Category Archives: New York

See The Twin Towers and The City Exhibition in Spanish Harlem

Posted on September 1, 2011 | Leave a comment

Starting September 3, the Museum of the City of New York pays tribute to 9/11 with a three-month exhibition of the World Trade Center. The Twin Towers and The City Exhibition includes photographer Camilo Jose Vergara’s four decades-long study of the World Trade Center. Vergara is known for “capturing the Twin Towers’ place in the history of the city, their colossal presence on New York’s skyline, and their surprising gracefulness.”

In addition, Artist Romain de Plas paintings will be a part of this featured exhibition. He spent “the year after 9/11 making series of vivid paintings of the Twin Towers.”

The Twin Towers and the City opens Sept. 3 and runs through Dec. 4 at the Museum of the City of New York located at 1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd.

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Posted in art and culture, Community, education, Events, Harlem, history, New York, New York City, NYC

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The Knox Band is the last show at Live@1220 Fifth in Spanish Harlem

Posted on August 31, 2011 | Leave a comment

If you haven’t visited the outdoor terrace at the Museum City of New York on Fifth Avenue, along with listening to live music, tonight is your last chance. The music series ends with The Knox Band. Tickets are $10 bucks for members and $15 for non-members. Hope to see you there!

The Museum of the City of New York is located at 1220 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY 10029.

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Posted in art and culture, Community, drinks, entertainment, Events, Harlem, music, New York, New York City, NYC

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The redevelopment of Victoria Theater in Harlem is back on track says The New York Times

Posted on August 31, 2011 | 1 comment


Harlem’s 125th Street is back in the news again. Back in July the City announced the redevelopment of two major, vacant sites on Harlem’s 125th Street. Today, we are hearing from The New York Times that the redevelopment of Victoria Theater “is back on track and will break ground in the second half of next year.” The delay was due to the financial crisis back in 2008.

The entire project, which is being designed by the same architect firm that built the Livmor Condos on Frederick Douglass Blvd., will include two towers above the theater: a rental building in one tower and hotel in the other tower. The first floor will become the new home of the Classical Theater of Harlem, Jazzmobile, the Harlem Arts Alliance and the Apollo Theater Foundation.

If you’re wondering if all this good news that’s been announced about 125th Street is a coincidence, it’s not. According to the Times article, all these changes being announced is due to the city rezoning the street replacing buildings along 125th with “office towers, residential high-rises and cultural institutions. The rezoning was approved just as the real estate market collapsed, and many of the developments did not get off the ground. Several are starting up again.”

This is great news. Who cares about the timing. We will take it! To read the entire article by the Times, click here.

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Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, business, commercial real estate, Community, education, entertainment, Events, film, Harlem, history, jazz, music, New York, New York City, NYC, shopping

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See Malcolm X: A Search for Truth and Romare Bearden Tribute at the Schomburg Center in Harlem

Posted on August 30, 2011 | Leave a comment

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture has two interesting and distinct exhibitions taking place until January 2012. The first is Malcolm X: A Search for Truth. This exhibition showcases Malcolm X’s various speeches, sermons, radio broadcasts, diaries, correspondence, and other documents handwritten by him. Visit this exhibition every day, except Sundays, until January 7, 2012. Click here to read more about Malcolm X: A Search for Truth.

In addition to the Malcolm X exhibit, the Schomburg is also paying tribute to world acclaimed artist and native son Romare Bearden. In Romare Bearden: The Soul of Blackness/A Centennial Tribute, the public will see the massive Bearden collection the Schomburg Center has been collecting for the past three decades. Visit this exhibition every day, except Sundays, until January 7, 2012. To learn more about the Romare Bearden collection, click here.

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is located at 515 Lenox Avenue at 135th Street. Take the 2/3 NYC Subway to 135th Street!

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Posted in art and culture, Community, Events, Harlem, history, Lenox Avenue, New York, New York City, NYC

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Remember Michael Jackson on his birthday, visit West 122nd Street or The Apollo Theater in Harlem

Posted on August 29, 2011 | Leave a comment

West 122nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenue


Today is the King of Pop’s birthday-Michael Jackson. He would have been 53 years old. He passed away two years ago. If you want to remember Michael Jackson and his connection to Harlem, there are two ways to pay tribute to him.

First suggestion is to stop by the Apollo Theater. They have their own Walk of Fame, which features Michael Jackson.

Another suggestion is to take a stroll down West 122nd street between 8th Avenue and 7th Ave, also known as Frederick Douglass Blvd and Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Blvd. There you can see the actual place where the ‘Bad- The Full Version’ video was filmed. There is a sign hanging on a fence on that street, which states, “Michael Jackson spent a few days on our block.”

If you haven’t seen the full version of Bad, which was filmed in Harlem, take a look here. It shows an entire different chapter of Harlem’s history.

And let’s take a moment to remember the person who brought us magical music for several decades, Michael Jackson!

