“This season stands out as one that truly honors Harlem’s longstanding heritage as a cultural trailblazer,” boasted Brad Learmonth, Harlem Stage Director of Programming.  “The artists we are presenting honor, celebrate and understand the legacy they draw from and, because of that firm footing, are creating new forms that will define the future in exciting and lasting ways. We cannot wait to experience their genius and share it with the world.”

Housed at the state-of-the art performance space, Harlem Stage Gatehouse, this season touts a bevy of culturally enriched, historic and enlightening pieces by “visionary artists of color.”

Returning for another season is the popular ongoing series Uptown Nights, giving the audience an opportunity to experience the artists in an intimate context.  The series features producer and DJ Jason King,  jazz trumpeter Christian Scott, soul vocalist Meshell Ndegeocello, “Classic Man” artist Jidenna, a multi-day Prince tribute assembled and led by Grammy Award-winning bassist Ben Williams, and many more.

The theater is thrilled to host a screening and a post-screening discussion of the fascinating documentary Mary Lou Williams: The Woman Who Swings The Band.  “Williams was a woman in a ‘manʼs world,’ a Black person in a ‘whites only’ society, an ambitious artist who dared to be different and struggled against the imperatives of being a ‘star.’”  The film tells the story of one of the greatest jazz musicians whose inspirational story has never been told…until now.

Harlem Stage has also teamed up with the Museum of Modern Art to present the extraordinary exhibit 100 Years In Post Production: Resurrecting A Lost Landmark of Black Film History.  Featuring recently discovered, unedited footage, “this premiere installation stages a close reading of suppressed moments from the struggle for minority access to visual media.”

For over 30 years, Harlem Stage has been one of the nation’s leading arts organizations, achieving this distinction by commissioning, incubating and presenting innovative works by visionary artists of color, and by facilitating a productive engagement with the communities it serves through the performing arts.

For the full schedule and performance information, click here. Tickets and reservations to Harlem Stage are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.HarlemStage.org, or via phone at 212.281.9240 ext. 19/20. 

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