Category Archives: Harlem

Harlem’s Amateur Night at The Apollo heading across the pond to London

Posted on March 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

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America’s first, original, true singing competition, which started in Harlem and pre-American Idol, is heading East to London. According to the Associated Press, the Apollo Theater in Harlem “is exporting its Amateur Night to London for a limited engagement. The London show on July will pit aspiring artists from the United States and Great Britain.”

“Manhattan auditions will be held March 31 and April 1. Four winners of the May 23 New York semifinals will get expense-paid trips to London. Semifinals to pick four amateurs in London will be held in June.”

If you know of anyone who would want to compete against a Brit in singing, pass this information along. And congrats to Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theater on exporting their Amateur Night to London! Way to go!

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Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, Community, entertainment, Harlem, history, music, New York, New York City, NYC, The Apollo Theater

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Harlem Classified: Vendors wanted for new flea market on Frederick Douglass Blvd

Posted on March 10, 2012 | 2 comments


If you’re interested in participating in Harlem’s new flea market called The Harlem Treasure Chest, see the classified above, which is also posted on Craigslist.

The Harlem Treasure Chest officially opened on March 4 on Harlem’s restaurant row, also known as Frederick Douglass Blvd. I visited last week and saw enormous potential in the space in terms of finding vintage items. I bought two items last week, which was a Mexican ceramic plate and a crystal candle holder. See photos below of my purchase.

And don’t forget The Harlem Treasure Chest is now open Saturday and Sunday starting at 8 a.m.

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Posted in 116th Street, Community, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, restaurant row, shopping, spending

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Several Harlem named/themed songs make Time Out New York’s 100 Best Songs about New York City

Posted on March 9, 2012 | 2 comments


Time Out New York recently released a ranked list of 100 songs dealing with the subject of New York City and several Harlem themed or named songs top the list, such as Take the A Train by Duke Ellington, Across 110th Street by Bobby Womack, Harlem Blues by Nat King Cole, Harlem Shuffle by Bob&Earl, Angel of Harlem by U2 and more. The list of 100 covers 50 years of tributes to the city that is known all over the world for inspiring artists across every musical genre.

In addition to the tracks, videos and commentary, Time Out New York is offering a Spotify playlist, so that readers can follow and stream the ranked songs on their own devices. Users will also be able to rerank the top 25 selections on the list by voting their choices up or down in the Readers’ Poll.

The Top NYC Song List can be seen at Time Out New York or go directly to Spotify, if you have an account.

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Posted in art and culture, education, entertainment, Harlem, history, jazz, music, New York, New York City

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New York Giants and Superbowl Champ Victor Cruz spotted at Harlem’s Chocolat

Posted on March 8, 2012 | Leave a comment

Clearly, people in the NFL love dining in Harlem, especially on Harlem’s restaurant row, i.e., Frederick Douglass Blvd. First, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys was seen dining at Melba’s Restaurant a couple of months ago. Now Chocolat Restaurant and Lounge in Harlem states on their Facebook page that NY Giants wide receiver, Superbowl Champ and excellent salsa dancer (from what I hear) Victor Cruz was seen dining at the Harlem restaurant located at 2223 FDB. Don’t take my word for it. Look at the photo below.

And ladies, we need to time our visits to Chocolat much better. Seeing Victor Cruz while dining at Chocolat in Harlem would have been a major bonus! Don’t ya think!

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Posted in Bars, Chocolat, drinks, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Melba's Restaurant Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants

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OMG…Lenox Lounge in Harlem could close. Please no!

Posted on March 8, 2012 | 6 comments


According to The New York Daily News, Harlem’s famed music establishment Lenox Lounge “could be on its last set.” The current owner, Al Reed, says the landlord of the property wants $20k a month from the prior $10k. The article states Reed is shopping the place around and that there are interested parties, such as Harlemite and celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson. I hope that is really true about Samuelsson.

Overall, this is sad news to hear. Closing Lenox Lounge would be like closing the Apollo Theater. These establishments are Harlem/American icons. Our community and New York City needs to desperately try to hold on to these treasures. It’s part of NYC’s fabric of life. Lenox Lounge is so special cause of its long history. It’s vintage. I will go as far as saying it should be a landmark and should be preserved. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that an investor views it that way…soon!

