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Cozy Up in Harlem

Culture, Harlem, R&R, Welcome No Responses »

Feb 212012

With its rich cultural history and architectural assets, Harlem has long been a domestic and international travel destination and now is one of the most visited destinations in New York City. The warmth and charm of the community is frequently noted by visitors as hallmarks of their experience. It is therefore not surprising that Harlem has some of the most stunning and tranquil Bed and Breakfast spots in Manhattan.

Whether you’re in town for a lengthy visit or just looking for a quiet weekend getaway, we at The Morningsider have compiled a list of some of the most popular Bed and Breakfast spots to enjoy.

Sugar Hill Harlem Inn

Sugar Hill Harlem Inn is a Victorian townhouse located in the landmark district of Sugar Hill at 460 West 141 Street. Built in 1906, this Western Harlem inn has been recently renovated and refurnished. It offers 2 rooms on the first floor, 2 studios on the second floor, a two-bedroom suite, as well as a common reception room and outdoor garden. The rooms are equipped with a private bathroom and are individually decorated by an interior designer to ensure an aesthetically pleasing environment and provide visitors with the utmost relaxation. The reception room can also be used to host small functions such as weddings, poetry/play readings, parties, and showers. For more information on Sugar Hill Harlem Inn or to book a room, please call 212.234.5432 or visit their website at www.sugarhillharleminn.com.

Allie’s Inn Bed and Breakfast

Allie’s Bed and Breakfast is another luxurious and accommodating inn located in central Harlem on 313 West 136th Street between Frederick Douglass Boulevard and Edgecombe Avenue. Allie’s is great for both family and business needs, offering two different types of rooms: “Allie’s Room” and “Garden View Room.” Allie’s room comes equipped with a queen-sized bed and daybed, full kitchen, private bathroom with skylight, and walk-in closet. The Garden View room features a full size bed, private bathroom, large closet, and full kitchen. Both rooms offer full housekeeping services, a large, sunny studio, and complimentary WiFi. All accommodations provided by Allie’s Inn are designed to add to the relaxing atmosphere, while still providing visitors with a convenient location to the hustle and bustle of New York City and all that it has to offer. To read more about Allie’s Bed and Breakfast or to book a room, visit www.alliesinn.com or call 212.690.3813.

Harlem 144 Guest House

This cozy guest house, located at 144 West 120^th Street in the fashionable Mt. Morris Park Historic District, is housed in a brownstone townhouse built in 1888 that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Most of the original detail remains and when you add to that original African, African American and Caribbean art, collectibles, first edition books and antique furnishings, it’s the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of Midtown Manhattan. There are two rooms on the third floor—a two bedroom that contains a queen-sized bed and twin bed, and a room with two standard-sized beds—that share a kitchen and bathroom and also a private apartment on the garden level that includes access to a fully landscaped garden. All spaces are air conditioned, feature cable TV with premium channels, a DVD player, free wireless Internet access, fully outfitted kitchens and plush bedroom and bathroom linens. The proprietor, who happens to be co-author of, “Harlem Travel Guide,” which provides information on all things Harlem, is great at recommending and arranging unique Harlem experiences. Email valbradley@aol.com to obtain additional information and to make reservations.

Villa 121 Guest House

Located steps from historic Mount Morris Park at 11 West 121^st Street, Villa 121 offers five beautiful suites full of historic detail. The townhouse, which is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was designed in 1887 and has been carefully maintained throughout the years to preserve the incredible craftsmanship of the building, including intricate mahogany and oak woodwork. Each suite features incredible 14-foot ceilings, artwork created by the owners, the Toones, and many original furnishings. Villa 121 allows guests to relax and reminisce on Harlem’s fascinating history, while remaining within walking distance to the variety of great new shops and restaurants in the area. For more information or to book a room at Villa 121, please visit www.villa121.com or call 212.289.5032.

Summer Solstice Celebrations Uptown

Community Involvement, Culture, Harlem, Music, Welcome No Responses »

Jun 082011

Summer is a wonderful time of year to enjoy music Uptown. For this event you’ve got to be an early riser, but if you’re up to it, you’re unlikely to be disappointed by The Paul Winter Consort as it presents its 16^th annual Summer Solstice Celebration Saturday, June 18 at 4:30 am at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue at 112^th Street.

