By HarlemGuy
Harlem faces off agains Williamsburg in this year’s award. Per Curbed”
“It’s voting time in the annual Curbed Cup, our yearly award to the New York City neighborhood of the year. This year, four neighborhoods face off in the semi-finals, one round today and one round tomorrow, with the winners determined by reader vote.”
Click here for details on Curbed.
Posted in HarlemCondoLife
By HarlemGuy
Santa delivered an unexpected treat to HarlemGuy of HarlemCondoLife and our readers and fellow Harlem residents on Christmas day this year.
It took the form of a New York Times article on the Momentum in South Harlem, featuring a quote from HarlemGuy.
The article speaks to something we’ve long written about. The resurgence of Harlem and Frederick Douglass Boulevard from 110th and Frederick Douglass Circle northward in particular.
We’ve been pretty busy writing on what’s happening in Harlem with a focus on real estate in particular. For more on our work in this regard please see our related posts, many of which can also be found on Curbed.com.
By HarlemGuy
It was with great sadness that I read about the demise of the Boys Choir of Harlem, including the Girls Choir of Harlem. Please see the sidebar on our web site for a link to some of their works available on iTunes.
I simply cannot accept that its impossible for the Harlem Community to keep this institution and its dream alive.
In thinking about how to do so, I’d proposed it be reborn as the Children’s Choir of Harlem.
See the full story in the New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/23/nyregion/23choir.html
By HarlemGuy
It was with great sadness that I read about the demise of the Boys Choir of Harlem, including the Girls Choir of Harlem. Please see the sidebar on our web site for a link to some of their works available on iTunes.
I simply cannot accept that its impossible for the Harlem Community to keep this institution and its dream alive.
In thinking about how to do so, I’d proposed it be reborn as the Children’s Choir of Harlem.
See the full story in the New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/23/nyregion/23choir.html
By HarlemGuy
I came across a story that I had not yet heard, about a London based real estate company that invested in East Harlem a few years ago. As soon as the purchase was consummated they apparently started a campaign to push renters out of their places. Which means they let the apartments and the building and the quality of lives of the people living there deteriorate. Meanwhile the executive purchased fancy artwork and yachts and paid themselves handsomely. And then they went broke. Leaving the residents in perhaps more dire straights than they had been before the bust.
The article quotes the City’s response as follows: “The city said it is monitoring conditions in the buildings. So far, officials said, the financial distress has not translated into wholesale physical distress.” But one wonders who is monitoring the distress of the people living in those buildings this holiday season?
Our fellow neighbors, friends and families are in pain. Let’s figure out how we can give them a hand. Perhaps by spreading the word. Providing a service. Lending a hand. Wielding some influence. Dropping off some clothes. Food. Perhaps a toy? Anything. If you can think of something anyone can do, call – or something that you have done that others can emulate, post a comment with the details, so others may follow. Especially with the holidays upon us. Those parents deserve better. Those kids even more especially.
I leave you with the final paragraph of the article:
“Meanwhile, tenants still carry some share of envy toward their London landlords. They talk sometimes about how they would have used the fortunes that Dawnay Day executives spent on yachts and art collections. As Mr. Rufiles cuddles his 4-year-old daughter and rats squeak faintly from his kitchen cabinet, he marvels at the habits of the rich.
“What I would do with money is buy clothes for my children,” he said.”
I’m not sure I agree that what they carry is envy.
In any event surely we can – and must do better than this.
Posted in HarlemCondoLife
Tagged CHRISTINE HAUGHNEY, Dawnay Day, east harlem, Posts By Harlemguy, Real Estate
By HarlemGuy
Credit: InvincibleCities
Christmas and New Years are times of celebration. They are also times for reflection. And what better place to reflect on than our beloved Harlem.
HarlemCondoLife’s mission has been to chronicle all that’s great about Harlem. And we’ve uncovered an incredible and innovative way of doing so. It’s called InvincibleCities.
The site speaks for itself. But in a nutshell, it uses photography and technology to chronicle changes of several urban landscapes. One such landscape is Harlem.
