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Weekend Reading:Harlem at Sundance, Police Brutality, New Orleans Housing and Unwelcome Buses

Harlem resident and filmmaker Moon Molson is one of 13 people selected for the Sundance Institute’s coveted Screenwriter’s Lab. Congratulations Moon! {Ion Cinema} Those two black attorneys, Michael Tarif and Evelyn Warren, who assert that they were victims of police brutality this past summer, have a court date on December 17th at 9:00 am in… [Read more…]

Weekend Guide: Shopping, Penguins and Stormy Weather

It’s down to the wire for your holiday shopping, but lucky for you Harlem for the Holidays is still in effect. Be sure to take advantage of all the great deals and you get to support businesses in your community in the process.  Have a great weekend! Saturday, Dec 15 It’s a black and white… [Read more…]

East Harlem Principal Wants Expectations Lowered

A memo from an East Harlem high school principal to his teachers, obtained by the New York Daily News,  basically asks teachers to lower  their standards. Would you be offended if the principal of your kid’s principal said the following to teachers? “If you are not passing more than 65% of your students in a… [Read more…]

The Scoop: Rev. Al Cries Foul, City Council Play by Play, NYPD Pats Itself on the Back and Two Nods for Washington

At a Thurday press conference at his Harlem headquarters, Sharpton denounced tactics used in the current federal investigation of his 2004 presidential campaign. {New York Times} If you missed this week’s city council meeting on the Columbia Expansion, Columbia Spectator has the run down. {Columbia Spectator} The NYPD commissioned a study on its stop and… [Read more…]

NYC & Co Harlem Kiosk Relocates

NYC & COMPANY RELOCATES HARLEM VISITOR INFORMATION KIOSK   —Nubian Heritage on 126th Street and Fifth Avenue to Provide Maps, Guides and Brochures—     New York, NY (December 13, 2007)–NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing and tourism organization, recently announced the relocation of its Harlem Visitor Information Center to Nubian Heritage at… [Read more…]

The Scoop: The IRS vs Sharpton, Columbia Says No Eminent Domain, the Black House and a New Year’s Strike

The IRS is investigating Al Sharpton. {New York Post} At yesterday’s City Council hearing, Columbia said it will not be using eminent domain and it will not evict residents. {New York Daily News} Councilman Charles Barron defends Obama against Andrew Young’s recent comments and dreams of an all black govrnement. {New York Daily News} Members… [Read more…]

StoryCorps Griot Event December 13th

Griot New York Tour Stop Opening Day Event There you will find: African drumming and libation, wonderful speakers, and a presentation by the infamous Our Family Skate Association Come meet some of the Community Partners we will be working with, such as members of: 80 Arts, African Burial Ground National Monument, African Refuge, Apollo Theater,… [Read more…]

Chelsea Theater Pulls Dirty Laundry

Last week, we told you about the opening of the film Dirty Laundry here in New York. If you didn’t know already, the film explores LGBT issues in the black community. The film did marvelously at the Clearview Chelsea Theater, selling out three shows over the weekend. Unfortunately, the theater chose to pull the plug… [Read more…]

Ethnic Cleansing in Harlem?

The Village Voice has an article this week about the 125th Street Rezoning which is currently in the public review process. Many of the community activists and residents in the article speak about the major changes that such a plan could bring. Some go so far as to liken the changes to ethnic cleansing. Read,… [Read more…]

The Scoop: Eminent Domain, To Kill A Mockingbird and No Sub-Prime Loan Help for New Yorkers

Eminent domain is once again rearing its ugly head and it’s staring at West Harlem. Some city council members have serious concerns about Columbia possibly utilizing eminent domain to acquire properties for the proposed expansion. {New York Sun} Actress and former Harlem resident Kim Hamilton was honored at the Museum of the City of New… [Read more…]

Bill Calls for Free Birth Certificates For Those Leaving Prison – December 11, 2007 – The New York Sun

Note: Currently, for those who were born in NY State, outside of the Five Boroughs birth certificates are free. If you were born within the Five boroughs, you have to pay the 15 dollar fee. Why, when we know that most incarcerated are from the inner city’s boroughs. ************************************************************************ Bill Calls for Free Birth Certificates… [Read more…]

Black Video and DVD Fair on December 15th

HOLIDAY RARE BLACK VIDEO & DVD FAIR Sponsored by Museum of African American Cinema Over 5,000 different titles will be available for sale. For example, new digitally re-mastered on DVD: IMITATION OF LIFE- both versions, STORMY WEATHER, PORGY & BESS (1959), CABIN IN THE SKY, GREEN PASTURES, PINKY, ROOTS, ANNA LUCASTA, PURLIE VICTORIOUS, BLACK ORPHEUS,… [Read more…]

