Introducing Art In FLUX Harlem, opening night May 2

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t learn something new about our beloved Harlem community. Going through my inbox last night, I came across information that read: Art In FLUX Harlem! Never heard of it…until now . Here’s the low down.

Art In FLUX Harlem is a series of Pop-Up Art Galleries opening in Harlem this Spring.  The first FLUX Pop-Up is set to open Wednesday evening, May 2, at the corner of 118th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.  The opening is sponsored by 5 and Diamond Harlem and a tasting will be offered by the Harlem restaurant.

On the May 2 opening night, “Urban Environment Project” will be the first in a series of pop-up art galleries in Harlem produced by Art In FLUX Harlem. The project will present the art works of seven international artists: Montserrat Daubon, Ellen Hackl Fagan, Hiroshi Jashiki, Leslie Powell, Anya Roz, Tafa, and Pedro Villalta.

“Art In FLUX was started by a group of Harlem residents with a strong interest in supporting artists in Harlem and increasing awareness of the rich arts culture that runs deep in Harlem and yet is still somewhat of an underground culture.”

If you would like to attend the opening night of Art In FLUX Harlem, below are all the details!

Opening reception:  May 2 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Gallery Hours:  May 3 to 24, Tuesday-Saturday, Noon to 7pm & upon appt.
Location:  1961 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd @ 118th Street
For more information: call 917-273-4405 or email info@artinfluxharlem.com

Mother’s Day greeting card workshop with Harlem native Alton Weekes

Alton Weekes, the talented designer and Harlem native, will be holding a special  workshop…for FREE…May 6 at the Studio Museum Harlem, located at 144 West 125th Street, “offering participants the opportunity to create unique, hand-crafted greeting cards for Mother’s Day.” Weekes will offer tips and methods for designing stationery and hands-on assistance to participants of all skill levels.

If you are interested in attending this event, click here to RSVP!

You’re invited to Food & Drink Boulevard in Harlem May 10

The Frederick Douglass Blvd Alliance based in Harlem came together this past January and already they are hard at work creating events for us Harlemites to enjoy and to help others. First on their to do is the Food & Drink Boulevard event taking place on May 10. On that evening patrons can enjoy $5 drinks and appetizers at several Harlem dining establishments by purchasing tickets for $10 in advance on Eventbrite.com. And proceeds made that evening, a portion of it will be donated to The Boys and Girls Club of Harlem. See you on May 10 along Frederick Douglass Blvd!

Street Games is happening April 28 in Spanish Harlem

The 5th annual Street Games will be taking place April 28 at Thomas Jefferson Park in Spanish Harlem, which is located at 114th Street off of 1st Avenue. Street Games celebrates games from the ’60s and ’70s by introducing them to a new generation of kids. This event is FREE and open to all ages, and will feature classic activities for abilities, including:

  • Stickball
  • Pogo Sticks
  • Hula Hoops
  • Double-Dutch
  • Hippity Hop
  • Yo-Yo’s
  • Skateboarding Clinics
  • Learn to Ride Your Bike
  • Disney Zone
  • Knicks Groove Truck
  • Street Hockey
  • Sky Bounce Youth Handball Tournament – NEW!
  • Soap Box Derby – NEW!
  • Red Bulls Skills Challenge – NEW!

The event will also feature performances by the Dance Theatre of Harlem and Industrial Rhythm! And Street Games will happen rain or shine! See details below!

Street Games
Saturday, April 28, 2012
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Thomas Jefferson Park, Spanish Harlem in Manhattan
114th Street off of 1st Avenue

Lenox Social becomes Corner Social in Harlem avoiding legal drama with Lenox Lounge

As most of us know already, last week the owners of the former Lenox Social in Harlem decided to change its name to the Corner Social because that’s where they are actually located in Harlem, i.e. on a corner, and to avoid confrontation with the historic Lenox Lounge. It has been a smooth transition from what I have heard and patrons are flowing in at a steady pace to that “Corner” on 126th Street and Lenox. And if you’re wondering-like I was-if the former Lenox Social and Lenox Lounge ever really came to blows in court, I have confirmation from the Corner Social’s peeps that it never happened and there was never any settlement around a trade infringement. The folks behind Corner Social told me they decided to change their name because they wanted to “take the high road” and move on with building a successful dining and bar establishment in Harlem!

So there you have it. No court drama ever happened between the two entities. We can now all move on, which most of us have, and party on at the Corner Social and Lenox Lounge in Harlem!

Cooper-Hewitt Design Center coming to Harlem, opening date planned for May 12

According to The Wall Street Journal, The Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum will open a storefront space May 12 in Harlem. The Cooper-Hewitt Design Center will be at 111 Central Park North and “will allow the museum’s educators to conduct other free workshops for children, teenagers and adults.”

Cooper-Hewitt signed a four-year lease for the Central Park North space located at the base of Harlem and which has an express subway stop, the 2/3 to 110th Street. To learn more, click here.20120423-090922.jpg

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Larry’s Freewheeling Bicycle Shop now open in Harlem

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I was walking along 110th Street in Harlem heading to the westside this past weekend and noticed that a new bike shop arrived at the base of Harlem. It’s called Larry’s Freewheeling and located at 301 Cathedral Parkway. It is not too far from Cafe Amrita and I believe the second bike shop to open in Central Harlem. The first bike shop to open was ModSquad on Frederick Douglass Blvd.

According to signage on Larry’s window, it’s has been open since the beginning of April. Has anyone checked this business out? If so, tell us how it is!

Pedi cabs available to Harlem residents on Earth Day

Safe, Healthy, Affordable and Reliable Energy (SHARE), in collaboration with local Harlem restaurants, churches, pastors and prominent elected officials will celebrate Harlem Earth Day, April 22, by offering free Pedi Cab rides to local residents. Pedi Cabs  will be available from 11 am to 3 pm on Frederick Douglass Blvd from 110th to 125th Street-rain or shine.

And don’t forget about Harlem Earth Day. Harlem Park to Park has organized for us our very own Harlem Earth Day on April 22nd to coincide with Global Earth Day! Harlem Earth Day will include a day of family friendly activities to promote the Earth Day mission of promoting awareness on environmental issues, including Green Energy Use, Recycling, and Clean Air. See you at Harlem Earth Day!

Support East Harlem Cafe in their 10k in 30 days campaign

Remember how I told you about 67 Orange in Harlem creating a campaign to raise money for various items in the bar? East Harlem Cafe is taking the same approach by asking the community to join in helping them raise $10,000 in 30 days. The café needs kitchen storage, supplies and food prep equipment.  In order to purchase these items, East Harlem Cafe is turning to members of the local and global community for assistance, instead of going to big banks for a loan with high interest rates to expand.

If you would like to invest in East Harlem Cafe, go here from more details.

Enjoy Spa Week at Polished Finger Tips in Harlem

I just learned from EG Bodyworks that this week is Spa Week and its being celebrated at Polish Finger Tips in Harlem. From now until April 22, interested participants can enjoy a 50 minute massage, either Swedish or Deep Tissue, with Edwin Genece of EG Bodywork for $50 this week at the Harlem salon located at 2198 Frederick Douglass Blvd. They are also offering specialized mani/pedi’s for $50 during Spa Week as well. Call 212-222-4466 to make an appointment or learn more details here. Enjoy!