HARLEM WEEK
AUGUST IS 'HARLEM WEEK' AND YESTERDAY JANET JACKSON CAME TO OUR LOCAL PARK AND GAVE A FREE CONCERT.
A PARTY AT THE 135TH ST STAGE WHERE JANET JACKSON PERFORMED YESTERDAY
HARLEM IS HOME TO PROFUMI FLUVIALI IN USA AND WE LAUNCHED A SPECIAL SIZE OF LARIA FOR THE AREA.
HARLEM IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF MANHATTAN NORTH OF CENTRAL PARK (110TH ST) UP TO AROUND 155TH ST (WHERE WASHINGTON HEIGHTS STARTS). IT IS CULTURALLY VERY RICH, BEING THE MAIN NEIGHBORHOOD OF AFRICAN AMERICANS AND HISPANIC AMERICANS IN MANHATTAN. IT IS ALSO THE HOME TO MANY NEWLY ARRIVED AFRICANS AND CARIBBEANS.
HARLEM HAS THE BEST PRESERVED RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE IN MANHATTAN AS WELL AS WELL AS GREAT PARKS. WES ANDERSON FILMED 'THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS' IN A 19TH C MANSION ON THE CORNER OF HAMILTON TERRACE AND CONVENT AVENUE.
BUT THE THING THAT ATTRACTED US MOST ABOUT HARLEM IS ITS RESIDENTS AND THEIR 'SAVOIR VIVRE'. IN ADDITION TO WORKING THEY KNOW HOW TO ENJOY LIFE.
IN HARLEM MUSIC IS EVERYWHERE: OUTDOORS AT BARBECUES AND BLOCK PARTIES, IN CHURCHES, AT OUTDOOR DANCES, AT LIVE MUSIC VENUES, AT BARS AND RESTAURANTS. EVEN JUST ON THE KERBSIDE WITH A PARKED CAR WITH AN AMAZING SOUND SYSTEM AND THE DOORS OPEN. IT'S EVERYWHERE, IT'S HIGH QUALITY AND IT'S DANCEABLE!
SO HERE ARE A FEW TIPS OF THE BEST OF HARLEM FOR VISITORS.
LIVE MUSIC
SHRINE; 2271 ADAM CLAYTON POWELL BLVD, NY 10030. YOUNG LIVE ACTS ALL NIGHT 7 DAYS A WEEK. GOOD DRINKS, REASONABLE PRICES. MONDAY NIGHT IS GREAT.
449 LA; 449 MALCOLM X BLVD, NY 10027. JAZZ IN A SMALL GROUND FLOOR OPEN TO THE STREET. ENTRY FEE INCLUDES A DRINK. CHECK 'HOT HOUSE' MAGAZINE FOR TIMES.
BILLL'S PLACE, 148 W133RD ST. NY 10030. A TRADITIONAL SMALL JAZZ SPEAKEASY. BILLIE HOLIDAY SANG HERE! BOOK IN ADVANCE.
BARS (ALL WITH LIVE MUSIC OR GOOD DJ)
RED ROOSTER; 310 LENOX AVE, NY 10027. ELEGANT. (PRICEY) ALSO HAS A RESTAURANT.
CORNER SOCIAL; 321 LENOX AVE, NY 10027. LARGE, FRIENDLY, OUTDOOR TABLES.
ANGEL OF HARLEM; 2272 FREDERICK DOUGLASS BLVD, NY 10027. BRUNCH WITH LIVE MUSIC.
PEQUE; W 145TH ST, NY 10039. EUROPEAN / SPANISH FLAVOUR.
RESTAURANTS:
BENYAM; 2795 FREDERICK DOUGLASS BLVD, NY 10039. EXCELLENT SMALL ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT. THE OWNER IS ALWAYS THERE. GOOD ART ON THE WALLS.
MAISON HARLEM; 343 ST NICHOLAS AVE, NY 10027. BAR AND RESTAURANT. A FIXTURE IN THE AREA. FRENCH FLAVOUR.
FUMO; 1600 AMSTERDAM AVE, NY 10031. BEST PIZZA IN THE AREA. OUTDOOR TABLES. STYLISH DECOR.
CLAY; 553 MANHATTAN AVE, NY 10027. GOOD FOOD & SERVICE. PRICEY.
COFFEE: (AMERICAN COFFEE IS TOUGH FOR AN ITALIAN! THESE PLACES MAKE OK ESPRESSO)
ESPRESSO MATTO; 3495 BROADWAY, NY 10031. EVERYTHING $2 (+TAX)
LES AMBASSADES; 2200 FREDERICK DOUGLASS BLVD, NY 10026. PASTRIES TOO.
CAFFE BENE; 9 EDWARD MORGAN PLACE. NY 10032. A PLACE TO CHILL (GOOD AIR CONDITIONING!)
PARKS:
RIVERBANK STATE PARK (POPULAR WITH FAMILIES, FULL SPORTS FACILITIES AND PICNICS ALONG THE HUDSON RIVER).
MARCUS GARVEY PARK (A SQUARE IN THE CENTER OF HARLEM WITH AN OPEN-AIR THEATER).
ST NICHOLAS PARK (FOLLOWS THE RIDGE BETWEEN COLUMBIA AND CITY COLLEGE, HAMILTON GRANGE IS HERE).
JACKIE ROBINSON PARK (AN AMAZING FREE OUTDOOR SWIMMING POOL).
TRINITY CHURCH CEMETARY (AT THE NORTHERN BOUNDARY OF HARLEM, CHARMING IF MELANCHOLY)