Category Archives: entertainment

Vote for Gospel for Teens Harlem as the Best Choir in America

Posted on August 20, 2011 | 1 comment


Yesterday, I told you about how Gospel for Teens based in Harlem is headed to the big screen. Today, its about winning the best choir in America competition. The Vy Higginsen program is competing in How Sweet the Sound:The Search for the Best Church Choir in America.

Gospel for Teens is representing Walker Memorial Baptist Church in the competition. It started August 17 and one can vote as many times as they want each day all the way up to August 31.

How can you vote for Gospel for Teens Harlem? Follow these steps:

1. Click on this link which will take you to How Sweet the Sound choir competition
2. Sign up
3. Then click on the Washington, DC Market (The competition is divided up into regions. This is where Gospel for Teens is located)
4. Then click the 4th square for Walker Memorial Baptist Church and watch Vy Higginsen explain who is Gospel for Teens
5. And finally click the button to “VOTE” under the video. That’s it!

I voted today. Join me and vote for Gospel for Teens Harlem as the best choir in America!

1 Comment

Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, Community, education, entertainment, Events, Free!, Harlem, history, Lenox Avenue, music, New York, New York City, NYC

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Gospel for Teens based in Harlem to be adapted for the big screen

Posted on August 19, 2011 | 5 comments


Remember the movie The Pursuit of Happiness with Will Smith? Apparently the idea to turn that subject into a movie came from a TV segment on ABC’s 20/20. Universal Studio is taking that same approach with Vy Higginsen’s Gospel for Teens, which is based and founded in Harlem.

Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment are teaming up to develop a feature film based on the 60 Minutes segment on Gospel for Teens, which aired a few months ago. Stephen Belber will write the script. He has several writing credits and last directed Jennifer Aniston in Management. There is no word yet on who will star in this film. However, whoever it will  be will definitely have to have some singing chops. The subject is about singing with passion in a gospel choir. I think Ruben Studdard, the winner of American Idol should audition? How about one of the cast members from Glee? Or maybe one of the real life teenagers who actually sings in Gospel for Teens?

Overall, this is huge news for Higginsen, the young people who are in Gospel for Teens, and for Harlem as well. I’ll pay to see this movie! Can’t wait till it opens!

5 Comments

Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, Community, education, entertainment, film, Harlem, history, music, New York, New York City, NYC

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

The Winery in Harlem turns 4

Posted on August 17, 2011 | Leave a comment


The Winery in Harlem, located at 116th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd., is celebrating its 4th Anniversary this week by offering four consecutive nights of free wine tasting events and a special sales for this limited time.

Kicking off the celebration today, August 17th, The Winery will drastically reduce prices of selected wines. So if you’re not sure what to buy to take advantage of the sale, head on over to one of the wine tastings! See you there!


Artisanal Italian Wines
Wednesday August 17th, 6-8 pm.
Wines that reveal the true art of Italy, made with love and passion.

Best Value Wines
Thursday August 18th, 6-8 pm.
Sample our discoveries that prove delicious wines need not to be pricy at all.

Sakes and Honey Wine
Friday August 19th, 6-8 pm.
Inspiring Sakes from Japan, and semi-sweet honey wine made with the traditional Ethiopian recipe.

Fresh and Fruity Dry Wines
Saturday August 20th, 5-8 pm.
Easy, fun, refreshing wines that amplify the joy of the summer season.

Leave a comment

Posted in Bars, entertainment, Events, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, shopping

Tagged , , , ,

Harlem’s Sherri Shepherd ties the knot

Posted on August 16, 2011 | 2 comments


Harlem resident and The View co-host is no longer a single Harlem gal. Sherri Shepherd, who lives in a beautiful brownstone in Harlem, wed boyfriend Lamar Sally this past weekend. She shared details of the days leading up to her wedding day, August 13, on twitter. Sherri even teased her followers, which this blog site is one of them, about what her wedding dress might look like before the big day!

According to a celeb blog site, Sherri Shepherd eventually donned a custom Rivini gown to marry boyfriend Lamar and only one gossip magazine has the pics.

Sherri looks great in the photo! Congrats to Sherri and Lamar! And hope to see the newlyweds in Harlem soon!

2 Comments

Posted in entertainment, fashion, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Harlem happy hours happening everywhere: Chocolat, Lido Harlem & Milk Burger

Posted on August 10, 2011 | 1 comment

It is hump day and you’re not sure where to go for happy hour in Harlem. Here are a few choices for your consideration and recommended in order!

Those of you who know me on Facebook are a witness to my many execursions to Lido Harlem. I am always there and have more reasons to be there now given their happy hour specials. I recently learned from Susannah that from 5:30 – 7:30 every day, seven days a week, Lido Harlem is offering 1/2 price beer & wine, $5 well drinks and $5 Lido specialty cocktails. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights Lido is now offering a late night happy hour starting at 10 p.m. to close. I believe they are offering a late night menu as well! If Lido’s happy hour is anything like their food, it will be consistently good.

Chocolat has the best schedule for happy hour in my view. It starts at 5 p.m. and lasts until 8 p.m. If you can’t make a happy hour that ends at 7:30 rush on over to Chocolat on Frederick Douglass Blvd and 120th. They offer a selection of flavored martinis for $5 and small plates ranging from $5 to $8. I have had all the small plates and they were all quite good.

And last, the much talked about burger joint in East Harlem has a happy hour. If you want to be one of the first to check out Milk Burger’s happy hour, head on over soon and early or on your day off. They start at 3 p.m. Yuck. Clearly, they want people to drink early. I hope they change that time. It’s hard enough to make it to happy hour at 5 p.m. I recommend this place (see details below) because it is on the rise and experience it now while it is still relatively a new place in East Harlem.