The event will open in complete darkness with musicians surrounding the audience and playing continuously for two hours until the sun rises, day breaks and summer light begins to stream through the cathedral’s stained glass windows.

Winter, the seven-time Grammy Award-winning saxophonist and one of the first exponents of world music, will present the world premiere of the music from The Paul Winter Consort’s Grammy-winning album “Miho: Journey to the Mountain,” which was inspired by the architecture, landscape and antiquities of I.M. Pei’s Miho Museum in the Shigaraki Mountains of Japan.

In addition to Winter on soprano saxophone, The Consort will include: cellist Eugene Friesen; Armenian vocalist/percussionist Arto Tuncboyaciyan; Paul McCandless on oboe, English horn and bass clarinet; Tibetan vocalist Yangjin Lamu; bansuri (Indian flute) master Steve Gorn; percussionist Glen Velez; and Tim Brumfield on the cathedral’s pipe organ. All tickets are general admission and are priced at $35 each. To purchase tickets, you can go to the St. John the Divine website here.

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate the solstice and get your beauty rest, then Make Music New York may be the event for you. Taking place in all five boroughs, Make Music New York is a festival of free concerts from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm on Tuesday, June 21, the first day of summer.

Whether you’re into Latin jazz, punk rock, or opera, Make Music New York has over 1,000 events for music fans from every point of the spectrum. Various Harlem restaurants and public venues will be hosting performances this year. For a full list of events and schedules Uptown, visit the Make Music New York website here or http://makemusicny.org/schedule/venue/neighborhood/10

MOUNT MORRIS PARK RESIDENTS OPEN DOORS TO HISTORIC DISTRICT

Community Involvement, Culture, Welcome No Responses »

May 232011

When you live in a city like New York, history is always right around the corner.

Save the date for Sunday, June 12 and stroll over to the historic neighborhood of Mount Morris Park where they’ll be holding their 22^nd Annual House Tour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Residents will open their doors to give visitors an inside look at one of New York’s premier historic districts at an event organized by the Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association (MMPCIA), a neighborhood non-profit group established in 1981 dedicated to revitalizing and preserving the area.

It’s a day well spent if you haven’t been as the district is one of the earliest landmark neighborhoods in the City of New York — established in 1971 following efforts by residents to protect the multi-faceted legacy there.

House Tour participants will have several options starting with a Self-Guided Tour taken at their leisure from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with access to 12 venues including brownstone homes, urban live/work apartments, a thriving community garden, a landmark church and world-renown museum.

For those interested in something more “structured,” there’s an Architectural Walking Tour between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Or, at 1:30 p.m., there’s the Marcus Garvey Park Walking Tour with editor/writer Valerie Jo Bradley as guide and offering an informed look at such park landmarks as the newly renovated Richard Rodgers Bandshell and the Fire Watchtower on top of the Acropolis – still standing after 154 years.

Finally, at noon and 2 p.m., there will be two opportunities to take the Inside & Intimate in Historic Harlem Tour with architect and historian John Reddick who will escort guests to three extraordinary, private homes in the Mount Morris Park district that are not part of the regular tour.

Tickets for the 22^nd Annual House Tour are $20 if purchased in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets for the 22^nd Annual House Tour plus the Inside & Intimate Tour with John Reddick are $40 if purchased in advance and $50 at the door. For more information, visit the MMPCIA website by clicking here for instructions to pay by credit card. Or call: (212) 369-4241. The tour starts at the Pelham Fritz Recreation Center, 18 Mount Morris Park West (Fifth Avenue) and West 122^nd Street.

A SPECIAL SUNDAY AT DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM: May 15 at 3pm

Art, Community Involvement, Culture, Harlem, Welcome No Responses »

May 022011

Time to get up, move your feet and buy your tickets for Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Sunday Matinee Finale “In the Spirit,” set for May 15 at 3 p.m.

