May 23, 2011 @ 11:00
By HarlemGal
A big congrats to The Young Women’s Leadership School (TYWLS) and its founder Ann Tisch for getting a nice mention in the June issue of Vanity Fair. The article mentions how Tisch started the all girls school 18 years ago in Spanish Harlem, located at 106th and Park Avenue, and will soon be reaching a major milestone, 11 graduations. One hundred percent of the schools graduates are accepted at colleges.
To read more about TYWLS and its founder, purchase the June issue of Vanity Fair.
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.
May 22, 2011 @ 12:56
By HarlemGal
We stopped by yesterday (May 21) to check out the new and second location for Les Ambassades at 341 Lenox Avenue. The place is nice and spacious. It is much bigger than their first location in Harlem.
When you enter there is the take out counter to the right, which features crepes, smoothies, milkshakes, select hot food, pastries and breads, soft drinks and ice cream-all to go! If you want to sit down and eat, walk further in. There you will find a complete buffet of West African cuisine. The menu is included in the slideshow, which like their Frederick Douglass Blvd location is moderately priced. The different ideas we found on the menu are the crepes, smoothies and milkshakes. Most of the other items on the menu appeared identical to its FDB menu.
Unfortunately, we were not able to sample the food yesterday. I had a terrible cold and had to get downtown for a meet up. We were totally bummed that we did not get to eat. However, we have every intention of getting back to Ambassades Buffet on Lenox Ave to chow down on the African food. We are going for the crepes and the milkshakes! Take a look at the menu and tell us what do you from the menu?
To visit Ambassades Buffet at 341 Lenox Ave, take the 2/3 subway train to 125th! See you there!
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!
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!
By HarlemGal
Scanning through this week’s news clips, we could not help but notice the DNAInfo profile on Harlem watercolorist Lynn Lieberman. A big congrats to Lynn on her recent press coverage! And kudos to us for being the first blog to introduce the talented watercolorist to our readers back in February 2010. We are flattered to be viewed as a credible source of information for art and culture!
By HarlemGal
Youth took to the stage at The Apollo recently for Amateur Night and boy did it shine bright! Watch Reignn Acedera sing a Whitney Houston song at the The Apollo Theater for the famous Amateur Night. She does a good job and clearly wants a singing career. If you go to YouTube she has several videos!
And by the way, she won the kids division at Amateur Night at The Apollo. Read the story here and see another video!
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!
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!
May 20, 2011 @ 7:45
By HarlemGal
Take a walk along Frederick Douglass Blvd to the northwest corner of 116th Street and you will see big red letters that spell out “Harlem Tavern.” You can’t miss it! The signage went up yesterday! The folks at Harlem Tavern are working hard so that they can soon join, what we predicted and call “restaurant row” of Harlem, this coming June. The upcoming Harlem restaurant and bar, and its workers have been nailing and hammering away day in and day out in preparation for their June 2011 opening, which we told you about a few weeks ago. They have made significant progress, according to these pics taken yesterday (May 19). If you walk by, you will also notice that French doors are in place along with their big bright red signage. At the pace they are working, they just might make their June deadline.
See how the progress has been coming along for Harlem Tavern on their Facebook page! And while you are there, click on their “Like” button! I certainly did!
HarlemGal Inc. 