Category Archives: Harlem Condo Life

Godspell

Click image to order discount tickets today!

If you are looking for a treat, check out the current Broadway production of Godspell.

Excerpt from The Harlem River Dispatch:

More than forty years after its conception as a Carnegie Mellon thesis project, a Broadway revival of Godspell opened last week to mixed reviews at the Circle in the Square Theatre.

This energetic new production, which is staged in the round, features a hip, multi-racial cast of twenty-somethings, and is said to offer new musical arrangements, kinetic choreography, and up-to-the-minute cultural references, including shout-outs to the Occupy Wall Street movement and the recently deceased Steve Jobs, now playing with his iPad in paradise.

Click here to order discount tickets.

Londel’s New Lounge Opens at 2131 Frederick Douglass

By NativeNewYorker

Londel Davis, longtime Harlemite & owner of Londel’s Supper Club  at 2620 Frederick Douglass, has opened his new “L” (or is it “EL”?) Lounge about 25 blocks south of his well known restaurant. There is no sign on the door yet but friends who attended a pre-opening private event say the lounge is named for the long since dismantled 8th Avenue elevated train, pictures of which adorn

Pushcart vendors under the 8th Avenue elevated train at West 145th Street, Harlem, May 8, 1939.

8th Avenue El, May 1939

this classy new addition to Harlem’s “Gold Coast”. Fans of Londel’s unique blend of “continental, Cajun, and traditional Southern cuisine” will still have to travel to the 139th Street establishment – his new place is a bar lounge, not a restaurant.

(Historical image courtesy of the New York Public Library Digital Gallery, Image ID 1811327)

Until the colour of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes…

Until the philosophy which hold one race superior
And another
Inferior
Is finally
And permanently
Discredited
And abandoned -
Everywhere is war -
Me say war.
That until there no longer
First class and second class citizens of any nation
Until the colour of a man’s skin
Is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes -
Me say war.
That until the basic human rights
Are equally guaranteed to all,
Without regard to race -
Dis a war.
That until that day
The dream of lasting peace,
World citizenship
Rule of international morality
Will remain in but a fleeting illusion to be pursued,
But never attained -
Now everywhere is war – war.
And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes
that hold our brothers in Angola,
In Mozambique,
South Africa
Sub-human bondage
Have been toppled,
Utterly destroyed -
Well, everywhere is war -
Me say war.
War in the east,
War in the west,
War up north,
War down south -
War – war -
Rumours of war.
And until that day,
The African continent
Will not know peace,
We Africans will fight – we find it necessary -
And we know we shall win
As we are confident
In the victory
Of good over evil -
Good over evil, yeah!
Good over evil -
Good over evil, yeah!
Good over evil -
Good over evil, yeah!

—Bob Marley

First Saturday Family Fun at the Schomburg: Make African Head Wraps

By NativeNewYorker

The “First Saturday” of each month, the Schomburg Center presents a family-oriented program.  This Saturday, March 4th, internationally acclaimed fashion designer Imani McFarlane will show your children how to use gorgeous fabrics and African styles to highlight their hair. For ages 12 and up. All materials will be provided. Free!

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

515 Malcom X Blvd at 1
Saturday, March 3, 2012, 4 – 6 p.m.35th Street

For registration, go to www.schomburgcenter.eventbrite.com or call  (212) 491-2040      .

The 5 and Diamond Oscar Party tonight!!!

Oscar Party at the 5 and Diamond tonight!!!!
Open bar, Games, Trivia, Hors D’ouvres,….And…..
cocktail creations named after every movie nominated for BEST PICTURE:

Why watch it at home when you can enjoy it with friends and Harlem neighbors in a great place like The 5 and Diamond.  See you there!

February is Heart Health Month

By NativeNewYorker

February is Heart Health Month, and unfortunately, most of us know someone who has heart disease or has had a stroke. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States – for both men and women.

In the U.S., one in every three deaths is from heart disease or stroke.  In our beloved community of Harlem, the prevalence of heart disease and the risk of death from heart disease is even higher than the national average.  There are things that each of us can do to improve our heart health.

