Save the date of October 8th! That is when the annual Harlem Harvest Festival takes place on the corner of 116th Street and St. Nicholas Ave! I went last year and had a wonderful time visiting all the street vendors, eating and watching the performances from the Dance Theater of Harlem. It is a great way to kick off the Fall season.
Take a look at photos from last year’s Harlem Harvest Festival!
Posted in Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., art and culture, baking, business, Community, education, Events, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, health and wellness, personal care, restaurants
Tagged 116th Street, Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem Harvest Festival, Harlem4 Center for Change, Photos by HarlemGal, st. nicholas avenue
The good folks over at Harlem One Stop are letting us know: “it don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that swing.” To get that swing consider the Fall Swing Dance Schedule for Harlem that starts October 3 and runs all the way to December. There are several options for those of us who want to step into Fall Swing dancing.
First up is FREE Swing classes at Wadleigh Performing Arts High School starting at 6:30pm on Monday, October 3. This class appears to be open to all levels. Wadleigh HS is located on 114th Street between Frederick Douglass Blvd and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.
If a beginners Swing class is of more interest, that is taking place Tuesdays starting October 4 from 7-8 p.m. at the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Community Center located on 134th between Lenox Avenue and Fifth Ave. This class is asking for a $5 donation.
For advanced Swing dancers, that is taking place on Thursdays starting October 6 from 6-7 p.m. Advance Swing dance classes are happening at the same venue as the beginners class, which is at Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Community Center. The class is also asking for a $5 donation.
And on Fridays, starting October 7 and running through December, are the dance classes for Matures. This class is FREE and is offered at the New Canaan Senior Center.
There you have it! There are dance classes offered in Harlem for every generation, i.e. Gen X to Boomers to Matures!
UPDATE: The Friends of Morningside Park have decided to reschedule the festival for a date in October. As soon as the rain date is available, we will pass along.
The Friends of Morningside Park are holding its Common Ground Family Festival this Saturday, September 24th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Festival will include kite making and decorating, Belly Dancing Ensemble, Peter Westbrook Foundation Fencing Demonstration, Johns Magic-Magician, The Legendary Paragons singing Doo Wop, Harlem Farm Fresh CSA, face painting, scavenger hunt, pony rides and much, much more!
And the best part, music will be provided by DJ Stormin Norman of the popular Harlem gathering called Sundae Sermon. Stop by Morningside Park at the 114th Street Stage and 117th Street Playground this Saturday to check out all the activities for Common Ground Family Festival.
There isn’t a moment that goes by where there isn’t something fun and interesting to do with the art community in Harlem. They are always creating events that are aimed at bringing the community together in Harlem. Here is one example. H&M Art Gallery and Framing is holding a reception this Friday, Sept. 23 in celebration of their exhibition called Cultural Unity through Arts. For a little more than a week in Harlem, there are several activities planned for this exhibition at the 17 East 125th location that will feature several visual and performing artists.
All are invited to attend and from what I can tell…it is free! If you would like to attend, check out the calendar of events below!
Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, Community, education, Events, Free!, Harlem
Tagged 17 East 125th Street, art and culture, H&M Art Gallery and Framing, Harlem
Federal, State and local NYC leaders, along with descendents of Frederick Douglass, came together today, September 20, to dedicate the circle and statue of the African-American abolitionist, orator, writer and statesman Frederick Douglass. The Frederick Douglass Memorial/Circle,located at Central Park West, Frederick Douglass Boulevard and West 110th Street, consists of an eight-foot bronze portrait sculpture by Gabriel Koren, and a large circle and fountain with ornamental and symbolic features designed by Algernon Miller. The fountain was actually operational today to go along with the dedication ceremony.
While there were endless speakers, a few comments resonated with me. Someone said most of what Frederick Douglass said or wrote back then is still applicable today and that not much has changed, it is just disguised. I also like how one speaker said “Central Park is now complete with all four corners as vibrant public space for everyone to use.”
To see a collection of photos from today’s event, click here.