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Posted in 125th Street, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., art and culture, Community, education, entertainment, Events, film, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, history, music, New York, New York City, NYC, The Apollo Theater

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What’s open in Harlem, post Hurricane Irene?

Posted on August 28, 2011 | Leave a comment


If you are wondering what is open today in terms of dining, post Hurricane Irene, we have received word that Slyvia’s Restaurant is open for lunch, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar is open for dinner and Les Ambassades on Frederick Douglass Bvld is open as well. Also, Harlem Tavern is opening at 3 p.m. today. Chez Lucienne is open now.

Slyvia’s is located at 328 Lenox Avenue aka Malcolm X Blvd., New York, NY 10027.

Lido Harlem is located at 2168 8th Avenue aka Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026.

Les Ambassades is located at 2200 FDB.

Harlem Tavern is located on the northwest corner of 116th Street and FDB.

Chez Lucienne is located at 308 Lenox Ave.

Regarding yoga, Bikram Yoga East Harlem, located at 4 East 116th Street is open for 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. classed today. Also, Book Culture bookstore sent email saying they’re open today. It’s located at 536 West 112th Street and 2915 Broadway.

As more information becomes available, HarlemGal Inc. will pass the information along. And of course, if you know of places that are open today, August 28, please share the information here for other locals to learn about.

Have a great day in Harlem.

UPDATE: The owners of Kidberry and Land Yoga say they will be open tomorrow, August 29!

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Posted in 125th Street, business, Community, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem Tavern, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants

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What’s up with Harlem Vintage a reader asks?

Posted on August 25, 2011 | 5 comments

Yesterday, a reader asked if we knew that the old newsstand on West 112th was ‘For Rent?’ Today, a reader is asking HarlemGal Inc., what’s up with Harlem Vintage? The reader explained that they were in Harlem Vintage recently and could not help but notice the “shelves just keep getting more and more bare.” Does anyone know what is up? Is Harlem Vintage letting their stock sell out to close? Or are they clearing out the store to make more room for Nectar Wine Bar ? I hope it’s the latter.

If anyone knows what’s up, give us the lowdown!

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Posted in Bars, drinks, entertainment, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants

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It’s the Harlem re-shuffle says UK-based The Independent

Posted on August 25, 2011 | Leave a comment

Our beloved Harlem is featured bright and big again in the media, but this time in the UK’s travel section of The Independent. According to the article the reporter/ photographer visited Harlem recently and took direction from Thelma Golden, the Director of Studio Museum Harlem, on what to see in Harlem.

Per Golden’s instructions, Chris Coplans stayed at The Aloft Harlem and he raves about it in the article. He also went to the Apollo Theater, El Museo del Barrio, Studio Museum Harlem, and more. Golden encouraged the reporter to visit the Duke Ellington sculpture and to try Senegalese food at Les Ambassades.

What’s interesting about this article is the reporter covered a lot of Harlem ground-from East to West. He also gives Lenox Avenue big props by saying, “If 125th St is the traditional Harlem, then Lenox Avenue between 125th and 126th is very much the emerging “New Harlem”, with an arty vibe and “Village” sidewalk culture.”

To read the full article, click here. To see additional photos on Harlem from the reporter, go here.

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Posted in 125th Street, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., art and culture, Bars, business, commercial real estate, Community, drinks, education, entertainment, fashion, food, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Free!, Harlem, history, jazz, Lenox Avenue, music, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurants, shopping, spending, The Apollo Theater

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Gospel for Teens Harlem feature on 60 Minutes to re-air August 28

Posted on August 25, 2011 | 3 comments

I received notice that the video feature of Gospel for Teens that aired on 60 Minutes awhile back will be airing again this coming Sunday, August 28 starting at 7 p.m.

If you missed seeing the two-part segment where Leslie Stahl interviews Vy Higginsen and some of her students in Gospel for Teens, there is another opportunity. Don’t miss it. It was very good, emotional and inspiring to see.

Gospel for Teens on 60 Minutes
August 28 at 7 p.m. ET/PT

To read prior blog coverage on Gospel for Teens, click here.

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Posted in 125th Street, art and culture, Community, education, entertainment, Events, Free!, Harlem, history, Lenox Avenue, music, New York, New York City, NYC

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Save the Date: Frederick Douglass Circle in Harlem official ceremony

Posted on August 24, 2011 | Leave a comment


September 20 is the day. Mark your calendar! That’s when Frederick Douglass Circle, located at the intersection of 110th Street, FDB and Central Park West & North in Harlem, will officially be dedicated by The City of New York. According to the Manhattan Parks Commission, the time is set for 11 AM. Mayor Bloomberg plans on being present as well as congressional representation, and the City is trying to get a celebrity (or two) to join in on the festivities. As soon as more information becomes available, HarlemGal Inc. will pass along. Stay tuned!

To read previous coverage on Frederick Douglass Circle, click here.

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Posted in art and culture, Community, Events, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Frederick Douglass Circle, Harlem, history, New York, New York City, NYC

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