Jun 12, 2011 @ 12:48
By HarlemGal
There is a lot of excitement building, on and offline, around Harlem Tavern, the latest establishment soon joining Harlem’s restaurant row. There is so much excitement that every where you turn either on local blogs or Facebook someone has new photos of Harlem Tavern evolving in their look. We haven’t seen this much excitement around one place since the rumors on Busboys and Poets trying to enter into the Harlem market.
We are excited as well about the opening of Harlem Tavern, located on the corner of West 116th and Frederick Douglass Blvd. To celebrate the upcoming opening, we are going to be giving you an “inside look” at Harlem Tavern. What does this mean? You are going to be able to find out the little things, pre-opening, about this indoor/outdoor establishment that is owned and operated by…you guessed…Harlemites. Stay tune!
Jun 6, 2011 @ 8:00 By HarlemGal
Not too long ago, Harlem was profiled in The Financial Times, the UK-based publication. Now The Boston Globetakes its turn and profiles our community in its travel section this past weekend (June 5). Jessica Allen, the reporter, spends two days in Harlem along with her husband and discovers “Harlem makes a visitor feel and taste its forward movement.”
The article highlights various experiences from listening to jazz, to eating at Amy Ruth’s and to drinking at some of our unique establishments, such as 67 Orange and bier international. However, the most notable items in this article are not necessarily about places, but crafted words about Harlem. Allen states “perhaps no other area in New York so eagerly honors its history as Harlem.” She points to our famously named streets, such as Malcolm X and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Furthermore, Allen goes on to say “despite the interest in what came before, these days Harlem seems utterly future-oriented.”
We couldn’t agree more with The Boston Globe! And to Jessica Allen and her husband, come back and see us (Harlem) again now!
May 27, 2011 @ 7:00
By HarlemGal
There are several international film festivals that take place throughout New York City. However, how many actually take place uptown in Harlem? Not that many that I am aware of. Now Harlemites do not have to look or go far to see films from all over the world. We have an opportunity to see intelligent films for one week right in our own barrio-thanks to the East Harlem International Film Festival (EHIFF)!
The East Harlem International Film Festival will feature more than 40 films from June 1-5 in Spanish Harlem. The films that have been selected for this year’s festival come from as far away as China, India, Russia, Brazil and more! In addition, EHIFF will pay tribute to the late great Tito Puente, feature educational panels on the business of casting films, film distribution, and the process of filmmaking.
Based on their program, it appears they are offering an insightful agenda as well as recognizing the community. This is the first year for the East Harlem International Film Festival. So let’s get out there and support them! Click here to purchase tickets!
By HarlemGal
A few years ago a good friend of mine, who is a documentary filmmaker in New York City, wanted me to meet fellow filmmaker Shawn Batey. My good friend knew I was interested in all things positive about Harlem so she said to me “come see a film rough cut about Harlem. There is this filmmaker I want you to meet, who is literally documenting the changes of Harlem. I think you should come.” And so I did. I’m excited to tell you about this documentary about Harlem!
Trailer- Changing Face of Harlem
The rough cut I saw was titled the Changing Face of Harlem. It’s been in the works for more than ten years. The Changing Face of Harlem is a film told from the voices of longtime residents, business owners, politicians, developers, and clergy about the dreams and struggles of a neighborhood. This film explains Harlem’s intricate history and how Harlem is undergoing a huge rebirth and revival just like many other urban communities of color. Changing Face of Harlem takes a critical look at how Harlem has undergone its present transformation.
When a filmmaker sets out to create a documentary especially about Harlem, it takes a lot of hard work-to say the least. That hard work leads to hundreds of hours of footage that needs to be edited. Shawn, the women behind the Changing Face of Harlem, is ready to go into the editing booth to complete her documentary on Harlem. You and I can help her get into the editing booth soon to complete her film. How? By going to Kickstarter.com. Go to Kickstarter to make a donation at various levels. It can be $15 or $1500. Shawn’s goal is to raise $5k this summer so that she can hire an editor.
I made a donation to help Shawn get into the editing booth. I hope you will join me in helping to kickstart and complete the documentary titled the Changing Face of Harlem.
By HarlemGal
We walked by Paris Blues in Harlem this past Friday night on our way home from dinner at Yatenga. We wanted to check out the blues rock band The Goddess Lakshmi, whose been playing live at the Harlem music venue since April 17th. The band was not there. We forgot they play at Paris Blues every Sunday night. Not to worry. We are redirecting our efforts and plan on stopping by tonight to see The Goddess Lakshmi, which is named for the Hindu goddess of abundance. The band members include the owner of The Harlem Flophouse, Rene Calvo on vocals, whose also an established artist, Jeff Bauer on bass, Amos Fischer on drums, and featured vocalist, Kosi. The band plays all original compositions.
So if you want to see some live music in Harlem on a Sunday night, check out The Goddess Lakshmi at Paris Blues, 8 pm located at 2021 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. They are playing in Harlem every Sunday night until July 31!
By HarlemGal
Youth took to the stage at The Apollo recently for Amateur Night and boy did it shine bright! Watch Reignn Acedera sing a Whitney Houston song at the The Apollo Theater for the famous Amateur Night. She does a good job and clearly wants a singing career. If you go to YouTube she has several videos!
And by the way, she won the kids division at Amateur Night at The Apollo. Read the story here and see another video!
May 15, 2011 @ 11:06
By HarlemGal
Broadway comes to Harlem today! An array of Broadway’s Rising Stars singing music form the great oldies, to current smash hits will be at Harlem Meer this afternoon starting at 2 p.m. Broadway at Harlem Meer will benefit The Union Settlement Association, Manhattan HIV Network for children with HIV and AIDS.
Take the 2/3 subway train to 110th Street at Central Park North or jump on the 6 to 110th Street and walk west to Central Park!
By HarlemGal
I was flipping through newspapers from this week and came across a huge congratulatory advertisement in The New York Times regarding our very own Harlemite, Marcus Samuelsson. Apparently on May 12, Samuelsson was awarded the Frederick Douglass Award by The New York Urban League at their annual Spring dinner. “The Frederick Douglass Award acknowledges and honors leaders in the private and public sector whose contributions to society serve to eliminate racial barriers and promote opportunities for the disadvantage.”
One word comes to mind: Wow! We at HCL say double congrats and what an honor!
May 6, 2011 @ 7:56
By HarlemGal
The Jazzmobile on Facebook left us several messages on our fan page reminding us that Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival kicks off this coming Monday, May 9 and runs through May 14. Thank you Jazz Mobile for that lovely reminder! We definitely want to let everyone know about this exciting event.
This 7-day festival celebrates the classic clubs and venues that made Harlem the jazz mecca beginning in the 1920’s. Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival is a collaboration between The Apollo Theater, Harlem Stage and Jazzmobile.
May 5, 2011 @ 11:35
By HarlemGal
“Look out! Here comes the Spiderman! Can he swing from a thread. Take a look overhead (or in this video). Hey, there goes the Spiderman [in Harlem],”
See the coolest video of Spiderman, or shall we say the stunt person who plays him in film, swinging under the viaduct in West Harlem, i.e. West 133rd and 12th Avenue.
The Spiderman film crew was spotted in West Harlem May 3rd and we hear the film crew might be in the same area tonight, May 5th!
HarlemGal Inc. 