Category Archives: music

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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Attend Sundae Sermon at El Museo in Spanish Harlem

Posted on February 26, 2012 | Leave a comment


Sundae Sermon, the afternoon Harlem dance party generally held in the summer in Morningside Park, and El Museo Del Barrio in Spanish Harlem have teamed up to keep us grooving all winter long with the launch of its first annual Sundae Sermon Indoor Series today, February 26, from 3 pm – 7 pm.  El Museo Del Barrio, located on Fifth Avenue and East 105th Street, is hosting Sundae Sermon in Spanish Harlem to connect family, community and commerce through dance, leisure, laughter and artist exhibits.

DJ Stormin’ Norman, Sundae Sermon’s founder, will curate each event’s music, art and dance-centric themes, with special guest DJs, hosts and artists. Four events are planned for the series, starting with the first one today, Feb. 26th, from 3 pm to 7 pm.

DETAILS: Sundae Sermon Dance Party
DATE: Sunday, February 26, 2012, 3 pm – 7 pm
LOCATION: Museo Del Barrio, 1230 5th Avenue

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Posted in art and culture, Community, Events, Free!, Harlem, music, New York, New York City, NYC

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Mark your calendar: Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival to take place May 7-13

Posted on February 24, 2012 | Leave a comment

If your were wondering when the second annual Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival will take place this year, we know the dates. According to a news release, the same organizations who put on the first Festival have joined forces once again. The Apollo Theater, Harlem Stage and Jazzmobile will present a series of concerts and events, May 7-13, 2012, to celebrate the rich legacy of jazz in the uptown community.

The Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival plans to bring both established and emerging artists to Harlem venues and will pay tribute to Club Harlem, Clark Monroe’s Uptown House, Havana San Juan Club, Small’s Paradise, Minton’s Playhouse, Showman’s Café, Park Palace, Lenox Lounge and the Apollo Theater.

In addition to concerts at jazz shrines, other Festival events will take place at Harlem Stage Gatehouse, Columbia University and a variety of locations throughout the Harlem area. So mark your calendars to May 7-13!

Tickets for many of the Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival events are available now. For tickets and more information on the Festival and its partners, visit the Harlem Jazz Shrines’ website at www.Harlemjazzshrines.org.

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Posted in art and culture, Community, Events, Harlem, jazz, music

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Remembering Whitney Houston: Watch ‘Greatest Love of All’ music video at Harlem’s Apollo Theater

Posted on February 12, 2012 | Leave a comment


A very good friend of mine texted me Saturday evening (February 11) immediately after hearing of Whitney Houston’s passing saying “I am sure there is a connection between Whitney Houston and Harlem-after all she was a gospel singer to start.” My good friend was right. There is a connection between Whitney and Harlem. I discovered online that “the music video for Whitney’s hit single, ‘Greatest Love of All,’ a song first recorded by George Benson for the 1977 Muhammad Ali biopic The Greatest, was filmed at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. The video features a cameo by Whitney’s mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston.” Watch the video below. It is very clear she is singing on the big stage at the Apollo in New York City’s Harlem.

If you know of any other connection between Whitney Houston and Harlem, please tell us here so that we can celebrate her and her history to Harlem, and the world.

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Posted in 125th Street, Harlem, history, music, New York, New York City, NYC, The Apollo Theater

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Harlem’s restaurant row, Frederick Douglass Blvd., has its own map and alliance group

Posted on January 29, 2012 | 1 comment

It’s official…again! Frederick Douglass Blvd in Harlem from 110th to 125th Street, also known as restaurant row, has its very own map, according to The New York Daily News. And the folks behind the map is an alliance group called Frederick Douglass Boulevard Alliance (FDBA). Check out the map below. It mentions all existing businesses from 110th to 124th Street. The map does not include up and coming places on FDB, such as the Harlem Food Bar or Marcos Leatherlab, the cobbler store.

Lia San Filippo, co-owner of 5 and Diamond Harlem restaurant and co-president of the recently formed FDBA, tells the Daily News “the map was created to help people know that Harlem is here and helps customers find us more easily.” Amen Lia!

Back in 2008, I wrote a blog posting asking if FDB is turning into Harlem’s restaurant row? Looks like we have our answer not only in a map but in the form of an alliance group!

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Posted in 5 and Diamond Harlem, apartments, art and culture, baking, Bars, bier international, business, Cedric French Bistro and Bar Harlem, commercial real estate, Community, drinks, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem blogs, Harlem businesses, Harlem Restaurant Row, Harlem restaurants, Harlem Tavern, health and wellness, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, Melba's Restaurant Harlem, music, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate, restaurant row, restaurants, shopping, spending

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Harlem, Nancy Wilson wants to know, ‘What are you doing New Year’s Eve?’

