlooking the pond, or we walked them over to the 110th St and Lenox Ave. Playground, where they played and even made a new friend. But my husband and I would take turns and walk back to the performance and just enjoy the Latin beats and all the joy that the music of my people brings us. It was a fabulous time.

The festival will go one for two more Sundays till September 6, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, and is free. Bring the family, bring a picnic, and have a great time. And if you want to make a whole day of it, the Lasker Pool and Rink is only a few steps away.  If you get there early enough you can enjoy the pool before the crowds come in, though I have to admit, I have rarely been there where it has ever been too crowded.

We had an amazing time, humidity, heat, and all. Only a few weeks of Summer left, get out and have fun!

Happy Adventures!

This past week NYC was hit with a hard storm that devastated many of the trees and grounds of Central Park.  Trees, centuries old, were lost.  Some playgrounds have even been closed down due to needed repairs. The Central Park Conservancy is asking that you make a donation, either monetary or through volunteering, and help repair the damage that has been done and restore the beauty lost in our treasured park.  For more information on becoming a member or making a donation please visit The Central Park Conservancy and see how you can help.  Thank you!

Tags: nyc parks
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