01/22
A celebration of all cultures within one culture.
The images by urban photographer Anderson Zaca in the book *Block Party: NYC Soul of Summer* lead you along an extraordinary visual journey through New York City’s block parties. This historic book, the first to document this quintessential New York tradition, is the culmination of seven summers spent in many of New York's neighborhoods across the five boroughs. Even if you have not experienced a New York block party, the expertly arranged photos are a powerful and beautiful testament to the many faces and places that make up New York.
Installation with films from across the boroughs where New Yorkers share their generational culture.
Take an inside tour and experience our traditions, games, food, music, community, and much more.
Block parties in New York City have a rich history, and it is remembered and celebrated by New Yorkers as far back as they can remember. Some say block party history began as early as 20th century when neighborhoods began hosting outdoor gatherings to celebrate various occasions like holidays, birthdays, or community milestones. Others say its original birth was at the end of WWII, when people in the neighborhoods of New York would gather to welcome back the soldiers. Block parties gained popularity in the 1960s during the civil rights movement as a way for communities, particularly African American and Latino neighborhoods, to come together, socialize, and build solidarity. Another version of its notoriety was along side the birth of hiphop in the mid 70's. Over time, block parties became a cultural staple, often featuring music, dancing, food, and games, and they continue to be celebrated across the city today, fostering a sense of unity and belonging among residents. There are certainly truth to each of all of these origin stories, but all these knots have yet to be tied down in history.
It was the summer of 2005, and I remember hearing loud music and even louder kids on the block outside of my Brooklyn apartment. I grabbed my camera and went to check it out. I was shocked to find a huge party with no particular theme. In the streets of New York, it seemed that parties were always centered around a holiday or a community event, yet here was this party that was just about New Yorkers enjoying their block. People explained that these parties happened in every borough, in every neighborhood—every summer, for as long as they could remember. No summer was complete without a block party. They are one of New York’s most cherished, and yet unnoticed, summer rituals.
From doing research at the city libraries, NYC Historical Society, and other sources, I discovered that block parties had never been photographed as a subject, nor did they have any written history. I was ecstatic about the opportunity to bring this quintessentially New York phenomenon to life with my photos. I learned that the block party started after World War II as a celebration for the soldiers who were coming home. Because most New Yorkers don’t have a backyard, the celebration took place in the streets, which developed into what we know today as the NYC block party.
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“Zaca’s glorious photos taken at various block parties around the city…I must say they really do capture the absolute joy these uniquely urban celebrations generate!”
—Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President
“Anderson’s block party photographs take me back to a special time in my younger years, a time when young and old alike shared the same space and enjoyed each others’ laughter.”
—Jamel Shabazz, Photographer
“Anderson Zaca perfectly captures the sights, sounds and smells of block parties all over New York. His subtle eye lets the people come alive and speak in their own voice. He brings the viewer right into the heart of the block party, and it’s the next best thing to being there.”
—Michael Shulman, Magnum Photos
“Zaca’s photos really captures the Block Party spirit.”
—Helen H. Marshal, Queens Borough President
"This is an amazing collection of black-and-white photos of life on the city streets in the summer that really inspired me when opening Streetbird Rotisserie in Harlem. The block party is something so quintessential that I love about living in New York, and Zaca's photographs gets the vibe, the people and the community just so."
—Celebrity Chef, Marcus Sammuelsson