Category Archives: Community

Harlem YMCA tennis classes begin September 4

Posted on August 27, 2012 | Leave a comment

The US Open Tennis starts today in Queens and runs until September 9. The opportunity for your Harlem child to be the next Venus Williams, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, or Rafael Nadal starts now. Harlem YMCA is offering tennis instructions for children ages 4-5 years old and 6-8 years old. Classes run in 8-week sessions and costs start at $60 for members and $105 for non members. To sign up your Harlem child for classes, go to the YMCA website or contact Latoya Jackson at 212-912-2162.

The Harlem YMCA is located at 180 West 135th Street between Lenox Avenue and ACP Blvd.

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Posted in Community, education, Events, Harlem, health and wellness, kids

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Harlem School of the Arts offers Free Class Week

Posted on August 23, 2012 | Leave a comment

Listen up parents! The Harlem School of the Arts (HSA) will be offering Free Class Week beginning Tuesday, September 4th thru Saturday, September 8th. Free classes will be offered in music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and musical theatre for all ages.

The HSA Free Class Week is open to the public and free classes are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.  HSA Free Class Week culminates with HSA Parent Orientation for all parents of registering students on September 8th at 10am (for ages 2-8) and 2pm (for ages 9-17). All interested participants should go to the HSA website for more information.

Additionally HSA will be holding open auditions September 11 and 12, Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:30 pm–7:00 pm for students Grades 3-8 who wish to participate in Disney’s The Lion King KIDS and The Lion King JR (its children’s version of its landmark Broadway musical) being held at HSA October 1 – March 18 culminating in student performances. Call backs will be held September 13.

The Harlem School of the Arts is located at 645 Saint Nicholas Avenue @ W. 141st Street. Close to A, B, C and D subway trains to 145th Street or M3 bus to 141st Street.

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Posted in art and culture, Community, education, Events, Harlem, Harlem School of the Arts, New York, New York City, NYC

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The real social networking happens at Uptown Fridays in Harlem

Posted on August 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

Save the evening date of August 24! That’s when one of the best social gatherings in Harlem is happening: Uptown Fridays at The Studio Museum Harlem featuring DJ Reborn!

It’s more than the usual soirée. It’s a chance to have mental stimulation in a cool setting. It’s an opportunity to connect with artists, curators, collectors and critics at the center of black art and culture. And it’s all happening at our Studio Museum in Harlem, which is located at 144 West 125th Street between Lenox Avenue and ACP Blvd. Start time is 7 pm.

Tickets to Uptown Fridays are $15 for Studio Museum members and $20 for non-members. Admission includes a guided gallery tour of one of our current exhibitions, dancing in the courtyard and cocktails! Take the 2, 3, A, B, C, D @ 125th subway train!

For more information and to RSVP, contact UptownFridays@studiomuseum.org.

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Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, Community, drinks, Events, Harlem, music, New York, New York City, NYC, Studio Museum Harlem

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One day flea market and street fair scheduled August 25 in Central Harlem

Posted on August 13, 2012 | Leave a comment


Another Harlem flea market is being developed (the other is on FDB & 117th Street). However, it’s for one day at Mt. Morris Park/Marcus Garvey Park and its being organized by a local Harlem church. Mt. Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church tells HarlemGal Inc that it is hosting its first flea market and street fair on Saturday, August 25, from 12 pm to 7 pm, and all the five boroughs are invited to participate whether by attending or setting up a booth.

The one day market plans to offer everything from food to face painting, a live DJ, and some raffle prizes. The flea market will be at 122nd Street between Mt. Morris Park West and Lenox Avenue.

Vendor spaces are still available for non food vendors.  If interested, contact Elder William McKenzie at 212.658.1541 for vendor fees and policy. General inquiries are being directed to the same phone number. 

Proceeds for this event will benefit The Mt. Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church .

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Posted in Community, Events, food, Free!, Harlem, kids, Marcus Garvey Park, Mt. Morris Park

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Harlem mommy creates Cabbages & Kings

Posted on August 9, 2012 | Leave a comment

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After being gone from Harlem a few days and returning to all the depressing reports about several businesses closing, I had to seek out new and inspiring information to blog about. I didn’t have to go far thanks to Harlem readers filling my inbox. I came across information sent in-and oh so cute-about Cabbages & Kings. You’re probably asking, what is that? Hint: Harlem mom’s may want to listen up!

Cabbages & Kings is an online kids clothing store that was recently started by Alexandra Gizela, a Harlem resident, mom, and a native New Yorker. Cabbages & Kings offers “multi-functional, design-conscious accessory line for kids, with their current collection comprised of scarves and leg warmers.” When I checked out their website, I immediately fell in love with the turquoise leg warmers for infants and then I had to learn more about this Harlem mommy/entrepreneur. So I presented a few questions to fellow Harlem Gal Alex Gizela and here is what she had to say.

