Category Archives: Harlem

Where to purchase a Harlem tee?

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A reader from Plano, Texas recently wrote HarlemGal Inc asking where can one purchase a t-shirt that says Harlem on it if one doesn’t live in Harlem? The answer: there are plenty of options to purchase a Harlem tee if you don’t live in Harlem!

The largest Harlem online community on Facebook known as Harlem NYC recently started to sell unisex t-shirts that say…what else, but Harlem NYC on it. Go here to purchase a t-shirt for $12.50. To get that price, more than 50 t-shirts have to be printed.

On twitter, several followers have told HarlemGal that a site called Harlem Lives sells men and women t-shirts that say Harlem on it. And apparently, there is a sale going on at this site according to a follower. Harlem Lives tees run from about $19 to $25.

Harlem Underground offers consumers the opportunity to buy Harlem t-shirts online and in stores as well. Harlem Underground has two locations. Their first is on 20 East 125th Street. And recently, they opened their second store in Harlem on Frederick Douglass Blvd between 119th Street and 120th. Harlem Underground tees cost from $16 all the way up to $30.

Harlem t-shirts are also offered in stores only at Swing Concept and Bebenoir in Harlem. And let’s not forget along 125th Street. Street vendors sell Harlem t-shirts for as low as $10!

If there are other places to purchase Harlem t-shirts, drop us line here in the comments section!

See ‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’ in Harlem this weekend


Beasts of the Southern Wild ,” the fantasy drama film that Oprah Winfrey has praised and learned about from President Barack Obama, will be showing for the first time in Harlem this weekend. The film has been out for sometime showing in limited locations in New York City. However, no need to go downtown ’cause it starts playing uptown starting tomorrow, Friday, August 31.

Magic Johnson Theater, located at 124th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd., will be showing the award-winning film over the Labor Day weekend holiday. The film received the top prize at Cannes Films Festival and Sundance Film Festival. And online reviews give the film four out of five stars.

If you’re having a stay-cation in Harlem this weekend, like I am, put seeing this PG-13 film on your to-do-list! I know I am! Click here to buy tickets.

Harlem YMCA tennis classes begin September 4

The US Open Tennis starts today in Queens and runs until September 9. The opportunity for your Harlem child to be the next Venus Williams, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, or Rafael Nadal starts now. Harlem YMCA is offering tennis instructions for children ages 4-5 years old and 6-8 years old. Classes run in 8-week sessions and costs start at $60 for members and $105 for non members. To sign up your Harlem child for classes, go to the YMCA website or contact Latoya Jackson at 212-912-2162.

The Harlem YMCA is located at 180 West 135th Street between Lenox Avenue and ACP Blvd.

Harlem Happenings: Studio Museum Harlem, Corner Social and Sundae Sermon

It’s the weekend in Harlem! A lot is happening starting tonight with Uptown Fridays at the Studio Museum in Harlem. Read here for more information.

Then on Saturday (Aug 25), Corner Social on Lenox Ave and 126th is hosting a special pre-fix brunch from noon to 6 pm with live music and free cocktails from noon to 1 pm.

And on Sunday (Aug 26), its time to let loose by dancing the afternoon away at Sundae Sermon in Morningside Park.

Have a great weekend Harlem!

Harlem School of the Arts offers Free Class Week

Listen up parents! The Harlem School of the Arts (HSA) will be offering Free Class Week beginning Tuesday, September 4th thru Saturday, September 8th. Free classes will be offered in music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and musical theatre for all ages.

The HSA Free Class Week is open to the public and free classes are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.  HSA Free Class Week culminates with HSA Parent Orientation for all parents of registering students on September 8th at 10am (for ages 2-8) and 2pm (for ages 9-17). All interested participants should go to the HSA website for more information.

Additionally HSA will be holding open auditions September 11 and 12, Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:30 pm–7:00 pm for students Grades 3-8 who wish to participate in Disney’s The Lion King KIDS and The Lion King JR (its children’s version of its landmark Broadway musical) being held at HSA October 1 – March 18 culminating in student performances. Call backs will be held September 13.

The Harlem School of the Arts is located at 645 Saint Nicholas Avenue @ W. 141st Street. Close to A, B, C and D subway trains to 145th Street or M3 bus to 141st Street.

Harlem gas station in demand

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According to The New York Post this morning (Aug 20), the owners of the Harlem gas station on 110th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd have been busy fighting off the City of New York from taking over their property.

The article states that Carmie Elmore and a partner took over the gas station in 1981 when Harlem was seedy. Now that Harlem is hot and has been on an upward trajectory for a while, the city apparently owned it at one time and wants its gas station back. Each entity is heading to Manhattan Supreme Court to make its point.

When I first moved to Harlem and was looking at apartments to buy, I remember either my broker or another local telling me this farfetched, ridiculous statement about this corner…get ready for this, which was that it was being eyed by the Donald Trump himself. Did anyone else get fed this line when buying an apartment in South Harlem? I recall someone mentioning that Donald Trump was interested in the Harlem gas station because he wants to own property bookends on the westside of Central Park–one property already exists at Columbus Circle.

Crazy stuff huh? But now that I am reading this article, it makes me wonder what the City is really up to? If Mr. Elmore and his business partner own the gas station and they don’t want to sell it, shouldn’t that be the end of the discussion? Punto! What do you think?

Harlem’s Cedric French Bistro and Bar turns one


Another Harlem dining establishment is celebrating its first anniversary! Cedric French Bistro and Bar is hitting their one year mark and they are inviting everyone over to celebrate with a champagne brunch tomorrow, August 18 from noon to 6 pm. Head on over, they are offering free mimosa’s for those that dine there. And congrats to Cedric French Bistro on reaching this milestone!

The real social networking happens at Uptown Fridays in Harlem

Save the evening date of August 24! That’s when one of the best social gatherings in Harlem is happening: Uptown Fridays at The Studio Museum Harlem featuring DJ Reborn!

It’s more than the usual soirée. It’s a chance to have mental stimulation in a cool setting. It’s an opportunity to connect with artists, curators, collectors and critics at the center of black art and culture. And it’s all happening at our Studio Museum in Harlem, which is located at 144 West 125th Street between Lenox Avenue and ACP Blvd. Start time is 7 pm.

Tickets to Uptown Fridays are $15 for Studio Museum members and $20 for non-members. Admission includes a guided gallery tour of one of our current exhibitions, dancing in the courtyard and cocktails! Take the 2, 3, A, B, C, D @ 125th subway train!

For more information and to RSVP, contact UptownFridays@studiomuseum.org.

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Johnny Rockets in East Harlem expected to open soon

A little pajarito tells HarlemGal Inc that the Johnny Rockets we blogged about back in October is aiming to open in the next week or so. That’s if they pass inspection and can get their gas turned on. Whether its next week or not, they’re prepared to open in the immediate future in the East River Plaza, which is located at the end of East 116th Street. Stay tuned!

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