Category Archives: NYC

Harlem’s Frederick Douglass Boulevard goes mainstreaming says NY Times

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Harlem’s restaurant row, aka Frederick Douglass Blvd between 110th and 125th Street, is back in the news again. The New York Times recently IMG_2762spoke with Leon Ellis, the owner of Moca Lounge, Chocolat Restaurant and Harlem Underground, about how this part of Harlem has gone through a complete transformation since he first opened Moca, which was back in 2003.  Ellis told the NY Times that his friends thought he was crazy for opening up a restaurant back then. Since 2003, Ellis has expanded his business presence in Harlem on FDB with Chocolat opening about two years ago and then Harlem Underground, a Harlem-themed clothing store.

The owners of bier international were also interviewed for the article and stressed that while this area is going mainstream, they emphasized “we need to find a balance and not forget what was here” in Harlem.

To read the full article, click here.

My Image Studios Harlem officially opens November 28, view upcoming events


The New York Times reports today (Nov 26) that MIST Harlem, aka My Image Studios, located at 40 West 116th Street will open Wednesday, November 28. MIST Harlem is the “20,000 sq. ft. cultural entertainment center that features a 130-seat restaurant (Harvist) and three performance spaces presenting the best in film, live music, spoken word, comedy and more-performed by top established and emerging black & Latino artists from around the world.” Here’s an immediate list of upcoming events , which starts tomorrow, November 27. Take a look .

11/27 Middle of Nowhere Film Event
Special private screening and Q & A for the NY Women in Film and Television of Sundance Award winning director Ava DuVernay film, Middle of Nowhere.

11/28 Otelo Film Premiere
Otelo Burning directed by Sara Blecher, an award-winning documentary director and producer. Somewhere between City of God and Blue Crush, the film tells the story of a group of township kids who discover the joy of surfing. Filmed in Zulu with English subtitles, the film also includes music from South African Hip Hop artist Reason.
http://www.charged.fm/userevent/item/637/otelo-burning-premiere-event-at-mist-harlem

11/29 Elza Film Premiere
Elza, by Mariette Monpierre, is the first narrative feature film by a female filmmaker from Guadeloupe, the West Indies. It tells the universal story of a family in turmoil. Filmed in French with English subtitles, the film also includes music from French neo-folk-soul artistStévy Mahy.
http://www.charged.fm/userevent/item/642/elza-film-premiere–november-29-at-mist-harlem

12/3 Vaughn Harper Toy Drive and Benefit Concert
Celebrity toy drive and jazz concert fundraiser for Harlem Downing, a foster care agency. It is set for Monday, December 3. It is being organized by WBLS 107.5 radio personality Vaughn Harper.

Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater to travel back in time

According to The New York Times, our beloved Apollo Theater plans to take a trip back in time or better yet, is going back to its core.  The Apollo Theater plans to transform our famous venue on 125th Street “into an old-fashioned nightclub for a new revue evoking the Harlem music clubs of the 1930s and 1940s”

In its heyday, the Apollo Theater was a venue that featured a “variety programs, such as big bands, singers, dancers, female impersonators, acrobats and comedians.” The Apollo aims to recapture that era and offer it up to consumers who are interested in experiencing this particular part of the Apollo’s history.  The article states “seats will be removed from the orchestra level and the audience will sit at cafe tables, tended by waiters and waitresses.”

Go back in time in Harlem at the Apollo Theater in February 2013 with three nights of shows: Feb. 18, Feb. 22 and Feb 23. Tickets go on sale on Nov. 19.

Looking for a new Harlem restaurant recommendation? Try Maison Harlem

If you’re looking for a new dining option in Harlem, here is a recommendation! Try Maison Harlem, located on the northwest corner of 127th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue. The French bistro opened in Harlem three weeks ago and it already has received a shot out in The New York Times.

We went by Maison Harlem this past weekend for dinner and was pleasantly surprised by the place. First, Maison Harlem is very easy to get to. Take the AC BD Subway line to 125th. Get out of the 127th Street exit and you’re right there. Second, the decor of the place is very lovely. The place is filled with dark wood every where and has lots of windows that look out making it spacious. It appears it can seat up to 75 people or more. And last, the ambiance was incredible for only being open three weeks. Maison Harlem was packed with a diverse group of patrons and we went early to dine, say 7ish. I couldn’t believe how many people were there dining and drinking at the bar.

