Category Archives: Community

Celebrate the Holidays at Harlem Wine Gallery in Hamilton Heights

Need plans Friday night that will take care of your wine shopping needs? Consider the Harlem Wine Gallery in Harlem’s Hamilton Heights. They’re having a party this Friday evening, Dec. 21st that includes discounts on wine. Check out the details below and if you’re planning on attending don’t forget to RSVP.

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

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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.

Harlem is in Curbed Cup again, have you voted?

A reader gave me the heads up about the annual Curbed Cup and noting that West Harlem is in the race for the neighborhood of the year! Right now we are competing with Downtown Brooklyn. If you recall, Central Harlem did win the title a few years ago. Let’s win it again.

Have you voted? If not, go here to cast your vote.

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Introducing a new toy design studio in Harlem, first design fair December 8

Did you know Harlem has a new toy design studio? Yup, it’s located in the old Katrina Flower Shop space on 112th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd. Joe Masibay, an ex Fisher Price toy designer has partnered up with Cynthia Woodie of muppet sculpting fame and Gus Konstantakopoulos to open up the studio at 1844 ACP Jr. Blvd.

The focus of the studio is obvious! They will work on toy design. But Masibay says there will be local Harlem artists who will co-work there as well. They are also looking to collaborate with local design professionals and grow the design community in Harlem.

If you’re interested in checking out this new toy design studio, there’s an opportunity to do so tomorrow, December 8. They are having an art/design/craft fair featuring local artist and toy designers from 10 am to 6 pm. One of the designers that will be on hand is Sean Vegazzi, who has worked with Annie Leibovitz and recently published a book titled I Don’t Warna Grow Up.
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Mark your calendar: Second Harlem Pop Up event happening December 15

On popular demand, Harlem’s Frederick Douglass Boulevard Alliance Association is back with another local event. This time its focused on the Holidays and its indoors. If you recall, a few weeks ago FBDA successfully executed the first Harlem Pop Up Greenmarket. It was a hit! Now their second event is going to take place from 12pm – 6pm on Saturday, December 15th at 2280 Frederick Douglass Blvd between 122nd and 123rd in the large vacant commercial space. There will be several local restaurants serving food, such as Lido Harlem, Harlem Tavern, 5 and Diamond Harlem, Zoma, Chocolat, along with local businesses like Land Yoga and Harlem Skin Clinic. See all the details below. See you at the next Harlem Pop-Up!
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Harlem’s Frederick Douglass Boulevard goes mainstreaming says NY Times

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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.

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

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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Spend the Holidays at Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater

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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.

Indulge in flan tasting in Harlem November 30-December 2

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend and is ready for a busy Holiday Season. I know I am ready and one of the events I plan to check out this weekend, Nov 30-Dec 2, in Harlem is Flan Tasting! Yup, we can all indulge in all the flan we want from HerFlan.com at The Mink Building located at 1361 Amsterdam Avenue at West 127th Street. And the next best part, is that this event is FREE! SoHarlem.org has organized this event for one of its entrepreneurs, Sandra Hernandez, who has been creating rich tasting flan for more than a decade. All the details are listed below. See you there!

To the Village of Harlem: Happy Thanksgiving

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with loved ones and a very Happy Holiday Season! Wishing the Village of Harlem much good health and happiness!

All the best,
HarlemGal

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