Tag Archives: history

Celebrate Martin Luther King Day and President Obama’s Second Inauguration at Ginny’s Supper Club in Harlem

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Lots to celebrate this coming Monday. And if you need a place to celebrate in Harlem, Ginny’s Supper Club in Harlem, 310 Lenox Ave, is inviting us all over. In celebration of Martin Luther King Day and President Obama’s second inauguration, Ginny’s Supper Club will host two special events.

The first is an inauguration watching party at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 21st. Guests can order from Marcus Samuelsson’s acclaimed upstairs restaurant and Red Rooster Harlem, while watching a live-feed of the inauguration downstairs at Ginny’s Supper Club. In 2011, the President Obama held a swanky fundraiser at Red Rooster Harlem and in 2009, Marcus Samuelsson was chosen to cook the Obama Administration’s first State Dinner.

The celebration of Dr. King’s dream continues into the evening of January 21st, with a two-set special performance by Amanda Brown of The Voice. Brown’s performance will be complemented by excerpts of Dr. King’s iconic “I have a Dream” speech. Ginny’s small plates and playful cocktails will round out the celebratory evening. Guests can make reservations by calling 212-421-3821 in advance. There is no cover. Shows start at 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Here is your list of where to watch the Presidential Election results in Harlem!

There are several places in Harlem that are holding election night parties tonight, November 6! Click on the links below to get more details. And have a great time tonight. The establishments are:

Sylvia’s Restaurant at 318 Lenox Avenue (Corner of 126th Street)

Melba’s Restaurant on 114th Street and FDB

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at 515 Lenox Avenue. Schomburg’s 2012 Presidential Election Watch Party will feature special guest commentators: Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Grace Aneiza Ali, Monifa Bandele, William Jelani Cobb, Michaela angela Davis, and Dorian Warren.

Red Rooster Harlem at 310 Lenox Avenue

Corner Social at 126th Street and Lenox Ave

Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar. Lido Harlem will be offering patriotic drink specials! Location is 2168 Frederick Douglass Blvd  and 117th

Harlem Tavern at 116th Street and FDB

Harlem Food Bar on FDB between 113th and 114th Street

Creole Restaurant at 2167 Third Avenue. RSVP is required to attend

Speakers at Schomburg

Section of West 121st Street in Harlem to become George Carlin Way

The Columbia Spectator reports today that Community Board 9 in Morningside Heights, a section of West Harlem, approved renaming a part of West 121st Street to George Carlin Way, where the stand-up comedian, actor and social critic grew up. In his stand up performances, George Carlin was known for calling the area where he grew up as “white Harlem” because it sounded much tougher than its subset name of Morningside Heights.

This decision to rename part of West 121st Street to George Carlin Way comes after a year-long fight. To read more of the Columbia Spector article, click here.

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Save the Date: East Harlem Harvest Festival happening October 26-27

Central Harlem just completed its Harvest Festival. Now its time to plan for East Harlem’s Harvest Festival taking place at 116th Street and Park Avenue. I believe its the first one and organizers are making sure it lasts all weekend.

On October 26, a celebration of culture and cuisine is planned. How to make you’re own brewski is on the agenda at the Urban Garden Center and Sugar Hill Beer is involved. That will be good and those 21 years and older can participate. A Hookah Lounge will be set up thanks to Kiosk Restaurant, a delightful Moroccan restaurant in East Harlem. And for children, the East Harlem Harvest Festival will be planning a Recycling Game, pumpkin carving and a class on how to make healthy food provided by Culinaria Festival!

So no need to worry about making plans for the weekend of October 26-27. Head on over to the eastside of Harlem for their Harvest Festival. See you there.

Attend Maysles Members Night Out in Harlem

Listen up! The Maysles Institute in Harlem will be hosting an exclusive event soon for its members. It’s one you don’t want to miss if you love Cuban history as I do (see blog post on visit to Cuba). And if you’re not a member, you may want to become one to meet fellow members from the Harlem and NYC area.

Maysles Cinema, which is located at 343 Lenox Avenue between 127th and 128 Street, is having a reception for members only on Monday, October 15 at 6:30 pm. After the reception, Maysles Cinema will be screening the film titled Cuba: An African Odyssey at 7:30 pm. “Cuba: An African Odyssey explores the 300,000 Cubans who fought alongside African revolutionaries: from Che Guevara’s military campaign to avenge Lumumba in the Congo up to the fall of apartheid in South Africa. Cuba, an African Odyssey is the previously untold story of Cuba’s support for African revolutions, one of the Cold War’s most vigorous contests over resources and ideology.” Click here to watch a trailer of the film.

As mentioned,  this event is exclusive to Maysles cinema members and requires a reservation to attend. To RSVP email member@mayslesinstitute.org and to become a member go to mayslesinstitute.org/membership.

Hope to see you there!