As for the food, it was delicious, but be prepared to eat meat. If that’s not your thing, you may want to hang out at the bar for drinks. The dishes I devoured were very rich and creamy, but that’s what you get with French cuisine. I had the Frisee Salad with crispy bacon and a poached egg. If you like fancy bacon, this is the place for you. The Frisee Salad had big cubed pieces of bacon on it making the dish slightly salty and tasty. For an entrée, I tried the Tagliatelle Carbonara. This dish has a creamy sauce, more bacon, and a raw egg left in a half shell. The pasta dish was fun and different to eat because you had to take the raw egg out of its shell, whisk it up and mix in the pasta. And for desert, I had the Pina Colada Parfait. This was a light tasting desert and much-needed after I O.D. on fancy bacon. The service was fair, but a tad off. I chalk this up to the place being brand new and the staff working on their groove. I am confident the service will improve.

Overall, I am definitely going back to Maison Harlem. This place is going to have the same people watching/ambiance crowd that Red Rooster Harlem and Corner Social have. Maison Harlem is positioned to offer up a good time and a delicious meal. It has location, good food and ambiance. Can’t ask for more than that. Check it out soon!

Maison Harlem
341 St. Nicholas Avenue (127th Street)
212-222-9224/212-222-9220

Listen up Harlem, go vote November 6


The big day is near. Tomorrow, November 6 is election day. It is time of us to go to the voting booths to cast our vote! If you’re a registered voter and not sure where to go to cast your ballot, use New York City’s Board of Elections (BOE) Polling Locator. It will tell you where to go by typing in your building number and street name. The BOE also has an app that will allow you to find your voting poll. Go here to download the app.

Most of us online have been expressing our political views for weeks. I know I have. The day is here where it’s now time for us to do the walk, not just talk. Get out and vote tomorrow! See you at the voting booth!

Lenox Avenue, Harlem featured web series, premieres tonight October 29

Need a break from watching the news on Hurricane Sandy? Here’s an option. Lenox Avenue, a new Harlem-based television series, is premiering exclusively online now at http://www.LenoxAveSeries.com.

The series, created by ValDean Entertainment and award-winning producer, writer and actor Al Thompson (Comedy Central, SYFY) follows the fast-paced lives of three men as they navigate dating, sex and love in Harlem, NY.

Check it out tonight and tell us what you think!

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Esperanza Spalding in photos performing at Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater

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Esperanza Spalding at the ApolloThe owner of SugarHill Beer & Friends at East Harlem Harvest Festival!Whose ready to smoke a hookah pipe at East Harlem Harvest Festival? Compliments of The Kiosk!I'm hanging out here today, aka beer tent, at East Harlem Harvest Festival. Gonna drink some SugarHill Beer!Plenty of pumpkins at the East Harlem Harvest Festival...and a ghost!Bright red awning at Melba's Restaurant in Harlem!

I went to see jazz singer and bassist Esperanza Spalding Friday night (Oct 26) at Harlem’s Apollo Theater. It was fantastic. This was my first time seeing her perform. There is no question in my mind Esperanza Spalding, the Grammy award winner, is the full package: extremely talented, unique and so gorgeous. Hopefully these pictures give you a sense of that! Enjoy.

Attend the Halloween Parade and Pumpkin Sail October 28 at Harlem Meer

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Don’t forget that this coming Sunday (October 28th) is the annual Halloween Parade and Pumpkin Sail at Harlem Meer, the entrance is located at 110th Street and Lenox Avenue or Fifth Avenue and 110th Street. Bring your little pumpkin, aka kid/child, in their favorite Halloween costume and a carved pumpkin for the sail. The event starts at 4 pm with the Pumpkin Sail starting as the sun sets. It’s a fun time. I enjoy seeing all the kiddos in their adorable costumes.

To learn more about the Pumpkin Sail in terms of weight and size, go here. And go here to view past posts on the annual Halloween Parade and Pumpkin Sail.

Section of West 121st Street in Harlem to become George Carlin Way

The Columbia Spectator reports today that Community Board 9 in Morningside Heights, a section of West Harlem, approved renaming a part of West 121st Street to George Carlin Way, where the stand-up comedian, actor and social critic grew up. In his stand up performances, George Carlin was known for calling the area where he grew up as “white Harlem” because it sounded much tougher than its subset name of Morningside Heights.

This decision to rename part of West 121st Street to George Carlin Way comes after a year-long fight. To read more of the Columbia Spector article, click here.

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CBS’ Person of Interest filming along Harlem’s Frederick Douglass Blvd

If you want to get a peak of the handsome actor Jim Caviezel, today maybe the day! The CBS television show Person of Interest is filming all along Frederick Douglass Blvd in Harlem from 113th to 116th Street. When I was heading to work, there were several movie trucks parked along FDB.

Also, I saw signage that said ABC’s show titled Elementary is filming on FDB and 119 Street as well.

It’s a busy day today in Harlem in the entertainment area!

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