The countdown has begun for the relaunch of UPTOWN flavor. Same great content with a sexy new look! Growing and moving UP in this town! Sign up for email notification of the new launch date.
Many New Yorkers will be going out of town for the unofficial launch of summer, so we bid safe traveling wishes to all of those who will be on the road, rail and air. For the Harlemites staying in town be sure to check the Exhibits & Events section for something to get into during this long holiday weekend. Also check out the sidebar chock full of links to restaurants and lounges.
Be sure to check back here because there will be site updates over the weekend including:
Swing uptown to see the opening of “The Winter View.” It is the last completed work of acclaimed playwright Martha J. Thomas and it will be staged at the H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players Theatre founded by the legendary Gertrude Jeannette.
Synopsis: This romantic comedy opens on the day of the funeral of Amos’ wife of 40 years. Word has gotten out that there is a new widower on the scene and the women in town start their pursuit. Amos’ only child, Samantha, tries to protect her father from the attention of the women but has her own set of problems to deal with.
Eventually Amos finds love in the most unexpected of places.
Thomas’ plays are known for the ability to tap into the human spirit, tugging at your heart strings one minute and leaving you in tears of joy the next. The Winter View is a performance sure to be enjoyed by young and old so bring your whole family out to see it.
This weekend ONLY is a free will offering/pay as you wish Friday and Saturday. There are two performances on Saturday. The matinee is at 2:30 p.m. and the evening performance is at 7:30 p.m.
The play runs from May 26 through June 16. A special GALA Dinner will be on Sunday, May 28 at 2:30 pm. Tickets for the Gala dinner are $40 and includes a full meal followed by the performance. The honoree will be Rev. Victor T. Hall of Calvary Baptist Church in Jamaica, Queens. Previous attendees of the Gala Dinner have included notables such as Rudy Dee, Woody King, Jr. and Miki Grant.
Ticket prices for Sunday’s performance without the dinner are $15.00 general, $12.00 for seniors and groups of 20 or more and $8 for children under 12 years of age.
The H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players is located at 207 West 133rd Street (btwn. Adam Clayton Powell and Frederick Douglas) in the St. Philips Community Center.
For more information call 212-368-9314 or 212-926-0281
Related: NPR Interview with Gertrude Jeannette
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The Tony award winning, R&B/Gospel musical set in the slick Motown era of the 1960s.The musical follows the rags to riches journey of three African American women whose professional and personal lives in some ways parallels that of Diana Ross and the Supremes. Spectacular costumes, ingenious sets and a talented cast make DREAMGIRLS a breathtaking evening in the theatre.
Music by Henry Krieger Lyrics and Book by Tom Even
Aaron Davis Hall – Theatre B
June 23, 24, 30, July 7,8,14,15,21,22, @ 7:00 PM,
August 6, 13 @ 3:00 PM.
Official Website: Harlem Rep. Theatre
There has been a lot of news about Harlem lately that we haven’t been able to keep up with. Hence, "The Short Stack" is born. Below are news items of interest about the Harlem community:
First reported back in March as an anomaly on 116th Street, N Boutique has since proven itself to become a surprise success along the burgeoning strip best known for African cuisine.
Monday night saw the grand opening celebration of "N" featuring big names like Nicole Miller and Iman. Harlem Fur was there and able to snap some shots of the event.
According to fashion website WWD.com,
"Initially, Miller’s company had planned to open a freestanding store with Nikoa Evans, one of N Boutique’s owners. After a prime spot near Fairway’s West 132nd Street location fell through, Evans and her partners decided to go with a multibrand boutique, said Bud Konheim, chief executive officer of Nicole Miller."
"The average Nicole Miller retail purchase at N Boutique is $650, Konheim said. Nicole Miller accounts for about 25 percent of the women’s apparel sold in the store. The designer’s party dresses retailing for around $300 are popular with N Boutique shoppers."
N Boutique is located at 114 West 116th Street in Harlem.
Related:
Amsterdam News :: WWD.com :: Open for Business :: Harlem Fur :: Curbed ::
Rapper Juelz Santana continues to make moves with his forthcoming project of mega proportions. But his biggest project to date is not his next CD, it is the Hiphopsodashop, a chain of fast food restaurants that offer a healthier alternative to McDonalds and other fast food chains that dominate Harlem.
