Tag Archives: Harlem

Kidberry in Harlem moves into new space

Over the summer, I told you about Kidberry,a learning and developmental play center for newborns to ten-year-olds based in Harlem, was working hard to move into their new space. Well, its done! They have moved. Kidberry has a new home and its at 2046 7th Avenue. While the physical space has changed, their dedication to teaching children remains the same. What this new space allows is for Kidberry to offer more classes and services, from language to dance, with plans to expand into cooking classes and a kid friendly salon. And by the way, Kidberry was created and is managed by two Harlem moms, Mekia Denby and Pamela Flood Morrison. How cool is that?

For the full class schedule, log onto Kidberrynyc.com.

Johnny Rockets coming soon to East Harlem says sign

I went to East River Plaza in East Harlem this past weekend to run some errands and right there on the ground level where cars turn in, there is a big sign hanging on the glass that says “Johnny Rockets Coming Soon.” I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. Isn’t Johnny Rockets the type of food chain you see in the suburbs? I guess they are here in Harlem to join Apple Bees.  I have mixed feelings about these types of places opening up in Harlem.

While there, I asked around about how long that sign’s been up and when is the burger joint actually opening? Everyone kept saying soon. From the looks of the space, it doesn’t appear that Johnny Rockets is opening soon. The retail space is empty, but with signage. Guess we should give this chain about year before they open in East Harlem?

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A flea market to open March 2012 on 117th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd. in Harlem

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On Saturday (October 22), I walked by the empty lot on 117th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd in Harlem and noticed there were workers leveling out the ground. I quickly stopped and asked the person, who appeared to be supervising the work being done, what’s happening with this lot? The gentleman responded with “the space is being prepped for a flea market.” He said a flea market, which will sell anything and everything, will open in March 2012. This person also stated they were handing out fliers earlier in the day to people walking by. Hmmm…I did not receive a flier cause apparently they were out when I walked by. Drats. Let’s see what happens. Stay tuned.

Princess Mary of Denmark visits Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy

According to Hello Magazine, royalty paid a visit to Harlem recently.  The People-like magazine of Britain reports that Princess Mary of Denmark “helped out students at Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy II with one of their classes.”  Apparently, this all came down yesterday. Click here to read the full story and here for more photos!

Harlem Restaurant and Retail Month continues, don’t miss it!

Harlem Restaurant and Retail Month is happening right now and there is still plenty of time to get out there and enjoy the benefits.  The month-long event which takes place twice a year in the Spring and Fall, showcases Harlem’s premiere restaurants all located in area of Central Harlem, from Morningside to Marcus Garvey Parks and 110th to 125th streets.  During this month, diners can enjoy a prix fixe meal at any of the participating restaurants for $20.11; and shoppers can purchase select items at retail stores for $20.11.  The promotion runs to October 31.   

The restaurants that are participating include: 5 and Diamond Restaurant, 67 Orange Street, Chocolat Restaurant Lounge, The Harlem Tavern, Lido Harlem, Moca Lounge, Native Restaurant, Nectar Wine bar, Red Rooster Harlem, Ristorante Settepani.

And for retail, the following places are participating: Bikram Yoga East Harlem, Brownstone Fitness, EG Bodywork, Franz James Floral Boutique, Harlem Flo Floral Atelier, Harlem Flo Lifestyle Boutique, Harlem Skin Clinic, Harlem Vintage Wine Store, Karrot Health Food Store, Katrina Parris Flowers, Land Yoga.

See Peter Woytuk on Broadway Exhibition in West Harlem

If you’re up on 137th Street and Broadway this weekend you may see a giant pair of Sheep? Or if you head 20 blocks south on Broadway you may witness A Conversation…in large form? Don’t panic if you see animals in mass along Broadway! It’s actually Peter Woytuk on Broadway, a major exhibition of bronze sculptures, being displayed on the Upper Westside, West Harlem and Washington Heights.

