Category Archives: Events

Help kickstart the ‘Changing Face of Harlem’

May 23, 2011 @ 7:30

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.

To learn more about the film, go to www.changingfaceofharlem.com

See The Goddess Lakshmi at Paris Blues in Harlem

May 22, 2011 @ 8:00

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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!

You’re invited to Harlem’s Mount Morris Park Annual House Tour

May 21, 2011 @ 8:00
By HarlemGal
Did you receive the invitation from Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association regarding their 22nd Annual House Tour? I did and I am so psyched for the event! Now I am passing along for your consideration! It is Sunday, June 12th!

This is the time when one can see some of the most beautiful brownstones in New York City (for me the entire universe) that line and make up Central Harlem, also known as the Mt. Morris Park area. Remember how this area was recently praised by New York Magazine?

Here is the low down for those interested in attending:

  • 11 AM to 4 PM: Follow the Self-Guided Tour of Homes 
  • 1 PM and 3 PM: Join the Architectural Walking Tour
  • 12 Noon and 2 PM: Go Inside Historic Harlem
  • 1:30 PM: Join the Marcus Garvey Park Walking Tour

Mark your calendars and hope to see you there June 12!

Registration open for Land Yoga adult classes in Harlem

May 20, 2011 @ 11:45
By HarlemGal
Our fellow yogi Lara Land gave us the heads up that Land Yoga, located at 2116 Frederick Douglass Blvd., is now open for registration for adult ashtanga classes. If you’re interested like I am, you can register at Land Yoga Shop before June 16th for the early bird special.

Not sure what yoga classes to sign up for? No worries. There is a partial schedule listed here. There you can find what classes will be offered to start!

And want to meet Lara Land, head on over to Nectar Wine Bar today (May 20). She is participating in Parents and Pinot from 4 PM-7 PM at 2235 Frederick Douglass Blvd.

For more information on Land Yoga, check out their Facebook page. Om, shanti, shanti, om. Namaste!

Win free flowers from Katrina Parris Flowers in Harlem

May 20, 2011 @ 10:00
By HarlemGal
For St. Patrick’s Day I ordered flowers from Katrina Parris Flowers, located at 191 Lenox Avenue, for my favorite Irish mum in Queens and I was pleased as pie, as well as the recipient. Now I hear I could receive flowers for me and my friends from Katrina Parris in Harlem for FREE! Yes, that’s right….for free! Here is the chisme, chicas or chicos!

Harlem’s Katrina Parris Flowers has launched “Your Feelings, Our Flowers” program. What does that mean? It means free flowers for three months or two months or one month. All you have to do is join this program on Facebook.

According to Mark from Katrina Flowers, the idea is very simple. They want to say thank you to Harlem for supporting their business and hope to make this an annual event.

To win free flowers from Katrina Parris Flowers in Harlem, go to their Facebook page and enter to win! The program ends May 31, 2011. Good luck!

Don’t miss Broadway at Harlem Meer

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!

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Harlem’s Marcus Samuelsson receives Frederick Douglass Award

May 13, 2011 @ 14:53

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!

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Harlem Yoga Studio makes 125th street hOMe

May 12, 2011 @ 7:15

By HarlemGal
The wonderful and dedicated teachers over at Harlem Yoga Studio gave us the heads up recently that they have a new hOMe on West 125th Street. If you recall, they use to be located at 119th and Lenox Ave in a nice size corner brownstone. Fast forward to today, Harlem Yoga Studio classes are now on the third floor of 20110511-111445.jpg
44 West 125 Street between Lenox and Fifth Ave. This new space offers plenty of room for yogis to practice their sun salutations, warrior pose or downward dog, etc. right in the heart of Harlem.

In addition to the move, Harlem Yoga Studio is updating their class schedule to include new adult classes, and many more Vinyasa, YogaTone, Prenatal, Full Figured Yoga, Donation Only Community Classes, Pilates, Kids and Family classes, and more! Check out their website for exact class details.

And in honor of the new location, Harlem Yoga Studio is offering FREE Yoga outside starting this coming Saturday, May 14. Every Saturday from May 14 through September at 11 AM Harlem Yoga Studio will offer a FREE one hour yoga class at the Target East Harlem Community Garden located at 415-417 East 117th Street, between First and Pleasant Aves.

That’s not all, starting at the end of this month, Harlem Yoga Studio will be offering FREE yoga in Central Park at Harlem Meer. This sounds cool and awesome way to practice yoga!

Overall, there are plenty of options in Harlem for us Harlemites to either continue or start yoga practice!

Harlem watercolorist getting ‘around town’

May 9, 2011 @ 8:01
By HarlemGal
Remember how we told you about a Harlem watercolorist awhile back named Lynn Lieberman? I believe we were the first blog site to introduce you to this Harlem artist and resident. Well, she is getting around, metaphorically speaking. Her work has been showcased at various Harlem venues. Next up is Cafe One, located at 1619 Amsterdam Avenue at the corner of West 140th Street. Cafe One is currently displaying a collection of Lieberman’s print collection from May 1 through June 20, 2011. Cafe One is also celebrating this collection with an artist’s reception Thursday, May 12 from 5-8: PM. So if you haven’t seen Harlem in watercolor, now is your opportunity at Cafe One!

‘It’s all that jazz’ at Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival

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.

Find out more details about the festival below:

SCHEDULE

LOCATIONS

HISTORY