Back in February, Vibe magazine wrote, "each branch in the chain of HipHopSodaShops feature a quick-service menu, memorabilia, plasma screens and an area devoted to competitive CyberSports."
Santana and business partner H3 Enterprises have teamed up with with notables such as entertainment impresario Lou Pearlman and most recently Ben Gordon of the Chicago Bulls. According to the hip hop website SOHH.com,
"Santana and Gordon are set to make an official announcement at a press conference in Manhattan this Thursday (May 25). Launched in partnership with H3 Enterprises, the store will be located on Harlem’s 125th Street. Gordon and Juelz will be the main partners. Gordon joined Team H3 to launch "BG7," his White Tea Energy Drink last week."
Related: Hiphopsodashop :: SOHH.com :: Vibe ::
Well, as it turns out Pier 2110 didn’t set sail as scheduled. Turns out that their new launch date has been pushed back to June 22. That means we have to wait another month for succulent crustations and tasty delights from the sea. See the revised ad on their website.
The premiere source for finding out what is new in the Harlem community. If you have tips about new projects, businesses or events (whether they are fact or rumor) let us know at:
uptownflavor[at]gmail.com
I think I remember it being $8/ hr or something.
The website hasn’t fully launched yet but when it does you can check them out at VSHarlem.com
VS Harlem Gaming Lounge
480 Lenox Ave Between 133rd and 134th St
New York City, NY 10037
212-690-8081
Directions:
By Train - take the 2 or 3 train to 135th. Walk 2 blocks south
"New cafe/bakery just opened in this neck of the woods: TJs on ACP and 148th. Their business seems to be mostly about the bakery (sweet potato pie, cheescakes, chocolate tarts, etc..) and they also have baguettes, coffee, salads, and sandwiches. A welcome addition to this cafe-starved part of Manhattan."
Send your nominations to uptownflavor@[nospam]gmail.com and include a short description of why you think your choices are the Best of Uptown. Look for upcoming features on the most popular picks submitted by readers.
[Editor’s note: We have some responses already so why not add your voice?]
Can’t get enough of UPTOWN flavor? Subscribe to receive email notifications and be the first to know what’s really good in the neighborhood.
The grand opening of a new seafood restaurant Pier 2110 was on Thursday. Was the fish fresh? Send an email to uptownflavor[at]gmail.com.
The (re)grand opening of the legendary Minton’s Playhouse will be on Friday. Harlem Fur has the details and a preview of the beautifully restored interior.
Rudel (Rudy) Drears is the son of jazz living legends Marjorie Eliot (piano) and Al Drears (percussion). Each weekend Marjorie is the host to strangers who quickly become family members in her modest parlor on Edgecombe Avenue. Rudy often sits in on these jam sessions to the delight of the diverse and eclectic audience of jazz lovers.
Watching Rudy play is like witnessing a love affair between maestro and music. It is a wholistic experience that involves his body, mind and spirit. A few years ago Rudy was entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the annual Jazz at the Mansion concert that takes place each August on the front lawn of the historic Morris-Jumel Mansion. An accomplished pianist in his own right, Rudy is now featured every Tuesday and Thursday from 2-6 pm at Big Apple Jazz. Swing through and watch him as he "burns some keys."
As an aside, Rudy is also mentioned in the upcoming stage production of The Winter View opening at the H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players theater next Friday, May 26th.
Big Apple Jazz [website]
Related: Theater ::Marjorie Eliot ::
I just noticed that there is an awning over a juice bar on 135th Street and 7th Avenue. If readers know more about it send an email to uptownflavor[at]gmail.com
Closing:
LEVY LEE SIMON’S
"Caseload"
Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.
April 28th through May 20th
Opens Monday May 1st.
