Category Archives: Community

Harlem Flo’s Holiday Gift Fair is happening today

Posted on November 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

It’s never to early to start shopping for loved for the upcoming holidays. One option is happening today, November 5th, from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. At Harlem Flo’s Holiday Gift Fair holiday gifts and decor from local vendors will be featured with greeting cards, picture frames, Harlem post cards, handmade gift items and more on display in the Coventry Garden. To check it out, stop by 2276 Frederick Douglass Blvd at 122nd Street.

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Posted in art and culture, business, Community, Events, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, shopping

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Select Harlem business owners to run in 2011 ING/New York City Marathon

Posted on November 2, 2011 | 2 comments

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A reader and wonderful Harlemite has informed HarlemGal Inc. that two or potentially three local Harlem business owners will run in this years ING/New York City Marathon. They are Mekia Denby, co-owner of Kidberry and Ousmane, co-owner of bier international.

If you plan on watching the marathon in Harlem, specifically along Fifth Avenue, look out for these two Harlem business owners so that you can cheer them on along with the rest of the runners. They will definitely need our support as they reach this point of the marathon in Harlem. If you want to track these Harlem runners on marathon day or any other runners for that fact, go to the ING Marathon website and look for TrackMyRunners via web!

The third person we heard might be running in the marathon is Derek, co-owner of Red Rooster Harlem. However, we heard he might not run due to an injury!

If you know of any other Harlem business owners that are running in this years marathon, please let us know so that we can give them a shout out and wish them the best!

For now, let’s wish Mekia and Ousmane, Harlem business owners, all the best as they go for that medal and finish line in the ING/New York City Marathon!

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Posted in bier international, business, Community, Events, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Free!, Harlem, New York, New York City, Red Rooster Harlem

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Head to the Caribbean tonight at 5 and Diamond’s Sunday Supper Club

Posted on October 30, 2011 | Leave a comment


So the snow arrived earlier than expected and the cold temperatures are upon us. How to deal with the weather change? I have one solution! Head to the Caribbean tonight. Not literally. Go there via cuisine by attending the Sunday Supper Club at 5 and Diamond Harlem, located near the corner of 113th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd.

Tonight, 5 and Diamond Harlem will incorporate cuisine and music from different parts of the Caribbean with a modern vision. The meal will be cooked by Darryl Burnette and here is what is planned for the menu:

  • House made Caribbean chips with mango guacamole.
  • Mini chile glazed Shrimp Tacos
  • Crab crusted Red Snapper tostones habanero ginger oil
  • Slow roasted Suckling Pig with Coconut Moros y Cristianos (black beans & rice)
  • Upside down Pineapple gingerbread cake with Jamaican Rum Carmel

Caribbean music will be served up as well. Steel pianist Winston Theobold from Trinidad and Tobago will perform. Winston is a versatile performer, arranger, and composer of steel band music and plays everything from classical to Calypso on his Tenor pan. Joining Winston will be folk singers from the Caribbean-American Chorale, directed by Gail Blache-Gill.

Dinner seating begins at 7:00 p.m. and prix fixe is $65. To attend, call the restaurant at 646 684 4662.

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Posted in 5 and Diamond Harlem, Community, drinks, entertainment, Events, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, music, restaurant row, restaurants

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Kidberry in Harlem moves into new space

Posted on October 26, 2011 | 1 comment

Over the summer, I told you about Kidberry,a learning and developmental play center for newborns to ten-year-olds based in Harlem, was working hard to move into their new space. Well, its done! They have moved. Kidberry has a new home and its at 2046 7th Avenue. While the physical space has changed, their dedication to teaching children remains the same. What this new space allows is for Kidberry to offer more classes and services, from language to dance, with plans to expand into cooking classes and a kid friendly salon. And by the way, Kidberry was created and is managed by two Harlem moms, Mekia Denby and Pamela Flood Morrison. How cool is that?

For the full class schedule, log onto Kidberrynyc.com.

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Posted in Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., business, Community, education, Harlem, health and wellness

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A flea market to open March 2012 on 117th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd. in Harlem

Posted on October 23, 2011 | 3 comments

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On Saturday (October 22), I walked by the empty lot on 117th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd in Harlem and noticed there were workers leveling out the ground. I quickly stopped and asked the person, who appeared to be supervising the work being done, what’s happening with this lot? The gentleman responded with “the space is being prepped for a flea market.” He said a flea market, which will sell anything and everything, will open in March 2012. This person also stated they were handing out fliers earlier in the day to people walking by. Hmmm…I did not receive a flier cause apparently they were out when I walked by. Drats. Let’s see what happens. Stay tuned.

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Posted in Community, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, restaurant row

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Harlem Restaurant and Retail Month continues, don’t miss it!

Posted on October 22, 2011 | 2 comments

Harlem Restaurant and Retail Month is happening right now and there is still plenty of time to get out there and enjoy the benefits.  The month-long event which takes place twice a year in the Spring and Fall, showcases Harlem’s premiere restaurants all located in area of Central Harlem, from Morningside to Marcus Garvey Parks and 110th to 125th streets.  During this month, diners can enjoy a prix fixe meal at any of the participating restaurants for $20.11; and shoppers can purchase select items at retail stores for $20.11.  The promotion runs to October 31.   

