Category Archives: Morningside Park

See Reclining Liberty art installation in Harlem’s Morningside Park

Lady Liberty is hanging, actually reclining, in Harlem these days. In fact, she’s going to be stretching out and making herself comfortable for a few months-until April 2022. Reclining Liberty, the name of the art installation, really gives the appearance of her getting ready to chill…hmm well… sort of maybe take a nap in the park. Can’t blame her. Don’t we all feel like that sometimes.

Reclining Liberty is a 25 foot long sculpture by Zaq Landsberg. It’s very impressive to see from afar and up close! I took a ton of pictures of Reclining Liberty because it was truly a joy to see-especially since it’s right here in my neighborhood of Central Harlem!

If you get a chance, go see the installation at 120th Street and Morningside Avenue! It will be worth the visit!

NYC KidsFest brings Performing Artists to Morningside Park, Sunday June 18

Need family plans in Harlem June 18? Consider NYC Kidsfest in Morningside Park from 2-7 PM. NYC Kidsfest is a free, one-day family performing arts festival bringing acts of outstanding artistic quality to New York families. Packed with music, theater, dance, storytelling and much more; this festival promises to delight, inspire and arouse the imaginations of children of all ages.

Headliners include: Bassam Saba and members of the NY Arabic Orchestra; Uptown Social Club; Karen Arcenaux—Alvin Ailey Zumba; Galli Theater performance of The Ugly Duckling; Face Painting by Derek Little; Theater workshops with actors from Classical Theater of Harlem; and Arts & Crafts Table

Location: Morningside Park—113th Street @ Manhattan Avenue behind St. John the Divine.

Closest trains: 1, B or C Exit 110th Street. Rain date is June 25!

Harlem getting another Starbucks, new condo on 110th will house Seattle giant

   
 Strolling along 110th St. approaching Manhattan Avenue in Harlem, what will you see? A big sign that says Starbucks coming! It will open up two or three doors down west of Cafe Amrita, a long time favorite Harlem business.

Clearly, the Seattle based company sees that the cafe/coffee business is booming in this part of Harlem, along with mid to high end restaurants. In the last few years, several cafes have open up just along Harlem’s restaurant row, aka Frederick Douglass Blvd., such as Double Dutch, Silvana, Amaretto Espresso Bar, and Cafe Frederick Harlem Parlor.

Not sure I care for another Starbucks in this area. There are plenty of good coffee options now that exist! Agree or disagree?

Attend 10th Annual NYC KidsFest in Harlem, June 21

  

Sunday, June 21 is one busy day in Harlem. Make Music New York takes place throughout the Harlem area as well as NYC KidsFest. NYC KidsFest is scheduled this Sunday from noon to five in Morningside Park.

The event is free and packed with music, theater, dance, storytelling and much more. 

Date: Sunday, June 21, 2015 (Rain Date: June 28, 2015)

Time: 12:00 pm- 5:00 pm 

Location: Morningside Park—113th Street @ Manhattan Avenue behind St. John the Divine. Closest trains: 1, B or C Exit 110th Street

Headliners of the event include: 

AJR
– Jam and sing along to the awesome pop sounds of MTV’s AJR. 

Galli Theater Presents: Little Red Riding Hood -No need to sit down and be quiet, join the actions! Come on stage and become a part of the play! Interact with the characters, warn Little Red of the Wolf, and engage in a theater experience like no other.

Aubrey’s Show Kids-The talented dancers of Aubrey’s Show Kids hit the stage like lightning with their amazing and entertaining dance moves.

Karen A.’s Zumba Experience-Your kids will not only dance but also exercise as they have a blast rocking out to Karen A’s Zumba. This energetic and passionate professional dancer, Karen A., is also a teacher at the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater.

Magnificent Mommy Dawn Lerner– Newly published by Penguin and author of My Fat Dad, Dawn will teach your children to “decipher the box” in a fun label reading activity and game. 

P.S.180 Violin Players– Young and talented musicians who have been training tirelessly to entertain the crowd with a beautiful performance. 

Reckless Entertainment Performers-Comprised of three artists of different talents, ranging from percussion to poetry, this ensemble brings together a variety of influences producing something unique, contemporary, and quenching your thirst for something new. 

Face Painting by Derek Little– Artist and face painter Derek Little will magically transform your kids face with his artistic imagination.

Introducing 272 MA in Harlem, no fee rental apartments

More apartments to rent are coming up in Harlem! The next batch is on the corner of 112th Street and Manhattan Avenue! The building is calling itself 272 MA. And it’s represented by Nest Seekers International.

According to the signage, the building will be offering one and two bedroom apartments with no fee. Hmm? But you have to make a certain amount of income to go into the building, according to the website. And the income is on the high side if you ask me!

Interested applicants have to fill out this form. Here’s the website to learn more.

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364 West 119th Street in Harlem purchased for rental redevelopment

In a news release issued today, Jasper Venture Group announced it has purchased a five-story, ten unit low-rise apartment building in Harlem for rental redevelopment.

The property, located at 364 West 119th Street, is in Morningside Heights neighborhood adjacent to Morningside Park and Columbia University. The location offers proximity to nearby Harlem restaurants, nightlife, and mass transit.

According to the news release, the brick row house was originally built in 1910, and its facade retains desirable original architectural features, including ornate ironwork and stonework.

Construction will begin in April, 2014.

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Central Harlem ranks first in…most condom use!

According to The New York Post, Central Harlem knows how to use a catcher’s mitt when playing adult baseball-metaphorically speaking. The article claims Harlem is first in the category of most condom use followed by Bed-Stuy, then Crown Heights. “Condom use peaked in Central Harlem (43.3 percent) and Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights (40 percent).”

Thank goodness our community knows how to play baseball well. Lol! Apparently, the Upper Westside and Greenpoint don’t know or want to use a catcher’s mitt. Guess those neighborhoods want more children! Lol!

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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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One Morningside Park in Harlem taking shape

Harlem real estate continues to amaze me. Development continues even though the entire world feels like a quagmire, with the exception of Manhattan real estate. Look at this building in Harlem on the corner of 110th Street and Manhattan Avenue, which was an abandoned lot! It’s going up so fast and there’s not very many apartments left-unless one has a million dollars. Look at One Morningside Park’s listings! All that’s left to purchase are apartments for $1.2 to $2.2 million. And there’s no guarantee those million dollar apartments have Central Park or Morningside Park views. My guess is those apartments with great park views went first.

With this apartment building going up in this former abandoned lot, can we all agree now that Harlem is one expensive place to buy real estate? Long gone are the days of reasonable apartment deals in Harlem.

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Attend It’s My Park Day October 19 at Harlem’s Morningside Park

Interested in volunteering this weekend? It’s My Park Day is happening Saturday, Oct. 19th at Morningside Park in Harlem. Work begins at 9 am at the dog run and will consist of putting down fresh wood chips. See details below.

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