EAST HARLEM — This year's Uptown Bounce block party is all about the past.
Musicians who defined an era — like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and George Michael — will be celebrated through exhibitions, art and dance classes, as well as music spun by a number of DJs that will take over The Museum of the City of New York and El Museo del Barrio each Wednesday night starting July 19.
The community will have free access to all the events and both museums, which are located next to each other at on Fifth Avenue at 104th Street. The events are free but require registration at both the Museum of the City of New York and El Museo del Barrio websites.
“If it’s summer in the city, that means it’s time for Uptown Bounce in East Harlem,” said Whitney Donhauser, director of the Museum of the City of New York. “Uptown Bounce is a unique opportunity for New Yorkers to enjoy the vibrancy of a summer block party along with the world-class art and history exhibitions on view in our galleries and across the street at El Museo."
Donhauser said she hopes visitors will explore the new exhibition "Rhythm and Power," which "traces the roots of New York salsa right to our backyard in East Harlem.”
Carlos Gálvez, deputy director of El Museo del Barrio, pointed to the new exhibitions "NKAME: A Retrospective of Cuban Printmaker Belkis Ayón and uptown: nasty women/bad hombres" as highlights this year.
"We invite everyone to El Barrio for a summer of música, food, art, and unity," he said.
Here's what's on the schedule this year:
► Wednesday, July 19
The Museum of the City of New York
Instructor Franck Muhel will teach partygoers how to salsa while DJs Joey Carvellow and Christian Martir spin Latin-infused beats from salsa, boogaloo, merengue, cumbia and Latin disco. Conga player Tito Sandoval will perform as well. The museum's new exhibition, "Rhythm & Power: Salsa in New York," was the inspiration for the museum's first Uptown Bounce event.
El Museo del Barrio
Create wearable art inspired by the symbols found in the work of the museum's featured artist, Belkis Ayón, inspired by "Ashé," the African philosophical concept of producing change. Artist-in-residence Lourdes Bernard will give a short talk while Puerto Rican shaved ice is served. DJ Bembona will play Latinx & Afro-Diasporadical beats.
► Wednesday, July 26
The Museum of the City of New York
Celebrate the 1990s as the museum hosts its "I Love the 90s" event with jams spun by DJ Misbehaviour and Joey Carvello that will take you back to the days when snap bracelets were in and Bill Clinton was president. Viva Body Roll will teach classic '90s dance moves, and 5001 FLAVORS will show off '90s-inspired fashion.
El Museo del Barrio
Take part in creating a community mural as DJ Geko Jones plays tropical bass beats. Artist Lourdes Bernard will give a brief talk.
► Wednesday, Aug. 2
The Museum of the City of New York
Travel back to the 1980s with a tribute to late musical legends Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, David Bowie and George Michael. DJs Misbehavior and Boogie Blind will spin '80s hits with dance lesson from choreographer Karen NG.
El Museo del Barrio
Create your own "palo," a stick created and used to reinforce the power of the Congo spirits to bring positive change in unity. DJ Bembona will play Latinx & Afro-Diasporadical jams.
► Wednesday, Aug. 9
The Museum of the City of New York
Get your groove on with the museum's 1970s-inspired finale with New Style Hustle dance lessons from instructor Jeff Selby, and Latin and Fania songs spun by DJ Joe Carvello and DJ Nego.
