Monthly Archives: June 2009

Long lines at MJ public memorial in Harlem

By HarlemGal
HarlemCondoLife went to go check out the scene early at The Apollo Theater for the Michael Jackson public memorial. Based on these photos provided by Austin2Harlem, HCL’s new guest blogger, the lines are wrapped around the corner on 125th!

Apollo Theater holding MJ public memorial

By HarlemGal
Fans will be allowed into The Apollo Theater today from 2:15 to 8:30 PM to remember the “King of Pop.” Fans will be able to leave flowers and memorabilia at the foot of the Apollo stage. If you are interested in attending, better hurry up and take the A train to 125th Street. According to some tweets on Twitter, there is a long line forming already! See you there!

HCL Tribute to Michael Jackson

The Apollo Theater immediately memorializes Michael Jackson

Pictures taken Thursday night by Harlemista at Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater. R.I.P. Michael Jackson.

Big drill translates to future Harlem condo?

By HarlemGal

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

I was walking down Frederick Douglass Blvd recently and low and behold, what did I see? I saw a big drill in one of the empty lots we posted about a few weeks back. Generally when there is a drill like the one in the photo that means a developer or real estate company is preparing for some type of construction. I asked the men on site and they said a condo is going up!  If anyone knows the exact  lowdown, please tell us.  Other than that, there goes another Harlem lot…

Short dresses are the fashion look at The Apollo's 75th anniversary celebration

By HarlemGal
While some major blogs are covering The Real Housewives of New York’s Bethenny Frankel and her wardrobe malfunction at The Apollo Theater’s 75th Anniversary Gala, HarlemCondoLife, who had inside access to the gala and after party, can happily attest that many women at the event looked very sharp and classy in their fashionable attire. I saw a lot of short cocktail dresses that looked very nice and chic. Thank goodness the gala served soul food in a box. This allowed guests to continue mingling and looking great. In addition to the mini dresses, women wore mid to floor length dresses that donned colorful fabric. Below are some of the looks at this year’s gala. Everyone looked great and extremely stylish! What can you expect from The Apollo Theater?

Short dresses are the fashion look at The Apollo’s 75th anniversary celebration

By HarlemGal
While some major blogs are covering The Real Housewives of New York’s Bethenny Frankel and her wardrobe malfunction at The Apollo Theater’s 75th Anniversary Gala, HarlemCondoLife, who had inside access to the gala and after party, can happily attest that many women at the event looked very sharp and classy in their fashionable attire. I saw a lot of short cocktail dresses that looked very nice and chic. Thank goodness the gala served soul food in a box. This allowed guests to continue mingling and looking great. In addition to the mini dresses, women wore mid to floor length dresses that donned colorful fabric. Below are some of the looks at this year’s gala. Everyone looked great and extremely stylish! What can you expect from The Apollo Theater?

Jaime, Mariah, Prince honor entertainment's best at The Apollo's 75th anniversary gala

 By HarlemGal

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife was exclusively inside at the 75th anniversary celebration of The Apollo Theater where they honored the likes of Quincy Jones, Bill and Camille Crosby, and Patti Labelle.
The entire program was fabulous from start to finish. The production and local talent they featured were top notch. Chanj and Zaccheus Denwiddie were the local talent featured and all I can say is that we will be seeing these two young individuals in the years to come. No question about it.
As always, The Apollo Foundation knows how to “do it up” when it comes to entertaining their top donors. By the way, they raised more than $1 million from this event. Not bad and it’s worth it to keep this national monument/shrine going for years to come. However, HCL wants to raise awareness on how cool it is to live in Harlem and that fun, interesting things happen here everyday. And last nights gala was one of them. This is what I witnessed:

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

*It was an Obamafest last night. Quincy Jones and Bill Crosby both mentioned how they believed in President Obama. Jones said he always believed in Obama. Jaime Foxx impersonated Obama and it was spot on. If Saturday Night Live needs a back up, Jaime’s the man.
*Foxx was the award presenter to Jones. During his remarks honoring Jones he morphed into Ray Charles. Remarkable is all I can say. And I saw first hand why he was given an Oscar for his role as Ray.
*Jones and Patti Labelle, who were both honored, appeared truly touched, moved and humbled by the awards that were presented to them. They both echoed themes of “never forget where you come from!” Jones said something to the effect “know where you come from so that you can get to where you want to go.” Amen!

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

*Bill Crosby has not changed a bit. He was the educator every step of the way throughout his remarks. He spoke of Shirley Chisholm, a politician, educator, and author; and how she was and should be acknowledged as the trailblazer for President Obama.
*Fantasia performed Purple Rain. I guess it was a tease on what was to come for the night!
*Prince made a surprise appearance to present, along with Mariah Carey, to Labelle. Everyone was in shock to see him even the host Steve Harvey.
*Carey and Prince made it clear to the audience, they worship the ground that Labelle walks on. Mariah Carey got emotional during her remarks over Labelle.

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

*Comedian and gala host Steve Harvey was hysterical! The audience seemed to enjoy his presence. I certainly did, especially when he made fun of Dick Parson and hip hop. According to Harvey, those hip hop songs sound great now, but that they won’t mean a thing when you’re 50 years old! As for Parson, he hinted at how Parson needed to work on his presentation or was it that maybe he needed a new speechwriter? Either way it was funny what he said and how he said it!
This is what I witnessed at the show. And that’s just the gala. For a recap of actual events, you can view them on twitter.
Stay tuned for a post on the gala after party! It was unbelievable!

