Category Archives: art and culture

Listen to ‘The Changing World: One Block in Harlem’

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Apr 29, 2011 @ 11:30
By HarlemGal
WNYC presents The Changing World: One Block in Harlem. This program “traces this iconic neighborhood’s story by telling the history of a single street in Harlem – 120th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues – from 1910 to the present.” The Changing World: One Block in Harlem “describes life as it was and life as it is today and asks what price has been paid by long-time black residents for the area’s gentrification.” Listen to this program Friday, April 29 at 11 PM on AM 820, Sunday, May 1 at 6 AM 93.9 FM and then on Sunday again at 9 PM on AM 820.


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Posted in art and culture, Community, education, Events, Harlem, history, New York, New York City, NYC

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Harlem born Denton John to protect the Queen of England during Royal Wedding

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Apr 28, 2011 @ 23:48

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By HarlemGal
The U.K.’s Daily Mail reported April 28 that Denton John from Harlem, New York, will be on horseback during the Royal Wedding and his sole purpose is to protect the Queen of England during her grandson’s wedding. According to the article, Denton John went to school at Wadleigh High School on West 114th Street. After high school, he signed up for the British Army.
So if you’re waking up early Friday to watch Prince William and Kate Middleton marry April 29, look for Denton John. He’s from Harlem, New York!

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Posted in art and culture, Community, education, entertainment, Events, Harlem, history, New York, New York City, NYC

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Gospel for Teens Choir in Harlem profiled on ABC’s This Week with Christiane Amanpour

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 5 comments

Apr 27, 2011 @ 1:00

By HarlemGal

Gospel for Teens Choir in Harlem has been receiving a ton of press lately-and it is well deserved to say the least. About three weeks ago, Vy Higginsen and her students were on CBS’s 60 Minutes for a good majority of the program. This past Sunday, Gospel for Teens Choir in Harlem was profiled by Christiane Amanpour. If you missed it, take a look here!

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Posted in art and culture, business, Community, education, entertainment, Events, Harlem, music, New York, New York City, NYC

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The Pratt Harlem Project starts now

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Apr 14, 2011 @ 7:00
By HarlemGal
What should a developer do with its 9000 square foot commercial space that’s been empty for a while and its the space that WAS in negotiations with the owner of Busboys and Poets? Simple answer. Donate (hopefully that’s what the developer did) the retail space for a two-week art exhibition called The Pratt Harlem Project. This is an art exhibition, in collaboration with Pratt and Harlem artists, opening to the public  starting tonight, April 14, at 2280 Frederick Douglass Blvd between 122nd and 123rd.

The Pratt Harlem Project aims to bring works by new artists from Pratt in Brooklyn and Harlem’s arts community together with buyers and interested viewers. The exhibition will feature 90 works from 80 artists and will be mixed-media and includes alumni and student artists from both Pratt and the community.

An opening reception, which is open to any and all interested, will take place tonight, April 14 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the exhibit will remain open through April 28. The hours are: Sunday – Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday – Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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Posted in art and culture, Community, education, Events, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC

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Spirit of Harlem Community at Dwyer Cultural Center

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Apr 11, 2011 @ 8:00
By HarlemGal
Learn about the essence of Harlem through the eyes of contemporary artists. Starting April 12 and running through mid-September, the Dwyer Cultural Center, located at 258 St. Nicholas Avenue in Harlem, presents the Spirit of Community, an exhibition featuring commissioned works in photography, mural, sculpture, and video chronicling the sights, sounds, colors, textures, and people of Harlem. In the Spirit of Community, visitors will see how artists lend their imagination and innovation to capture the heartbeat of Harlem’s vibrant and thriving community. On April 12, head on over to the Dwyer at 6:30 PM to see this exhibition. And if you cannot make it then, it runs for five months ending September 15!

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Posted in art and culture, Community, Events, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC

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Amkoullel to perform for first time in Harlem, Shrine and Farafina host Malian hip hop artist

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Apr 6, 2011 @ 7:23
By HarlemGal
World music takes center stage this Thursday and Friday in Harlem. Amkoullel, the Malian hip hop artist will  be performing for the first time in Harlem (and in the USA) this Thursday and Friday (April 7-8).

On April 7th, see Amkoullel perform at the Shrine, located at 2271 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. The show starts at 8 PM. At Shrine, there is no cover charge.  The next day (April 8), see the Afro-beat artist perform at Farafina Cafe, located at 1813 Amsterdam Avenue. This show starts at 11 PM on Friday.

Aside from his music, Amkoullel is known for “harmoniously combining traditional and contemporary global cultures to promote social responsibility.”

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Posted in art and culture, Community, entertainment, Events, Harlem, music, New York, New York City, NYC

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One of Harlem’s A-List couples graces the cover of Uptown Magazine

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Apr 5, 2011 @ 11:06
By HarlemGal
It’s Spring time! That means it’s time for magazines to feature the most beautiful people on the planet on the cover. Uptown Magazine falls in line and starts off April right by pleasing the eye. In their annual Gourmet Issue, one of Harlem’s A-List couples graces the April cover. It is Red Rooster Harlem owner and celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson and his drop dead gorgeous wife and model Gate Maya Haile.

