Category Archives: Things to do in Harlem

Harlem, let’s make history with her

I should be doing a ton of other things right now, but I’m not. I can’t stop thinking about tomorrow and the day after. November 8 has to be the biggest day in American politics and history. And every Harlem establishment imaginable is holding viewing parties tomorrow night! Where will you be watching?

Tomorrow is the big day! Let’s get out the vote tomorrow and make history together by electing the first women to the highest office in the land, President of the United States. May Wednesday be a brand, new historical day for America!

Organic Forever in Harlem to close its doors 

When I moved to Harlem back in 2006, there was only one mom and pop store close to me fully dedicated to offering organic grocerys on every level and that was Organic Forever on Frederick Douglass Blvd between 111th and 112th Street. Ten years later, they still are the only small business that sells organic products, until now! If you walk by the store, there are big signs that says they’re closing. 

Not sure of the reasons why Organic Forever is closing, but it’s unfortunate and another sign of the times that everything continues to change in Harlem at rapid speed! 

Go clubbing in Harlem at the new Club by Dominik Mager


I took a break this evening from mommy duties and went clubbing in Harlem…and i liked it! Well, actually I took my scalp and massive head of grey hairs to the new Harlem hair salon called The Club by Dominik Mager located 2276 Frederick Douglass Blvd at 123rd. I was in desperate need of a single process, cut and a blow out. Mission accomplished! Zap the grey hair is gone!

Take a look at the results below! What do you think?

I was very pleased myself and it all came about quickly by going online to schedule an appointment! And my favorite part of the session! The hair wash! The seats are to die for! I took a power nap there! That’s my kind of clubbing these days!

If you’re interested in going clubbing (hee, hee) like I did this evening, check out The Club in Harlem!  

The Club by Dominik Mager
2276 Frederick Douglass Blvd
212-222-1346

Live Periscope Tour of FLUX Art Fair in Harlem May 2

Can’t make it to one of the May art events in Harlem by FLUX Art Fair. Then log on to Periscope May 2 at 10 am! NYC Parks joins the Marcus Garvey Park Alliance for a special preview tour of the FLUX Art Fair in Marcus Garvey Park “live” on Periscope, a social app for streaming and watching live video broadcasts. Founder of FLUX Leanne Stella will join to answer questions and lead the tour.

Throughout the month of May, FLUX artists will present performances, large-scale installations, and subtle artist interventions throughout Upper Manhattan, including in Marcus Garvey Park, Eugene McCabe Field, Harlem Art Park, along Fifth and Lenox Avenues, and Harlem Grown farm on 127th Street.

Visit http://periscope.tv/nycparks or download the app and follow NYC Parks on Periscope to participate in May 2 tour! For a list of artists click here.

Inside Row House Harlem, interiors taking shape, now hiring

The plywood is down at Row House Harlem, opening soon at 115th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd, and we have a glimpse of inside! Take a look!

The Harlem eatery is aiming to create “a chic subterranean look in the heart of Harlem’s restaurant row.” Have they done it?   

    
    
 Also we are learning they are having a open call next week for jobs. See details in photo below!  

Kids clothing Pop-up shop August 23 at Bibi Salon in Harlem

Listen up Harlem parents! This blog just learned that on Sunday August 23, Bibi Salon at 2220 Frederick Douglass will be hosting a Pop-Up shop featuring kids clothes, shoes, & accessories from the children’s boutique, ‘Yummy Yummie Goodness’. The pop-up shop will run from 10am-4pm. See you there! 

 

Cedric French Bistro becomes Bunz Harlem

Walking along St. Nick yesterday, I noticed Cedric French Bistro signage was gone. In place of it was a new name called Bunz Harlem! 

I went online to find more info. Apparently, Cedric Lecendre, the owner of former Cedric’s, has changed things up! According to his Facebook page, Lecendre has said cie la vie to offering the French menu at his dining space on 119th and St. Nicholas and will now be offering gourmet burgers and specialty cocktails. Check out the menu below! And tell us what you think of the change! 

   

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.

Where to listen to Make Music New York in Harlem, June 21

  
Mark your calendar! June 21 is when Make Music New York happens and there are plenty of options to experience the rhythm right here in Harlem! Below is a complete list of Harlem businesses participating, along with the talented artists/musicians! Check it out!

Central Harlem
Billie’s Black

271 W 119th St

7:00 PM Core Band with Margeaux Davis

8:00 PM Core Band with Darrius Booker

8:30 PM Gloria Ryann

 Corner Social

321 Lenox Ave at W 126th St

11:00 AM Gensis Neil and the Rhythm Wheels, original groove-feel jazz

2:00 PM Claire Rodriguez, sultry vocals over rhythmic guitar

3:00 PM Katt Rockell, blends R&B, soul & hip-hop

4:30 PM SuperBlack Band, the superhero within you

6:30 PM Marquise Ruffin, grandson of Motown legend David Ruffin

Drastadub Studios

31 W 127th St

7:00 PM Num & Nu Afrika, roots reggae

Grandma’s Place’s

84 W 120th St

11:00 AM – 2:00 Street Studio: Harlem, one of 12 small mobile recording studios on sidewalks throughout NYC, for the spontaneous, collaborative production of original music. Stop by and contribute to a track! See sidebar for details

3:00 PM Gina, prolific singer

Harlem Food Bar

2100 Frederick Douglass Blvd at W 114th St

all day DJ Stormin’ Norman “Sundae Sermon”