The sculptures from this exhibition located in West Harlem include: Bridging the Gap at Broadway and 114th Street; A Conversation at Broadway at 117th Street; Sheep Pair at 137th Street Montefiore Park; and A Rail of Ravens on Broadway between 139th to 140th Streets.

Who is Peter Woytuk? Apparently, he is globally known for his sculptures of animals. He “cleverly reduces their shapes to essential forms, allowing the power and elegance of his subjects to  become both graceful and whimsical expressions of mass.”

So who needs to head South in Manhattan to see interesting sculptures when all us Harlemites have to do is head West from October 21, 2011, through April 2012 to see Peter Woytuk on Broadway! Check out the map below of all the animal sculptures along Broadway!

Harlem Happenings: Urban Garden Center Fall Festival, La Colmenita, Halloween Pumpkin Sail

We have another Fall weekend in Harlem where there are fun things to do! On Saturday, October 22, Urban Garden Center in East Harlem is holding their Annual Fall Festival.  It starts at noon and runs to 4 p.m. with plenty of activities for friends, family and kids! Head on over to 116th Street and Park Avenue this coming Saturday!

Also on Saturday is La Colmenita! The Children’s Theater of Cuba will be performing in Harlem at the Harriet Tubman Learning Center, located at 250 West 127th Street. The show starts at 3 p.m. It is a rare U.S. appearance and its happening right here in our community. Learn more about La Colmenita by clicking here.

On Sunday, October 23, the Central Park Conservancy continues their tradition with its Annual Halloween Parade and Pumpkin Sail at the Dana Discovery Center at Harlem Meer (inside Central Park on 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues). This event starts at 4 p.m. and wearing a Halloween costume for kids is highly encouraged. Participants can also bring a carved pumpkin so that it can be a part of the pumpkin sail!

And that’s what’s happening in Harlem this weekend…all for FREE!

Harlem Yoga Studio featured on ABC News

Congrats to Harlem Yoga Studio!  Their full figure yoga class was featured on ABCNews.com recently. The news piece basically explains that full figure women CAN DO yoga and that’s it’s not just for women with a small body frame. The ABC News reporter and Harlem Yoga Studio instructor explain it in simple terms.

By the way, Harlem Yoga Studio’s full figure class is  offered on Saturday’s at 44 West 125th Street. It’s “adapted for the larger, curvier adult or teen” where “classic postures are adapted to be comfortable and accessible for larger bodies.”

Check out the video here.

Casting Call: Food Network Star and Chef Bobby Flay is looking for Food Entrepreneurs

Listen up Harlem! This is a casting call blog post! And it is about an exciting opportunity. Bobby Flay’s Rock Shrimp Productions is  currently developing a new show for the Food Network.  The title of the show is still unnamed. However, it is going to center around Food Entrepreneurs.

Rock Shrimp Productions defines Food Entrepreneurs as individuals who left their day job and are currently in the process of opening a food store or restaurant before mid December with…no culinary experience and are taking a risk to pursue their passion of launching their own food business.  These individuals must be planning to open a brick-and-mortar space (restaurant or singular food ideas welcome) before the end of 2011.

In addition,  the Food Entrepreneurs should preferably in, but not limited to, the greater New York City area (NY, NJ, CT). Those chosen will receive culinary business coaching from a major celebrity chef and restaurateur, as well as nationwide publicity.

So if you are a Food Entrepreneur and want to rub elbows with Bobby Flay, the celebrity chef who did a Throw Down with Melba’s Restaurant in Harlem, contact Heather Briggs at hrb@embassyrow.com or learn more about the project on Facebook.

Bricks come a tumbling down at 119th Street and 8th Avenue in Harlem

A reader has informed us the NYPD has blocked off the northwest corner of 119th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd., also known as 8th Ave, this afternoon due to a large collection of big bricks falling down on the westside of street. Apparently pedestrians could not cross. Our reader says, to their knowledge, it appears no one was hurt. Thank goodness!
And a big thanks to our reader for taking these pictures and sharing them in a timely manner! That’s a pure Harlemite for ya!

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