You’ll enjoy performances by the Professional Training Program, Purchase College Dancers, get a sneak peek at the latest Harlem Dance Works project and more. The program, which will take place at the Everett Center for the Performing Arts at 466 West 152^nd Street (between Amsterdam and St. Nicholas Avenues), will be followed by a “meet the artist” reception where refreshments will be served.

Tickets are: $18 for general admission; $14 for senior citizens and children under the age of 12; and there’s a 10% discount for groups of 10 or more and students with a college ID. Call 212-690-2800 for more information or visit www.dancetheatreofharlem.org.

Formerly known as the Open House Series, the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Sunday Matinees offer neighbors and visitors a chance to enjoy high-quality performances by students of its school, the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble and special guest artists.

Performances traditionally take place at 3 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month from November through April and the third Sunday of May.

For those unfamiliar with the origins of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, its roots took hold shortly after the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. when Arthur Mitchell, the first African American to dance in the New York City Ballet joined forces with renowned ballet master Karel Shook. Inspired by the optimism and idealism of the Civil Rights Movement, classes first began in a garage on 152^nd Street in Harlem – the neighborhood where Mitchell grew up.

At its heart, the school’s curriculum was designed to give children of Harlem the same kind of opportunities Mitchell had as a teenager when, at age 13, he was encouraged by a school guidance counselor to audition for the New York High School of Performing Arts and got a full scholarship.

One of the benchmarks of the Open House Series was to showcase the activities of the professional company, the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble, students from the school as well as guest artists from all disciplines. These informal studio performances, which have taken the form of a community concert series, offer quality entertainment at nominal ticket prices with families living in Harlem and the greater New York metropolitan area in mind.

Among the special guests in years past: actor/writer Daniel Beaty; actress Phyllis Stickney, dancer/choreographer Carmen de Lavallade, composer/conductor Tania Leon; as well as the United Nations Children’s Choir and the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company to name just a few.

HARLEM JAZZ SHRINES FESTIVAL JUST AROUND THE CORNER

Art, Community Involvement, Culture, Harlem, Morningside Heights, Music, Nightlife, Theatre, Welcome No Responses »

Apr 132011

A trio of Harlem’s most esteemed cultural institutions – The Apollo Theater, Harlem Stage and Jazzmobile – are banding together to present the Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival, which begins Monday, May 9, and runs through Sunday, May 15.

It’s a concept that both celebrates and supports the legacy of jazz in the Uptown community, bringing both established and new artists to some of the same sites where jazz first flourished — venues like Lenox Lounge, Showman’s Café, the Apollo Theater, Alhambra Ballroom and Minton’s Playhouse.

Look for additional festival events at Harlem Stage Gatehouse, Columbia University and other locations in and around Harlem. For more information on the festival, go to: www.harlemjazzshrines.org.

Organizers are hoping the weeklong festival will become an annual celebration that stimulates a jazz-oriented resurgence of opportunities in the community. Ticket prices for a wide variety of events have been set at an affordable price of $10 to draw a diverse crowd of neighbors, New Yorkers and tourists to programming ranging from concert, club and cabaret to dance events.

And to further maximize enjoyment and attendance, many shows have been scheduled so fans can make it to several events each day. There’s even shuttle service planned for Friday and Saturday nights.

“For much of the 20th Century,” says Apollo Theater Executive Producer Mikki Shepard, “Harlem was synonymous with jazz. Few other communities fostered jazz as a popular art form for both musicians and audiences as Harlem did.”

And the Apollo, of course, set the stage for both the music and many of the legendary careers that would follow: from the history-making night in 1934 when Ella Fitzgerald first won Amateur Night to performances by Benny Carter, Nat “Cannonball” Adderley, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Billie Holiday and Cab Calloway.

But, as we said, the Apollo is just one of your entertainment options starting May 9.

Following is just a sampling of what’s on the schedule:

May 9: Late Night Jam Sessions & Conversations with Legends at Minton’s Playhouse – Jazzmobile re-creates Minton’s legendary “cutting contests” with emerging jazz talents and an all-star house band curated by T.S. Monk with Robert O’Meally leading provocative discussions. (May 9 from 9 p.m.-closing.)

