WASHINGTON HEIGHTS − Hundreds gathered to hear poetry and music Thursday while kicking off month-long celebration of arts and culture in Upper Manhattan.
Artists, community leaders and members gathered inside one of Manhattan's most stunning displays of unique architecture, the United Palace Theater on Broadway and West 175th Street, for the opening ceremonies of the tenth annual Uptown Arts Stroll.
The stroll, which now offers 120 events at 40 venues over the course of the month, has grown from a one-day event to a month-long opportunity under the guidance of the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance (NoMAA), a consortium of uptown artists, community leader and cultural organizations.

The month-long event will include exhibitions of paintings, music and theatrical performances, wearable art, fiber arts and drawings at locations through Washington Heights and Inwood.
A full list of events and studios featuring work for the festival is available at the Uptown Art Stroll site.