Category Archives: entertainment

Harlem Arts Festival hosts Open Mic Jam Session March 27

Posted on March 26, 2013 | Leave a comment

Listen up Harlem! There is a fun event happening tomorrow! The Harlem Arts Festival (HAF) is hosting an open mic jam session at My Image Studios Harlem (MIST Harlem) tomorrow (March 27) starting at 10 pm. HAF is hosting this event to raise money for this year’s 2013 festival.

According to Neal Ludevig, the executive director of the Harlem Arts Festival, organizing a festival is no small task. “The Harlem Arts Festival presented 33 artistic acts on two stages to more than 1,000 people over the course of two days last year and we’re excited to do this again in 2013,” said Ludevig. “The money we raise tomorrow night at the open mic jam goes directly toward providing our artists with the best equipment, promotion, and resources.”

Ludevig also explained that HAF is holding their event at a venue that was specifically designed for events such as an open mic jam. “The late Roland Laird envisioned MIST Harlem as an opportunity to aggregate culture and create a destination to present theater, music, poetry slams, and more, said Ludevig. “In that way, MIST Harlem is a fantastic new space in Harlem that represents what the HAF is all about. We’re both new organizations, trying to embrace and build on the wonderful neighborhoods and communities that are already here.”

Tickets for the Harlem Arts Festival’s open mic jam, costs $10. Interested in attending? Go here for tickets.
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Posted in 116th Street, art and culture, Community, entertainment, Events, Harlem, Harlem blogs

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Mark your calendar: Harlem Earth Day activities begin April 3

Posted on March 20, 2013 | Leave a comment

Harlem Park to Park (HP2P) released information yesterday (March 19) about their second annual Harlem Earth Day initiative, which begins April 3rd until April 21st. HP2P has lined up free, fun filled activities for the whole family in Morningside Park (April 7th) and Marcus Garvey Park (April 21st); and panel discussions including celebrity chefs, authors and activists every Wednesday evening at MIST Harlem on April 3rd, 10th and 17th! The initiative is sponsored by Con Edison, Land Yoga, MIST Harlem, Friends of Morningside Park, and Marcus Garvey Park Alliance.

Below is an outline of the program and participants. See you at Harlem Earth Day activities!
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Posted in art and culture, celebrities, Community, entertainment, Events, Free!, Harlem, Harlem blogs, kids, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurants, Youth

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Harlem loses one of its celebrities for now, The View’s Sherri Shepherd moves across the Hudson

Posted on March 16, 2013 | Leave a comment

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A HarlemGal reader recently left a comment saying Sherri Shepherd, comedienne, actress, and television personality of ABC’s The View, is not residing in Harlem anymore. My reaction was WHAT! I just saw her online mentioning she’s hanging at the Corner Social in Harlem. So I followed up with the lovely and funny Mrs. Shepherd-Sally to see what’s up.

Shepherd confirmed via direct message on Twitter that she and her family (Lamar and Jeffrey) moved to New Jersey three months ago. But before I explain why Shepherd had to move plan-d-book-mockup400from Harlem, let me quickly point out that Shepherd unequivocally stated that she and her husband Lamar love Harlem and find it to be “a great community and plan to return in a couple of years.” They had an unexpected situation arise and had to react.

I believe Sherri Shepherd and her family will return in the near future to live full-time in Harlem. Why? As an influential celebrity, she could have easily avoided my request.  Shepherd responded in a timely manner and took the time to explain what happened. She was crystal clear in her communication. In my view, this is an example of a Harlemite who deeply cares about the community she lived in and still loves by personally taking the time to communicate what happened. Why even bother explaining to a Harlem blogger? But Sherri did.

As to what happened that caused Sherri, her son and her husband to depart Harlem, it’s a typical New York situation. Shepherd had been renting a beautiful Sherri_Shepherd_Lamar_Sally_s_Wedding_Pics_Harlem brownstone for almost three years. Her landlord gave notice that they planned to move back into the property and gave Shepherd 30 days notice. Shepherd and her husband looked at other places in Harlem because they wanted to stay, but given the time constraints they did not find a place they wanted within their budget so they moved to New Jersey for the time being. That’s it folks! That’s what happened and it happens to most New Yorker’s at one time or another.

