Tag Archives: Culture

Harlem loses one of its celebrities for now, The View’s Sherri Shepherd moves across the Hudson

sherri

A HarlemGal reader recently left a comment saying Sherri Shepherd, comedienne, actress, and television personality of ABC’s The View, is not residing in Harlem anymore. My reaction was WHAT! I just saw her online mentioning she’s hanging at the Corner Social in Harlem. So I followed up with the lovely and funny Mrs. Shepherd-Sally to see what’s up.

Shepherd confirmed via direct message on Twitter that she and her family (Lamar and Jeffrey) moved to New Jersey three months ago. But before I explain why Shepherd had to move plan-d-book-mockup400from Harlem, let me quickly point out that Shepherd unequivocally stated that she and her husband Lamar love Harlem and find it to be “a great community and plan to return in a couple of years.” They had an unexpected situation arise and had to react.

I believe Sherri Shepherd and her family will return in the near future to live full-time in Harlem. Why? As an influential celebrity, she could have easily avoided my request.  Shepherd responded in a timely manner and took the time to explain what happened. She was crystal clear in her communication. In my view, this is an example of a Harlemite who deeply cares about the community she lived in and still loves by personally taking the time to communicate what happened. Why even bother explaining to a Harlem blogger? But Sherri did.

As to what happened that caused Sherri, her son and her husband to depart Harlem, it’s a typical New York situation. Shepherd had been renting a beautiful Sherri_Shepherd_Lamar_Sally_s_Wedding_Pics_Harlem brownstone for almost three years. Her landlord gave notice that they planned to move back into the property and gave Shepherd 30 days notice. Shepherd and her husband looked at other places in Harlem because they wanted to stay, but given the time constraints they did not find a place they wanted within their budget so they moved to New Jersey for the time being. That’s it folks! That’s what happened and it happens to most New Yorker’s at one time or another.

Shepherd maybe living in NJ for now, but she has been taking the time to return to Harlem weekly. She visits the Corner Social on Lenox Avenue and 126th Street once a week and she visits Elsie’s Caribbean Cafe twice a month. Her heart is still in Harlem.

Let’s wish Sherri Shepherd and her family all the best with this change and pray for a speedy return back to Harlem. Amen!

Zoe Cafe and Hookah Lounge opens on Harlem’s restaurant row

The Middle Eastern tradition of enjoying a hookah pipe is now available on Harlem’s restaurant row. Zoe Cafe and Hookah Lounge recently opened on the corner of West 121st Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd. They opened a few weeks ago. Hookahs range from $10-12 with a variety of flavors offered, such as apple, grape, cherry, mint, coconut, peach, mango and much more. On the cafe side, Zoe’s offers coffee, tea, bottled water, sodas and dessert starting at $2.

If interested in trying a hookah pipe, no need to go far now. There’s a hookah lounge right here in Central Harlem. I also recommend Kiosk in East Harlem. They have hookah pipes on their menu as well.

And a big disclaimer, hookah pipes are for ADULTs ONLY!

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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

ArtCrawl Harlem to focus on Romare Bearden’s work

Don’t forget the annual ArtCrawl Harlem is happening this weekend, August 6. This year’s tour will focus on Romare Bearden’s life and work in Harlem. To learn more about the artist, visit his website. To see the Bearden’s art in human form, purchase tickets from ArtCrawl Harlem. The tour is from noon to 4 PM with dinner starting soon after until 6 PM.

The Pratt Harlem Project starts now

Apr 14, 2011 @ 7:00
By HarlemGal
What should a developer do with its 9000 square foot commercial space that’s been empty for a while and its the space that WAS in negotiations with the owner of Busboys and Poets? Simple answer. Donate (hopefully that’s what the developer did) the retail space for a two-week art exhibition called The Pratt Harlem Project. This is an art exhibition, in collaboration with Pratt and Harlem artists, opening to the public  starting tonight, April 14, at 2280 Frederick Douglass Blvd between 122nd and 123rd.

The Pratt Harlem Project aims to bring works by new artists from Pratt in Brooklyn and Harlem’s arts community together with buyers and interested viewers. The exhibition will feature 90 works from 80 artists and will be mixed-media and includes alumni and student artists from both Pratt and the community.

An opening reception, which is open to any and all interested, will take place tonight, April 14 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the exhibit will remain open through April 28. The hours are: Sunday – Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday – Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Explore, Experience, Appreciate Art! ArtCrawl Harlem

Aug 6, 2010 @ 7:54

By HarlemGal

Don’t forget this weekend (August 7th and 8th)  is Harlem’s ArtCrawl Harlem! The tour will introduce local and tri-state residents to the rich visual arts offerings of  Harlem by taking participants through a varied selection of galleries and public spaces to view work by an eclectic array of artists at all stages of professional development.

Visitors will be escorted by a tour guide to each gallery venue where they will participate in a 30 minute visit. ArtCrawl HarlemTM culminates in a catered reception that will include food, wine and music at a Harlem cultural institution.

WHEN:
Saturday, August 7th
Trolley tour 12:00PM  to 4PM;  Reception following until 5:30PM

Sunday, August 8th
Trolley tour 1:00PM  to 5PM;  Reception following until 6:30PM

TICKETS
$55 at (212) 866-7427, artcrawlharlem.com; the code “artcol” can be used to order $40 tickets online.

Read more about ArtCrawl Harlem in The New York Times.