Category Archives: 125th Street

What to do in Harlem this Friday? Casa Frela Gallery, Harlem School of the Arts, Harlem Salsa, Harlem Bar Crawl

Posted on January 23, 2013 | Leave a comment

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There are several Harlem happenings taking place this Friday evening, Jan 25. They’re lined up below for your consideration.

Casa Frela Gallery will present the works of furniture artist Yoav S. Liberman from 8-10 pm. In addition to showing Yoav’s fantastic furniture pieces, he will also speak about the art pieces currently in the gallery, as well as an informal Q&A to follow. To attend this FREE event, RSVP to events@casafrela.com.

Grammy Award-winning pianist, composer and Musical Director Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra will take the stage at the Harlem School of the Arts’ Winter Music Festival, located at 645 Saint Nicholas Avenue. This will be the first of several concerts presented by O’Farrill and the members of his jazz orchestra this year. This event starts at 6:30 pm and it is FREE.

Over on the Westside, it’s Harlem Salsa at Dinosaur BBQ, located 700 125th Street. One hour salsa classes are offered from 6-7 pm. Admittance for the evening is $10. See more details in picture below.

And the Harlem Bimonthly Bar Crawl continues on Lenox Avenue starting at 9 pm. Participating establishments for the 25th include: Les Ambassades Bar & Restaurant, Harlem Corner Social, Red Rooster Harlem, Cove Lounge, and Chez Lucienne.

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Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, Bars, Corner Social, drinks, entertainment, Events, food, Harlem, Harlem School of the Arts, history, jazz, Lenox Avenue, music, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurants, spending

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Celebrate Martin Luther King Day and President Obama’s Second Inauguration at Ginny’s Supper Club in Harlem

Posted on January 19, 2013 | Leave a comment

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Lots to celebrate this coming Monday. And if you need a place to celebrate in Harlem, Ginny’s Supper Club in Harlem, 310 Lenox Ave, is inviting us all over. In celebration of Martin Luther King Day and President Obama’s second inauguration, Ginny’s Supper Club will host two special events.

The first is an inauguration watching party at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 21st. Guests can order from Marcus Samuelsson’s acclaimed upstairs restaurant and Red Rooster Harlem, while watching a live-feed of the inauguration downstairs at Ginny’s Supper Club. In 2011, the President Obama held a swanky fundraiser at Red Rooster Harlem and in 2009, Marcus Samuelsson was chosen to cook the Obama Administration’s first State Dinner.

The celebration of Dr. King’s dream continues into the evening of January 21st, with a two-set special performance by Amanda Brown of The Voice. Brown’s performance will be complemented by excerpts of Dr. King’s iconic “I have a Dream” speech. Ginny’s small plates and playful cocktails will round out the celebratory evening. Guests can make reservations by calling 212-421-3821 in advance. There is no cover. Shows start at 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

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Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, Bars, education, Events, Harlem, history, Lenox Avenue, music, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurants

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Lenox Lounge will be renamed Notar Jazz Club, Richie Notar and Alvin Reed finally cross paths

Posted on December 20, 2012 | 8 comments

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If anyone thinks there is a grain of hope left for Lenox Lounge in Harlem, forget about it! Read the latest article from The NY Daily News. Richie Notar is now publicly speaking about his plans for the vintage Harlem establishment. Notar told Community Board 10 “he does not want to change much.” However, Notar confirms he will change the name to Notar Jazz Club.

By the way, Notar and Alvin Reed crossed paths for the first time according to the article. That had to be interesting.

After reading the article, all I could think about is “what a pity that Notar does not see any value in saving the Lenox Lounge brand?” There are plenty of smart business people who have taken on well-known brands and successfully lifted those brands higher. Say Fiat? Say Izod? How about Puma? Guess Richie Notar is a play-it-safe-kind-of-a-businessman?

The good things coming out of this story is that Notar plans to hire Franco the Great to do a mural and Harlemites will continue to have a jazz club to patron, which won’t be the same only the structure will exist. Buh-humbug.