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Posted in 125th Street, Bars, business, Community, drinks, entertainment, food, Harlem, history, jazz, Lenox Avenue, music, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurants

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Top 50 things to do with kids in Harlem

Posted on March 5, 2012 | 1 comment

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According to Mommy Poppins, there is a boat load of fun and interesting activity to do in Harlem with kids! So much so that they have done the heavily lifting for us and compiled a list of the Top 50 Things to do with kids in Harlem!

The site mentions a ton of activity to do in Harlem from shaking your bon, bon at the Sundae Sermon in Morningside Park, which right now is happening at El Museo in Spanish Harlem until the weather warms up. They also mention participating in family concerts at Kidberry, taking family yoga classes at Land Yoga, watching concerts at Richard Rogers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park, ice skating at Lasker Rink in Central Park North, bowling at Harlem Lanes, explore Hamilton Grange and more. The list is 50 lines long. Take a look.

The only other items I would have added is renting bikes at MODSquad Cycles and biking in the northern part of Central Park and attending the annual Pumpkin Sail at Harlem Meer. Aside from that, Mommy Poppins covered plenty of things to do in Harlem. What do you think? Are there other activities that should be on that list? If so, tell us!

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Posted in 116th Street, 125th Street, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., art and culture, Community, education, entertainment, Events, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Frederick Douglass Circle, Free!, Harlem, history, kids, Lenox Avenue, New York, New York City, NYC

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The Harlem Treasure Chest, a new flea market in Harlem, to open March 4

Posted on March 1, 2012 | 7 comments

I received the flyer below in my inbox saying that a new flea market will open in Harlem this coming Sunday, March 4 at 6 AM on the corner of 117th and Frederick Douglass Blvd. Back in October 2011, I mentioned a new flea market in Harlem was coming.

The new flea market will be called Harlem Treasure Chest and plans to offer school supplies, clothing, mens’ suits, cell phone accessories, janitorial supplies, infant, furniture and more. Based on their flier, it appears they have plenty of vendors signed up to sell goods. I wonder whose on board? Does anyone know of a vendor who will be participating? If so, tell us!

I plan to check out this new Harlem flea market. Hope to see you there.

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Posted in business, Community, Events, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Free!, Harlem, restaurant row

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Londel’s Bar, offspring of Londel’s Supper Club in Harlem, to open March 1

Posted on February 29, 2012 | 3 comments

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I poked my head into Londel’s Bar, located on the corner of 115th and Frederick Douglass Blvd. in Harlem, this evening to see what’s up since all the lights were on and people were hanging out inside the place. The ladies inside told me Londel’s Bar was opening tomorrow night, March 1, and that staff are in the bar tonight (Feb. 29) for a staff meeting. So let’s see what happens tomorrow and I guess the touchy situation between the Livmor Condo and the Church got worked out…or not!

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Posted in Bars, business, drinks, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants

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Nectar Wine Bar in Harlem sends goodbye message to patrons

Posted on February 28, 2012 | 2 comments

Nectar Wine Bar in Harlem notified all of its patrons today via email late this afternoon  (Feb.28) confirming that they are in fact closing their doors…for good. The adieu note basically says Nectar in Harlem experienced “tough economic times” and could not keep up the demand of providing “quality wine and food selection” under such constraints. The note also states the last day of business is tomorrow, Feb. 29, from 8 pm to midnight and that Harlem Vintage will remain open for business.

Read the full goodbye note below.

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Posted in Bars, business, drinks, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants

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Harlem Restaurant and Retail Month starts March 1

Posted on February 28, 2012 | 1 comment

It is that time of year again…where Harlem Park to Park presents Harlem Restaurant and Retail Month for the month of March! Starting March 1 and running to March 31, a select group of Harlem businesses will be offering prix fixe menus and select retail items all for $20.12. Check out the list below and head on over to your favorite Harlem hangout this month for Harlem Restaurant and Retail Month!

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Posted in 125th Street, 5 and Diamond Harlem, Bars, bier international, business, Community, 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

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