Are you really in “The Heights”?

It’s been the most anticipated couple of weeks filled with constant advertisement everywhere I looked leading up to the upcoming release of the movie musical “In the Heights.” It was refreshing to see something light-hearted after such a rough year, and it surely did depict that breath of fresh air that I hope will come back to NYC soon.

As a born and raised Heights girl who had lived in that neighborhood for over 22 years, I immediately was drawn in like many family and close friends by all the marketing around the movie's release. The nostalgia was instant for myself and the friends with whom I grew up. The bodega in the movie is where I went during lunch or after class to get my snacks. I spent from age 5 through 14 going inside that same store. Yes… that many years in the same school with the same people that was the private school life. Needless to say, all the areas and streets hit directly home for me.

The Real in The Heights

Much like many other former or native Washington Heights people, we are extremely excited to see our neighborhood of mixed cultures and our lively spirits being depicted on tv. We can’t help but feel proud to be recognized. Although all of the marketing circulating up to the release was very prominent, I still found that the trailers were giving off the film too much and not leaving enough to want more. This may or may not bring about some of the heavy box office conversations, as stated in many cross publications like Forbes, where they were describing how it didn’t meet the expected numbers. Many factors could fall into this, but I can tell you that it didn’t take away from our pride in the film.

Engaging and Vibrant, but is this giving too much off the bat? Check it out; what do you think?

Bring NYC Back

Some of the hopes of the movie are packaged campaigns that will be surrounding this release to get tourists to want to explore NYC again. This, of course, brings us joy that they want to highlight our neighborhood but do you know what we really think on the other side of this exposure? What happens when you start to highlight these places and drive tourists in and then continue to raise taxes for these owners, which many have already had to move or close their businesses. We are singing it out loud that we hope these campaign profits go back into the Heights to continue to help, support, and grow the best parts of Manhattan above 86th street!

If you’re ever on the 1 train, stop at 168 and explore the best heights to offer!

Stay tuned for next week….