Shepherd maybe living in NJ for now, but she has been taking the time to return to Harlem weekly. She visits the Corner Social on Lenox Avenue and 126th Street once a week and she visits Elsie’s Caribbean Cafe twice a month. Her heart is still in Harlem.

Let’s wish Sherri Shepherd and her family all the best with this change and pray for a speedy return back to Harlem. Amen!

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Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, celebrities, Corner Social, entertainment, Harlem, Harlem blogs, Harlem real estate,, Lenox Avenue, Lenox Social, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate, restaurants

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Whitney Houston tribute tonight at MIST Harlem

Posted on February 25, 2013 | 2 comments

Tonight, there is a Whitney Houston tribute concert at 7:00 pm at MIST Harlem (My Image Studios) at 46 West 116th Street, between Fifth and Lenox Avenue.

Several singers are going to be singing Whitney’s greatest hits! See list of artists performing below.

Interested in attending, go here to purchase tickets.

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Posted in entertainment, Events, Harlem

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Yatenga owners confirm opening of another restaurant in Harlem, Silvana to serve Israeli food

Posted on February 25, 2013 | Leave a comment

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The owners of Yatenga French Bistro at 2269 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd and Shrine Bar located next door will be expanding their presence in Harlem. Sivan Baron Ouedraogo tells HarlemGal Inc that they will be opening a new restaurant in Harlem at 300 West 116th Street, right across the street from Harlem Tavern. The new dining establishment will be called Silvana and hopes to open this April.

The first floor of Silvana will be a cafe and boutique. Silvana will sell local, domestic and international home decor, accessories gifts and more. Wine and beer will be served as well. The restaurant and bar will actually be located in the lower level and will have acoustic live music. Silvana will serve Israeli food, such as shawarma, falafel and other vegetarian dishes.

If Silvana food and service will be anything like Yatenga French Bistro, this place will be good and a nice diverse addition to Harlem’s restaurant row.

To read my review on Yatenga, click here.

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Posted in 116th Street, Bars, business, Community, drinks, entertainment, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem Tavern, restaurant row, restaurants

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Pulitzer Prize-nominated Eisa Davis performs today at the Harlem School of the Arts

Posted on February 23, 2013 | Leave a comment

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Pulitzer Prize-nominated Eisa Davis will take to the stage in Harlem today for an intimate workshop setting, performing excerpts from her latest musical theater piece,Flowers Are Sleeping. The musical piece is a rare insight into the actor-writer-singer’s artistic process; a culmination of years of script development as well as more recent rehearsals in the Harlem School of the Arts’ studios and its ongoing Family Enrichment series.

Eisa Davis will also be performing at the Apollo Music Cafe in May as well. But today’s event is free

WHERE: Harlem School of the Arts: Gathering Space, 645 St. Nicholas Avenue

When: Saturday February 23, 2013 at noon (FREE)

Who: Harlem School of the Arts, Eisa Davis, Symphony Space,

WHY: Exclusive performance part of HSA’s Family Enrichment series, in promotion of performing arts center, Symphony Space’s world premiere of the full piece during Harlem Resonance Festival in April, 2013.

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Posted in art and culture, Community, education, entertainment, Events, Harlem, Harlem School of the Arts, kids

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Posted on February 7, 2013 | Leave a comment

Alicia Keys recently played at Ginny’s Supper Club in Harlem. Read a full review of how the night unfolded by HelloBeautiful, who were there for the entire evening.

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Posted in art and culture, Bars, celebrities, entertainment, Events, fashion, food, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurants

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This weeks HGTV Selling NY to feature Harlem again

Posted on February 4, 2013 | Leave a comment

HGTV selling New York
A real estate broker has given us the heads up that Harlem real estate and Harlem’s restaurant row will be featured in this weeks edition of HGTV Selling NY. The broker and two of her clients, who are looking to purchase their first home together, venture into Harlem to look at apartments in the neighborhood. In the course of the episode, the clients receive a tour of Harlem restaurants and shops to show them that everything they have become used to downtown can be found right here in Harlem, specifically along Frederick Douglass Blvd.

Check out the TV show this Thursday, Feb. 7 at 6:30 pm.

