Category Archives: Central Park North

An inside look at Harlem’s new Cantina, a taqueria opening Labor Day evening Sept 2

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Remember the blog post at the beginning of August about a new Harlem business coming to Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd and 111th Street? HarlemGal Inc now has confirmation on exactly what the place will be? Cantina is the name of the new restaurant on 111th and ACP.

Cantina will be serving burritos, tacos and ceviche, along with a full service bar. Starting this coming Monday evening, September 2, Cantina in Harlem will open for business and will be offering $2 tacos and $4 margaritas, according to one of the Cantina owners, who spoke with HarlemGal Inc today and happens to be involved with Harlem BBQ as well.

The price point of the Cantina menu will be below $19. One of the owners of Cantina said, “everything on the menu will be reasonable and affordable, yet everything offered will be of a high-end product.” The chef at Cantina will be coming from Dos Toros in Union Square.

Cantina in Harlem invited us in today to take a look at the place and we must say it looks very cool and comfortable. There is exposed brick and aged wood everywhere. Plus the location is perfect. It’s right by Central Park North. So when you are done with your day in the park, Cantina is one block away from Central Park North where one can purchase a fresh squeezed cucumber margarita and taquaria food. The place looks very inviting and charming. We can’t wait to check it out.

Oh by the way, Cantina was going to be called Suzy-Q and was going to offer BBQ. The owner of Cantina said they changed their strategy mid way through planning because they realized the BBQ need was already met in Harlem.

Stop by this coming Monday after 4 pm to check out Cantina in Harlem! It is on the northwest corner of ACP and 111th Street.

Experience jazz at the Great Hill in Central Park North today, August 10

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Free jazz on the Great Hill returns for its seventh year to Central Park North today, August 10th. Activities start at 3 pm. Bring your family, friends, and blanket to enjoy live musical performances by world-renowned musicians, snacks from food trucks and family games and activities.

Performers will include Harlem Renaissance Orchestra, a swing band that’s played everywhere from Dinosaur BBQ to Lincoln Center, and the innovative Bobby Sanabria Big Band, whose album Multiverse was nominated for two Grammy Awards, Best Latin Jazz Recording and Best Instrumental Arrangement.

Food truck vendors Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Truck, and Calexico Cal-Mex Cart will be onsite. Family activities will include the creation of a unique eco-postcard inspired by musical jazz instruments in a hands-on workshop for families, along with lawn games.

WHAT: Great Jazz on the Great Hill

WHO: The Harlem Renaissance Orchestra (swing band that has performed everywhere from Dinosaur BBQ and Lincoln Center)
The Bobby Sanabria Big Band (album Multiverse was nominated for two Grammy Awards, Best Latin Jazz Recording and Best Instrumental Arrangement)

WHEN: Saturday, August 10

TIME: Family activities and performances from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm

WHERE: Great Hill in Central Park North. Enter the Park at 106th Street (Duke Ellington Boulevard) and Central Park West and walk up the stairs or ramp to the Great Hill.

NOTE: The event will be cancelled in case of inclement weather.

Sign says apartments for rent at 2126 Frederick Douglass Blvd in Harlem

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There is signage up at the recently renovated Harlem building located at 2126 Frederick Douglass Blvd. that says apartments for rent by CitiHabitats. When I went to the website to view the listing, I only saw 5 Harlem apartments listed and get ready for this…the apartments listed range from $4700 for a 4 bedroom/2bath to $4000 for a 3 bedroom/2 bath.

I find that rent to be pricey however, this part of Harlem has experienced the most growth in the last couple of years, it’s known as Harlem’s restaurant row and its nestled between two big parks, ie Central Park North and Morningside Park. If I had to bet, my guess is CitiHabitats will probably get the rent they are asking. What do you think? Is the rent reasonable for these Harlem apartments or “too damn high” as the saying goes?

To view the listings of rental apartments at 2126 FDB in Harlem, go here.
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See Brecht in the Park in July at Central Park North’s Great Hill near Harlem

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To shake up the usual outdoor theatre fare offered in NYC, Elephant Run District is presenting Brecht in the Park for the month of July in Central Park North. Brecht in the Park is three short plays, which will include The Elephant Calf (1926), In Search of Justice (1938) and The Exception and the Rule (1929). Each of the three short plays is connected by the motif of a courtroom drama, where society’s rules are examined and one is judged based on those rules.

Performances are Saturdays and Sundays starting July 6 to the 28th at 4 p.m. (no-show July 13) near the southeast corner of the Great Hill in Central Park. Admission is free to all performances. Donations will gladly be accepted. Take the subway C, 2 or 3 trains to 110 Street.

