Category Archives: HarlemGal

Harlem Arts Festival opens 2014 artist application, application fee lowered

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Listen up, Harlem artists! The Harlem Arts Festival is now accepting applications for its 2014 festival. Artist application fees have been reduced from $35 to $25.

“After applications are submitted, our selection committee evaluates potential artists on a variety of factors to ensuring the rich, diverse cultural legacy of Harlem is represented in the festival each year,” said Neal Ludevig, executive director of the Harlem Arts Festival. “The application fee helps to identify committed applicants, and every penny not spent on fees and permits pays the stipends of the artists in the festival. This year’s lowered fee is intended to make the festival more accessible to artists.”

The Harlem Arts Festival’s application process is uniquely democratic. The festival puts out an open call in the Fall of each year, encouraging artists of all disciplines to apply with details of their background, examples of their work, and their connection to Harlem. Applications are reviewed in the spring of each year by the Harlem Arts Festival’s artistic selection committee (ASC).

To learn more about the artist application fee go here or HAF, check out their website.

Hey Harlem, we are getting free wifi

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Manhattan’s and America’s black capital, aka Harlem, is getting a major freebie via a grant and reaching a major milestone. Harlem is getting free wi-fi service and will soon be home to the nation’s largest wi-fi network.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced yesterday, Tuesday, that a specific section of Harlem will soon get a new outdoor public wi-fi network. The free wi-fi coverage will cover 95 city blocks, spanning from 110th Street to 138th Street.

“The public network will be funded for the first five years through a grant from the non-profit Fuhrman Family Foundation, led by former Goldman Sachs executive Glenn Fuhrman. The first phase is already underway, and the mayor’s office said the entire network will be completed by May of next year.”

Read more here.

Harlem holiday lighting events, Marcus Garvey Park December 5 and Frederick Douglass Circle December 12

There are two Harlem holiday lighting events happening for us to attend. Tonight is the annual Holiday Celebration of Lights at Marcus Garvey Park. It starts at 7 pm. Additional details are below.

A week from today, December 12th, the Friends of Frederick Douglass Circle are hosting a Holiday Tree Lighting starting at 6 pm. More information below.

So in essence our Thursdays are booked for December. Attend one or both events! See you there!

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Wreath making class happening in Harlem December 7, learn from Katrina Parris Flowers

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Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association and the floral designers from Katrina Parris Flowers in Harlem are hosting a wreath making class on Saturday, December 7, between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. The class allows participants to create and assemble your very own wreath(s) for your doors and/or windows. All supplies will be provided.

Don’t have time for D-I-Y? The organizers will have Elves on hand to make the wreaths for you. They’ll be ready for pick up between 3:00 – 4:00 PM on Saturday, December 7th.

Do-it-yourself wreaths will cost $30 and let the Elves do it is $40. The organizers need at least 20 orders to hold the event.

Order and pay online or reserve today and pay at the door.

The wreath making will be at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church located at 230 Lenox Avenue and West 122 Street.

Museum of Food and Drink launches new program in East Harlem, MOFAD Roundtable

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The Museum of Food and Drink is holding its inaugural MOFAD Roundtable, co-sponsored by the NYC Food Policy Center in East Harlem at Hunter College and Heritage Radio Network Thursday at CUNY School of Public Health at 3rd Avenue/E. 119th. The first MOFAD Roundtable live debate will tackle the NYC soda ban. See additional details below.

WHO: The inaugural Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) Roundtable. MOFAD Roundtable is a continuing series that will be broadcast on the Heritage Radio Network and hosted on MOFAD’s website, www.mofad.org.

WHAT: Increasing public concern about food has raised awareness, along with some tough questions, about controversial food issues. Enter MOFAD Roundtable, a new program from MOFAD bringing together top experts to debate today’s most complex food issues.