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Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, business, commercial real estate, Harlem, history, Lenox Avenue, Lenox Lounge, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurants

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Latest Manhattan Rental Market Report, how does Harlem make out?

Posted on December 17, 2012 | Leave a comment

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I came across an interesting clip from Brick Underground about renting or selling during the Winter months, which then lead me to a Manhattan rental report and from there I tripped over housing stats about Harlem. If you’re an owner of property in Harlem, you’ll enjoy this news. If you’re a person looking to rent in the Harlem area, this is info could be bad news for your endeavor.

According to the 2012 November issue of Manhattan Rental Market Report, “Harlem is the only neighborhood that saw increases,” which is unusual because during the cold season the real estate market typically slows down for both selling and renting; and numbers are flat. But not for renting in Harlem. The numbers are up, according to this report. Here are the Harlem stats:

Non-Doorman Studios (3.1%)
Doorman Studios (4.4%)
Non-Doorman One-Bedrooms (3.5%)
Doorman One-Bedrooms (2.6%)
Non-Doorman Two-Bedrooms (2.0%)
Doorman Two-Bedrooms (1.2%)

To learn more about the Manhattan Rental Market Report, go here.

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Posted in 110th Street, 116th Street, 125th Street, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., apartments, business, Community, education, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Lenox Avenue, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate

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It’s goodbye for Harlem’s Lenox Lounge, may it RIP

Posted on December 4, 2012 | 5 comments

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The days are numbered for Harlem’s famous Lenox Lounge. Grub Street.com double confirms today what Black Enterprise reported yesterday, which was the commercial space will now be rented out to Richie Notar. Also, the NYMag blog reports Robert De Niro is involved. See story below.

That’s it for Lenox Lounge in Harlem. It’s done. Over. Finished. Go there by December 31st to say your goodbyes. That’s the last day Lenox Lounge will be open! May it rest in peace.

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Posted in 125th Street, Bars, business, food, Harlem, jazz, Lenox Lounge, restaurants

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Harlem’s Frederick Douglass Boulevard goes mainstreaming says NY Times

Posted on December 2, 2012 | Leave a comment

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Harlem’s restaurant row, aka Frederick Douglass Blvd between 110th and 125th Street, is back in the news again. The New York Times recently IMG_2762spoke with Leon Ellis, the owner of Moca Lounge, Chocolat Restaurant and Harlem Underground, about how this part of Harlem has gone through a complete transformation since he first opened Moca, which was back in 2003.  Ellis told the NY Times that his friends thought he was crazy for opening up a restaurant back then. Since 2003, Ellis has expanded his business presence in Harlem on FDB with Chocolat opening about two years ago and then Harlem Underground, a Harlem-themed clothing store.

The owners of bier international were also interviewed for the article and stressed that while this area is going mainstream, they emphasized “we need to find a balance and not forget what was here” in Harlem.

To read the full article, click here.

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Posted in 110th Street, 116th Street, 125th Street, apartments, bier international, business, Chocolat, Community, drinks, food, Frederick Cafe Bistro Harlem, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Frederick Douglass Circle, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row

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See The 21st Annual Double Dutch Holiday Classic December 2 in Harlem

Posted on December 1, 2012 | Leave a comment

A reader recently commented on this site saying, how could you as the blogger list all the holiday events happening at Harlem’s Apollo Theater on 125th Street and not mention the Double Dutch Classic? This reader is  absolutely right. Major snafu on my part. So I am correcting my error and here is the info.

