Harlem Theatre Arts Festival Opens With Magic and Empowerment on Stage: Review of POOF by Lynn Nottage

The first Harlem Theatre Arts Festival honored philanthropist Dhonna Goodale with the “Champion of Change,” Award for her work on domestic violence at the presentation of Lynn Nottage’s play, “Poof.” Pictured above (L-R) Actors Kimberlyn Crawford and C.J. Williams; District Leader Theresa Freeman; Joan H. Allen, Founder of The Harlem Theatre Arts Festival; Honoree Dhonna… [Read more…]

Classical Theatre of Harlem and Hip Hop Theatre Festival present SEED, a Love Letter to Harlem

If you see one show this season, go see SEED. If you are a Harlem resident, you have absolutely no excuse not to see it. The show is playing at the National Black Theatre on 126th and 5th Ave right across the street from Applebees. This new play by Radha Blank is produced by the… [Read more…]

Proud Poppas at the Harlem Arts Alliance

By: Tahnia Belle Continuing the spirit of Father’s Day, The Proud Poppas Photo Project, showcased by the Harlem Arts Alliance opened on June 24th and will be an ongoing public exhibit through September 9th, 2011. The photo essay project features images of proud fathers and their children accompanied by their reflections and thoughts on fatherhood.… [Read more…]

Mario Fratti’s Quartet: Symmetry and Equality in Four Movements

The walls of Mario Fratti’s apartment on West 55th St. are padded with the kind of well worn antiques, posters, and mementos that have witnessed a life in the theater. His living room window looks into the window that Tennessee Williams used to sit at in the mornings and write. They would wave to each… [Read more…]

New Disney Playground and 103rd Street Community Garden Restoration

By: Tahnia Belle On May 19th, as part of the ongoing restoration of the 103rd Street Community Garden, about 200 community volunteers, New York Restoration Project (NYRP) staff, Disney VoluntEARS and KaBOOM! organizers came together to build a playground and children’s garden. One of the notable aspects of this collaboration project is that not only… [Read more…]

Mount Morris Park Community Association Monthly Meeting

Tonight Mount Morris Park will be having its monthly meeting to discuss the annual Father’s Day Skyscraper Classic Bike Race around Marcus Garvey Park next month and its annual House and Garden Tour also taking place next month. A newly proposed restaurant, The PInk Heifer, plans to open on Lenox Avenue. Attendees will have an opportunity… [Read more…]

El Gato Teatro Makes Her Home in Harlem

El Gato Teatro, a dance theater collective led by Harlem resident, Gabriella Barnstone premiered its latest work Nuevo Laredo at Dixon Place last week. El Gato Teatro fuses dance, theater, text, music, and sheer entertainment to create powerful works of art and magic. The production features stunning mask work, sharp design, and a sound track… [Read more…]

Volunteer at PAL during National Volunteer Week

In celebration of National Volunteer Week, April 10-16, 2011, now is the perfect time to help make a difference in the lives of Manhattan youngsters by signing up to volunteer at the Police Athletic League (PAL).  PAL is looking for volunteers to support its mission of serving New York City’s young people by donating their time… [Read more…]

Spirit of Community at Dwyer

The spirit of Harlem is Resounding, Magnetic, and Eternal. Spirit of Community features specially commissioned works in photography, mural, sculpture, and video chronicling the sights, sounds, colors, textures, cadences, and people of Harlem. Contemporary artists, living and working in Harlem, lend their imagination and innovation to capture the pulse and rhythm that have kept Harlem… [Read more…]

Starbucks gives back to West Harlem & Morningside Heights

Starbucks Celebrates Global Month of Service events in West Harlem & Morningside Heights on Saturday April 23, 9AM-3PM. The event will kick-off at PS 180 Hugo Newman College Preparatory School, 370 West 120 Street. This spring, Starbucks is making a bold commitment and inviting New Yorkers to make a difference in their own backyard as part of Starbucks Global… [Read more…]

Prince donates to Harlem youth organizations

Seven-time Grammy award winner Prince has bestowed a $1 million line of credit to the Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) and made a special gift to the Uptown Dance Academy in Harlem. The press conference was held at Madison Square Garden at the conclusion of the first leg of Prince’s phenomenally successful “Welcome 2 America” tour,… [Read more…]