The 1st Annual Penguin @Central Park

1st Annual Penguin Event A casual Black & White Event to Benefit Harlem Youth Saturday, December 15, 2007 7:00 – 10:00pm Lasker Ice Skating Rink Central Park at 110th Street Skating ~ Performance ~ Silent Auction Tickets: $18 (includes admission, skate rental & refreshments)

The Scoop: Asthma for the Poor, Harlem Hellfighters, “Black” Bill Clinton and MTA Fare Increases

Some think the mayor’s congestion pricing plan will end up dumping more traffic and pollution to areas already burdened with hight asthma rates. {El Diario} PSAL’s football team Harlem Hellfighters learn a lesson from Michael Vick. {New York Times} Andrew Young(former mayor of Atlanta) recently said ” Bill Clinton is every bit as black as… [Read more…]

Columbia Expansion Plan will be at City Council December 12th

Columbia’s controversial expansion plan and Community Board 9′s 197a plan, both  already approved by the City Planning Commission, will be heard by the City Council on December 12th at 10:00 am at City Hall. This will be a sub-committee hearing, not a full body hearing. After Wednesday’s sub-committee vote, the full City Council will vote… [Read more…]

The Scoop: Delano Houses or Savoy Park, Harlem Doogie Howsers, Percy Sutton and Dancing on the Subway

Residents of the Delano Houses (now called Savoy Park) fight for their homes. {The Indypendent} Some young Harlemites are contemplating careers in medicine. According to this New York Times article, only 3.3% of U.S. doctors in 2004 were black. {New York Times} Former Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton is getting a Harlem post office named… [Read more…]

Eating Good Food That’s Good For You

I don’t know about you all, but I can truly appreciate a well-cooked soul food meal. Unfortunately, far too many soul food recipes are just plain bad for your health. Your tastebuds might be pleased, but your body can only take so much fat, butter and salt. I am actually hosting my first Christmas dinner… [Read more…]

Weekend Reading

The New York Times covers a Municipal Arts Society panel discussion entitled “The Oversuccessful City, Part 2: Neighborhood Character in the Face of Change.” Reverend Butts from Abyssinian Baptist Church speaks about Harlem. {New York Times} Legendary actress Ruby Dee recalls living in Harlem during Bumpy Johnson’s infamous career. {Variety} Harlem Stage has been selected… [Read more…]

Uptown Artist Spotlight: Sir Ben Marx

Editor’s Note: We are trying out a new segment called Uptown Artist Spotlight. These posts will be a bit longer than your typical UPTOWNflavor posts and they will essentially highlight artists in our community. Writers, rappers, singers, painters, poets, sculptors… we want to read about whoever has some creative energy that they like to share.… [Read more…]

Tonight 12/7: Opening Reception at 207 Gallery

207 Gallery presents: Cheap & Plentiful artist’s editions priced affordably Opening Reception: Friday, December 7th, 6pm – 9pm free & open to the public 207 Gallery presents a group show featuring prints and editions by local artists, all priced at $99 or less. Now’s your chance to be a patron of the arts on a… [Read more…]

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Sponsor Spotlight: Architectural Columns

Thank you for your support of this site! Architectural Columns

The Scoop:Antique Beat Machines, the Fresh Dynasty, Real or Fake, Changes at CB9

NPR profiles Carmen McRae; Harlem native (b. 1922), singer and pianist. Actually, NPR calls her a “song stylist,” which for some reason conjures up images of Kanye West for me. I guess he would have been sampling spirituals and chain gang songs. {NPR} Did you know that Dougie Fresh (Harlem native) has six sons and… [Read more…]

Weekend Guide: Catch a Play, Watch a Movie, Write a Mystery Novel

 Friday, Dec 7 Catch Calvin Levels at 8pm at the Schomburg for a performance of the solo play James Baldwin: Down from the Mountaintop. You can also see the play on Saturday and Sunday. Visit  JamesBaldwinPlay.com  for more information. Plays not really your thing? Check out a movie! NYC film maker Maurice Jamal is showing… [Read more…]

The Community Boards Have Their Say on the 125th Street Rezoning

There’s  a pretty good discussion on UPTOWNflavor in an earlier post  about the 125th St Rezoning. Well, there are a couple updates now that the plan is officially in the public review process. Boards 9, 10 and 11 have all voted. Boards 9 and 11 voted in favor of the rezoning with modifications. Board 10… [Read more…]

Conga Legend Patato Passed Away

Conga legend Patato dead at 81 Latin Grammy Award-winning conga player Carlos (Patato) Valdés, a fixture in the New York Afro-Cuban music scene for more than 50 years, died December 4th. He was 81. Latino – NY Daily News.