The restaurants that are participating include: 5 and Diamond Restaurant, 67 Orange Street, Chocolat Restaurant Lounge, The Harlem Tavern, Lido Harlem, Moca Lounge, Native Restaurant, Nectar Wine bar, Red Rooster Harlem, Ristorante Settepani.

And for retail, the following places are participating: Bikram Yoga East Harlem, Brownstone Fitness, EG Bodywork, Franz James Floral Boutique, Harlem Flo Floral Atelier, Harlem Flo Lifestyle Boutique, Harlem Skin Clinic, Harlem Vintage Wine Store, Karrot Health Food Store, Katrina Parris Flowers, Land Yoga.

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Posted in 125th Street, 5 and Diamond Harlem, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., art and culture, baking, Bars, bier international, business, Cedric French Bistro and Bar Harlem, Community, drinks, entertainment, Events, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem Tavern, Lenox Avenue, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants, shopping, spending

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See Peter Woytuk on Broadway Exhibition in West Harlem

Posted on October 21, 2011 | Leave a comment

If you’re up on 137th Street and Broadway this weekend you may see a giant pair of Sheep? Or if you head 20 blocks south on Broadway you may witness A Conversation…in large form? Don’t panic if you see animals in mass along Broadway! It’s actually Peter Woytuk on Broadway, a major exhibition of bronze sculptures, being displayed on the Upper Westside, West Harlem and Washington Heights.

The sculptures from this exhibition located in West Harlem include: Bridging the Gap at Broadway and 114th Street; A Conversation at Broadway at 117th Street; Sheep Pair at 137th Street Montefiore Park; and A Rail of Ravens on Broadway between 139th to 140th Streets.

Who is Peter Woytuk? Apparently, he is globally known for his sculptures of animals. He “cleverly reduces their shapes to essential forms, allowing the power and elegance of his subjects to  become both graceful and whimsical expressions of mass.”

So who needs to head South in Manhattan to see interesting sculptures when all us Harlemites have to do is head West from October 21, 2011, through April 2012 to see Peter Woytuk on Broadway! Check out the map below of all the animal sculptures along Broadway!

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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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Harlem Happenings: Urban Garden Center Fall Festival, La Colmenita, Halloween Pumpkin Sail

Posted on October 20, 2011 | 4 comments

We have another Fall weekend in Harlem where there are fun things to do! On Saturday, October 22, Urban Garden Center in East Harlem is holding their Annual Fall Festival.  It starts at noon and runs to 4 p.m. with plenty of activities for friends, family and kids! Head on over to 116th Street and Park Avenue this coming Saturday!

Also on Saturday is La Colmenita! The Children’s Theater of Cuba will be performing in Harlem at the Harriet Tubman Learning Center, located at 250 West 127th Street. The show starts at 3 p.m. It is a rare U.S. appearance and its happening right here in our community. Learn more about La Colmenita by clicking here.

On Sunday, October 23, the Central Park Conservancy continues their tradition with its Annual Halloween Parade and Pumpkin Sail at the Dana Discovery Center at Harlem Meer (inside Central Park on 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues). This event starts at 4 p.m. and wearing a Halloween costume for kids is highly encouraged. Participants can also bring a carved pumpkin so that it can be a part of the pumpkin sail!

And that’s what’s happening in Harlem this weekend…all for FREE!

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

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Harlem Yoga Studio featured on ABC News

Posted on October 19, 2011 | Leave a comment

Congrats to Harlem Yoga Studio!  Their full figure yoga class was featured on ABCNews.com recently. The news piece basically explains that full figure women CAN DO yoga and that’s it’s not just for women with a small body frame. The ABC News reporter and Harlem Yoga Studio instructor explain it in simple terms.

By the way, Harlem Yoga Studio’s full figure class is  offered on Saturday’s at 44 West 125th Street. It’s “adapted for the larger, curvier adult or teen” where “classic postures are adapted to be comfortable and accessible for larger bodies.”

Check out the video here.

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Posted in 125th Street, Community, Harlem, health and wellness

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Casting Call: Food Network Star and Chef Bobby Flay is looking for Food Entrepreneurs

Posted on October 18, 2011 | 1 comment

Listen up Harlem! This is a casting call blog post! And it is about an exciting opportunity. Bobby Flay’s Rock Shrimp Productions is  currently developing a new show for the Food Network.  The title of the show is still unnamed. However, it is going to center around Food Entrepreneurs.

Rock Shrimp Productions defines Food Entrepreneurs as individuals who left their day job and are currently in the process of opening a food store or restaurant before mid December with…no culinary experience and are taking a risk to pursue their passion of launching their own food business.  These individuals must be planning to open a brick-and-mortar space (restaurant or singular food ideas welcome) before the end of 2011.

In addition,  the Food Entrepreneurs should preferably in, but not limited to, the greater New York City area (NY, NJ, CT). Those chosen will receive culinary business coaching from a major celebrity chef and restaurateur, as well as nationwide publicity.

So if you are a Food Entrepreneur and want to rub elbows with Bobby Flay, the celebrity chef who did a Throw Down with Melba’s Restaurant in Harlem, contact Heather Briggs at hrb@embassyrow.com or learn more about the project on Facebook.

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Posted in 125th Street, 5 and Diamond Harlem, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., art and culture, baking, bier international, business, Cedric French Bistro and Bar Harlem, Community, drinks, entertainment, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem Tavern, Lenox Avenue, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants

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