The first truly spring-like weekend of the season allowed Harlemites to venture out and soak up the sun like nectar to a bee. I had the type of Harlem weekend that Langston would find the words to describe in that eloquent style of his:
I could take the Harlem night
and wrap around you,
Take the neon lights and make a crown,
Take the Lenox Avenue busses,
Taxis, subways,
And for your love song tone their rumble down.
Take Harlem’s heartbeat,
Make a drumbeat,
Put it on a record, let it whirl,
And while we listen to it play,
Dance with you till day—
Dance with you, my sweet brown Harlem girl.-Langston Hughes, “Jukebox Love Song”
Friday night was the set off of what turned out to be a Harlem weekend. Saxophonist Tyrone Birkett and his talented wife, vocalist Paula Ralph Birkett, offered a lovely blend of jazz and gospel at the Harlem Tea Room. Be sure to sign up for their mailing list so you catch them the next time they are in Harlem because you truly missed a musical treat if you didn’t make it down the Harlem Tea Room on Friday. If you’ve never been to the Harlem Tea Room, you must make an effort to get over there this spring. The space is tastefully decorated in rich, warm colors and their teas are carefully prepared. Each tea is timed to the peak of it’s flavor potential so you know that these folks are serious about their tea! Harlem Tea Room offers much more than just tea. They offer fresh made salads and sandwiches as well as pastries and sweets.
After leaving the Harlem Tea Room we made our way uptown where we climbed the stairs to Suite 308 (formerly Bayou) located on Lenox between 125th and 126th Street. We were treated to catfish and chicken wings which were both freshly prepared and delicious. As the night wore on, the crowd thickened, the music got louder and we made our way out.
On Saturday, I made my way up Sugar Hill for a play reading by the Martha J. Thomas Playwriting Workshop. The group is comprised of veteran playwrights, based in Harlem. Named for the late playwright, Martha J. Thomas, members (including Broadway veteran Arthur French) read their works in preparation for staging them. The readings take place every Saturday through May at Parlor Entertainment 555 Edgecombe Avenue, Suite 3F. For those who don’t know, Parlor Entertainment hosts free jazz concerts every Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. The building is a landmark, which is evidenced by the gilded lobby ceiling and interior architectural detail. The music is live and intimate. What better place to hear live jazz than the former residence of both Count Basie and Duke Ellington? You can’t get any better than that!
Having whet my appetite for fish on Friday night, I made my way up to Famous Fish on St. Nicholas and 145th where the line snaked down the block. Impatient Harlemites will wait over half an hour for the fish and shrimp to emerge from the hot vat of oil, whether it is on a warm spring night, a snowy day or pouring rain. They don’t call it Famous Fish for nothing.
Walking along Edgecombe Avenue, which skirts Jackie Robinson Park up to 155th Street then turns into Coogan’s Bluff, I finally had the chance to visit Simmons Gallery. Simmons, run by Tobius Simmons, is located at 265 Edgecombe Avenue near 145th Street. The hours are Tuesday through Saturday 11-7 and Sunday from 11-4. There is no awning over the doorway to the gallery but on a beautiful day like Saturday Tobius will set up a tent to exhibit some of the art outdoors but there is plenty more to see inside.
Up on Coogan’s Bluff was pleased to discover a little known bakery/coffee & tea house called O.C. Bakery. O.C. Bakery is located at 537 Edgecombe on the corner of 159th Street. They make fresh baked breads, pastries, cookies and soups. They also offer a selection of organic coffees and teas. Not only is the food freshly made on the premises but the prices are reasonable and you are afforded the wonderful views along Edgecombe. O.C. is the best kept secret in the neighborhood, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the busier avenues just blocks away. It is a wonderful escape off the beaten path.
Heading down toward 145th Street, I couldn’t help but be drawn into Jackie Robinson Park that is in colorfully in full bloom. The newly repaired amphitheater and plaza was the perfect place to enjoy my lunch from O.C. Residents of the Sutton, who are still waiting to close on their co-ops, will have views overlooking the park and some units have private entrances on the Bradhurst side.
I also noticed that a condo development has quietly slipped between two buildings on 146th Street near Bradhurst. The building is literally overshadowed by The Langston and The Sutton. The Carlyle, is a nondescript building offering studios and one bedrooms, presumably for singles and couples looking to live near the park.
So, this wrap up began with a poem by Langston the man and ended with his namesake. A weekend that began with jazz and good food surely would have been one that Hughes would have appreciated and quite possibly been inspired to write a poem about.
April 28th, 2007 → 1:32 pm
[...] 2007 Photos from the Sugar Hill Stroll Posted by uptownflavor under Photos Last week I wrote about the stroll I took in the areas surrounding Edgecombe Avenue. Below are some of the pictures I [...]