The WORKSHOP THEATER COMPANY
For reservations please call 212-695-4173
The WORKSHOP THEATER |312 West 36th Street, on the Fourth floor
(Between Eighth and Ninth Avenues)
Opening:
"Waiting for Godot"
May 19 - June 25, 2006
Wednesday - Saturdays at 8pm
Sundays at 3pm
The HSA Theatre
645 St. Nicholas Ave @ 141st Street
(212) 868-4444
"The Winter View"
H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players Theater
Saint Philips Community Center
207 West 133 Street/Seventh Avenue
212-368-9314/212-926-0281
Runs May 26 through June 18
Related: Levy Lee Simons :: Classical Theater :: May Events
The approach of summer in Harlem is signaled by open fire hydrants, the sound of double dutch ropes slapping the ground and the smell of charcoal on the grill. Harlem is reknown for sidwalk cookouts and one of the season’s first "sidewalk chefs" has been spotted by cycling Chowhound, Boots. Chef White sells everything from crabcakes to burgers at 117th and 7th Avenue every Saturday.
Do you have a local sidewalk chef? Let us know! If you’ve spotted a sidewalk chef in your area send an email to uptownflavor[at]gmail.com or you can add your shots to the photo pool on Flickr.com
Chowhound [website]
There are still a few secret jewels tucked into the fabric that makes Harlem the cultural treasure that it is. Over the past few years, we have witnessed the rise of Hue-Man Bookstore, Harlem’s answer to a blatent snub by a mega chain bookstore. Much attention has been given to Hue-Man but one would think that they are the only bookstore in Harlem. After a bit of digging around, I discovered these hidden gems:
Where is the best coffee house in Harlem? Here is a list of the ten best places to get a cup o’ joe or a spot of tea:
10 Best Harlem Cafes [article] Editor’s Note:Broken link is now fixed
Harlem Fur has been on the prowl of the grand re-opening of the legendary jazz club and noted home of be-bop, Minton’s Playhouse!
Harlem Fur [blog]
Curbed [website]
Today’s episode of "Oprah" featured bakeries around the country in a quest for the "the best cake." Gayle King (Oprah’s best friend) stopped by Wimp’s Bakery on 125th Street to pick up a caramel cake for Donald Trump. "Oprah" airs again locally at 7:00 p.m. on channel 55 and 1:00 a.m. on channel 7. Check Oprah’s website for clips and related links: Oprah.com
Wimps [website]
Related: Wookie’s
Roger Guenveur Smith
Who Killed Bob Marley?
Hosted by Ruby Dee
Join Obie Award-winning collaborators Roger Guenveur Smith and Marc Anthony Thompson (A Huey P. Newton Story) for a work-in-progress performance of Who Killed Bob Marley? – Smith’s new multimedia meditation on the power of water, scored by Thompson. Smith journeys to hurricane swept Jamaica to make a film about a suicidal American poet. His fiction then reveals a strange and dangerous truth.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006, 7:30pm; $10 (Members $8.50)
Aaron Davis Hall City
College of New York
West 133rd and 135th Streets on Convent Avenue
For more information visit: http://www.aarondavishall.org
Harlem World magazine in partnership with "Your Wedding Affair "
-Kelis strikes a pose uptown [V. Chambers from 2001]
-Harlem’s Hot Grrrl [The Hotness]
-Mid-career artists [NY Times]
-New program helps Harlem parents send kids to college [Daily News]
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Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms with UPTOWN flavor. No weekend guide this week but check the "Grown & Sexy" post for Mother’s Day weekend events.
Lots of weekend updates to come, so be sure to log on first thing Monday morning or sign up for email notification.
Classical Theatre of Harlem to Stage Waiting for Godot May 17-June 25
By Robert Simonson
Samuel Beckett’s classic Waiting for Godot will be the next attraction at the Classical Theater of Harlem. It will run May 17 to June 25 at the company’s 645 St. Nicholas Ave. home base.
The selection replaces Friedrich Durrenmatt’s The Physicists in CTH’s season.
Christopher McElroen, co-founder of The Classical Theatre of Harlem, will direct. No casting for Didi, Gogo, Happy and Lucky has been announced.
Beckett’s most famous play tells of two tramps waiting endlessly in an upspecified wasteland for the mysterious Godot, whom they expect daily but who never shows up. The tedium is broken up by visits from the tyrannical Pozzo and his mute (except when he talks endlessly) slave Lucky.
