The journey Back in 2007, I met with the developers of the Kalahari. Carlton Brown and Walter Edwards, of Full Spectrum, were extremely excited about the opening of their first green residential development in Harlem. The development was to include space for a custom-designed, state-of-the-art movie theater, dedicated to showing independent black and Latino films.… [Read more…]
December 26, 2011 by D. Bell
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Last month, a new full-length comedy musical film premiered to a full house for one night only at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. The original musical score, screenplay, design and production was created entirely by young artists living in Harlem. The story of these artists is the basis for the movie, which incorporates themes of… [Read more…]
December 26, 2011 by jjelfar
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Kenny Leon is on fire. Just ask him. Two plays he directed are currently playing on Broadway to packed houses, featuring star performers, and are being considered in the context of his past work which include a slew of August Wilson’s plays, and Lorraine Hansbury’s classic, A Raisin in the Sun. When it comes to… [Read more…]
Every show has an audience. The question is: does the environment make the artist, or vice versa? It is critical that my neighbors in Harlem make an effort to join this conversation, and this play is a firecracker to ignite the process. When I attended Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale last Sunday,… [Read more…]
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…]
The first question that came into my head after watching Knife Edge Production’s remount of Stephen Belber’s Tape, was “Why this play? Why now?” Even as the query formed in my mind, I had already arrived upon the answer. Here is a play produced by actors, to give themselves meaty roles that would showcase them… [Read more…]
September 2, 2011 by D. Bell
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You and a guest are invited to a free screening of THUNDER SOUL on Thursday, September 8th at 7pm in Harlem courtesy of Uptownflavor. To receive a pass, go to http://www.filmmetro.com/events/view/9182 Passes available while supplies last. Presented by Jamie Foxx, Thunder Soul follows the extraordinary alumni from Houston’s storied Kashmere High School Stage Band, who… [Read more…]
July 20, 2011 by jjelfar
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How do you get a bunch of twenty-somethings to go to the theater? With beer of course. The Bats, The Flea Theatre’s resident company of emerging artists, keeps their audiences coming back for more in their ongoing summer showcase #the SERIALS @ The Flea. For only $10 you get a ticket and a beer. And… [Read more…]
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…]
May 25, 2011 by tbelle
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The East Harlem International Film Festival is bringing the hottest filmmaking from around the world to East Harlem, a diverse, passionate and culturally rich neighborhood. The East Harlem International Film Festival will feature 30 films over 5-days : June 1st to June 5th 2011 throughout East Harlem in cultural venues including Poet’s Den Theater, Museo Del Barrio, and the Museum… [Read more…]
As a proud Harlem resident, I considered it a privilege to be witness to the triumph of Daniel Beaty’s latest work, “Tearing Down the Walls,” now playing at the Riverside Theatre through May 29th. To attend this world premiere musical about Harlem is to take part in a community forum, where the audience’s reaction and… [Read more…]
May 12, 2011 by D. Bell
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Fairway Market will say ‘Thank You’ to customers in the parking lot of the Harlem location on Saturday, May 21, 2011. Fairway will be serving free food and drinks, and providing family friendly entertainment from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dozens of vendors, will be offering drinks, desserts, salads and sides to go along with the… [Read more…]
May 4, 2011 by jjelfar
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Last month, from April 9-16, the Harlem School of the Arts Theater Department presented “Flyin’ West” written by Pearl Cleage and directed by HAS faculty member, Willie Teacher. Set in Nicodemus, Kansas in 1898, the play follows the lives of African-American homesteaders in the American West. Immersed in the rapidly changing and cataclysmic landscape of… [Read more…]
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…]
April 14, 2011 by tbelle
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By: Tahnia Belle Back with a breathtaking bang, Harlem Stage presents Season 12 of E-Moves, a two night dance showcase that reminds us how movement can tell our stories and express the complexity of human emotion where words fall short. I had the pleasure of attending the opening night of E-Moves (Program A) featuring presentations… [Read more…]
UPTOWN Magazine kicks April off with its annual Gourmet Issue. Renowned star chef Marcus Samuelsson of Top Chef Masters fame and wife, model Gate Maya Haile, cover this month’s issue. Lauded as a culinary great, most recently honored with hosting President Barack Obama’s DNC Fundraiser at restaurant Red Rooster Harlem, the celebrated chef talks to UPTOWN about his… [Read more…]
April 4, 2011 by gigilabelle
By: Gigi LaBelle In honor of Women’s History Month, Harlem’s Riverside Church Theatre hosted an Evening of Excellence with Women in the Arts. The event highlighted the incredible journeys of world-renowned artists and entertainers such as Jawole Willa Jo Zollar (founder of Urban Bush Women), Carol Maillard (co-founder of Sweet Honey in the Rock), Ntozake… [Read more…]
An evening of music with selected songs performed by Jeremy James, film teasers and a discussion about the journey in the creation of “La Belle Vie: The Good Life.” The event will be taped for a special webisode series that will be showcased in Japan. A special custom-made watch will be given away courtesy of: artofhorology.org WHEN: Saturday,… [Read more…]
March 24, 2011 by D. Bell
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Darkly comical and creepy, Australian playwright, Daniel Keene pays a visit to the end of the world and finds that the ancient themes of blood feud, brotherly competition, and greed still dominate. In the opening scene, a scraggly man in a dingy brown nightgown sits up on his hospital gurney and asks, “How can you… [Read more…]
March 21, 2011 by D. Bell