Tomorrow, December 2, the 21st Annual Double Dutch Holiday Classic will take place at the famous Apollo Theater. The event starts at 1 pm and tickets are $22, not including tax or service charge. Click here to purchase tickets.
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Posted in 125th Street, Community, Events, Harlem, The Apollo Theater

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Spend the Holidays at Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater

Posted on November 28, 2012 | 2 comments

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Harlem’s Apollo Theater recently announced their holiday schedule for December and its packed with a variety of fun events for all ages! And some of the events are free. See list of events below:

Saturday, December 15th – 2pm -6pm
Coca-Cola Winter Wonderland
The Apollo and Coca-Cola are partnering to bring the magic of the Holiday season to Harlem. Under the Apollo’s iconic marquee, Coca-Cola will offer a variety of holiday-themed activities and performances free and open to the public. The festivities include picture taking with Santa Claus, giveaways and performances by two of New York City’s best choirs, ARC Gospel Choir and Refining Faith. Additionally, in the spirit of giving, the Apollo will be a designated location for a toy drive benefiting HELPUSA, a non-profit dedicated to providing housing and the supportive services necessary for the homeless. Hosted by Billy Mitchell, Apollo Theater historian and tour director. This event is free and open to the public

Saturday, December 15th -7:30pm
Apollo Amateur Night Holiday Special featuring Apollo Stars of Tomorrow and Special Guest Artist: The OMG Girlz, which are a teenage girl singing group whose current members include Bahja “Beauty” Rodriguez, Breaunna “Baby Doll” W. and Zonnique “Star” Pullins. Tickets are $19, $25 and $29. Groups & families (4 or more): $9.50, $12.50, and $14.50. Tickets are available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125th Street and Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000. Tickets on Sale Now!

Thursday, December 20th – 8pm
Sweet Honey In The Rock: Celebrating The Holydays
This internationally renowned all-female a capella ensemble, will star in a one-of-a-kind holiday season concert on the legendary Apollo stage! Tickets are $25, $45, $65 and $75 Tickets are available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125th Street and Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000.

Friday, December 28th at 7:30pm
Kwanzaa Celebration: Regeneration Night
The Apollo Theater celebrates Kwanzaa with its popular annual show, featuring the renowned New York-based dance company Abdel Salaam’s Forces of Nature Dance Theatre, guest performances by the Songhai Djeli and Flute Visions and Queen GodIs and members of the Harlem Children’s Zone/Forces of Nature’s Youth Academy. Tickets are $16; Groups (5 or more): $13. Tickets are available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125th Street and Ticketmaster.

For more information, go to the Apollo’s website.

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Posted in 125th Street, Community, Events, Harlem, The Apollo Theater

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Sarku Japan and Sushi Express opens on 125th Street in Harlem

Posted on November 20, 2012 | 7 comments

In a news release, Sarku Japan®, the largest Japanese Quick Service Restaurant chain in the U.S., announced yesterday that they opened a store on 125th Street between Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd., and Lenox Avenue in Harlem, this past weekend. Harlemites will be able to order from Sarku Japan® Teriyaki and Sushi Express “sizzling teriyaki and made-to-order sushi” that is traditionally found in mall food courts.

As to why Sarku Japan opened a store in Harlem, Harlem Franchisee, Vinny Vig said, “With the rise of Japanese quick service cuisine, I am confident that I’ve made a smart investment and am pleased to be offering the Harlem neighborhood a healthier alternative to traditional fast food.”

To learn more about Sarku Japan, click here.

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Posted in 125th Street, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., business, food, Harlem, Lenox Lounge

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Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater to travel back in time

Posted on November 13, 2012 | 1 comment

According to The New York Times, our beloved Apollo Theater plans to take a trip back in time or better yet, is going back to its core.  The Apollo Theater plans to transform our famous venue on 125th Street “into an old-fashioned nightclub for a new revue evoking the Harlem music clubs of the 1930s and 1940s”

In its heyday, the Apollo Theater was a venue that featured a “variety programs, such as big bands, singers, dancers, female impersonators, acrobats and comedians.” The Apollo aims to recapture that era and offer it up to consumers who are interested in experiencing this particular part of the Apollo’s history.  The article states “seats will be removed from the orchestra level and the audience will sit at cafe tables, tended by waiters and waitresses.”

Go back in time in Harlem at the Apollo Theater in February 2013 with three nights of shows: Feb. 18, Feb. 22 and Feb 23. Tickets go on sale on Nov. 19.

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

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