The first thing I did was check out my block to see what it looked like and compared it to what is there today. Wow. I’ve spent hours examining Harlem then and now through the lens of artist Camilo Jose Vergara. My favorite so far has been examining locations that today have been transformed by new real estate projects, including Frederick Douglass Boulevard, between 110th and 125th, which many consider the “Gateway to Harlem”.
How to use the site:
Join us in exploring the beauty, art and history that is Invincible Cities.
Posted in HarlemCondoLife
Tagged art, Camilo Jose Vergara, Gateway To Harlem, InvincibleCities, Photographs, Photography, Posts By Harlemguy, Real Estate
By HarlemGal
A reader recently informed us that folks have been seen moving into the northeast corner building on Adam Clayton Powell and Central Park North. I went by there today and there are signs of occupancy of life in the building. There are blinds hanging inside a couple of apartments.
We are guessing that this building is not offering market rate apartments since there has been no outdoor for sale sign and another reader commenting that they heard it was an HPD building! Whatever the case may be,
we noted awhile back how this location is primo! Most of the apartments have park views! Nice!
Posted in Harlem, HarlemCondoLife, Real Estate
Tagged adam clayton powell, Central Park North, Harlem, Real Estate, See
The largest gothic cathedral in the United States was a musical haven to rock star Sting and a sea of international musicians last night. Sting, who is performing two sold out shows December 8th and 9th at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, played songs from his latest album called If on a Winter’s Night …, “a seasonal contemplation mixing traditional English songs and carols with his own The Hounds of Winter and Lullaby for an Anxious Child.” Sting performed about 20 beautiful songs along with two encores to-what I am estimating-a few hundred people, who in my view, came from the tri-state area.
And St. John the Divine was the perfect backdrop for Sting and his musicians. The entire Cathedral looked magical. My guess is Sting’s production company was filming the entire concert from start to finish. Make-up on the ladies was perfectly done and all of the men and women were dressed in black tie for the camera that was located stage left and roaming.
What was fascinating about the concert was every musicial instrument imaginable was on the stage and played. Some I recognized and some I did not. The women who played the harp was interesting.
As for the music, it was the antithesis of what I have always known about Sting, which is generally rock music and a devout yogi. Sting was more of an opera star last night than a rock star, which goes to show the range of this artist. The music and the venue tied together perfectly. It made me feel like I was watching a performance for the King of England or an episode of Showtime’s The Tudors. It felt majestic, yet most of the songs performed were calming and appropriate for the holiday season. My favorite songs were Christmas at Sea, Ghost Story, which Sting said was about his father, and Lullaby For An Anxious Child. For the Lullaby song, he brought out the Newark Boys Choir on stage. They did a wonderful job singing with Sting and what a great opportunity for them. Way to go Newark Boys Choir! However, my question for Sting is “why didn’t he use the Harlem Boys Choir to perform with him?” I have no ill will against the Newark Boys Choir, but Sting was technically in Harlem last night. It would have been a nice and a respectful acknowledgment toward the Harlem community. Oh well, maybe next time.
Overall, the show was beautiful and well worth its price. I guess I was one of the few who was able to purchase tickets online in the first nine minutes when they were made available. Apparently, that is how long it took for both shows to sell out.
Posted in Community Events, Harlem, HarlemCondoLife
Tagged Celebrity, Entertainment, Harlem, In on a Winter's Night, Music, Play, See, St. John the Divine, Sting, West Harlem
Photos by Harlemgal. For a complete review on Sting performing at St. John the Divine, click here!
Posted in HarlemCondoLife
Tagged Celebrity, Entertainment, Harlem, Music, See, St. John the Divine, Sting
By HarlemHouse
I Just had the privilege of attending the incredible performance of “Dreamgirls” at the Apollo Theater, which has just been extended for one more week! The audience gave a standing ovation before the production even finished. An earthshaking performance of true talent in this latest production. It will definitely go to Broadway after touring the country. This is the best revival of this production to date.
The stage felt like it was part of the audience in this comfortable inclusive setting. There is nothing second rate about this first class rendition of Dreamgirls. From the stage sets, to the incredible live performances, singing, technology, costumes and choreography – all were simply incredible. With special note on this Sunday afternoon’s performance to Adrienne Warren who plays “Lorell” to Chester Gregory who plays “James Early” and to the understudy of Moya Angela, Patrice Covington, who plays “Effie White” who brought the house down! This was no understudy performance by Patrice. This was a stars performance.