For the Gourmet edition, the Samuelsson’s gave Uptown Mag incredible access. The Harlem couple allowed the magazine to photograph them all over Red Rooster. Take a look at the behind the scenes coverage. The pictures and video are incredible. If you can get past that part, feel free to click on over here to read what’s inside Uptown Magazine’s Gourmet Issue!

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Posted in art and culture, Community, entertainment, fashion, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, shopping

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Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park and Hamilton Heights make New York Mag’s Next Big Neighborhood List

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

Apr 5, 2011 @ 7:00

By HarlemGal
It is that time of year where New York Magazine profiles some of the upcoming neighborhoods for 2011. In this week’s edition (April 3), they list 20 of The Next Big Neighborhoods in New York City and two Harlem sections made the list!

A big congrats to Marcus Garvey Park.  This area located in Central Harlem was ranked fourth out of 20. NYMag says Marcus Garvey Park “is undergoing a several million dollar renovation, including smoothed-out sidewalks and the transformation of its existing bandshell into a state-of-the-art amphitheater.” In addition to park renovations, several buildings have sprung up, such as 5th on the Park, located at Fifth Avenue and 120th Street; and “the recently constructed Windows on 123, a pair of buildings graced with limestone-balconied apartments and full-floor lofts.”

Hamilton Heights located in West Harlem, finishes out the list placing 20th on the list.

Another notable mention, is Manhattan Valley, which is right below Harlem on the Westside. They were ranked second out of 20.

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Posted in art and culture, Community, Harlem, history, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate, review

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See The Faces Behind Madame Alexander Dolls in Spanish Harlem

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Apr 4, 2011 @ 7:00
By HarlemGal
This week the 12th Annual Havana Film Festival New York kicks off in the City and runs from April 7-15. This year they have carved out a new prize called the Havana Prize for Best Documentary. Seven films are in competition and one of the seven is The Faces Behind Madame Alexander Dolls, a documentary that pays tribute to the Dominican and Latin American workers who have worked in the famous doll factory, located in Harlem at 615 West 131st Street, dedicating their lives to creating beautiful dolls that have delighted children and adults around the world since the early 1920s. These dolls have been collected by queens, business women, actresses, and world leaders.

The Faces Behind Madame Alexander Dolls is screening this Wednesday, April 6 at El Museo del Barrio in Spanish Harlem. The event is FREE, starts at 6:30 PM and includes a post-show Q&A with director Freddy Vargas and cast members.

Details:
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
El Teatro, El Museo del Barrio
1230 Fifth Avenue (At East 104th Street)
Admission: Free

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Posted in art and culture, Community, entertainment, Events, film, Harlem, history, New York, New York City, NYC, shopping

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What should President Barack Obama order at Red Rooster Harlem?

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 2 comments

Mar 29, 2011 @ 7:00
By HarlemGal
The barricades are up on Lenox Avenue and 125th Street, the $30k checks are in, and the articles have been written about how POTUS Barack Obama will be in Harlem this evening (March 29) at Red Rooster. I feel like I have all the information that’s out there about this visit with the exception of one thing! No one has covered the menu for this swanky fundraiser-that I am aware of. I wonder if there is a special menu for 30 grand. Let’s pretend there is not a special menu and that President Obama is using the everyday dinner menu for this expensive occasion. Under this scenario, shall we ask the question? What should President Obama order at Red Rooster?

First off, I think he should hang out at the bar for a while and throw back a few drinks, such as the Brownstoner or Rooster Punch. POTUS Obama needs to drink a lot so that he can move the Secret Service out-of-the-way in order to stand close to the window so some of us can see him from afar. Wouldn’t that be nice?

Then after a few cocktails, Obama should sit down with guests that should be asked to fork over another $30k for actually getting to eat at Red Rooster before most Harlemites get to and then discuss reelection strategy over cornbread, Pulled Pork; and Dirty Rice and Shrimp. Those food items seem appropriate for the conversation and asking for the additional funds…don’t ya think?

For the main course, I believe Obama should either have the Braised Oxtail or the Uptown Steak Frites. For $30,000 dollars a head, OBAMA PLEASE DON’T EAT CHICKEN or FRIED YARD BIRD. That is a no, no given the price guests are paying to dine with an awesome POTUS. Plus the Food Network police will never forgive you or Marcus if you eat chicken at such an expensive event!

As for desert, it is a toss up on what Obama should order. I like both the Sweet Potato Doughnuts or Spiced Bread Pudding. I have had them both and they are delicious!

After his fabulous meal at Red Rooster Harlem, I hope President Obama walks a long rope line near the popular restaurant and shakes plenty of Harlem hands. My guess is there will be a ton of people waiting and watching for him to arrive and depart. Given who President Obama is and what Harlem stands for, in my opinion it would be a perfect way to end the evening to what I am assuming will be a perfect meal.

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Posted in art and culture, Bars, business, Community, entertainment, Events, Harlem, history, New York, New York City, NYC, politics, restaurants

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