The Scoop: New Harlem PR Firm, More Than A Shave, Smart Roaches and Chevy Chase’s Worst Christmas

There’s a new public relations firm based in Harlem called Karasma Media Public Relations and Publicity. {PR Newswire} Denny Moe’s Superstar Barbershop will give you a close shave and check your blood pressure. {Fox News} Ivy League cockroaches. {Columbia Spectator} When Chevy Chase lived in East Harlem as a kid, they got robbed on Christmas… [Read more…]

Event Review: Shop N’ Mingle

Popular Brooklyn fashion den, Harriet’s Alter Ego, hosted its fourth annual Shop N’ Mingle this past Sunday. For those who have never had the pleasure of attending one of these events let me give you the run down. Essentially, a dozen or so emerging artists offering hair products, jewelry, scarves, hats, clothes, make-up and just… [Read more…]

Rhonda Ross (as in Diana’s daughter) and the Rodney Kendrik Quartet Dec. 6th

Rent Party: James Baldwin: Down from the Mountaintop

Source: James Baldwin Play James Baldwin: Down from the Mountaintop Friday, December 7 at 8PM; Saturday, December 8 at 8PM; Sunday December 9 at 3PM followed by a panel discussion at 7PM The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture Tony-Award nominee Calvin Levels will perform his acclaimed solo play, James Baldwin: Down from the… [Read more…]

Harlem International Film Festival Fall/Winter Screenings

Okay, guys. I don’t know how many of you got to take advantage of the films during the official festival period. This week the HIFF Fall/Winter series continues with two compelling and controversial documentaries by world-renowned public health and policy advocate, Dr. Gary Null. Just so happens I am studying for exams and cannot afford… [Read more…]

Ruthie Mae’s – Closed

http://www.jerseymenus.com/news.php?article_id=46 Editor’s note: Ruthie Mae’s is closed Restaurant News: Ruthie Mae’s Authentic Bar-B-Qued Soul Kitchen at Sangria and Club 201 By Ruthie Mae’s Authentic Bar-B-Qued Soul Kitchen Ruthie Mae’s Authentic Bar-B-Qued Soul Kitchen (90 West Palisade Avenue, Englewood, New Jersey) is proud to announce its opening, providing the Northern New Jersey region with a new… [Read more…]

The Scoop: Harlem Architecture, Jail Basketball and Failing East Harlem Schools

Some say that there is some beautiful architecture in those “mundane” buildings that Columbia is preparing to demolish. {AM New York} Is it appropriate for Hoops Hype to have a “jail basketball” section, highlighting the athletic skills of incarcerated young men? Their latest entry for that section is Harlem’s own, Maine aka Jermaine White. {Hoops… [Read more…]

A Link To City Planning’s 125th Street Rezoning Plan

We’ve had a lot of posts about the the 125th Street Rezoning Plan. Below is a link to the plan’s official website, so you can see what has everyone talking. Department of City Planning’s 125th Street Rezoning Plan

NYC Filmmaker Maurice Jamal’s New Movie Called Dirty Laundry Dec. 7th

  DIRTY LAUNDRY “Everybody Has Some” A MAURICE JAMAL FILM   Opening December 7th, 2007 in New York City at the Clearview Chelsea 9 260 West 23rd Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues)  

Oscar de la Renta at CUNY Dominican Studies Institute December 8th

The CUNY News Wire » Blog Archive » CUNY DOMINICAN STUDIES INSTITUTE 15th ANNIVERSARY DINNER DECEMBER 8 AT CCNY TO HONOR OSCAR DE LA RENTA.

Harlem Plays This Weekend (Dec 8th and 9th) and Beyond

Frederick Douglass Creative Arts Center In addition to Katori Hall’s play “Hoodoo Love” at The Cherry Lane Theatre ( www.cherrylanelanetheatre.org) and Yusef Sallaam’s “The Devil and Elijah Muhammad” (info at The H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players at: (212) 368-9314 or (212) 926-0281.) both of which will only be performed through this coming weekend, we are also delighted to… [Read more…]

The Scoop: Jena 6 Update, Breakfast at Sylvia’s, Black Nativity and Black Contractors

For those of you who participated in Jena 6 rallies or even went down to Louisiana, you might be interested to know that one of the boys took a plea deal. {CNN} Please take a moment to read this review of Sylvia’s breakfast menu by a London tourist. I got a good chuckle. She had… [Read more…]