Restoration of the 103rd Street Community Garden

The 103rd Street Community Garden (located at 105 East 103rd Street between Park and Lexington Avenues) is going through a redesign process this spring. As part of that, New York Restoration Project (NYRP) will be holding a community input meeting on Saturday, February 19th at 11:30 AM at the Mt. Sinai Center for Advanced Medicine… [Read more…]

Street renamed for Madame C.J. Walker and A’Lelia Walker

We’re not sure how this one slipped past us but 136th Street, the former block of a townhouse built by Madame C.J. Walker, has been renamed in honor of the first African American female millionaire and her daughter.  Walker made her fortune peddling her own brand of hair care products, then established a hair care… [Read more…]

Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association’s 3rd Annual Holiday Gala

On Tuesday, December 7th, the Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association holds its 3rd Annual Holiday Gala & Fundraiser. Neighbors and friends are warmly invited to gather and kick off the holiday season with festivities, food, music and dancing—and support the community by placing bids at the Silent Auction. The Annual Holiday Gala & Fundraiser… [Read more…]

Light it up Harlem

“Harlem Holiday Lights on 125″ kicks off with a neighborhood tree lighting ceremony at the West Harlem Piers.The event will also features new holiday decorations on 125th street from river to river, guest celebrities, free entertainment,children’s activities,  Carolers along 125th Street, shopping discounts and more. There will be a fundraiser taking place: Harlem Holiday Lights… [Read more…]

National Dance Institute has a new home in Harlem

A non-profit dance company that serves the city’s public schools has acquired a new permanent home inside of PS 90. The space will include four dance studios, administrative offices and a gallery. The largest studio will also function as a 175-seat performance space, to be designed by architect Hugh Hardy, who has designed numerous other… [Read more…]

Jacob celebrates Thanksgiving with friends and neighbors

For a second year, Jacob Restaurant opened its doors to friends and neighbors for a free Thanksgiving meal. Both locations extended invitations to regular customers and those who could use a hot meal on Thanksgiving Day from 11 am to 1 pm. Guests filled up trays with as much food as they could hold and… [Read more…]

Jacob’s gives back to the community on Thanksgiving

Jacob Restaurant has been blessed with a second restaurant which opened earlier this year. The owner, Rachid (AKA Jacob) will be hosting a special thank you dinner for his regular patrons and those who are in need in the community. One special family will be attending as guests of UF.  Both locations will be serving… [Read more…]

Harlem Arts Walking Tour

The Harlem Open Artist Studio Tour, affectionately known as “HOAST,” provided countless young (and old) artists from all disciplines an opportunity to be seen by a large group. The event, which took place every October from 2005 until last year, was a huge success, with art lovers filling the streets of Harlem. Up and coming… [Read more…]

The Friday Garden Party

Shannon Tavarez Donor Drive at Harlem School of the Arts

Shannon Tavarez, Broadway’s Young Nala in “The Lion King”, has been living with AML Leukemia since being diagnosed in April. Shannon has been fighting her cancer with daily chemo treatments and is desperately in need of a life-saving bone marrow donor drive. The challenge of finding a donor for the bubbly pre-teen is the fact… [Read more…]

37th Annual Skyscraper Cycling Classic

Amateurs and Olympians alike will descend upon Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park on Father’s Day, June 20 to compete in the 37th annual Harlem Skyscraper Cycling Classic presented by Rockstar Games. Olympic Champion Walter Perez of Argentina and four-time World Champion Franco Marvulli will return to the city that inspired the Madison, their track racing specialty.… [Read more…]

Denny Moe’s is Cutting for a Cure

New York City Civic Corps

An initiative of NYC Service and the Mayor’s Office, the NYC Civic Corps is a diverse group of individuals – from recent graduates to experienced professionals – who dedicate one year of service to New York City. Corps members are dispatched in small teams to local non-profit organizations and City agencies with the charge of… [Read more…]

Annual Real Men Can Cook Celebration

Green from the inside out

By: Jae Watkins Finally, the warm, sunny days feel as if they are here to stay and walking around the neighborhood the indescribable scent of “summer” is beginning to linger in the air. Last Thursday, I walked through the campus of City College and smiled to myself as I watched proud families hugging and taking… [Read more…]

Be a park greeter

Parks has launched the new GREETER CORPS, a volunteer team of ambassadors to represent Parks in the community. Building on the success of the POP Greeter program and the Central Park Greeter program, volunteers will welcome patrons at entrances to parks, beaches, and playgrounds, inform patrons of available amenities and programs, gauge the public’s opinion and… [Read more…]