Esteemed speakers for this upcoming MOFAD Roundtable include:

Dave Arnold, Founder and President, MOFAD; Joel Berg, Executive Director, New York City Coalition Against Hunger; Nicholas Freudenberg, Faculty Director, NYC Food Policy Center at Hunter College; Parke Wilde, Associate Professor, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University; J. Justin Wilson, Senior Research Analyst, Center for Consumer Freedom; Lisa Young, Adjunct Professor, Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, New York University.

WHEN: Thursday, December 5, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WHERE: CUNY School of Public Health, 2180 3rd Avenue (at E. 119th St.)

COST/RSVP: Free; Online RSVP required

Corner Social hosting Ladies Holiday Party December 4

Ladies, there’s a holiday party happening in Harlem dedicated to us. On December 4th, Corner Social is kicking off the December holiday season with a Ladies Holiday Party. See details below. Corner Social is located at 126th and Lenox Avenue.

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Want a Harlem t-shirt? Keep Harlem, Harlem tees now available

On this Harlem blog, I use tees to feature the subject matter, ie Harlem. Sometimes readers ask, where can I buy a unique tee with the name Harlem on it? Here’s an option. One of my favorite Harlem sites, Harlem NYC, is now offering Harlem tees to purchase. The t-shirt says “Keep Harlem, Harlem.” Pretty cool…huh? If you’re interested in purchasing this Harlem tee, go here! And to check out Harlem NYC like I do, click here.

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The Park 112 in Harlem plans to open November 29

According to its Facebook page, the long awaited The Park 112 located on Harlem’s restaurant row, aka Frederick Douglass Blvd., will open November 29. The wine bar posted a message this evening (Wednesday) on FB informing all their friends. The photo below says it all.

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Lido Harlem offering wine and dinner tastings for upcoming holiday season

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The holiday season is upon us, Harlem! Do you have special plans? Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar on 117th Street and Frederick Douglass is offering wine and dinner tastings during the holidays! Interested participants can schedule a wine and tasting event with friends and family or hold a company holiday party at Lido Harlem as well!

Your special event can include history, grapes and other important wine facts. For example, discover why certain foods pair better than others with your wine. Sommelier, Andrea Wobensmith will lead the tasting in a fun and relaxed setting. Lido Harlem is offering 4 and 5 course pairings for 10 or more individuals.

For reservations, call Lido at 646-490-8575, or Andrea Wobensmith at 917-733-9413, andrea@wineandtravels.com Below is a sample menu for your viewing:

First Course
Warm salad of arugula, roasted pears, walnuts, shaved parmesean
Wine: Prosecco Brut Jeio Bisol
Second Course
Arancini, risotto rice balls stuffed with gorgonzola
Wine: Rose Sangiovese
Third Course
Spaghettini, arrabiata with grilled shrimp
Wine: Toscana Rosso Circa
Fourth Course
Braised short ribs with fontina polenta, marscapone cream, fresh horseradish
Wine: Aglianico Del Vulture
Fifth Course
Chocolate budino with sea salt
Taylor Fladgate, Fine Ruby

Ballet Hispanico returns to Apollo Theater with three new works and live music

Ballet Hispanico, recognized as the nation’s leading Latino dance organization since 1970, returns to the legendary Apollo Theater on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 7:30pm, following last season’s sold-out holiday performance. The performance is sponsored by Goya Foods. Highlights include a seductive world premiere by Edgar Zendejas inspired by the beloved Mexican celebration “Día de los Muertos” (Day of the Dead), and the Apollo premiere of Belgian-Colombian Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Sombrerísimo, an athletic tour de force for six male dancers. The world premiere of Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro’s Hogar will be set to vibrant live music by Ljova and the Kontraband, a mix of classical, Latin, and gypsy melodies.

The Apollo Theater is located at 253 W. 125th Street. Tickets start at $28 and are available for purchase in person at the Apollo Theater Box Office, or through Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000 or www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information, visit www.ballethispanico.org.

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