Marcus Samuelsson to host Harlem Community Day June 25

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I am convinced that someone has cloned Marcus Samuelsson, celebrity chef/owner of Red Rooster Harlem and Ginny’s Supper Club. He is everywhere! I recently saw him at the New York City Coalition Against Hunger Spring Gala, where he was honored for his work on hunger issues, and then we all saw him and his wife Maya in the June issue of Vogue,the glamorous fashion magazine. Next up for Marcus is community day in Harlem. The Harlem resident will host a Harlem Community Day on Monday, June 25, in support of his forthcoming memoir, Yes, Chef.

The neighborhood-focused day will be held from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Marcus Garvey Park at the Richard Rodgers Amphitheater (123rdStreet and Mount Morris Park West) and is free to the public.

Yes, Chef, is due out on June 26. It describes Marcus’ love for Harlem and his gratitude towards the Harlem community. In continuing to put the spot light on Harlem, Marcus has chosen to launch Yes, Chef at Marcus Garvey Park a day before the book’s national release. He will introduce the book with a fun-filled roster of activities and offerings that celebrate the residents, organizations and businesses of the neighborhood. Events will include cooking demonstrations, dance and musical performances, a greenmarket showcase, a yoga class, food and beverages, and a special Q and A with Marcus about Yes, Chef.

Remember Michael Jackson on his birthday, visit West 122nd Street or The Apollo Theater in Harlem

West 122nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenue


Today is the King of Pop’s birthday-Michael Jackson. He would have been 53 years old. He passed away two years ago. If you want to remember Michael Jackson and his connection to Harlem, there are two ways to pay tribute to him.

First suggestion is to stop by the Apollo Theater. They have their own Walk of Fame, which features Michael Jackson.

Another suggestion is to take a stroll down West 122nd street between 8th Avenue and 7th Ave, also known as Frederick Douglass Blvd and Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Blvd. There you can see the actual place where the ‘Bad- The Full Version’ video was filmed. There is a sign hanging on a fence on that street, which states, “Michael Jackson spent a few days on our block.”

If you haven’t seen the full version of Bad, which was filmed in Harlem, take a look here. It shows an entire different chapter of Harlem’s history.

And let’s take a moment to remember the person who brought us magical music for several decades, Michael Jackson!

Changing Face of Harlem Director looking for photos of Harlem artist from the 1930s or 1940s


The Changing Face of Harlem documentary, which is capturing Harlem’s rebirth of the last decade needs our help. The director of Changing Face of Harlem is looking to use photos-and maybe film footage-of an artist/performer who performed in Harlem during the 1930s or 1940s. If you know of someone who has photos of a Harlem artist from that time period, please go to the Changing Face of Harlem Facebook page or contact the director at shawn@changingfaceofharlem.com. Another option is to email harlemgalinc@gmail.com with your suggestions and HarlemGal Inc. will make sure it get’s passed on to the director.

The second option is to find the family of a Harlem artist/musician/dancer/singer etc. Maybe this amazing person who performed in Harlem back in the day continued their personal legacy through family? If you know of someone who had a mother or father that performed in Harlem the 30s or 40s, the director is looking to use those photos and film footage for her documentary. Again, if you know of someone, use the contact information above.

And last, if you’re wondering why the Changing Face of Harlem director is looking for these photos and film footage, she is working on strengthening the history section of Harlem in her film.

Hope we can help! Have a wonderful day Harlem!

The Atlanta Post asks is Harlem fading as a Black Mecca?

Jun 18, 2011 @ 8:00
By HarlemGal
In a video report about Harlem, The Atlanta Post talks about the 2009 census data, how it revealed the black population has been decreased by double digits, non-blacks are moving into the area, and replacing African-Americans that have called Harlem home for generations. The Atlanta Post consulted with experts and asks: what does this mean for the future of Harlem, what’s going on in Harlem and what the experts see next for the transitioning community?

Click here to see video report

‘Changing Face of Harlem’ reaches goal

Jun 12, 2011 @ 14:40

By HarlemGal
I wanted to share some good news with you. Remember how I told you about a film titled Changing Face of Harlem and how the filmmaker was trying to raise funds to get into the editing booth to finish the film! Well, Shawn Batey, the documentarian and the brainchild behind this film, reached her goal! That’s awesome news! Below is one of the notes I received from Shawn confirming the goods news. Shawn also sent out a separate note thanking select social networks,such as HCL and WeHarlem.com, and many others for helping to spread the good word about her film. To me, this is what makes blogging rewarding and what social networking is all about, i.e. sharing insightful information that can help make a difference.

A big congrats to Shawn and her film, Changing Face of Harlem. Can’t wait to see the final product!

June 10, 2011

I am happy to announce that we reached our $5,000 goal. THANK YOU so much to everyone who’s been so generous and helped us get there. We had 31 new backers come on board this week…that’s amazing! Thanks to you all we breezed past the goal 4 days ahead of the deadline!! The Kickstarter project for CHANGING FACE OF HARLEM runs until 12 noon on June 14. So please continue to share the campaign with family and friends who may have been waiting until the last minute to pledge. What is wonderful is that 88 backers from all over the world joined together to support this film!

THANK YOU to everyone who donated, tweeted, emailed and posted our campaign to help reach the goal!