Tag Archives: music

‘Soul Train’ celebration is tonight in Harlem, event seeks to create world’s largest soul train line


Go back in time tonight to an era that brought us “soul” at Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park. Harlem-based non-profit ImageNation is celebrating all things “Soul Train” this evening (July 12) in Marcus Garvey Park. ImageNation’s 10th Annual Outdoors Festival will pay tribute to the late Don Cornelius with a screening of the VH1 documentary “Soul Train: The Hippest Trip in America,” as well as live performances of music from that famous era. Also, ImageNation is aiming to create the largest soul train line tonight here in Harlem. How else to pay better tribute to the man himself, Don Cornelius, than by creating one of the most famous and well-known dance lines: the soul train line? The event is FREE and starts at 7:30 pm. Check out the details below.

What: Soul Train! A Tribute to Don Cornelius w/ music by InJoy Enterprises
When: July 12, 2012 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Where: Marcus Garvey Park, Harlem
Directions: Take the 2/3 train towards New Lots Ave and exit 125th st near intersection of Dr. Martin L King Blvd and Lenox Ave. Walk down to 122nd St and turn left
Cost: Free

Justin Bieber performing at Harlem’s Apollo Theater

Tonight (June 18), teen superstar Justin Bieber will give a special private performance for his fans at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, according to an email by The Apollo Foundation sent to its members today. Tonight’s show will be taped by NBC for broadcast and is presented by Macy’s.

Harlemites, be on the lookout for a bunch of excited teenagers in the area! Yikes.
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Grammy Award Winner Esperanza Spalding to perform in Harlem October 26

Bassist, vocalist, composer and award winner Esperanza Spalding is coming to Harlem and she will be performing…where else, but the famous Apollo Theater, located on 125th Street between FDB and ACP Blvd. She is performing in Harlem October 26 and tickets go on sale to the public tomorrow, Friday, June 8. The presale is happening now for Amex cardholders and members of the Apollo Theater Foundation.

“Esperanza Spalding is an American multi-instrumentalist best known as a jazz bassist and singer.” Her latest release is Radio Music Society. Listen below to Black Gold from her new CD.

http://soundcloud.com/concordmusicgroup/black-gold

M.Shanghai String Band to perform at Kidberry in Harlem

Mekia Denby, the founder of Kidberry in Harlem, has given us the heads up that M.Shanghai String Band, one of the best string bands in New York City, will be performing live this Friday, May 4 at Kidberry from 5:30 to 8 pm. The cost of entrance is $20 per family.  Kidberry is located at 2046 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.

If you would like to attend, RSVP in advance to mekia@kidberrynyc.com.

Several Harlem named/themed songs make Time Out New York’s 100 Best Songs about New York City


Time Out New York recently released a ranked list of 100 songs dealing with the subject of New York City and several Harlem themed or named songs top the list, such as Take the A Train by Duke Ellington, Across 110th Street by Bobby Womack, Harlem Blues by Nat King Cole, Harlem Shuffle by Bob&Earl, Angel of Harlem by U2 and more. The list of 100 covers 50 years of tributes to the city that is known all over the world for inspiring artists across every musical genre.

In addition to the tracks, videos and commentary, Time Out New York is offering a Spotify playlist, so that readers can follow and stream the ranked songs on their own devices. Users will also be able to rerank the top 25 selections on the list by voting their choices up or down in the Readers’ Poll.

The Top NYC Song List can be seen at Time Out New York or go directly to Spotify, if you have an account.

OMG…Lenox Lounge in Harlem could close. Please no!


According to The New York Daily News, Harlem’s famed music establishment Lenox Lounge “could be on its last set.” The current owner, Al Reed, says the landlord of the property wants $20k a month from the prior $10k. The article states Reed is shopping the place around and that there are interested parties, such as Harlemite and celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson. I hope that is really true about Samuelsson.

