Category Archives: 125th Street

Top 50 things to do with kids in Harlem

Posted on March 5, 2012 | 1 comment

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According to Mommy Poppins, there is a boat load of fun and interesting activity to do in Harlem with kids! So much so that they have done the heavily lifting for us and compiled a list of the Top 50 Things to do with kids in Harlem!

The site mentions a ton of activity to do in Harlem from shaking your bon, bon at the Sundae Sermon in Morningside Park, which right now is happening at El Museo in Spanish Harlem until the weather warms up. They also mention participating in family concerts at Kidberry, taking family yoga classes at Land Yoga, watching concerts at Richard Rogers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park, ice skating at Lasker Rink in Central Park North, bowling at Harlem Lanes, explore Hamilton Grange and more. The list is 50 lines long. Take a look.

The only other items I would have added is renting bikes at MODSquad Cycles and biking in the northern part of Central Park and attending the annual Pumpkin Sail at Harlem Meer. Aside from that, Mommy Poppins covered plenty of things to do in Harlem. What do you think? Are there other activities that should be on that list? If so, tell us!

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Posted in 116th Street, 125th Street, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., art and culture, Community, education, entertainment, Events, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Frederick Douglass Circle, Free!, Harlem, history, kids, Lenox Avenue, New York, New York City, NYC

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Harlem Restaurant and Retail Month starts March 1

Posted on February 28, 2012 | 1 comment

It is that time of year again…where Harlem Park to Park presents Harlem Restaurant and Retail Month for the month of March! Starting March 1 and running to March 31, a select group of Harlem businesses will be offering prix fixe menus and select retail items all for $20.12. Check out the list below and head on over to your favorite Harlem hangout this month for Harlem Restaurant and Retail Month!

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Posted in 125th Street, 5 and Diamond Harlem, Bars, bier international, business, Community, Events, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem Tavern, Lenox Avenue, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants

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Watch Savoring Harlem on the Food Network Friday, February 24

Posted on February 20, 2012 | 8 comments


This coming Friday (Feb. 24) at 8 pm our very own celebrity chef, Red Rooster owner, and Harlem local, Marcus Samuelsson, will give Food Network viewers a closer look at Harlem’s food revolution through a special TV program called Savoring Harlem.  In the TV special, Savoring Harlem will showcase the food culture of  several Harlem restaurants, such as Red Rooster Harlem, Melba’s, restaurant pioneer Sylvia’s and more.

Yum! This will be fun to watch and then go out to eat in Harlem afterwards. Turn your tube on at 8 pm to the Food Network!

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Posted in 125th Street, 5 and Diamond Harlem, baking, Bars, bier international, business, Cedric French Bistro and Bar Harlem, Community, drinks, entertainment, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Free!, Harlem, Harlem Tavern, history, jazz, Lenox Avenue, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, Melba's Restaurant Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants

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Lenox Social coming soon to a busy Harlem corner near you

Posted on February 13, 2012 | Leave a comment

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Harlem is getting another bar and grill soon, but this time it’s going to be on Lenox Avenue, caddy corner to Red Rooster Harlem and directly across the street from Sylvia’s. Lenox Social is the name of this upcoming place and its going to be located on the northwest corner of 126th and Lenox Ave-321 Lenox Ave to be exact. You may have seen the signage outside already when you walk by?

“Lenox Social will be a gathering spot where friends, co-workers, neighbors and families can count on quality food and drinks at reasonable prices,” says Anahi Angelone, a Harlem resident and owner and general manager of Lenox Social.

HarlemGal Inc. reached out to Angelone recently and she has shared some details with us on her new business. According to Angelone, Lenox Social in Harlem will have “a twenty-two foot long bar with 18 traditional and craft beers on tap, and a great cocktail and wine menu. It will have a fireplace, banquette and communal seating, flat screen televisions as well as projectors and drop down screens for special events.” Lenox Social also plans to have WiFi for customers during the day.

As for when Lenox Social will open, all Angelone would say is “they intend to open in the very near future.” So stay tuned Harlemites. We are about to get another new place to hang and dine at!

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Posted in 125th Street, Bars, business, drinks, food, Harlem, Lenox Avenue, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurants

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Remembering Whitney Houston: Watch ‘Greatest Love of All’ music video at Harlem’s Apollo Theater

Posted on February 12, 2012 | Leave a comment


A very good friend of mine texted me Saturday evening (February 11) immediately after hearing of Whitney Houston’s passing saying “I am sure there is a connection between Whitney Houston and Harlem-after all she was a gospel singer to start.” My good friend was right. There is a connection between Whitney and Harlem. I discovered online that “the music video for Whitney’s hit single, ‘Greatest Love of All,’ a song first recorded by George Benson for the 1977 Muhammad Ali biopic The Greatest, was filmed at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. The video features a cameo by Whitney’s mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston.” Watch the video below. It is very clear she is singing on the big stage at the Apollo in New York City’s Harlem.