Posted in art and culture, Community, education, Events, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Frederick Douglass Circle, Harlem, history, New York, New York City, NYC
Tagged 110th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard, Bill Perkins, central park, Frederick Douglass, Frederick Douglass Memorial, Harlem, Inez Dickens, Kenneth Morris, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Upper West Side
Here is the official news release from NYC Parks and Recreation on the Frederick Douglass Circle Dedication tomorrow, Sept. 20 T 11 a.m. The agenda items posted last week about this event here on this site were correct! Take note, no Mayor Bloomberg, but Rep. Charlie Rangel will be present!
FREDERICK DOUGLASS MEMORIAL TO BE DEDICATED
DATE: Tuesday, September 20, 2011
TIME: 11:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Frederick Douglass Circle
Central Park West, Frederick Douglass Boulevard and West 110th Street
Manhattan
EVENT &
PHOTO-OP: First Deputy Mayor Patti Harris and Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe will join Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate Levin; Department of Design & Construction Commissioner David Burney; Central Park Conservancy President Doug Blonsky; Congress Member Charles Rangel; Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, State Senator Bill Perkins; State Assembly Member Dan O’Donnell; and President of the Frederick Douglass Family Foundation and a direct descendant of Douglass, Kenneth Morris; to dedicate the Frederick Douglass Memorial.
Performing at the dedication ceremony will be members of the IMPACT Repertory Theatre, the Harlem School of the Arts, and Tony Award nominee Andre DeShields who will recite excerpts from “Oration In Memory Of Abraham Lincoln,” originally delivered by Frederick Douglass on April 14, 1876 at the unveiling of the Freedmen’s Monument in memory of Abraham Lincoln.
DETAILS: This memorial located at the northwest corner of Central Park honors the African-American abolitionist, orator, writer and statesman Frederick Douglass (1818-1895), and consists of an eight-foot bronze portrait sculpture by Gabriel Koren, and a large circle and fountain with ornamental and symbolic features designed by Algernon Miller.
In the mid to late 1990s, a series of community-based design workshops organized by the Central Park Conservancy led to the NYC Department of Cultural Affair’s Percent for Art design competition for the circle. In 2003, the competition was won by a collaborative proposal submitted by Harlem-based artist Algernon Miller and Hungarian-born sculptor Gabriel Koren. Miller is also known locally for his Tree of Hope sculpture dedicated in 1972 on Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard. Koren has sculpted the Malcolm X Memorial statue located at the site of the former Audubon Ballroom, where the civil rights leader was slain.
For the Frederick Douglass Memorial, Miller’s overall design includes granite seating and paving patterns based on traditional African-American quilt motifs, as well as a bronze perimeter fence with a wagon wheel motif. He also responded to the design competition guidelines with a bronze water wall depicting the Big Dipper constellation that guided those on the “underground railroad.” Koren crafted a standing bronze portrait of a pensive Douglass, cast at Polich-Tallix bronze foundry, and inspired by nineteenth-century photographs.
HarlemGal Inc’s photostream on Flickr.
Marcus Samuelsson and is wife Maya opened their home in Harlem this past weekend to guests familiar and unknown-all to help the Horn of Africa. The turn out for the event was packed! And the hosts were as gracious and hospitable as…Harlemites would be. See for yourself in HarlemGal’s latest photo stream!
Harlem Park to Park has partnered with The Classical Theater of Harlem and Hip Hop Theater Festival to give locals a wonderful night out uptown. Purchase a ticket to SEED, a play by Radha Blank and bring your receipt or ticket stub from SEED to participating Harlem Park to Park restaurants listed in the picture for brunch or dinner (or select retailers for services) and receive special discounts and free offers starting today, September 16 through October 9.To purchase tickets for SEED, visit www.seedtheplay.com.
Posted in 125th Street, 5 and Diamond Harlem, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., art and culture, Bars, business, Community, drinks, entertainment, Events, 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, spending
Tagged 5 and Diamond Harlem, 67 Orange, Chez Lucienne, Chocolat Restaurant, Harlem Park to Park, Harlem Tavern, Hip Hop Theater Festival, Lido Harlem, Melba's Restaurant Harlem, Native Restaurant, Nectar Wine Bar, Radha Blank, Red Rooster Harlem, ristorante settepani, SEED, Slyvia's, The Classical Theater of Harlem
The dedication of the Frederick Douglass Circle, located at the intersection West 110th Street and FDB, is definitely on for next week, September 20, starting at 11 a.m. and HarlemGal Inc. has the scoop on some of the agenda.