The organization is partnering with bier international in Harlem at 113 Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd. Bier’s chef is creating special pre- and post-show menu items to serve at the restaurant.

For more information about this event go to www.elephantrundistrict.org.

It’s My Park Day May 18-19: Harlem parks participating, volunteers needed

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It’s My Park Day May 18-19 and several Harlem parks are participating.

The Friends of Frederick Douglass Circle are participating today (May 18) and they need our help. They will be weeding and planting annuals in the tree pits adjacent to Frederick Douglass Circle from 9 am to 3 pm.

The group will also be organizing arts and educational events for that day as well.

Interested in participating, meet at Frederick Douglass Circle, which is at 110th Street and FDB. And don’t forget to wear work clothes and bring your own gloves if able. Need more information about this location, contact (212) 280-7800 or email: diannepobuda@yahoo.com.

Also, several other Harlem parks are participating in It’s My Park Day today or tomorrow, such as Marcus Garvey Park and St. Nicholas Park. Go here for more details.

Yankee baseball player makes Harlem his home, Ichiro Suzuki catches 111 Central Park North

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Several news outlets are reporting that Ichiro Suzuki, an outfielder for the Yankees, hit a home run in the rental market by renting an apartment at 111 Central Park North in Harlem. According to SportsGrid.com, Suzuki “is on the cutting edge [by moving to Harlem]. Everyone in New York knows that Harlem is the new Williamsburg.”

8571977Curbed.com, The Real Deal and Business Insider all say that Suzuki is paying $23,500 a month for his new swanky pad that overlooks Central Park, not to mention he cut time off his commuting. Harlem is much closer to Yankee Stadium. The Yankee baseball player was living on the Upper Eastside prior to moving to Harlem.

The best part of this story is that the Japanese-born professional baseball player reportedly beat out Derek Jeter and A-Rod, who were considering buying the same place for a cool $9 million. Ahh, ya gotta love competition on and off the field!

Attend Harlem Focus May 8 by Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum

According to Dexigner, Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum will launch a programming series this Spring called the Harlem Focus. The first installment is May 8 from 6:30 to 8 pm at their new Harlem location, 111 Central Park North and Lenox Avenue. Harlem Focus will highlight “designers, architects and artists whose work engages and affects the local Harlem community.”

The museum will feature a series of talks curated and led by architectural consultant and Harlem historian John Reddick at the Cooper-Hewitt Design Center.

Interested in attending? Tickets are $10 for non-members and free to members and students. Click here to purchase tickets.

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Free screening in Harlem of The Central Park Five

The LeRoy Neiman Art Center in Harlem will present a free screening of The Central Park Five on Saturday, February 16th at 4:00 pm. The celebrated documentary, created by Ken Burns, David McMahon and Sarah Burns, bears revealing facts about the 1989 case in which five Harlem youth were falsely accused and convicted of a crime that Mayor Koch coined “The Crime of the Century.”

This screening allows the community an opportunity, not only to examine facts and fiction, but to engage in creative exploration, and dialogue with the men at the center of the storm-who are still fighting for justice some twenty years later.

The two-hour screening will be followed by a Q&A and Open Mic Poetry Jam led by Yusef Salaam, who has been writing poetry since age 11. RSVP is recommended by calling 212.862.2787

The Central Park Five Screening
Saturday, February 16, 2013
4:00-8:30pm
LeRoy Neiman Art Center
2785 Frederick Douglass Blvd near 148th Street
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Sign says ‘no gas’ at Harlem gas station

On 110th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd., did anyone notice the BP gas station on the northeast corner already has a sign up that says “no gas?” This particular gas station is always busy so not too surprised by this. It is where most taxi and/or gypsy cabs in the area fuel up. Hope this place is able to get gas soon. I’ve already experienced a cab telling me they can’t take me somewhere ’cause they have no gas! Has anyone else had this experience recently with a cab?

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Let’s go canoeing at Harlem Meer

Not sure what to do today, Sunday (July 15) with your Harlem kid? How about taking them canoeing at Harlem Meer? It’s FREE and it is happening today in Central Park North! NYC Parks and Recreation is offering free canoeing from noon to 3 pm at Harlem Meer, which is located near the entrance of Central Park North, aka 110th Street, and Lenox Ave. If you’re coming from downtown, take the 2/3 subway line to the 110th Street subway stop.

I witnessed this a few years ago and blogged about it. It looked so much fun! Whatever you do today, have a wonderful Sunday, Harlem!

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