Taste of the Season: Morningside Park Farmer’s Market

110th street and Manhattan Ave SATURDAYS, 9AM- 5PM YOU’ll FIND: In addition to the local produce, barrel pickles, organic breads, baked goods, artisan cheese and organic nuts from last years vendors, this season’s market will feature even more local products. With new vendors like Alex’s Tomato Farm from Carlisle, NY and Joseph Fisheries from East… [Read more…]

Inwood Astronomy Programs

Saturday, May 22, 2010 8:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m. This event repeats every week on Saturday between 3/20/2010 and 12/25/2010. Every Saturday (weather permitting), Northern Manhattan Parks and the Inwood Astronomy Project will offer free star and planet gazing in Inwood Hill Park. These free, family-friendly events aim to spread the joys of the evening sky, and… [Read more…]

Canada Honored, Abraham Pleased

Harlem was represented very well at this past Monday’s gala event for the Steve Harvey Foundation at Cipriani Wall Street. Harlem Children’s Zone’s Geoffrey Canada was among the honorees (alongside State Farm’s Pamela El and two-time Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington). The purpose of the event was to raise funds for the organization, which provides… [Read more…]

Music Legends to Play Jazz Foundation’s Great Night in Harlem Benefit at Apollo

On Thursday, May 20th, at 8:00 PM the Jazz Foundation of America (JFA) will present its 9th annual “A Great Night in Harlem” gala concert to benefit its Jazz Musicians’ Emergency Fund. The evening will raise money to assist countless elder and established jazz and blues musicians in crisis across the country, artists who spend… [Read more…]

Mary J. Blige pledges to save Harlem School of the Arts

A beloved Harlem arts school will re-open this weekend with a new board, a $1 million lifeline and a promise from R&B star Mary J. Blige to help keep the funds rolling in. Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com

Women’s History in El Barrio

The Women of El Barrio celebrate women’s history month by honoring the following 5 Boricuas: Olga Casanova-Garcia, Community Garden Activist & Founder Patricia B. Rodriguez, Community Activist Stephanie Rivera, Emerging Young Leader Eva de la O Frances Castillo This year’s celebration will be dedicated to Petra Allende, Co-Founder of Women of El Barrio and Community… [Read more…]

Tree Lighting at Jackie Robinson Park Today

The Jackie Robinson Park Conservancy, Inc., in partnership with Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, Inc. and Capital One Bank/145th Street Branch will presents The 12th Annual Jackie Robinson Park Lights of Hope Tree Lighting Ceremony tomorrow, December 17, 2009 from 4pm – 6pm at the Jackie Robinson Park & Recreation Center Jackie Robinson Park and… [Read more…]

What’s good in Harlem? Masons serve needy families

Masons from the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York (MWPHGLNY) fed hundreds of families during its annual “Thanksgiving Community Feeding.” The Thanksgiving Community Feeding provides free meals to needy families every year. Masons from all over New York City gathered in Harlem to help out. Preparations for the program began much earlier… [Read more…]

My favorite things: Donate for the holidays

Looking for a unique way to give back this holiday season? For $25 you can help 25 shelter cats make a healthy transition from the shelter to their new home. Shelter life can be scary for cats. The transition from an original home to shelter life to an adoptive home brings many changes in sights,… [Read more…]

Saint Nicholas Park lights new permanent Christmas Tree

The chilly December air was filled with holiday spirit as local youngsters provided the soundtrack for holiday festivities. Special guest, jolly old St. Nick (known to some as Santa Clause) made a surprise visit to the park named in his honor. Pets and people alike milled around and socialized with neighbors under the glow of… [Read more…]

St. Nick Park celebrates annual tree lighting ft. Tamara Tunie

The Friends of Saint Nicholas Park celebrate their annual Holiday Tree Lighting, Sunday, Dec. 6th starting at 3pm with ornament making for kids and tree lighting at 6pm! The Festival and Tree Lighting will take place at the 135th Street Plaza in St. Nicholas Park where the community will light a new permanent holiday tree donated… [Read more…]

Mount Morris Park CIA Holiday Gala Fundraiser

EXPERIENCE: Harlem

The Power of One: Investing in Our Community

The Power of One is the Power of Possibilities – Melvin Van Peebles The Power of One held its first media conference on December 3 at Hue-Man bookstore in Harlem. The event was hosted by Marva Allen, the owner of Hue-Man bookstore and leader of the Power of One program. It was a time for… [Read more…]