Have a great time at happy hour. See you around in Harlem!

1 Comment

Posted in Bars, business, Community, entertainment, Events, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurants, spending

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Central Park Conservancy and Jazzmobile present: Harlem Meer Social Hour

Posted on August 10, 2011 | Leave a comment
On August 11, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., locals have the opportunity to meet the musicians during Harlem Meer Social Hour, a Central Park Conservancy & Jazzmobile Collaboration. East Harlem native, percussionist Steven Kroon and West Harlem resident, trombonist Craig Harris will discuss their creative process, presence and influence of other cultures in their music.
So come out and meet the musicians who create beautiful music at the Dana Discovery Center, located inside Central Park at 110th Street between Lenox and 5th Avenue.

Leave a comment

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

Tagged , , , , , ,

Milk Burger in East Harlem one degree separation from Anthony Bourdain

Posted on August 8, 2011 | 2 comments

I tell ya! At the moment, there is no such thing as bad PR for East Harlem’s Milk Burger, the new hamburger hot spot at 2056 Second Avenue. After the little viral spat that happened a few weeks ago regarding Milk Burger allegedly burger-izing Shake Shack, who knew where Milk Burger was heading. Actually, I sort of knew its potential from that incident and now DNAInfo is reporting that Anthony Bourdain’s wife has given Milk Burger a thumbs up on twitter…to more than 18,000 followers! I guess this makes Milk Burger one degree separation from the Travel Channel star and Chef. Not bad! I am wondering now who will be next to step forward and so candidly and openly endorse Milk Burger? Any guess?

There could potentially be another ringing endorsement in Milk Burger’s future, but no one will beat this 140 character endorsement by Mrs. Bourdain: “I actually enjoyed my Milk Burger and I love that they deliver. Shake Shack is still my husband but Milk Burger can be my booty call.” Get that women her own TV show…and another burger!

2 Comments

Posted in business, entertainment, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurants, shopping, spending

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

See ‘Henry V’ in Harlem’s Mount Morris Park

Posted on August 4, 2011 | 5 comments

Throughout theater and art history there have been Kings who have been brought to life on the pages and stage that stand the test of time. One of them is “Henry V.” See and experience the life of “Henry V” right here in Harlem. The Classical Theater of Harlem presents “Henry V” starting August 5 and running through September 4 in the Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz Memorial Center.

According to The New York Times, which has a lengthy article in today’s paper about the play and the Classical Theater of Harlem, says there are “free performances of “Henry V” this Friday (August 5) and Saturday (August 6) in the (Mount Morris) park are an appetizer for its formal premiere on Wednesday (with a Monday preview) at the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial & Educational Center, where it will be performed through Sept. 4.”

Support the Classical Theater of Harlem by seeing “Henry V ” in Harlem. For tickets: click here or call Ovationtix: 866-811-4111.

5 Comments

Posted in art and culture, education, entertainment, Events, Free!, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC

Tagged , , , , ,

Marcus Samuelsson makes Vanity Fair‘s 2011 International Best-Dressed List

Posted on August 3, 2011 | Leave a comment

20110803-121113.jpg

20110803-121154.jpg
Vanity Fair announced their 2011 International Best-Dressed List today and our very own Harlemite made the list of best dressed men, Marcus Samuelsson. Marcus is in good company on the coveted list. Justin Timberlake is named, along with actor Colin Firth, Armie Hammer who starred in The Social Network, Greek shipping heir Stavros Niarchos and more. See complete list below!

Marcus is having a very good year! Along with the Vanity Fair Best Dressed List, his Harlem restaurant on Lenox Avenue is not even a year old and it’s a happening place. The New York Times has blessed him with several raving reviews on him, such as chef profiles, restaurant reviews and where to hang uptown, i.e. Red Rooster. New York Magazine lists his place on their website in the Most Buzzed About Restaurant in Manhattan. There are several awards he has won this past year. The list goes on and on. Oh, and of course it does not hurt that he has a stunning wife by his side, Maya!

I last caught up with Marcus at the Macy’s Food Truck event this past Sunday to kick off Harlem Week! And come to think of it, he was looking pretty stylish at that event while out there serving catfish sandwiches with sweet potato fries! Can you blame him for looking good! He knows people are watching. He might as well give us all something else to look at other than his delicious food!

20110803-121208.jpg

Leave a comment

Posted in art and culture, business, entertainment, fashion, Harlem, Lenox Avenue, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurants, shopping

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

2011 Harlem Week kick off was a big success

Posted on July 31, 2011 | 2 comments
Macy's Food Truck Staff, Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011Uptown Dance Academy, Harlem Week 2011Face painting, Harlem Week 2011Harlem Arts Alliance, Harlem Week
Harlem Week 2011More tees, Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011Face paint freshen up, Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011Tees at Harlem Week 2011
Harlem Week 2011 VendorT shirt vendor, Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011
Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011Harlem Week 2011Macy's Food Truck Crew, Harlem WeekHarlem Week 2011Macy's, Harlem Week

Harlem Week 2011 kicked off today, July 31, with much success. There were plenty of New Yorker’s in attendance who wanted to partake in this years theme, “A New York State of Mind.” I certainly did and enjoyed the kick off celebration very much. I checked out all the street vendors and camped out at the Macy’s Food Truck, which was featuring free food by Marcus Samuelsson.

If you were not able to check out Harlem Week 2011 kick off today, do not worry. There is  a month full of activities planned for August.  For additional details, go to Harlem Week’s website.

2 Comments

Posted in art and culture, baking, business, Community, education, entertainment, Events, Free!, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurants, shopping, spending

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,