CTH’s most recent production was a revival of Adrienne Kennedy’s Funnyhouse of a Negro. Other past show include Mother Courage, The Blacks: A Clown Show, Native Son, The Crazy Locomotive, Rhinoceros and Ain’t Supposed To Die A Natural Death Tickets will be $35.00. Call (212) 868-4444 or visit www.smarttix.com.
Source: Playbill
This coming weekend is Mother’s Day weekend and Harlem will be graced with the arrival of a few bright and shining stars.Gladys Knight will be featured in Ashley Stewart’s 2006 Mother’s Day in-store and web marketing. In addition to the marketing campaign, Ashley Stewart will conduct a special Mother’s Day cd promotion. Customers who make a $50 purchase between May 1 and May 14 will receive a free copy of an inspirational cd featuring Gladys Knight (while supplies last). Gladys Knight will also make a special appearance at Ashley’s Stewart’s Mother’s Day Celebration at its Flagship store in Harlem, NY on Friday, May 12. The 6:00-8:00 p.m. event will include raffle drawings and promotional prizes and is free to the public. One lucky person will also receive a $500 Ashley Stewart Mother’s Day Shopping Spree. For more information on this event or a complete store listing, visit AshleyStewart.com.
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Raheem Devaughn will also be sharing "The Love Experience" at Earl Monroe’s, The Harlem Grill and the Apollo. Check out his myspace.com music site for more details: http://www.myspace.com/devaughnenterprises
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Dining and dancing for the 35 and over crowd at The Harlem Grill on Saturday May 13th. Taureans celebrate your birthday featuring the music of the 70s, 80s and 90s by DJ Lloyd. Tickets in advance are $15 and at the door are $20. Contact 646-369-3826/646-283-4700/516-749-2971/646-667-1234
Sponsored by Soul Productions and Alize.
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To find out what else is happening in Harlem visit:
The WHCR Community Calendar [website] or listen to The Flo Wiley Show every Thursday at 6 pm.
Now that Tom Cruise has completed his "mission" the big news has turned to impending rent increases for rent-stabilized apartments.
Mission Impossible 5 seems to be keeping housing prices affordable in New York city. Taking into consideration the number of rehabilitated buildings in the Harlem area that are subsidized by the city the proposed rent increase is going to have an obvious economic impact on residents. If they have a car they are in even more financial trouble.
At least the weather has been nice and spring like. Hopefully readers have been taking advantage of the weather by enjoying the wonderful parks and recreation that Harlem offers. Stocking up on allergy medication might be a good idea too considering the high pollen count and it is only going to get worse.
Photo credit: (c) Donald Andrew Agarrat (Harlemite)
A local neighborhood cafe is facing eviction due to a strange odor that could be smelled for blocks.
The Sweet Harlem Cafe is not smelling so sweet these days after a basement full of raw sewage began to stave off customers forcing them to close their doors during the messy clean up.
Now that things seem to be back on track, the landlord is refusing to renew the cafe’s lease.
To read the details go to the Epoch Times [website]
Frommer’s has released their list of the best bites for all appetites in New York, including a couple of Harlem restaurants. For a complete list of reviewed restaurants go here.
"Great blog! I so wish I lived in nyc." [weekend guide v.5]
"Amsterdam Ave transitions from Morningside Heights into Spanish Harlem? He may be right about the restaurants but his geography is a little confused." [a block…]
"….I do agree that Columbia should pay fair market value to those willing to sell, and not use eminent domain. Eminent domain is a harsh affront to capitalism, and could start us on a slippery slope to abusive governmental practices." [harlem fights columbia]
"I live on 133rd st and the whole area could do with a makeover.