Harlem Haberdashery

245 Lenox Ave at W 122nd St

11:00 AM Gina, prolific singer

2:00 PM Daryl Stewart, singer & performing artist

Harlem Tavern

2153 Frederick Douglass Blvd at W 116th St

5:00 PM Marquise Ruffin, grandson of Motown legend David Ruffin

6:45 PM Claire Rodriguez, sultry vocals over rhythmic guitar

7:15 PM Rachel Arac, mixes dance beats with sultry & soulful vocals

Harris Garden

St. Nicholas Ave & W 153rd St

12:45 PM4 Unity, gospel duo

3:00 PM Donna Dixon, encourager of the soul who shares all

4:15 PM Division X, spoken word artist from the Bronx

5:45 PM Vett Stunna, recording artist from Baltimore

Jackie Robinson Amphitheater

Bradhurst Ave & W 146th St

12:15 PM N’YCE, positive & inspirational blind rapper

12:30 PM Roquois, new breed of pop music

12:45 PM Shawnee Jay, modern singer/songwriter with an old soul

1:00 PM Mel Smoove, new generation of music

1:30 PM Bukonla Bello, R&B/pop artist signed to Melodream Records

1:45 PM Juanita Wynn, releasing her solo single, “Be Who You Are”

2:15 PM Israyl, reggae performer of positive & inspirational music

2:30 PM Cush I Kushanti “reggaelutionary” artist who motivates the masses

3:15 PM Conceptz, conceptual rap duo from Orange County, NY

3:30 PM Chase “Bakeman Global” Baker energy built upon an empowering force

Joseph Daniel Wilson Memorial Garden

219 W 122nd St

5:00 PM Kenny Butler and Friends,  oldies, R&B, jazz & blues

7:00 PM The Goddess Lakshmi Band named for goddess of abundance

Marcus Garvey Park Amphitheater

Mt Morris Park & W 122nd St

4:00 PM Lyshae from Chicago, performing pop/dance

5:00 PM Roquois, new breed of pop

6:45 PM Chellz, hip hop

Nabe Harlem Underground Lounge

2367 Frederick Douglass Blvd at W 127th St

11:00 AM – 9:00 Dennis Davis, John Cooksey, Stare Case, Gregory Bastien, DJ Zubetei Xzz, Sophia L. Coffee hosting musicians from Stevie Wonder’s drummer to the best DJ in NY

 NiLu

191 Lenox Ave at W 119th St

6:30 PM Kojo Stone, neo-soul singer

Saint Nicholas Miracle Garden

St Nicholas Ave & W 126th St

1:00 PM Brotherhood Experience positive choice for urban gospel

1:30 PM Phantm Phuego, hip hop

2:00 PM 8waves and the Weathermen bare minimum soul clashing

2:30 PM Motivation, mash-up of hip hop, pop, gospel

3:00 PM The Phryg prog rock jam, spread thick on a toast of funk

3:30 PM Malcolm Rhymer, iconoclastic hip hop

4:00 PM SuperBlack Band, the superhero within you

4:30 PM Just-One,  last of the real lyricists

 Settepani

196 Lenox Ave at W 120th St

6:00 PM Carolyn & Jay Leonhart, father-daughter jazz duo

St Nicholas Park

St Nicholas Ave & W 135th St

Presented by the Harlem Arts & Culture Initiative, in collaboration with the Harlem Arts Alliance

2:00 PM Judith Insell violist with Stephanie Berry (recitation) and Yuri Lemeshev (accordion): “Journey: Black Lives Matter”

3:00 PM Kelvyn Bell, the roots of American acoustic guitar

4:00 PM Steff Reed Grammy-nominated R&B

5:00 PM Warren Smith jazz percussionist, freedom songs for 21st Century Harlem

West Harlem Piers Park

Hudson River & W 125th St

12:00 PM Elgin Giles, R&B singer and actor

William B. Washington Community Garden

327 W 126th St

1:15 PM Ian Bamberger, melodic guitar, abundant harmonies

2:00 PM Red Sahara, quartet influenced by everything

2:45 PM Jordan Chude, hip-hop and poetry

3:30 PM Status IV riveting a cappella

4:15 PM Jim Joustra Band blues & jazz

5:15 PM Michael Persall, combines classic soul with modern pop

 East Harlem

103rd Street Garden

Park Ave & E 103rd St

12:30 PM Just-One, last of the real lyricists

El Catano Community Garden

171 E 110th St

3:00 PM Dabumrushkrew against the commercialization of hip hop

3:45 PM MakerzMark, embracing jazz standards

4:45 PM Just Another Folk Singer ballads of life, liberty & the pursuit of music

5:45 PM Just-One, last of the real lyricists

Emery Rose Salon

1888 Park Ave at E 128th St

12:00 PM Maggie Anderson, catchy rhythms & great hooks

1:30 PM Kama Linden MMNY, veteran who has travelled the globe

Family Garden sponsored by Tiffany

431 E 114th St

11:00 AM Carrie Lane NYC’s “Pop Princess”

 H&M Art and Home Decor

17 E 125th St

5:00 PM Elgin Giles R&B singer and actor

Target East Harlem Community Garden

415 E 117th St

11:00 AM Lamayah pop vocals, moves & tunes

3:00 PM Marcela mixes Latin rhythms with funk & pop

4:15 PM Hunter College Haitian Drumming Workshop

Thomas Jefferson Park

First Ave & E 114 St

11:00 AM El Taller Latino Americano performs with East Harlem schools

1:00 PM Harlem Samba Brazilian percussion ensemble

Urban Garden Center

1640 Park Ave at E 116th St

11:30 AM Unigen one-man band with an electro-jetpack instrument

2:00 PM MakerzMark embracing jazz standards