I'm a Native New Yorker. You might want to call some theatre companies to ask for a schedule. Here are some black-owned theatres to try:
Brooklyn: The Billy Holiday Theatre--they have always featured excellently acted productions.
Queens: The Black Spectrum Theatre.
Dance: Call the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). They feature DANCEAfrica annually in the summer months. It is followed by a festival. Call the office for a general calendar and tickets. BAM also has a cafe`, where international figures are often featured.
Museums: Call the Guggenheim, Studio Museum of Harlem, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art for schedules. They will likely feature exhibits on Africa with well known curators.
Universities: NYU and the city colleges often sponsor lectures by renowned intellectuals. Ask these universities for an events calendar.
Spoken Word: Check out
http://www.socialstep.com for details regarding the cafe` scene in NY.
Festivals and the Black Expo: On July 4th Weekend of every year, there is the African Arts Street Festival at Boys and Girls High School (off Atlantic and Schnectady in Brooklyn). They feature lots of Black artists, entertainment, vendors, etc.
The Harlem Street Festival is lots of fun as well. Listen to WBLS for details. Black Expo is normally in late May, early June at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. Listen to WBLS for details as well.
Black Rodeo: Sponsored by Pepsi. Held annually in May/June.
To find out information about what is going on the Black Community, begin by reading the Amsterdam News, New York's premier paper for the Black community. Also, pick up copies of the Village Voice for the more eclectic scene.
If you begin with these things, you will likely get yourself on quite a few mailing lists and your social calendar will be booked in no time.
Get involved or invited to an HBCU banquet or fundraising event...there, you will also hear about some of the "society" arts galas, etc.
I hope this helps.
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I will bless the Lord at ALL times His praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalms 34:1, KJV)
[This message has been edited by nikki25 (edited April 14, 2001).]