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

 

 

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

Jaime, Mariah, Prince honor entertainment’s best at The Apollo’s 75th anniversary gala

 By HarlemGal

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife was exclusively inside at the 75th anniversary celebration of The Apollo Theater where they honored the likes of Quincy Jones, Bill and Camille Crosby, and Patti Labelle.
The entire program was fabulous from start to finish. The production and local talent they featured were top notch. Chanj and Zaccheus Denwiddie were the local talent featured and all I can say is that we will be seeing these two young individuals in the years to come. No question about it.
As always, The Apollo Foundation knows how to “do it up” when it comes to entertaining their top donors. By the way, they raised more than $1 million from this event. Not bad and it’s worth it to keep this national monument/shrine going for years to come. However, HCL wants to raise awareness on how cool it is to live in Harlem and that fun, interesting things happen here everyday. And last nights gala was one of them. This is what I witnessed:

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

*It was an Obamafest last night. Quincy Jones and Bill Crosby both mentioned how they believed in President Obama. Jones said he always believed in Obama. Jaime Foxx impersonated Obama and it was spot on. If Saturday Night Live needs a back up, Jaime’s the man.
*Foxx was the award presenter to Jones. During his remarks honoring Jones he morphed into Ray Charles. Remarkable is all I can say. And I saw first hand why he was given an Oscar for his role as Ray.
*Jones and Patti Labelle, who were both honored, appeared truly touched, moved and humbled by the awards that were presented to them. They both echoed themes of “never forget where you come from!” Jones said something to the effect “know where you come from so that you can get to where you want to go.” Amen!

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

*Bill Crosby has not changed a bit. He was the educator every step of the way throughout his remarks. He spoke of Shirley Chisholm, a politician, educator, and author; and how she was and should be acknowledged as the trailblazer for President Obama.
*Fantasia performed Purple Rain. I guess it was a tease on what was to come for the night!
*Prince made a surprise appearance to present, along with Mariah Carey, to Labelle. Everyone was in shock to see him even the host Steve Harvey.
*Carey and Prince made it clear to the audience, they worship the ground that Labelle walks on. Mariah Carey got emotional during her remarks over Labelle.

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

*Comedian and gala host Steve Harvey was hysterical! The audience seemed to enjoy his presence. I certainly did, especially when he made fun of Dick Parson and hip hop. According to Harvey, those hip hop songs sound great now, but that they won’t mean a thing when you’re 50 years old! As for Parson, he hinted at how Parson needed to work on his presentation or was it that maybe he needed a new speechwriter? Either way it was funny what he said and how he said it!
This is what I witnessed at the show. And that’s just the gala. For a recap of actual events, you can view them on twitter.
Stay tuned for a post on the gala after party! It was unbelievable!

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

 

 

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

CITARELLA "Oasis on 125th"

CITARELLA

By Harlemista

The Citarella on 125th street is a strange oasis almost hidden amongst the throng of a major thoroughfare. Upon entering from the chaotic street, it has a cool, calm suburban vibe. No rushing here. Even though it’s small, there’s always room to push your cart and browse. This branch of the venerable gourmet grocery chain is 3 years old this week, and considering that the very first Citarella opened in 1912 on Broadway and 164th, I guess Harlem is it’s rightful home.

While it is more expensive and has much less variety than Fairway, on the other hand, it is much closer to my apartment and much easier to access and navigate, so I’m always popping in for a nice cheese or prosciutto or filet of fresh fish.

Weekday or weekend it never seems to be incredibly busy so I’m not sure how it sustains itself (Citarella owns the entire buiding so that may help). And if the upscale grocery gods ever grant us a Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods or Garden of Eden in SoHa 118, I don’t know what the future of this Citarella would be. But for now I’m glad it’s here and encourage everyone to check it out.

Citarella
461 W 125th St @Amsterdam Avenue
212.874.0383
www.citarella.com

CITARELLA “Oasis on 125th”

CITARELLA

By Harlemista

The Citarella on 125th street is a strange oasis almost hidden amongst the throng of a major thoroughfare. Upon entering from the chaotic street, it has a cool, calm suburban vibe. No rushing here. Even though it’s small, there’s always room to push your cart and browse. This branch of the venerable gourmet grocery chain is 3 years old this week, and considering that the very first Citarella opened in 1912 on Broadway and 164th, I guess Harlem is it’s rightful home.

While it is more expensive and has much less variety than Fairway, on the other hand, it is much closer to my apartment and much easier to access and navigate, so I’m always popping in for a nice cheese or prosciutto or filet of fresh fish.

Weekday or weekend it never seems to be incredibly busy so I’m not sure how it sustains itself (Citarella owns the entire buiding so that may help). And if the upscale grocery gods ever grant us a Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods or Garden of Eden in SoHa 118, I don’t know what the future of this Citarella would be. But for now I’m glad it’s here and encourage everyone to check it out.

Citarella
461 W 125th St @Amsterdam Avenue
212.874.0383
www.citarella.com