Let’s fight back against heart disease and strokes by making heart-healthy choices about what we eat and how we live.   For more information about how to make heart healthy choices, check out the New York City Department of Health or American Heart Association websites.

* If you’re not already please follow us on twitter @HarlemHCL.

Night out with your EveryBlock Harlem neighbors Monday, February 27 from 6-9pm

Image representing EveryBlock as depicted in C...

Image via CrunchBase

Want to meet and mingle with some of your EveryBlock neighbors offline? Stop by Dinosaur BBQ (700 W. 125th St at 12th) on Monday, February 27 from 6-9pm.

Catch up with concerned and active neighbors, chat with your EveryBlock NYC community coordinator, while enjoying a drink and sliders. Let’s be better neighbors by working together to improve our blocks and community! Feel free to bring a friend along for this neighborhood get-together!

RSVP by emailing sarah@everyblock.com by Friday, February 24th.

“The Sacred Sound of Jazz” Thursday February 23rd at Grace Congregational Church

As part of Black History Month, the Grace Congreagtional Church is hosting two performances by the Oikos Ensemble.  The Church is located on W 139 Street between Edgecomb and Frederick Douglass. Please call 212 694-8658 for more details.

Melba’s – Still the Queen

By NativeNewYorker

When it opened in 2005, Melba’s was one of the first new restaurants to arrive on Harlem’s Frederick Douglass Boulevard.  This warm, welcoming, elegant establishment  serves “American comfort food”.  The menu now includes a few “healthy eating” items as well as traditional southern dishes.  Melba’s is a favorite of local residents as well as a destination of choice for celebs, political VIPs,  and New Yorkers in-the-know .  The owner, Melba Wilson, can often be seen greeting her guests with the grace and style that are her trademarks.  NativeNewYorker recently shared an outstanding meal there with other HCL founders HarlemGuy, HarlemHouse and ICare4Harlem. Melba wasn’t there but the place still ran smoothly.  From the moment we walked in,  her friendly, knowledgeable and efficient staff made us feel at home.  We started with appetizers – the catfish strips were yummy, and the drinks were also a hit.  I am not a Mojito lover but my colleague assured me that his was first rate.  Our entrees were all beautifully presented as well as delicious.

 HarlemGuy had the Melba’s signature Southern Fried Chicken and Eggnog Waffles, HarlemHouse really enjoyed the salmon with Melba’s famous mac & cheese and sauteed spinach; ICare4Harlem had the wine braised short ribs of beef and yours truly had the Chilean Sea Bass which was perfectly cooked.

We were almost too full for dessert but couldn’t resist sharing the chocolate mousse cake and the scrumptious homemade green apple sorbet.    We lingered long after the last morsel was finished, enjoying the amazing selection of old school music that was playing throughout our meal.  Often the music at Melba’s is pumping (sometimes a little too loudly for my taste) but this was a Sunday night and the sounds were perfect for ‘chillin’ with good friends.

If you haven’t been to Melba’s – go.   This small, classy establishment is still the Queen of Frederick Douglass Blvd.

Melba Wilson

Melba’s is located at 300 West 114th Street on Frederick Douglass Blvd.  It is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday and for brunch on Saturday & Sunday. Call (212) 864-7777 or email melbas@melbasrestaurant.com for information or reservations.  Melba’s also does catering; for information email  melbascatering@gmail.com.

Gateway To Harlem on NY1 – Frederick Douglass Boulevard

Bier International

Last week NY1 showed an entire segment on the renewed energy on Frederick Douglasss Boulevard between 110th and 124th streets.   Businesses and residents working together to make the strip a destination for all of the neighborhoods shopping needs.  They quote “What you’re now seeing is Frederick Douglass Boulevard is really becoming  sort of the Gateway to Harlem“.  A phrase we developed here at HarlemCondoLife “Your Gateway To Harlem” when we created our site.   They go on to mention some of the businesses on the Boulevard including Bier International, Harlem Flo, Harlem Vintage, MCMB Cleaners, The 5 and Diamond Restaurant, Nectar, Lido Restaurant and Bar all of which we have mentioned and reviewed here at HCL.  They also include short interview clips with owners Jai Jai Greenfield of Harlem Vintage, Louis Gagliano of Harlem Flo, Marcelo Orbe of MCMB Cleaners and Selene Martinez of 5 and Diamond.  Here is a link to the video clip    NY1 video clip.