May 10 and 11: Blazing Tongues – The Singers & Writers of Lenox Loung–Harlem Stage, in partnership with Columbia University’s Center for Jazz Studies and Institute for Research in African American Studies, curates two evenings of music and literature. (May 10 and 11 at 7 p.m.)

May 13: Battle of the Big Bands – Jazzmobile produces two nights of big bands featuring the Jimmy Heath Big Band and the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra at the Alhambra Ballroom. (May 13 from 7 p.m. to midnight.)

May 13: The Fats Waller Dance Party: Small’s Paradise Tribute with Jason Moran & Meshell Ndegeocello – Harlem Stage presents two nights of Waller’s music taken to new heights in a social mixing dance party featuring 2010 MacArthur Genius pianist Jason Moran & dynamic singer/bassist Meshell Ndegeocello. (May 13 and 14, 9 and 11 p.m. both nights.)

May 13 and 14: Wycliffe Gordon’s Jazz a la Carte – The Apollo’s variety shows of the 1930s make a comeback under the direction of Wycliffe Gordon with the Temple University Big Band, featuring vocalists Carla Cook and Nikki Yanofsky, tap savant Savion Glover, sax wunderkind Grace Kelly, Director/Choreographer Ken Roberson, and trombone prodigy Corey Wilcox, among others. (May 13 at 8 p.m. and May 14 at 5 and 8 p.m.)

May 13 and 14: Geri Allen Quartet Jam Session – During the 1940’s and ‘50’s, the Harlem jazz scene was famous for its after-hours “jam sessions.” Jazz pianist and producer Geri Allen ”jams” with her quartet and special guests at the Apollo Music Cafe. (May 13 and 14 at 10 p.m. Doors open at 9 p.m.)

88 MORNINGSIDE OPENING DOORS TO “MAN CAVE”

Community Involvement, Morningside Heights, Restaurants, Welcome No Responses »

Apr 042011

Most men – and more than a few women come to think of it – need their space.

So 88 Morningside, a new *residential condominium, has partnered with urban-oriented BoConcept, Denmark’s most global furniture chain, to create a special model with a built-in “media room” — an additional feature in a one-bedroom apartment some might see as a “man cave.”

It’s a space within a space that’s a place apart — an “extra room” that’s ideal for watching television, playing music or video games and doing so in peace.

And if you’re already trying to picture what that might look, why not just come and see it for yourself when the doors open April 7, between 6 and 8 p.m.? RSVP is required for entry; so please email: Monica Bojaca at monica@mediashoppr.com if you’d like to attend.

And to whet your appetite a little more, the event at 88 Morningside (88 Morningside Avenue at West 122^nd Street), will be catered by Mel’s Burger Bar (www.melsburgerbar.com), which will be serving up burgers, fries, wings and beer.

By the way, for women who might be interested in owning one of these one-bedrooms with that same something extra and aren’t into sports or video games, think of all the extra shoes in your life that, until now, had no place to live.

Just a thought. We’re sure you’ve got a few more of your own.

(Representatives from 88 Morningside will be on hand to answer any questions as well as provide tours of available units. For more information on 88 Morningside, go to www.88morningside.com. And for more information on BoConcept, visit their website at: www.boconcept.com.)

Best,

Bea

*Full disclosure: I am one of the developers of 88 Morningside.

Q&A with Pam and Connie, founders of Levain Bakery

Food, Harlem, Holidays, Insider Interviews, Morningside Heights, Restaurants, Welcome No Responses »

Mar 142011

As part of our Q&A series, Morningsider brings you exclusive interviews with neighborhood VIPs. This month, we interview Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald, founders of Levain Bakery, which just opened a new shop on Frederick Douglass Boulevard between 116th and 117th Streets.

Since 1995, Levain Bakery has been creating artisanal breads in its original small shop located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Their menu has grown—to include the now-legendary six-ounce cookies, scones, brioche, muffins and much more —but they remain a neighborhood place where everything is handmade on the premises, fresh every day.