Overall, this is sad news to hear. Closing Lenox Lounge would be like closing the Apollo Theater. These establishments are Harlem/American icons. Our community and New York City needs to desperately try to hold on to these treasures. It’s part of NYC’s fabric of life. Lenox Lounge is so special cause of its long history. It’s vintage. I will go as far as saying it should be a landmark and should be preserved. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that an investor views it that way…soon!

Mark your calendar: Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival to take place May 7-13

If your were wondering when the second annual Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival will take place this year, we know the dates. According to a news release, the same organizations who put on the first Festival have joined forces once again. The Apollo Theater, Harlem Stage and Jazzmobile will present a series of concerts and events, May 7-13, 2012, to celebrate the rich legacy of jazz in the uptown community.

The Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival plans to bring both established and emerging artists to Harlem venues and will pay tribute to Club Harlem, Clark Monroe’s Uptown House, Havana San Juan Club, Small’s Paradise, Minton’s Playhouse, Showman’s Café, Park Palace, Lenox Lounge and the Apollo Theater.

In addition to concerts at jazz shrines, other Festival events will take place at Harlem Stage Gatehouse, Columbia University and a variety of locations throughout the Harlem area. So mark your calendars to May 7-13!

Tickets for many of the Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival events are available now. For tickets and more information on the Festival and its partners, visit the Harlem Jazz Shrines’ website at www.Harlemjazzshrines.org.

Denbaya performs tonight at Harlem’s Shrine World Music Venue


Head to West Africa, musically, with Makane Kouyate’s Denbaya. They are performing live tonight at Harlem’s Shrine starting at 10 p.m. And remember, there is no cover charge!

Denbaya performs music that is steeped in West African rhythmic and musical tradition with influences that range from jazz and rock to reggae while remaining true to the spirit of Malian music.

Need a preview of Denbaya’s music? Click here to listen and see exact details of the event below!

Who: Makane Kouyate’s Denbaya (Afrobeat)
Where: Shrine World Music Venue, 2271 Adam Clayton Powell/NY, NY 10030
When: Saturday September 22
Time: 10 p.m. And no cover

Live music is the next dish served up at Lido Harlem Monday nights

Along with their excellent food, Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar is serving up something new on their menu, live music! Stop by this coming Monday, September 12 and see their first musical act, Mavis Swan Poole. Learn more about Swan Poole’s music here.

See you at Lido Harlem, located at 2168 Frederick Douglass Blvd., on Monday!

Pablo Blaqk and Ladell McLin perform tonight at the Shrine in Harlem, no cover charge

Need plans for tonight? How about listening to some live music in Harlem? The good folks over at the Shrine, located at 2271 Adam Clayton Powell (7th Ave) between 133 & 134 streets, tell HarlemGal Inc. they have two live bands playing tonight, September 2, with no cover! Sweet. See details below!

Pablo Blaqk 8 p.m., no cover charge

The one and only Pablo Blaqk is playing a a very special bonus NYC show tonight after packing the house last night at Arlene’s Grocery. The Cuban-American, soulful singer-songwriter, is touring to support the long-awaited release of his Sons & Daughters album. He has shared the stage with incredible acts like John Legend, John Forte, Great Lake Swimmers, and Joshua James. With over 230,000 YouTube views, this young artist is steadily on the rise. Pablo Blaqk is an act you do not want to miss.
www.pabloblaqk.com

Ladell McLin 9 p.m., no cover charge

Ladell has been described as a true artist that possesses the ability to transcend the bounds of conventional music through his muse, the blues. Born on the South Side of Chicago, Ladell discovered the music that would have a lasting influence on his life. Deeply touched by the genre, Ladell worked hard to hone his seemingly natural talents on the guitar. His efforts eventually earned him a place in the house band at Buddy Guy’s Legends, arguably the world’s top spot for blues. McLin learned onstage from the best in the business: Koko Taylor, John Primer, and Buddy Guy himself. Mr. McLin will play 2 stellar sets this evening.
www.ladellmclin.com

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