This area continues to stay in the news and get more recognition.  Congratulations to the businesses mentioned in this report and to all of the businesses on FDB and the surrounding area.

*Please join us on twitter @HarlemHCL

Pledge Your Support for the Harlem Art Festival

The mission of the HarlemArtsFestival is to produce an annual multi-disciplinary arts festival in June of each year at the newly renovated Richard Rodgers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park, free and open to the public, showcasing local performers and visual artists to inspire and nourish the artistic community in Harlem.

This year’s festival is set to take place on Friday and Saturday, on June 29th and 30th!

They seek artists from all disciplines to apply via their  website and submit their work, where a committee of established artistic presenters from Harlem with backgrounds in music, dance, theater, and visual arts will help select the artists that will perform each year.

This project will be part of Harlem’s addition to the larger, citywide commitment to provide free art in the public parks during the spring and summer months.

COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS & JOINT PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

“This annual multidisciplinary event, the Harlem Arts Festival, will highlight the value of the arts to our city and the community. It is in true Harlem fashion to provide entertainment and enlightenment to visitors and residents alike. The Harlem Arts Festival is a fitting addition to the rich artistic history and cultural splendor that is so intrinsic in our community.”

- Senator Bill Perkins

They have already received pledged support from the following individuals and organizations from within the community, and would love your support too:

• Clyde Valentin: Executive Director of the Hip Hop Theater Festival
• Grace Aneiza Ali: President of Of Note Magazine Associate Director of the Dwyer Cultural Center
• Harlem Park to Park
• Homer E. Cook: Community Outreach Coordinator for the Global Technology Preparatory School & The NYC Department of Education
• Jan Willem Van Bergen: Board Member Adarsh Alphons Project
• Larry Scott Blackmon: Deputy Commissioner of Community Outreach, City of New York & Recreation
• Lawrence Rodriguez: Executive Director of Casa Frela Gallery
• Laura Greer: Programming Director from The Apollo
• Saundra Heath: Executive Director of Heath Gallery
• Senator Bill Perkins: New York State Senate, 30th District
• Simone Eccleston: Programming and Arts Education Manager of Harlem Stage
• Sidney Grant: Artistic Director at Ballroom Basix

Pledge you support on Kickstarter today!

Apply to participate today!

5th on the Park Signs Most Contracts in Harlem in 2011

New York, NY – February 1, 2012 – Halstead Property Development Marketing today announced that 5thon the Park, a new, full-service residential high rise on Upper Fifth Avenue, signed a total of 41 contracts throughout 2011, the most out of any new development property in Harlem.

Halstead Property Development Marketing represented seven of the top 10 new developments with the most contracts signed in Harlem in 2011, including runner-up 88 Morningside with 38; followed by 2280 FDB with 31 and PS90 with 30. Gateway Towers, Windows on 123 and Parkside Flats made up the final three with 17, 13 and 12 signed contracts respectively.

“This data reflects the value many buyers see in 5th on the Park,” said Stephen G. Kliegerman, president of Halstead Property Development Marketing. “With the combination of a first rate sales team and thedevelopment’s intelligent design, luxurious amenities and prime location, we expect to maintain a brisk sales pace in 2012.”

Located at 1485 Fifth Avenue, 5th on the Park is a 28-story shimmering glass tower on the corner of 120th Street directly across from historic Mount Morris Park. The remaining units consist of spacious studios, one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, many with private outdoor space, ranging in size from 568 to 2,386 square feet and in price from $395,000 to $1,725,000. Immediate occupancy is available for purchasers.

5th on the Park provides residents with the pinnacle of amenities, including a state-of-the art gym and a 55-foot indoor, heated lap pool, which have an adjacent outdoor terrace and sun deck overlooking Central Park and the Manhattan Skyline. For further relaxation and entertainment, there is an additional outdoor common terrace, entertaining areas and resident lounge with catering kitchen, as well as a children’s playroom. The development also provides a 24-hour concierge service, on-site, elevator-accessed valet parking and bicycle storage.