The bakery just opened in Harlem on March 1, which comes on the heels of the recent news that Magnolia has opened new manufacturing operations in East Harlem, as well. Will Harlem be the new bakery district?

In this Q&A, Pam and Connie tell Morningsider about the bakery and more!

1. Tell us about Levain Bakery.

That is a huge question! The quick version is that we are a small artisan bakery that bakes everything we sell freshly each day, donating anything left at each day’s end to charity. We love baking and making people happy. We love meeting our customers.

2. How did you learn to bake?

Pam learned to bake from her mom and experimenting while growing up. Connie went to culinary school and then experimented.

3. Personally, what is your favorite dessert?

Connie’s, in addition to the dark chocolate chocolate chip cookie loves a good Tiramisu. Pam likes anything baked from scratch, especially cakes and cookies.

4. What’s the best thing about owning a bakery?

Connie: Making people happy and always having great bread and a great coffee machine.

5. What advice would you offer women who want to start their own businesses?

Pam: Trust your instincts and follow your heart, even if it doesn’t always seem logical. Be patient and don’t give up, persistence pays off if you truly believe in what you’re doing. And, of course, be prepared to work harder than you ever thought possible. We always say the bakery is the Ironman of our lives.

6. What separates a good cookie from a great cookie?

Pam: Really great ingredients, baking from the heart and soul, and of course a degree of freshness.

Connie: A good cookie is a good cookie. A great cookie is a tourist attraction, an entire night’s dinner party conversation, a substitute for wedding cake!

7. Anything else you would like to add?

We are so excited to be opening in Harlem, the neighborhood and everyone we have met so far have been wonderful.

Until you can make it to Levain, here is a recipe for their famous Oatmeal Raisin Scones to tide you over for the real thing!

Levain Bakery’s Recipe for Oatmeal Raisin Scones

Printable version

Ingredients

_________________________________________________________________________________________

3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the counter

2 1/2 cups rolled oats

3/4 cup white sugar

2 tablespoons baking powder

1 teaspoon kosher salt

12 ounces sweet butter – cold and diced small

1 cup golden raisins

1 1/2 cups half-and-half

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine everything except the half-and-half until sandy in consistancy. Do not over mix. (Mixture should not be creamed.)

Quickly pour in 1 1/4 cups of the half-and-half while mixing. If the dough appears at all dry add the remaining 1/4 cup of half & half until just combined. Again, do not over mix.

Turn the dough out onto a very well floured surface. If the dough is very sticky, flour the top of the dough also. Pat the mixture into a layer 3/4 to 1-inch thick. Using a 2-inch diameter round cutter, cut out the scones, dipping the cutter into flour each time between cuts. Place each scone, as cut, onto a parchment paper covered sheet pan leaving 2 to 3 inches between each scone. This should make 12 round scones. (You can also form dough into rectangular shape and cut with a knife into 12 square or triangular scones.)

Bake for about 18 minutes or until golden brown on both the top and bottom of scones.

Levain Bakery

2167 Frederick Douglass Blvd.

New York, NY

Store Hours:

Mondays – Saturdays 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Sundays 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

http://levainbakery.com/

Welcome to Morningsider

Harlem's Gold Coast, Morningside Heights, Welcome 1 Response »

Apr 072010

IMG 4516 300x199 Welcome to Morningsider

Morningside Park

I am excited to welcome you to Morningsider, a blog about interesting things to do and see around Morningside Park. A hidden gem Uptown designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Morningside Park and the surrounding area is experiencing a wonderful revitalization. The park is bounded by the emerging restaurant and retail corridors on Amsterdam Avenue in Morningside Heights and Frederick Douglass Boulevard between 110^th Street and 125^th Street, increasingly known as Harlem’s Gold Coast. I will be delighted to provide you with an insider’s view of the area, which offers a compelling array of outdoor, cultural, retail and entertainment choices. Morningsider will also provide updates on 88 Morningside, a modern residential building overlooking Morningside Park, as well as focus on emerging trends and community involvement opportunities. I look forward to chatting with you!

- Bea

MORNINGSIDER