Five Reasons to Add Manhattanville Community Day to Your Autumn Bucket List

So, you want the scoop on Manhattanville Community Day? Look no further. The festive fête makes its return this Saturday, October 22, bringing some of the best of Uptown culture and community to Columbia’s Manhattanville campus. Whether you’ve already rounded up your friends, RSVP’d for the fun-filled afternoon, are looking to make the most of your experience, or are simply curious about the festivities that’ll be happening on campus this weekend, here are five reasons why you should attend.

#1: Connect with Community Changemakers

The celebration of community will amplify the work of local changemakers. Inside The Forum, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about grassroots nonprofits and Columbia University-led community impact programs at the forefront of transformative work in Morningside Heights and beyond. From the Columbia Wellness Center—which will be on hand providing free blood pressure screenings—to local institutions and organizations like the New York Public Library and the illustrious Harlem Honeys and Bears synchronized swim team, there will be an array of community-driven groups centered on health and wellness, the arts, and education that have a shared mission of improving the lives of those in Upper Manhattan. Swing by Community Day to connect with them and learn how you can get involved in local social impact initiatives.

#2: Celebrate Cinema

Pass the popcorn, please! Celebrate the art of cinema during Community Day. Several family-friendly film screenings will be happening throughout the day. On the schedule are the 1989 classic comedy Honey I Shrunk the Kids and the film Hidden Figures, which pays homage to pioneering Black women at NASA; both movies are being hosted by the Lenfest Center for the Arts. The Aminah Salaam-directed documentary Swimming Against the Current will be shown at Columbia Business School’s David Geffen Hall. The documentary delves into the inspiring stories of local elders who are part of the Harlem Honeys and Bears collective. (Don’t forget you can meet the stars and director of the poignant film inside The Forum!)

#3: Taste a Sample-Sized Smorgasbord of Local Eats

Small businesses are the heart and soul of Upper Manhattan and we’re toasting local founders in the culinary industry who make the community magical. During the celebration, swing by the Columbia Business School to indulge in tasty food samples from local eateries. You’ll also have the chance to embark on a restaurant crawl, where you just might come across the perfect locale for your next date night or brunch with friends. The food vendor lineup—which are all locally owned businesses that have been supported by the Columbia-Harlem Small Business Development Center (SBDC)—includes Fauzia’s Heavenly Delights Food truck dishing the best in Caribbean-inspired cuisine, pastry samples from East Harlem’s beloved Pabade Café & Bakery, and more. As you nosh on local eats, Sundae Sermon’s DJ Stormin' Norman will be spinning tunes destined to make you dance.

#4: Give the Kids a Day Out in Harlem

Manhattanville Community Day is a celebration for all ages and we have an exciting afternoon of activities that sit at the intersection of the arts and STEM education. The Jerome L. Greene Science Center will host Saturday Science: Making Connections where children and their families can delve into the workings of the brain through hands-on activities. The BioBus—the neighborhood’s favorite laboratory on wheels—will be parked near campus. For those who prefer arts and crafts-esque activities, join the Wallach Art Gallery for a youth arts innovation workshop dubbed Be an Idea Maker or enjoy a lantern-making session with Nano Lantern x Morningside Lights.

#5: Explore Columbia’s Manhattanville Campus

We welcome our neighbors on this day, and every day. During Community Day, you’ll have the chance to explore all of the public spaces that exist at our Manhattanville campus. From the central square that is the perfect backdrop for a relaxed afternoon to cozy up with a book to The Forum’s community space where you can check out local programming or catch up with friends over a cup of Dear Mama coffee, get familiar with different areas on campus where you can connect with Columbia beyond Community Day. 

Bonus: Meet the Columbia Neighbors Team

Connect with the content creators behind Columbia Neighbors at The Forum! We’d love to learn more about your interests and what you’d like to see more of across our digital platforms. We’ve also organized a raffle of products from local makers! We hope to meet you there.

Join us at Manhattanville Community Day on October 22!