Posted on December 31, 2011 | 3 comments


It’s December 31, 2011, New Year’s Eve and we want to know, what are you doing New Year’s Eve?

Are you going to 67 Orange, 5 and Diamond or bier international? What about Harlem Tavern? They are all having festivities tonight with….NO COVER! We also hear Lido Harlem is going to be serving their regular menu along with a bunch of specials. They are not doing a prix fix so you can walk right in and order whatever you want from the menu. Not bad! So head on over to Lido Harlem for New Year’s Eve dinner if you have no dinner plans. Or just walk along Frederick Douglass Blvd tonight and have your pick cause with most of these establishments mentioned above not charging a cover, the night will be blast and you’ll still have money in your pocket!

Have a wonderful evening. Maybe we’ll see you out in Harlem? If not, Happy New Year, Harlem!

Here’s the original song ‘What are you doing New Year’s Eve?’ by Nancy Wilson. Enjoy!

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Posted in 125th Street, 5 and Diamond Harlem, Bars, bier international, business, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem Tavern, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, music, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants, spending

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Two Harlem Tree Lightings happening December 12

Posted on December 12, 2011 | Leave a comment

West Harlem and Central Harlem are having their holiday tree lighting ceremonies tonight.

Starting at 5:30 pm, West Harlem Piers Park will hold their tree lighting along with caroling. All the details are in the photo below!

Then at 6 pm it’s the 35th Annual Harlem Tree Lighting Ceremony on 125th and Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd. At this event, Grammy and Oscar nominated music group Impact Repertory Theatre will perform as well as live performances by R&B crooner Jeff Redd, soul singer Alyson Williams, cast of Sistas and many more!

It’s a busy night in Harlem December 12, but it’s the holidays. Let’s all enjoy!

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Posted in 125th Street, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., art and culture, Community, entertainment, Events, Harlem, music

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Harlem attracts cool crowds of NYC downtown says Guest of a Guest

Posted on December 1, 2011 | 4 comments



Guest of a Guest, the website co-founded by one of the Winklevoss twins whose been battling Mark Zuckerberg for what seems like ages now, has a feature on Harlem this week. It is quite complimentary, however, it doesn’t say anything new that we Harlemites know already. The article names a list of places to check out and most of them mentioned I agree are great places to visit. However, a true Harlem native writing about Harlem would have dug a bit deeper.

For example, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar gives Red Rooster a run for its money, not only in food, but in ambiance as well. The same goes for Cedric French Bistro and Bar in Harlem! What about mentioning a place in East Harlem? Milk Burger has been endorsed by Anthony Bourdain and his lovely Mrs! Also, when you visit Shrine one can’t miss Yatenga, which is a fun place to hang.

Again, as most of us Harlemites know, there are a ton of cool places to hang in Harlem. Guest of a Guest apparently is just coming around (a bit late) and finding out, but hey, let’s welcome it!

To read the full article, click here.

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Posted in 125th Street, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., art and culture, Bars, bier international, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem Tavern, history, jazz, Lenox Avenue, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar, music, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants, spending

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Winter Festival in East Harlem starts December 3

Posted on November 29, 2011 | Leave a comment

Our Harlem neighbors to the East are celebrating the holidays every weekend this month! Starting December 3, and continuing on from Dec. 10th and 17th from 10 am to 8 pm, its the Winter Festival taking place in East Harlem. Heated tents will be set up in and/or near La Marqueta so that guests can enjoy checking out the local vendors and shop no matter what the weather will be like. All you have to do is get to 116th Street and Park Avenue to enjoy! See you there!

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Posted in art and culture, business, Community, Events, food, Harlem, music, shopping, spending

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Attend Harlem Holiday Lights 2011 tonight

Posted on November 21, 2011 | Leave a comment

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You are invited to the Harlem Holiday Lights Ceremony taking place this evening, November 21. The 125th Street Business Improvement District, Community Boards 9, 10, 11 and the New York City Housing Authority have partnered together for the Holiday Season to “light up” one of New York City’s, and Harlem’s, most legendary thoroughfares from river to river-125th Street! At 5:30pm, the celebration will begin with sounds and lights on the plaza of the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building. Attendees will enjoy live performances provided by legendary pioneer, producer, and publisher, Vy Higginsen, and her Mama I Want to Sing Foundation as well as the Harlem Arts Alliance and other special guests. Click here to see the entire program and watch the video below.

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Posted in 125th Street, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., art and culture, business, Community, drinks, entertainment, Events, Free!, Harlem, music, New York, New York City, NYC

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