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Posted in apartments, Bars, Cedric French Bistro and Bar Harlem, Chocolat, drinks, entertainment, food, Frederick Cafe Bistro Harlem, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem Food Bar, Harlem Shambles, Harlem Tavern, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, Melba's Restaurant Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate, restaurant row, restaurants, The Park Wine Bar, Zoma Ethiopian Restaurant

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Harlem’s Make My Cake makes a cameo on Season Finale of NBC’s 30 Rock

Posted on February 2, 2013 | 1 comment

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It’s a known fact to some of us locals in Harlem that actress, author, comedian Tina Fey has always liked the sweet delicious goods from Harlem’s Make My Cake. Tina Fey has been ordering cakes from Make My Cake in Harlem for years for things like wrap parties. I believe a Harlem local even works on her production staff, wink, wink. But back to my point. Tina Fey is so loyal to the Harlem product that she included them in the last episode of her TV hit series, 30 Rock. Just look at Make My Cake’s Facebook page for all the details.

And sorry to hear Tina Fey’s TV show ended, but Make My Cake in Harlem is here to stay! If you want to try one of their delectables, head to 121A St. Nicholas Avenue at 116th Street or call 212-932-0833.
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Posted in 116th Street, baking, business, celebrities, entertainment, Harlem, Make My Cake, New York, New York City, NYC

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Attend the Athena Film Festival in West Harlem, four academy award nominated films to be featured

Posted on January 30, 2013 | 2 comments

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Now in its third year, the Athena Film Festival, a celebration of women in feature films, documentaries and shorts that highlight women’s leadership in real life and the fictional world will be held in West Harlem at Barnard College from Feb. 7-10. The four-day festival, which includes conversations with directors and Hollywood stars and workshops for filmmakers, has built a reputation as one of the most prestigious festivals of its kind that focuses on women and leadership. The following are big highlights of the Festival.

FOUR ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATED FILMS:
BRAVE: Saturday, February 9 at 12PM
Directed by: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman
Location: Diana Event Oval – LL 100 Diana Center
Director Brenda Chapman will join the audience for a Q&A session following the screening

BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD: Saturday, February 9 at 6PM
Directed by: Benh Zeitlin
Location: Diana Event Oval – LL 100 Diana Center

INOCENTE: Sunday, February 10 at 3PM
Directed by: Sean Fine, Andrea Nix Fine
Location: Held Auditorium – 304 Barnard Hall
Producer Yael Melamede will join the audience for a Q & A session following the screening.

THE INVISIBLE WAR: Sunday, February 10 at 12PM
Directed by: Kirby Dick
Location: Diana Event Oval – LL100 Diana Center
Executive Producers Maria Cuomo Cole and Regina Kulik Scully will join the audience for a Q & A session following the screening.

4 PREMIERES:
GRANNY’S GOT GAME: Friday, February 8 at 6PM (World Premiere)
Directed by: Angela Alford
Location: Held Auditorium – 304 Barnard Hall
Director Angela Alford and Team Captain, Judy Barton will join the audience for a Q&A session following the screening.

WOMEN AREN’T FUNNY: Saturday, February 9 at 9PM (World Premiere)
Directed by: Bonnie McFarlane
Location: Diana Event Oval – LL 100 Diana Center
Director Bonnie McFarlane will join the audience for a Q&A session following the screening.

I STAND CORRECTED: Saturday, February 9 at 9PM (NY Premiere)
Directed by: Andrea Meyerson
Location: Held Auditorium – 304 Barnard Hall
Director/Executive Producer Andrea Meyerson and film subject Jennifer Leitham will join the audience for a Q & A session following the screening

FAST GIRLS: Sunday, February 10 at 3PM (US Premiere)
Directed by: Regan Hall
Location: Diana Event Oval – LL 100 Diana Center

SNEAK PREVIEW & CLOSING NIGHT FILM:
BRAVE MISS WORLD: Sunday, February 10 at 6PM
Directed By: Cecilia Peck
Location: Diana Event Oval – LL 100 Diana Center
Q&A Cecilia Peck (Director) & Inbal Lessner (Producer/Editor) will join the audience for a Q&A session following the screening.

For additional information, please visit: http://athenafilmfestival.com/.

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Posted in Community, education, entertainment, Events, film, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC

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