This cast and production confirms the amount of talent that we have in this wonderful business and what a brilliant experience (if you can still get tickets) this ensemble brings to the legendary Dreamgirls. If you are able to catch it before it leaves Harlem and hits the road, run… sprint… fly… to get tickets before its too late!
Bravo to the Apollo Theater for giving this spectacular rendition of Dreamgirls an extra edge and meaning to this classic beloved Musical.
If you have seen the movie or the Broadway version of Dreamgirls… you will be blown away by this latest version of Dreamgirls and the incredible talent involved on every level to this unforgettable theatrical experience.
Posted in HarlemCondoLife
Tagged 125th street, Apollo Theater, Broadway musical, Dreamgirls, Harlem, Music, Photos by HarlemHouse, Theater, uptown, Uptown Magazine
By HarlemHouse
I Just had the privilege of attending the incredible performance of “Dreamgirls” at the Apollo Theater, which has just been extended for one more week! The audience gave a standing ovation before the production even finished. An earthshaking performance of true talent in this latest production. It will definitely go to Broadway after touring the country. This is the best revival of this production to date.
The stage felt like it was part of the audience in this comfortable inclusive setting. There is nothing second rate about this first class rendition of Dreamgirls. From the stage sets, to the incredible live performances, singing, technology, costumes and choreography – all were simply incredible. With special note on this Sunday afternoon’s performance to Adrienne Warren who plays “Lorell” to Chester Gregory who plays “James Early” and to the understudy of Moya Angela, Patrice Covington, who plays “Effie White” who brought the house down! This was no understudy performance by Patrice. This was a stars performance.
This cast and production confirms the amount of talent that we have in this wonderful business and what a brilliant experience (if you can still get tickets) this ensemble brings to the legendary Dreamgirls. If you are able to catch it before it leaves Harlem and hits the road, run… sprint… fly… to get tickets before its too late!
Bravo to the Apollo Theater for giving this spectacular rendition of Dreamgirls an extra edge and meaning to this classic beloved Musical.
If you have seen the movie or the Broadway version of Dreamgirls… you will be blown away by this latest version of Dreamgirls and the incredible talent involved on every level to this unforgettable theatrical experience.
Posted in HarlemCondoLife
Tagged 125th street, Apollo Theater, Broadway musical, Dreamgirls, Harlem, Music, Photos by HarlemHouse, Theater, uptown, Uptown Magazine
By NativeNewYorker
Last week HarlemGuy posted about Harlem for the Holidays. If you are looking for something to do this afternoon, check out their holiday bazaar from noon – 5 pm today at the Hip Hop Culture Center on the second floor of the Magic Johnson Theatre. Sponsored by the Global Artists Coalition, there will be vendors, culture, food and performances – all for free! The cast of the Broadway show Memphis kicks things off at 12:30. Go check it out. 
Hip Hop Culture Center in Harlem
2309 Frederick Douglass Blvd
(Corner of 124 St.) 212 234 7171
By Harlemgal
A reader tipped us off to the latest happenings with Best Yet in the SoHa Bldg at 118th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd. Based on the information below, Best Yet is moving along and they appear to want to keep the community in the loop…and so does one of HarlemCondoLife’s readers. A big thanks to tero for the information!
Posted in HarlemCondoLife
Tagged 118th Street, Best Yet, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, See, Shop
HarlemCondoLife is pleased to announce the best decorated storefront window Christmas gallery.
The idea is simple: send your favorites to us via email (feedback@harlemcondolife.com) so we can share with others on a gallery on www.harlemcondolife.com.
I love to walk around Harlem and take in the creativity and care that local shop keepers put into their displays.
My favorite at the moment is Posh Paws on Fred. Doug. Blvd. south of 115th street – see photo below.
The photo below does not do it justice. Looking for better ones so join in the fun and send us a favorite today!
Even better yet, stop by, pay them a visit, purchase a gift, and take a pic.
And let them know HarlemCondoLife sent you.
Help us celebrate Harlem for the Holidays!
Posted in HarlemCondoLife
Tagged Christmas, Frederick Douglass Boulevard, Photographs, Posh Paws, Posts By Harlemguy
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