Category Archives: Things to do with kids in Harlem

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!

Watch The Mitchells vs The Machines April 30 on Netflix

Photo by Netflix Film

Movie night generally starts on the weekend for me and my family. But I made an exception this week! On Monday, my kids and I had the opportunity to watch an advance screening of The Mitchells vs The Machines by Netflix Films.

Of course, my kids absolutely loved it and can’t wait to see it again when it officially debuts this Friday, April 30.

I thoroughly enjoyed it because the actress who plays Queen Elizabeth in The Crown Season 3-4 plays a really good evil Siri-like character. As in The Crown, Olivia Coleman, is fantastic.

If you’re looking for a new flick to watch with the family, try The Mitchells vs The Machines! It’s entertaining throughout and filled with catchy one liners! It’s released on Netflix April 30!


Overview: From the humans who brought you the Academy Award-winning Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse and The LEGO Movie comes The Mitchells vs. The Machines, an animated action-comedy about an ordinary family who find themselves in the middle of their biggest family challenge yet…saving the world from the robot apocalypse. No big deal, right? It all starts when creative outsider Katie Mitchell is accepted into the film school of her dreams and is eager to leave home and find “her people,” when her nature-loving dad insists on having the whole family drive her to school and bond during one last totally-not-awkward-or-forced road trip. But just when the trip can’t get any worse, the family suddenly finds itself in the middle of the robot uprising! Everything from smart phones, to Roombas, to evil Furbies are employed to capture every human on the planet. Now it’s up to the Mitchells, including upbeat mom Linda, quirky little brother Aaron, their squishy pug, Monchi, and two friendly, but simple-minded robots to save humanity.

Root Juicery of Harlem is open, stop by 112th and FDB

On Halloween this year, many Harlem restaurants on Frederick Douglass Blvd handed out lots of candy to kids, even new businesses were prepared, such as Root Juicery of Harlem! (FYI. I posted about this place months back and either incorrectly named it or there was a change in ownership.) We learned over the weekend that this new cold press, juice joint is now open for business!

Stop by Root at 2073 FDB for a smoothie, juice or a bowl! They have a wonderful menu to start! Here’s their IG account to follow!

Photos by Harlemgal

Annie’s Juicery lands on Harlem‘s Restaurant Row

I haven’t blogged about Harlem in ages (busy on Instagram though). I tell myself daily that if I come across something very interesting, I will blog. Well, that day has come.

Walking along Frederick Douglass Blvd recently with my kids, which I call and coined back in my early days of blogging, as Harlem’s Restaurant Row, I came across the signage: Annie’s Juicery at 2073 FDB. I was shocked to see this because it wasn’t another restaurant or a cafe, but a place that offers cold pressed juices! Wow! This is different in my view.

I walked by the place on a Saturday and it wasn’t open. However, I checked for Annie’s Juicery online presence and their Instagram account mentioned that they opened in mid-May. See photo below.

Where was I for this opening? How could I miss that? Oh, I must have been busy tending to my two most important clients, my 3 and 5 year old.

And I believe this type of business is a first in Harlem? There’s been places to get extracting juices which is different than cold pressed. Who can help us confirm if this is a first? If you know, chime in.

I plan to stop buy this place soon to try a juice and share more details. But first things first. I wanted you to know that cold pressed juices are now available in Harlem via walk in through Annie’s Juicery and I’m back!

Shop stylish kid essentials by Harlem resident, #blackfriday code offered here

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Back in 2012, I blogged about one of my favorite kid accessories store by Harlem resident Alex Gizela, who founded Cabbages & Kings. I had zero Harlem babies then and I loved her apparel on the spot. Two kids later, three scarves, two sets of leg warmers and four pairs of socks from Cabbages & Kings, I still adore all the items offered.

More importantly, my kids love the product…and all of the items are hand made by artisans that reside in Central Mexico and in the Andean Valleys of Peru and Bolivia. Most pieces are a collaborative effort between Cabbages & Kings and the artisans to create pieces based on the culture’s traditional patterns and design.

Check out the merchandise for yourself. And oh, did I tell you that Cabbages & Kings started their 2017 #blackfriday/holiday sale. For those that follow HarlemGal online, there is a 30 percent discount. Use code: HeyMama30. (Please note the code is for a limited time only)

Enjoy! And let the holiday season begin!

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, 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!

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.

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! 

 

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.