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COMEDY COVO SUNDAY, MARCH 27TH AT 7:30PM UPSTAIRS LOUNGE AT COVO Monthly comedy show with some of NYC’s hottest comedians in one of NYC’s coolest lounge. Hosted by NYC comedian William Mullin featuring comics from Comedy Central, VH1, and HBO. Including: HEADLINER TED ALEXANDRO from Late Night with David Letterman COMIC Yamaneika Saunders, from Fast Films, and Clubs around… [Read more…]
March 21, 2011 by D. Bell
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March 3, 2011 by D. Bell
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Billy Mitchell has been described as many things in his day: a historian, a tour guide, a goodwill ambassador, but most recently Mr. Mitchell is described as Mr. Apollo. Mitchell started working as an errand boy at the legendary theater back in 1965 and has worked in various capacities since then. This past weekend Mitchell… [Read more…]
February 26, 2011 by D. Bell
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The Apollo has been dubbed the place where stars are born and legends are made. So it was apropos that AT&T celebrated past history makers and future innovators by bringing a national speakers series to the world famous theater on the last Thursday of February. The series also traveled to other major metropolitan hubs like… [Read more…]
Rashidah Ali has closed the Harlem branch of her shoe store, Bourgeoisie Shoes, after being charged with felony assault back in January. Originally thought to have “clawed” the face of a bouncer in a SoHo club where she and friends were celebrating in the VIP section, the bouncer is now claiming that Ali used a razor… [Read more…]
February 22, 2011 by IslaGirlCouture
By Stephanie Felix and Gigi LaBelle The upper echelon of Latin and Hispanic fashion were in rare form this past Valentine’s Day, when the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism hosted a private press conference and cocktail reception at New York City’s Latin Quarter promoting the 3rd Annual República Dominica Fashion Week (RDFW). The event will… [Read more…]
February 15, 2011 by D. Bell
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Infused with music, art and magic, Haiti’s Children of God is an inspiring, uplifting portrait of hope that follows two young lovers struggling to navigate the forces of their society and their love of country and humanity. Directed by Fulton C. Hodges Lighting Ken Harper Sets by Tony Davidson Stage Manager Judy Codrington Technical Director… [Read more…]
February 13, 2011 by D. Bell
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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…]
February 13, 2011 by jjelfar
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By JJ El-Far I had the privilege of watching two of the greatest working actors on Monday night in Alfred Uhry’s Driving Miss Daisy at the Golden Theatre. Both James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave alone could carry their own show, drawing in crowds and filling the house each night. Together, their ability was simply… [Read more…]
February 2, 2011 by jjelfar
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By: J.J. El-Far The Broadway company of “Driving Miss Daisy” has announced that their Special Benefit Performance for The Actors Fund will be dedicated to the memory of Vanessa Redgrave’s siblings, Lynn and Corin Redgrave. The benefit performance is scheduled for Monday, February 7 at 8pm. All proceeds will go to The Actors Fund. “With… [Read more…]
February 1, 2011 by D. Bell
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Today’s New York Times featured the troubled story about the National Black Theater and its financial woes. The building, with a fully functional theater with space to spare and retail space galore, takes up an entire block along 5th Avenue between 125th and 126th Street. As a cruel twist of irony, the area is finally… [Read more…]
December 21, 2010 by D. Bell
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Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson has been everywhere! The owner of Harlem’s newest hot spot, Red Rooster, has been seen in virtually every medium. Here is the latest, Samuelsson as a model for Chanel. Be on the look out for Harlem’s top chef online as… [Read more…]
December 17, 2010 by josephrileyland
The foodie in me has been as anxious as a kid on Christmas morning every since I saw Chef Marcus Samuelsson looking at spaces inHarlem. Rumor had it that he was opening a new restaurant somewhere in the hood. One day soon thereafter, I saw him looking at the basement of my building. I doubt he… [Read more…]
Review of The New Federal Theatre’s production of Knock Me a Kiss Play By Charles Smith, Directed by Chuck Smith December 8, 2010 By: J.J. El-Far I had the pleasure of seeing the New Federalist Theatre’s joyful production of Knock Me a Kiss this past week at Abrons Art Center at the Henry Street Settlement.… [Read more…]
December 7, 2010 by D. Bell
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ImageNation, the group working to bring Harlem the first green, art house cinema for Black and Latino films, recently held its 2010 Revolution Awards at The Film Society of Lincoln Center. The event honored actress Ruby Dee, Precious executive director Lisa Cortés, BET’s Debra L. Lee and others. It was hosted by actor Jamie Hector (The… [Read more…]
This festival is a stunning and varied showcase of films that combine archival footage of the Black Panthers from the 60′s with modern documentaries that concern the legacy of the Black Panthers and current issues such as the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal. Organized under different themes like Political Prisoners, Free Your Mind and Pass the… [Read more…]
November 28, 2010 by IslaGirlCouture
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We are pleased to welcome a new contributor to Uptownflavor. Stephanie is pursuing a graduate degree at Columbia University and is originally from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. You can visit her blog at http://sdotchronicles.blogspot.com. I needed to give this on-screen adaptation of the choreopoem by Ntozake Shange “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the… [Read more…]
November 26, 2010 by D. Bell
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KnockMe a Kiss’ premieres in NYC – NYPOST.com. Read also: NY Times
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February 1, 2012 by D. Bell
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