Washington Heights Car Free Day Performances, Programs Announced

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — Saturday, April 22, is Earth Day, and the Washington Heights community is throwing a huge party to celebrate the occasion. But there's one catch — no cars allowed.

A nine-block stretch of St. Nicholas Avenue, from West 181st to 190th streets, will be transformed into a pedestrian wonderland Saturday for Car Free NYC. While only nine blocks will actually be closed off to car traffic, uptown politicians and businesses are encouraging residents to ditch their gas guzzlers in favor of alternative modes of transportation.

"Car Free Day is back in a big way this year, where we'll see even more streets open to people instead of clogged with cars," City Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, who organized the event, said in a statement. "We're encouraging New Yorkers to leave their cars at home for the day and commute by bike, bus, train or walking."

To incentivize walking, a huge party will be thrown on the pedestrian-only stretch of St. Nicholas Avenue featuring live dance, music and theater performances, DJs and a number of activities such as biking demonstrations, merchandise giveaways and sports clinics. (For more New York City news delivered straight to your inbox sign up for Patch's free newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

The winners of the neighborhood's participatory budgeting elections will also be announced Saturday.

Here's a full list of planned performances and programs:

Performances by:

• Carnegie Hall
• Pan American Musical Art Research (PAMAR)
• Dance Project of Washington Heights
• Repertorio Español
• Alianza Dominicana & the Association of Dominican Classical Artists (ADCA)
• LOTUS (Featuring: Native American Drums, Hula Dancers, Filipino Tribal Dance & West African Dance)
• Roy Tavares
• People’s Theater Project
• Two DJs including La Mega 97.9 FM
• Gabbano
• J. Aguabuena
• Gaga Pal Pueblo

Programming:

• Bike Demonstration and Giveaway by Citi Bike NYC
• Discounts and Giveaways by Carnegie Hall
• Tour of Sherman Creek Park by New York Restoration Project
• Healthy Eating Supermarket Tour by City Harvest
• Storefront Science by Dr. Ardizzone
• Children’s Activities by Literacy Inc., BioBus, Sugar Hill Children’s Museum & Green Festival
• Bike Bonanza! by NYC DOT; Bike NY; Recycle-a-Bike
• Zumba by Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation
• Dance Demonstrations by Dance Project of Washington Heights and Mind Body Soul
• Resealable Bag Giveaway by NYS Senator Marisol Alcantara
• Basketball Clinic by Uplift NYC
• Tennis Clinic by Eligio Reynoso
• Group Run by New York Road Runners
• Fire Truck Demonstration by FDNY Foundation
• Robots by Luperon Robotics
• Bike Repairs, Workshop and Cycling Rides by I Challenge Myself/TREAD
• Children’s Performances and Workshops by People’s Theater Project
• Live Painting by Oscar Abreu

Photo courtesy of City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez