Tag Archives: travel

See DREAMGIRLS by Harlem Repertory Theatre

Starting August 17, the Harlem Repertory Theatre will be presenting a chamber version of DREAMGIRLS in two separate theatre spaces in Harlem. It is opening its 2012 season with the classic R&B musical drama. Ten talented actor/singers will bring this dazzling rags to riches story to life in two settings: Act One will be played in the proscenium theatre at the 133rd Street Arts Center, while Act Two will be performed in the open loft space on the third floor of the same building.

Tickets for this event are $15 and $20 for general seating. Premiumn tickets cost $40. Show is suitable for children ages 8 and up. Tickets can be purchased at SMARTTIX.

When:
August 17 to October 21

Where:
The 133rd Street Arts Center,
308 W. 133rd Street, New York, NY 10027

Times:
Fridays at 7 pm
Saturdays at 2 pm & 7 pm
Sundays at 3 pm

Previews: August 17 to 19
Opening: August 24
Critics are invited after August 19

Box Office:
SMARTTIX (212) 868-4444

Harlem Wine Gallery presents second art series with Brian Kirhagis

In honor of Harlem Week, the Harlem Wine Gallery, located at 752A St. Nicholas Avenue at 148th Street, will host a series of tasting events including a special reception for contemporary artist Brian Kirhagis, and a special community based event featuring other Hamilton Height businesses.

The Brian Kirhagis event will be held August 10 from 6-9 pm. Kirhagis will paint live during the tasting event.

Kirhagis is from Baltimore and considered one of New York’s most exciting young talents, according to a news release provided by Harlem Wine Gallery.

To learn more about Harlem Week events at Harlem Wine Gallery, check out their Facebook page.

Alicia Keys brings in wedding anniversary at familiar place, Harlem’s Apollo Theater

Alicia Keys clearly never forgets where she came from, i.e. Harlem, or what inspires her. This afternoon Keys posted an adorable picture on Instagram and Twitter of her and her husband standing in front of Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater. I had to share it. Guess today, July 31, is their one or two-year wedding anniversary? Either way, so cool of them to come home to Harlem to start their special day. Love it!

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ArtCrawl Harlem continues Romare Bearden celebration by visiting Newark exhibition

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For the first time, ArtCrawl Harlem™, New York’s only guided trolley-bus tour of galleries and art spaces throughout Harlem, will take its tour to Newark, New Jersey as it continues its celebration of Romare Bearden’s career. On Saturday, August 11, from 12:30 pm to 6:30 pm, ArtCrawl Harlem will treat participants to a guided tour of the Newark Museum’s exhibit “Romare Bearden: Southern Recollections.” The tour will include three other gallery stops in Newark and culminate with a delicious meal featuring Newark’s legendary Portuguese/Spanish cuisine-complete with wine and music. Tickets are $55 in advance, optional roundtrip transportation is available from New York City for $20. Tickets can be purchased by telephone at 800-838-3006 or online at ArtCrawl Harlem.

Chef Stephen Putnam moves on from Lido Harlem, sought-after caterer Serena Bass steps in

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Lido Italian Restaurant and Bar in Harlem is experiencing some changes, but don’t worry. These changes are positive for everyone involved, especially the consumer. Lido Harlem, located at 117th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd., exclusively tells HarlemGal Inc. that British-born, celeb following caterer, Serena Bass has been hired by the Harlem eatery to redevelop their menu. This decision to hire Bass to redevelop Lido’s menu is right out of the oven practically. Bass will start working with the Lido team effective immediately! In her bio, it reads: Bass’ most recent venture is at Lido Harlem where she is taking the popular neighborhood restaurant to a new level. So let’s all pay attention to the menu at Lido. I am confident it will have that similar ingredient: quality food.

These changes are happening at Lido due to initial Chef Stephen Putnam giving notice last week to the management team that he was departing the Harlem dining place to start his own restaurant in Harlem, along with his wife Dera. Putnam will not comment on the exact location of his Harlem restaurant or the starting date because he is in the midst of negotiations. However, Putnam does say that he plans on serving cuisine at his new place that garnered him a 26 out of 30 rating from Zagat while at Lido.

And for those of us who like dining at Lido Harlem, like I do, the service, ambiance and quality of food will remain the same, according to its management team. Lido will continue to provide the same level of service it has been consistently offering since it opened about a year and a half ago. And be on the look out for Serena Bass in Harlem. Just so you know, her clients include Sarah Jessica Parker and Oscar de la Renta.

Attend panel discussion in Harlem on private school kindergarten admission process

Only in New York City do parents have to start thinking about the admission process for school while their child is still in utero. And it’s not even college admissions that they have to think about first. It is kindergarten and whether that primary step toward education should be public or private. This is the reality for NYC parents and if you’re approaching this part of parenting, to do private or public kindergarten for your kid, and live in Harlem, you may want to consider attending this event.

On August 13th at 6:30 pm, Let’s Talk Schools will be hosting a panel discussion in Harlem at Ephesus Church, located at 110 W 123rd Street (Corner of Lenox Avenue), on the NYC private school kindergarten admission process. The workshop will inform parents about applying to kindergarten at Hunter Elementary School on East 94th Street and private independent schools in September 2012 for the 2013-2014 school year. The workshop will discuss the different options available and provide an overview, directly from admission directors, about the process; including summary of the complete application process, screening tests (ERB & Stanford Binet), what to look for on tours and what to expect, financial aid and affording an independent school education and how admission decisions are made.

If you are interested in attending, the cost is $20 before August 9 and $25 from August 10-13. Registration is required to attend and space is limited. Click here to register.

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Harlem Shambles named one of New York’s best butcher shops

Time Out New York has narrowed the list to ten on the best places to purchase meat in New York City and Harlem Shambles made the list. TONY said they named Harlem Shambles as one of the best NYC butcher shops for barbecuing because “all the meat at this shop is humanely raised and sourced from three farms in the Finger Lakes and Hudson Valley. [Also] the butchers are resourceful, transforming whole carcasses into just about any cut you might want…”

Congrats to Harlem Shambles! Check it out for your barbecuing or everyday meal needs. They are located 2141 Frederick Douglass Blvd. between 115th and 116th Street. Their phone number is 1 (646) 476-4650.

Sylvia Woods, who founded famous Harlem restaurant, passes

This evening, Harlem lost a legend. Sylvia Woods, who earned the grand title: the Queen of Soul Food, has gone on to a better place.  The Wood’s Family announced on Facebook tonight that the women who founded and created one of the most famous soul food restaurants in Harlem and in New York City, Sylvia’s Restaurant, succumbed to Alzheimer’s. In their statement, the Wood’s Family said before she left, Sylvia was surrounded by the same environment she created at her Lenox Avenue restaurant: “a host of family and loved ones.”

As one person said on Twitter this evening, “they’re eating collards, fried chicken, and cornbread in heaven tonight…” Amen. 😦

Melba’s Restaurant returns to The View July 24

The ladies from ABC’s The View will be in the kitchen soon with Harlem’s Melba Wilson, the owner of Melba’s Restaurant on 114th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd! On July 24, Melba returns to the morning talk show where she “will cook it up” with the ladies on The View. Way to go Melba! Details are below!

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Aloft Hotel in Harlem wins TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence

Harlem’s first hotel in a half century has been recognized for its service. Aloft Harlem, located at 2296 Frederick Douglass Blvd. between 123rd and 124th Street, recently announced that it was awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. This accolade is given to establishments that consistently and credibly achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor, which recognizes businesses worldwide and is one of the largest travel sites on the internet.

Aloft Harlem has been open since December 2009 with the  majority of the hotel’s employees from Harlem and already its performance is reaching the top percentile in the industry. The prestigious award only rewards about 10 percent of accommodations listed on TripAdvisor.

Let’s wish our Aloft Harlem a big congratulations and may many more accolades come their way in years to come! Cheers!