Actor and Tony Award-nominee Andre De Shields will perform and channel Frederick Douglass in front of all the guests and dignitaries. De Shields is well-known for this and performed as Frederick Douglass in 2009. See video below.
Impact Repertory Theatre and Harlem School of the Arts will give performances. And a direct descendent of Frederick Douglass will be present and either acknowledged or part of the speaking agenda.
So far, there’s no word on whether Mayor Bloomberg will be on hand for the dedication. However, there will be several local representatives in attendance.
Not too bad of an agenda to start! Now that we have a sneak peek of the Frederick Douglass Circle Dedication, the next question is are you attending? Chime in if you plan on attending this event!
To read complete blog coverage on Frederick Douglass Circle, click here!
Posted in art and culture, Community, education, Events, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Frederick Douglass Circle, Harlem, history, New York, New York City, NYC
Tagged 10026, 110th Street, actor, Adrian Benepe, Andre De Shields, art and culture, Central Park North, community, Frederick Douglass, Frederick Douglass Circle, Harlem, Harlem School of the Arts, history and tagged cathedral parkway, Impact Repertory Theatre, Manhattan Parks Commission, Mayor Bloomberg, Patricia E Harris
Have you ever wondered how the food tastes at Bergdorf Goodman’s BG Restaurant? Well, wonder no more. There is an opportunity to taste it right here in Harlem. Their executive chef Darryl Burnette will be the guest chef at Harlem’s 5 and Diamond Restaurant this coming Sunday, September 18 at 7 p.m. Burnett will be treating guests to a menu of “Southern Classics with a Modern Vision.”*
Chef Burnette is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. After graduation from the CIA, Burnett had the privilege of working under such talented chefs as Charlie Palmer, Jean Georges Vongerichten, and Andy D’ Amico. Burnette has even trailed Marcus Samuelsson.
The menu for the evening will include:
PETIT AMUSÉ: Mini Country Ham Biscuit with Peach Basil Habañero Jam;
APPETIZERS: Mac & Cheese Spring Rolls and Shrimp & Grits;
FISH: Rainbow Trout with Black Eyed Pea Succotash; INTERMEZZO; Mint Julep Sorbet
MEAT: Meatloaf Wellington with Truffle Mashed Potatoes and DESSERT, Red Velvet Trifle.
In addition to the food prepared by Chef Burnett, the evening will also have soprano Gail Blache-Gill as part of the program. Blache-Gill has been touring internationally in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, singing the roles of Clara, Lily and Serena with the New York based Living Arts Inc. She takes time out of her schedule to sing Sunday night at 5 And Diamond Harlem.
If you would like to attend the first Supper Club of the season at 5 and Diamond Harlem, the menu is available for $65 if booked in advance, $75 at the door. 5 and Diamond also offers a flight of wines selected by sommelier John Soler to accompany each course, at an additional $25 per person.
To make reservations for this event, call 646 684 4662.
*Also, please note that this event is not affiliated with the department store, Bergdorf Goodman.
Posted in 5 and Diamond Harlem, art and culture, business, Community, drinks, entertainment, Events, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, music, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants
Tagged 10026, 2072 Frederick Douglass Blvd., 5 and Diamond, Bergdorf Goodman, BG Restaurant, Chef Darryl Burnette, Chef David Martinez, Darryl Burnette, Event, Harlem, John Soler, menu, Restaurant, Sunday Supper
 | Anonymous on Sting performs to a sold out c… |
 | Bellumnati on Made in Harlem: Uptown Soap Co… |
 | Swift Thorft on Inside Harlem Shake Restaurant… |
 | Olivia Henson on 220 St. Nicholas in Harlem 50… |
 | Betty Anne Syphrette on ‘Soul Train’ celebration is to… |
 | Elle on Mixed use building going up at… |
 | robert brashear on Harlem’s Cantina Taqueria… |
| robert brashear on A Cantina 8th Ave coming to ol… |
 | SilverMarc on A Cantina 8th Ave coming to ol… |
 | A. NEIGHBOR on Is Jado Sushi in Harlem starti… |
HarlemGal Inc. 