HG: How long have you lived in Harlem?
AG: I am from New York City originally. I grew up on the Upper Eastside, lived in Chelsea and am now I have made Harlem my home. I have been in Harlem for close to 5 years.

HG: What’s your favorite thing to do in Harlem with your child?
AG: I love going with Luella to Morningside Park! Luella’s favorite part of this Harlem park is the pond where the turtles sun bath.

HG: Do you have plans to sell your product locally at a store in Harlem?
AG: Yes, right now I am online only. However, I am definitely looking to sell in specialty boutiques come September. There are not many boutiques in Harlem, however I am thinking of targeting places such as Swing, Aysa Boutique, You Me N’ Dupri, maybe Grandma’s Place-even though they mostly offer toys. Who knows? Maybe they [Grandma’s Place] will introduce some accessories!

HG: Aside from the leggings and scarves, do you plan to expand beyond those products?
AG: For now, I am focusing on accessories, but there are some additional items that are brewing for Fall/Winter 2013.

HG: And why should Harlemites buy your product?
AG: Because Harlemites are cool and are ahead of the game…mirroring Cabbages & Kings.

To learn more about Alexandra and her Cabbages & Kings, check out her website!

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Posted in business, Community, fashion, Harlem, kids, New York, New York City, NYC, shopping

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See DREAMGIRLS by Harlem Repertory Theatre

Posted on August 7, 2012 | Leave a comment

Starting August 17, the Harlem Repertory Theatre will be presenting a chamber version of DREAMGIRLS in two separate theatre spaces in Harlem. It is opening its 2012 season with the classic R&B musical drama. Ten talented actor/singers will bring this dazzling rags to riches story to life in two settings: Act One will be played in the proscenium theatre at the 133rd Street Arts Center, while Act Two will be performed in the open loft space on the third floor of the same building.

Tickets for this event are $15 and $20 for general seating. Premiumn tickets cost $40. Show is suitable for children ages 8 and up. Tickets can be purchased at SMARTTIX.

When:
August 17 to October 21

Where:
The 133rd Street Arts Center,
308 W. 133rd Street, New York, NY 10027

Times:
Fridays at 7 pm
Saturdays at 2 pm & 7 pm
Sundays at 3 pm

Previews: August 17 to 19
Opening: August 24
Critics are invited after August 19

Box Office:
SMARTTIX (212) 868-4444

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Posted in art and culture, Community, education, entertainment, Events, Harlem, music

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Harlem Wine Gallery presents second art series with Brian Kirhagis

Posted on August 6, 2012 | Leave a comment

In honor of Harlem Week, the Harlem Wine Gallery, located at 752A St. Nicholas Avenue at 148th Street, will host a series of tasting events including a special reception for contemporary artist Brian Kirhagis, and a special community based event featuring other Hamilton Height businesses.

The Brian Kirhagis event will be held August 10 from 6-9 pm. Kirhagis will paint live during the tasting event.

Kirhagis is from Baltimore and considered one of New York’s most exciting young talents, according to a news release provided by Harlem Wine Gallery.

To learn more about Harlem Week events at Harlem Wine Gallery, check out their Facebook page.

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Posted in art and culture, Community, education, Events, Free!, Harlem

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Harlem School of the Arts Fall registration begins now

Posted on July 31, 2012 | Leave a comment

The good folks over at Harlem School of the Arts (HSA) sent in information yesterday notifying us that registration for Fall classes at the Harlem School of the Arts has started. It started yesterday, July 30! There is a five percent discount for students who register and pay in full by August 15.

From toddler to the inspired adult, HSA offers 5 disciplines-Music, Dance, Theatre, Visual Arts & Musical Theatre. So if you are interested in registering for Fall classes at HSA, apply online.

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Posted in art and culture, Community, education, Harlem, Harlem School of the Arts, kids, New York, New York City, NYC

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ArtCrawl Harlem continues Romare Bearden celebration by visiting Newark exhibition

Posted on July 27, 2012 | Leave a comment

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For the first time, ArtCrawl Harlem™, New York’s only guided trolley-bus tour of galleries and art spaces throughout Harlem, will take its tour to Newark, New Jersey as it continues its celebration of Romare Bearden’s career. On Saturday, August 11, from 12:30 pm to 6:30 pm, ArtCrawl Harlem will treat participants to a guided tour of the Newark Museum’s exhibit “Romare Bearden: Southern Recollections.” The tour will include three other gallery stops in Newark and culminate with a delicious meal featuring Newark’s legendary Portuguese/Spanish cuisine-complete with wine and music. Tickets are $55 in advance, optional roundtrip transportation is available from New York City for $20. Tickets can be purchased by telephone at 800-838-3006 or online at ArtCrawl Harlem.

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Posted in art and culture, Community, education, Events, Harlem

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