Homes at 5th on the Park combine striking interiors with the finest materials to provide a harmonious living space.  Each pet-friendly residence features five-inch engineered cherry wood floors; 9’ to 10’ 6’’ ceilings; floor-to-ceiling double-paned windows; a washer and dryer in each unit; custom designed closets; and central air conditioning.

Italian designer kitchens are purpose-built for everything from everyday meals to entertaining with style.The chef-inspired spaces feature:  GE Monogram and KitchenAid stainless steel appliances; absolute black granite countertops and flooring; European cherry wood cabinets with frosted glass accents; task lighting; under-counter stainless sinks; sleek Kohler fixtures; bar-style counters; and distinct dining areas. Baths are highlighted by: honed cream-colored marble floors and walls; soaking tubs; and glass-enclosed showers.

The top 10 properties with the most signed contracts in Harlem in 2011 are: 5th on the Park at 1485 Fifth Avenue with 41; 88 Morningside at 88 Morningside Avenue with 38; 2280 FDB at 2280 Frederick Douglass Boulevard with 31; PS90 at 220 West 148th Street with 30; Apex at 2300 Frederick Douglass Boulevard with 23; Pascal at 333 East 109th Street with 22; Embelesar 118 at 152 East 118th Street with 19; Gateway Towers at 2098 Frederick Douglass Boulevard with 17; Windows on 123 at 117 West 123rdStreet with 13; and Parkside Flats at 362 St. Nicholas Avenue with 12 signed contracts.

For floor plans or information regarding listings, please visit: http://www.halsteadpdm.com or http://www.5thonthepark.com/.  To make an appointment, please call: (212) 348-5353

Reminder: Support And Go See Red Tails

Hey Harlemites!

Don’t forget to spread the word and tell your friends to check out Red Tails in theatres this weekend.  The film did great last weekend but this weekend is important too.  Let’s show our support.

For those who don’t yet know, the film is an account of the Tuskegee Airmen, an all-black World War II fighter pilot squad. The squadron, which was sent to North Africa and Italy to escort white bomber pilots, consisted of some of the best fighter pilots in the Air Corps.

Harlem Delivers Dollars For Obama’s Re-Election Campaign

On his recent visit to Harlem’s Apollo theatre, our commander in chief raked in a reported $3 million, thanks to a range of event ticket prices, starting at $100.00

Unlike prior events, this year’s event saw a full house of diverse people.  The president touched on health care, jobs, eliminating “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and public education. He highlighted his first term achievements and vision for a second term.

“I know that some of the change folks wanted hasn’t come as fast as people hoped for. I know that after all the stuff that has gone on in Washington, it’s tempting sometimes to just say, you know what, it’s not possible; the system’s broken; we give up. That’s tempting. But remember what I used to say in the last campaign. I said this-I repeated it over and over again: Real change, big change-it’s hard. It takes time. It takes more than a single term. It takes more than a single president.”

State Sen. Bill Perkins, Rep. Charlie Rangel, Assemblyman Keith Wright and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand attended, among others.

NAACP New York State Conference President and stalwart Black community activist Hazel Dukes has been an outspoken supporter of the president.  She called his visit “historic,” as he is the first sitting president to visit the Apollo.

“This was accessible and the price was right. It was the right thing to do at the right time,” Dukes said. “It was a diverse group. It lifts the spirit when he gets out of his bubble and meets the people. We know what is happening in the body of politics and we understand he could not change everything he wanted to change.”

* If you are not already, please follow us on twitter @HarlemHCL

Melba On The Food Network’s Premiere Of “Fat Chef” And Also Appearing On “The View”

Good friend to HarlemCondoLife Melba of Melba’s Restaurant on Frederick Douglass Blvd., will be appearing on Food Network’s premiere episode of “Fat Chef” on Thursday, January 26 at 10pm.  She will also be a guest on The View Thursday, January 26 at 11am.

Congratulations to Melba on all her new recent success.  It could not have happened to a nicer person.

Don’t forget to check out Melba’s Restaurant located at the corner of 114 st. on Frederick Douglass Blvd.  We just had dinner there last week and are in the process of writing a new review for 2012 of Melba’s.

Stay tuned…