If you know of any other connection between Whitney Houston and Harlem, please tell us here so that we can celebrate her and her history to Harlem, and the world.

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Posted in 125th Street, Harlem, history, music, New York, New York City, NYC, The Apollo Theater

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See ‘125 Franco’s Blvd’ Exhibition in Harlem

Posted on February 4, 2012 | Leave a comment


Head on over to the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building in Harlem this coming weekend to see “125 Franco’s Blvd.” “125 Franco’s Blvd.” is an exhibition of Franco The Great’s timeless artwork. The exhibition is from 4-6:00 PM February 10-11th and there will be artwork for sale. The details are below, along with a brief description on Franco The Great.

Where: Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building
163 west 1125th Street, 2nd Floor
Harlem, NY 10027

Date: Friday and Saturday, February 10-11, 2012

Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Who is Franco The Great:
Over a period of 25 plus years, Franco has changed the image of Harlem by painting the security gates of storefronts on 125th Street. His work in Harlem has brought him world renown; below are some excerpts from the many news articles from around the world, written to explain the work and origin of this great artist.

The name Franco the Great came about as a result of his talent in the field of magic. Franco became so proficient in his magic skills that his teachers and peers encouraged Franco to show and teach his magic. He gained his confidence in school day by day as he connected with other people and gained new friends.

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Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, Community, Events, Free!, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC

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Amtrak publication makes major faux pas with Harlem, but calls it cool and hip

Posted on February 2, 2012 | 2 comments

While Gothamist was quick to point out how Amtrak’s external publication titled Arrive called Harlem a borough, which is a poor journalistic and potentially costly PR mistake, I’d like to point out and focus on how Arrive called Harlem “cool” and “hip.” The article says “New Yorkers are taking notice” of Harlem and “if you blink your eye, something changes.” Yes, this transportation company clearly only sees New York City and it’s sub-sections as a bunch of boroughs. Given the ignorance, it could have been worse. But lets focus on what they really got right, which is featuring our beautiful community and local businesses, talking to good spokespeople about Harlem, and ultimately using the best verbs to describe us, which…hey, we have always known, is being a place that is “hip and cool!” Thank you Amtrak!

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Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, Bars, bier international, business, Community, drinks, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, history, Lenox Avenue, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurants

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My photos of President Obama appearing at the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem

Posted on January 20, 2012 | Leave a comment



I had the privilege and delight of attending a fundraiser to re-elect President Obama at Harlem’s Apollo Theater (read actual tweets here). The event was filled with great entertainment from Lin-Manuel Miranda MCing, to India Arie performing, to the Rev. Al Green blessing us with his singing sermon. And yes, POTUS Obama sang too, i.e. Let’s Stay Together. Here are a few photos from the Jan. 19 event at the Apollo. Hope you like them! Enjoy!

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Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, Community, education, entertainment, Events, Harlem, history, New York, New York City, NYC, politics, The Apollo Theater

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More tickets available to see President Obama at Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater, January 19

Posted on January 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

I just checked out the Facebook page of Harlem4Obama and its says there are more $100 tickets available to the January 19 event, which is The Obama Victory Fund Concert. Go to this link here and get your $100, $300 or $5000 tickets. They just added more this evening.

I am going with another fellow Harlemite. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I don’t want to miss it! Hope you will join me in seeing President Obama at the Apollo!

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Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, Community, education, Events, Harlem, history, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, The Apollo Theater

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Harlem, Nancy Wilson wants to know, ‘What are you doing New Year’s Eve?’

Posted on December 31, 2011 | 3 comments


It’s December 31, 2011, New Year’s Eve and we want to know, what are you doing New Year’s Eve?

Are you going to 67 Orange, 5 and Diamond or bier international? What about Harlem Tavern? They are all having festivities tonight with….NO COVER! We also hear Lido Harlem is going to be serving their regular menu along with a bunch of specials. They are not doing a prix fix so you can walk right in and order whatever you want from the menu. Not bad! So head on over to Lido Harlem for New Year’s Eve dinner if you have no dinner plans. Or just walk along Frederick Douglass Blvd tonight and have your pick cause with most of these establishments mentioned above not charging a cover, the night will be blast and you’ll still have money in your pocket!

Have a wonderful evening. Maybe we’ll see you out in Harlem? If not, Happy New Year, Harlem!

Here’s the original song ‘What are you doing New Year’s Eve?’ by Nancy Wilson. Enjoy!

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Posted in 125th Street, 5 and Diamond Harlem, Bars, bier international, business, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem Tavern, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, music, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants, spending

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