Celebrate Community at the Summer Haven Festival

On Tuesday, June 14, part of Haven Avenue will be closed to vehicles and open for festivities—and the entire community of Washington Heights and Inwood is invited. The event, called Summer Haven, will offer cultural activities, entertainment, and health education for all ages. The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. along Haven Avenue between 169th Street and Fort Washington Avenue.

“The idea is to have the community come together to share in the culture, the arts and music, and to promote health and wellness,” said Sandra Harris, assistant vice president for government and community affairs at Columbia University Medical Center. “While we’re doing great things in health research and patient care at the medical center, our partners are keeping the community vibrant in other ways. This is an excellent opportunity to get a deeper appreciation for the artists here, to celebrate the rich culture, and to embrace all the components of a healthy community.”

Summer Haven will showcase local culture with performances from the Jazz Foundation and Alianza Culture Center, a display of artifacts, and a demonstration on how Dominican chacabanas—a popular men’s shirt—are made. Visitors also can see works by local artists and even be part of the artistic process as Oscar Abreu paints live. In his public painting demonstrations, Mr. Abreu says, “people become part of the painting one way or another. When people ask a question, when they tell me their own opinion, I learn a lot from them. My art is a combination of not only my knowledge and understanding of human behavior—it’s also what people see in my art.

“Come to understand the importance of the culture of the community,” he says of the Summer Haven festival. “Come to see what’s going on, and to see what’s possible—how we can connect the community to our own culture.”

Oscar Abreu Performance

Along with arts and culture, the festival will promote healthy lifestyles by offering a Zumba class, blood pressure and BMI screenings, and nutrition education. The Fort Washington Greenmarket, offering fresh produce and other goods, will occupy its usual spot at the corner of 168th Street and Fort Washington Avenue.

Children’s activities also are planned. Author readings will take place on the hour, with Curious George making a special appearance. Kids can participate in face painting, theater workshops, games, and art and crafts.

A full schedule of events and activities, as well as registration information for the Zumba class, can be found here. For more information, contact the CUMC Office of Government and Community Affairs at gca@cumc.columbia.edu.

Summer Haven is sponsored by Columbia University Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian, Community Board 12, the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance, the Washington Heights and Inwood Chamber of Commerce, and GrowNYC.

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