But at the heart of this is money. Columbia wants the area at a cheap a price as possible and the people who live and work there want to sell as high as possible…." [harlem fights columbia]
"This reporter is not yet familiar with UPTOWN flavor, apparently! Would be great to let her know of all the culinary options here…" [not just for breakfast]
"Oh, you don’t know how much you’ve affected me with those waffles. And wings, too." [not just for breakfast]
"Marjorie is unbelievable! Not only does she provide 2 hours of free, intimate, live jazz in the city every Sunday in her home, now she is hosting a panel of playwrights…." [artistic heritage…]
"…But really, will a Papa John’s pizza really make that tax screwing by the goverment feel any better?!?!?" [harlem grannies…]
"Just wanted to say that I LOVE your site, which I’ve very recently discovered. My God: you make me feel like a (newbie) Harlemite! Keep up the great and important work; I know that when I next visit Uptown, I’ll have clutched in my hot little hands a list o’ activities, restaurants, shops, and sites culled directly from you. Kudos and thank you!"
"Nothing is ever new in New York" an exasperated Samantha sighed on an episode of "Sex and the City." That is probably because Samantha never made her way past the upper East side into Harlem where everything old is new again.
Quiznos Subs is moving into the neighborhood and serving an area that has traditionally been neglected by chain restaurants. Temporary signage has appeared in a vacant store front on 8th Avenue and 135th Street across from Strivers Gardens. The location is flanked by The Wright Bar and Barbara’s Flowers while a new Duane Reade and Chase bank face them on the opposite side of the street.
Quiznos website claims that the chain is the #1 restaurant chain according to Nation’s Restaurant News and the #2 overall franchaise according to Entrepreneur Magazine. Despite the rapid growth of the chain, everything hasn’t been all toasty for the company. There have been reports of problems with the franchaise by owners resulting in excessive turnover. Considering the fact that Quiznos is venturing into unchartered territory on 8th Avenue, in an area with no other franchaises within 10 blocks north to south, is a cause for concern regarding their longetivity and success in the area.
Perhaps the new owners of the 8th Avenue location opted to rent the smaller space next to local businesses as opposed to the larger, newer space across the street on the ground floor of Strivers Gardens or even the space formerly occupied by A Slice of Harlem on the corner of 135th Street because they are fully aware of the possible risk factors. In any event, the store should anticipate initial success since they will have the distinction of being the only Quiznos in Harlem and they are situated in a location that has the potential for plenty of foot traffic.
The closest restaurants in the area include, Home Sweet Harlem Cafe (facing a possible eviction), Bamboo Village Chinese Take-out and Yvonne Yvonne Caribbean Take-out. Quiznos menu includes subs, soups and salads. The lighter fare is a healthier alternative to what is currently available along that portion of 8th Avenue. Located near thriving businesses, a high school, and the B/C subway station, Quiznos should find that Harlem is hungry for the wide variety of tasty, toasted sandwiches.
This post is a little dated but the links are still worth checking out.
Gothamist visits E. Harlem
Bagel in Harlem gets more press
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Leadership Forum Series with Cornel West
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
The New York Public Library-Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture,
515 Malcolm X Blvd., at 135th St., (212) 491-2200 www.schomburgcenter.org;
Subway-2, 3 to 135th St.; Bus-M7, M102 to 135th St.; 7 pm; $20, $16
members.
The fourth and final installment of the Schomburg Center’s Leadership Forum
Series hosted by Dr. Cornel West, Higher Pursuits–Economic Power in a
Capitalist World,will focus on economic issues relevant to African
Americans and will feature Dr. Julianne Malveaux, economist, author and
commentator.
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Grand Opening of Pier 2110 on May 18th.
Visit the website for more information.
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Classical Theatre of Harlem to Stage Waiting for Godot May 17-June 25
Samuel Beckett’s classic Waiting for Godot will be the next attraction at the Classical Theater of Harlem. It will run May 17 to June 25 at the company’s 645 St. Nicholas Ave. home base.
Tickets will be $35.00. Call (212) 868-4444 or visit www.smarttix.com.
Source: Playbill
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Walking Tours-Harlem-Keystone of African America - 05/28/06
Meet at City College 138th St. & Amsterdam Ave.
$12
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H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players
"The Winter View" by Martha J. Thomas
St. Phillips Church Community Center
207 W. 133rd Street
Opening May 25 through June 18, 2006
Special Gala Dinner on May 28. Call for reservations 212-368-9314
Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun. Matinee at 2:30
Tix $15, $12 for Seniors, Students w/ ID and Groups of 20+
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