Category Archives: Free!

Celebrate the website redesign of GetHealthyHarlem.org at Harlem Tavern


GetHealthyHarlem.org, a health information website where Harlem residents, families, businesses and organizations can find local information about getting and staying healthy, is have a special gathering tonight at Harlem Tavern. They are celebrating the launch of their website redesign.

According to the organization, viewing and posting information will be much easier on their website, such as a community calendar where readers can post their own events. Go to their website to learn more or better yet, join in on the celebration, it starts tonight at 5:00 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m. at Harlem Tavern. RSVP to gethealthyharlem@gmail.com

It’s the Harlem re-shuffle says UK-based The Independent

Our beloved Harlem is featured bright and big again in the media, but this time in the UK’s travel section of The Independent. According to the article the reporter/ photographer visited Harlem recently and took direction from Thelma Golden, the Director of Studio Museum Harlem, on what to see in Harlem.

Per Golden’s instructions, Chris Coplans stayed at The Aloft Harlem and he raves about it in the article. He also went to the Apollo Theater, El Museo del Barrio, Studio Museum Harlem, and more. Golden encouraged the reporter to visit the Duke Ellington sculpture and to try Senegalese food at Les Ambassades.

What’s interesting about this article is the reporter covered a lot of Harlem ground-from East to West. He also gives Lenox Avenue big props by saying, “If 125th St is the traditional Harlem, then Lenox Avenue between 125th and 126th is very much the emerging “New Harlem”, with an arty vibe and “Village” sidewalk culture.”

To read the full article, click here. To see additional photos on Harlem from the reporter, go here.

Gospel for Teens Harlem feature on 60 Minutes to re-air August 28

I received notice that the video feature of Gospel for Teens that aired on 60 Minutes awhile back will be airing again this coming Sunday, August 28 starting at 7 p.m.

If you missed seeing the two-part segment where Leslie Stahl interviews Vy Higginsen and some of her students in Gospel for Teens, there is another opportunity. Don’t miss it. It was very good, emotional and inspiring to see.

Gospel for Teens on 60 Minutes
August 28 at 7 p.m. ET/PT

To read prior blog coverage on Gospel for Teens, click here.

The Annual Charlie Parker Jazz Festival is happening this weekend in Harlem


For all you jazz aficionados, this event is for you! The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival is happening this coming weekend in Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park. The annual jazz music festival assembles some of the finest musicians in the world, who reflect on Charlie Parker’s “musical individuality and genius, to promote appreciation for this highly influential and world-renowned artist.” The two-day event of free concerts takes place in neighborhoods where Charlie Parker actually lived and worked-and one of those places is Harlem!

On Saturday, the line up will include Toots Thielmans, James Carter, Tia Fuller, and Cecile McLorin Salvant. The music starts at 3:00 p.m. in Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park! See additional details here!

Harlem’s Tonnie’s Minis to hold First Annual Customer Appreciation Day


Tonnie’s Minis, Harlem’s delicious cup cake shop at 264 Lenox Avenue, is dedicating a day to say “Thanks” to their customers.  They are holding their First Annual Customer Appreciation Day and it’s happening this coming Saturday, August 27. The event starts at noon and goes to 9:00 p.m. Check out details on their facebook page.

Should be a fun event. I saw where someone said they can’t wait to try the cupcake shots. Yummy! If that’s the kind of shots they will be having at this event, I am so there. See you at Tonnie’s Minis in Harlem this Saturday!

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


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!

Central Park Conservancy and Jazzmobile present: Harlem Meer Social Hour

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.

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

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.

2011 Harlem Week kick off was a big success

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.

Closing of Harlem’s St. Nick’s Pub still unknown

There is has been absolutely no drips or drabs of information about why Harlem’s St. Nick’s Pub, located at 773 St. Nicholas Ave.,  has been closed. It’s been like this for awhile…until now. According to NearSay.com, they are reporting there was an email from the NYC Health Department’s press secretary noting that St. Nick’s Pub was inspected and ordered to close back on February 16 for operating with an expired permit. Furthermore, the article states St. Nick’s owner met with a representative from the health department soon after in which the owner was informed “of outstanding fines for past violations that needed to be paid in order to reopen the establishment.”

Given this information, I guess the fines have not been paid or St. Nick’s would be open.  I sure hope this gets resolved soon. I want St. Nick’s Pub to be around for many more years to come!