Category Archives: Harlem

Shop farmers market and practice yoga in Harlem

Friends of Morningside Park, Community Markets and Land Yoga are putting the tag terms, health and wellness, community and grocery shopping in action. This weekend (July 9th) they are starting outdoor yoga in Morningside Park. From 4 to 5 pm, you can practice yoga under the big blue Harlem sky with Lara from Land Yoga at the 110th St and Manhattan Ave entrance. This free class will be held at the same time every week, weather permitting. So bring your own mat and dristi (focus) to the park.

And also bring your grocery list! The Morningside Farmers Market opens at 9 am sharp!

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‘Secret Agent’ buys in Harlem

According to The New York Observer, Harlem is getting a “secret agent.” Well, actually Fifth on the Park is. Apparently, Glen Sergeon Jr., who got him dubbed the “Secret Agent” by Forbes magazine back in May has said goodbye to his Greenwich Village penthouse for a three-bedroom apartment in the condo tower Fifth on the Park. Records show that the Secret Agent himself paid $1.42 million for his new place on the 20th floor of the 28-story building located near Marcus Garvey Park at 120th Street.

The article mentions that Fifth on the Park is the tallest apartment building in Harlem and the Secret Agent’s “new 1,884-square-foot home offers all the modern amenities, such as state of the art kitchens with granite counter tops, washer/dryers, central air conditioner and heating systems, cherry wood floors, oversized windows, 9 – 10′ ceiling heights, marble baths with soaking tubs and custom closets.” And the Secret Agent is getting a deal. There are almost no taxes to pay, due to the 421-a program.

Hope the residents at Fifth on the Park are excited about having a “secret agent” living in their building. Maybe they will dub him the James Bond of Harlem?

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Harlem real estate progress report: Windows on 123 sold out and 88 Morningside half remaining

Windows on 123

The Harlem real estate sector continues to progress even though the markets in general appear to be down on all other fronts. Two properties in Harlem are meeting their mark given the uncertain times. According to Halstead Property Development, the first phase of a two-building development, Windows on 123 Apartments, a luxury condominium development in Harlem, is sold out and that the launch of sales has begun at Windows on 123 Lofts, the development’s nearby sister property. Windows on 123 is a 34-unit luxury residential development located at 117 and 129 West 123rd Street near Lenox Avenue.

88 Morningside

West of the Windows on 123 is 88 Morningside. They had a successful month in June as well. More than 50 percent of the units are sold in this new Harlem condo building and it is one of the fastest selling new developments in Harlem.

If you’re looking for a downtown loft-like apartment, Windows on 123 might be worth the visit or if you want to have park views, 88 Morningside offers that. It is located along Morningside Park, which is a gorgeous park! And that’s my Harlem real estate progress report!

See ‘Freeing Silvia Baraldini’ tonight at Maysles Cinema in Harlem

The director of Changing Face of Harlem has informed us that there is an interesting film playing tonight at the Maysles Cinema, located at 343 Lenox Avenue. For one night only, see award-winning Freeing Silvia Baraldini tonight, July 6th, at 7 p.m.

The film is about an Italian national who was arrested in the 80’s and sentenced to 43 years in prison in part for her participation in helping to free a Black Panther from prison.

To read more about the film and purchase tickets, go to Maysles Cinema.

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The Mafrika Music Festival returns to Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park

The annual Mafrika Music Festival returns to Marcus Garvey Park this coming Sunday, July 10. If you recall last year they did not have it because the park was under construction.

The program starts at 10 a.m. and runs all day. Many local businesses are contributing to the festival, including one of my favorite places to dine and listen to music, i.e. Yatenga French Bistro and Bar and ShrineNYC.

So if you have no plans this Sunday, head on over to the Mafrika Music Festival at Marcus Garvey Park, enter at 120th street and 5th Ave. For more information, go to Mafrika.com

A crowd descends on Harlem Tavern opening night

Jul 2, 2011 @ 11:56
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By HarlemGal
Harlem has a new beer garden and locals definitely turned out in large numbers to be the first to see it first hand. Harlem Tavern, located on the northwest corner of 116th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd., opened its doors at 5 PM sharp July 1 and folks were lined up along the outer wall to get in. By 6 or 6:30 PM the entire place was packed with uptowners. And when I say packed, every table inside and out had patrons sitting anxiously awaiting to try out the food and beverage menu. By 7 PM, I checked my online accounts and several people20110702-113357
checked into Foursquare from Harlem Tavern and photos of the place from inside were posted immediately to Facebook. The place was completely full in two hours and the kitchen and bar were blasted with orders. The design and layout of the place had no problem seating the crowd. We had seats outside and it was nice and comfortable. Harlem Tavern is going to be a great place to drink, eat and people watch. Stop by this weekend. They are starting brunch from 10-4 PM.

20110702-113541As for product, I am not going to get into reviewing the food, drinks or service yet since last night was their first night of business. I want to give them some space and time to get their service dance down. All I am going to say is the wait staff and owners did their absolute best given what was presented before them-a tsunami like large crowd. The bar and kitchen got so backed up, it was going to take them all night to get caught up. I left before 9 PM so not sure what happened after then.

I know the owners of Harlem Tavern are seasoned restauranteurs. They own several joints in the City so they know what they are doing. I plan on 20110702-113550
returning real soon. However, when I left the place last night all I kept thinking was “they better hire more staff pronto!” They need more workers ASAP! Last nights turnout proved, along with bier international’s success, there is a demand in Harlem for outdoor dining/beer gardens. Last nights attendance proved that-in my view. There had to be at least 300 or more people in attendance.

There was one more thought that crossed my mind when I left Harlem Tavern last night “gold mine.” Harlem Tavern and bier international are complete gold mines. It is obvious or it will be. Walk by these places and see for yourself! Beer gardens in Harlem…are gold mines!

Meet Louis Mendes, a street photographer from Harlem

Jul 1, 2011 @ 12:28

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By HarlemGal
On my way to work today I had the pleasure of meeting (actually bumping into) Louis Mendes, a street photographer from Harlem best known for his speed graphic camera. Our paths crossed right on the northwest corner of 116th and Frederick Douglass Blvd. I quickly asked “are you taking pictures of people right in front of Harlem Tavern today?” He said “no, I am waiting for someone.” I said “you should take photos tonight, there will be tons of people here.” He said “we’ll see.”

Then Louis took a photo of me and then I asked “can I take a picture of you?” He agreed and said “I might be here later tonight.” I said “I hope so ’cause it’s going to be happening.”

Sign says Harlem Tavern officially opening July 1

Jun 30, 2011 @ 12:05
By HarlemGal
A reader provided us with a nice photo this morning about Harlem Tavern! I believe the photo says it all-opening day at Harlem Tavern starts at 5 pm, July 1! See you there! And a big thanks to our reader!!! You know who you are! You are the BEST!

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Harlem Tavern delays opening to Fourth of July weekend

Jun 28, 2011 @ 10:45
By HarlemGal
If you were planning on stopping by Harlem Tavern tomorrow night, June 29, don’t. They’re not quite ready yet. They just passed their last inspection last night (June 27) and over the weekend they put out a call for more food runners. They were needing a lot more help. Given all this, they are now aiming to open this Friday if all goes as planned.

So if you are around over the holiday weekend, there might be another place in Harlem to sit outside to eat and drink! In the mean time, check out their menu and drink list, here. When they open, you’ll be ready to order when you arrive! Stay tuned…

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