Native Tongue

Hey peoples....

It's been a minute....but a couple of things popped off this summer and that included me taking a writing break. Yada yada yada...yes I know you become a better writter the more you do it...but whatevs.

For a Harlem liberal bite to eat try Native on Lenox Avenue and 118th Street. Ecclectic food combos and the food is always fresh. A plus, plus for a Harlem restaurant scene that seems to thrive on serving people dead food with no life force...I mean how many times can you eat Manna's Korean soul food and the soggy vegetarian fare at the Juice Bar?

Xukuma

We all love H & M; but we all run the risk of looking the same. But alas...Harlem has a new location for anyone who wants ecletic affordable. Visit Xukuma located on 125th between 5th and Madison avenues (closer to 5th) where you can find funky one of a kind cosmetic jewelry, home doodads and decor, and mixed accesories. This store has been my go to source for when I want something different that no one else has.

Xukuma was once located discreetly on Lenox avenue and 118th streets; but this will prove to be a much more effective location. Xukuma's aesthetic and affordability would flourish in the design enclaves of Brooklyn; but for rigid Harlemites it will take some warming up to.

But you know what? All earrings and bracelets can't cost $5.00 or less...let's upgrade people!

Summer Body

Most people get excited by the prospect of a free event. But when I mention that it's African dance I get many errs....ahem...i.e. "I have to go home and make my dog a ham and cheese sandwich." People are intimidated by the idea of African dancing because they presume you either have to be connected to the motherland by the hip, extra spiritual, natural, and that it excludes everyone that's not Afrocentric. The presumptions are damning...whatever happened to giving something new a try?

African dance is alive and kickin in Harlem and is open and available to anyone who has the guts to try something new. It beats waiting forty-five minutes to walk on a ho-hum treadmill at an overcrowded gym, and it burns a hella lot more calories than an evening of watching "Dancing with the Stars." You'll meet new people, get your sweat on and best off.........its F-R-E-E! So what have you got to lose?

The class is taught by Esther Grant, one of the most badass, unintimidating dance teachers around. She breaks down steps easily, gives great encouragement, and never fails to share with you her own humble beginnings as an African dancer. The big plus about this class is the live drumming and the releasing of stress and daily wear and tear; this class one of the best things you can do for free on a Tuesday or Thursday night. Classes are held Tues./Thurs from 7-9pm at Wadleight Performing Arts high school on 114th Street between Seventh and Eight Avenues. Rain or Shine. All levels. Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced.

Society Coffee - The Place to Be Seen

Every one's minding their own business these days or at least they're busy trying their damnedest to look busy. The Crackberries, cell phones, Me Inc.; the 21st century is all about making the change to all things green and organic, becoming the next "You Tube", being the free lance writer, finding love on the Internet, or otherwise living life on your own terms. It's all about free thinking and easy living. And what better way to do that than sipping coffee in the most hippest coffee house in Harlem.

Welcome to Society. The well thought out northern Harlem hot spot that exudes Harlem meets Boho, Buppie, with a touch of monied Bohemian. Here you will find great coffee; smooth, bold, and plenty of varietal wines. It has a touch of trendy, but it ain't obnoxious. It's obviously the new place to be seen if you are planting your flag in Harlem's newly minted Plymouth rock. As with all coffee houses, Society is equipped with free WiFi and filled with trendy Mac Users, so if you care about appearances, don't you dare whip out that 8lb clunker from 1998. A labtop is not a must have, but you'd better be reading Baldwin, Morrison, Hurston or anything that makes you look like you've been admitted to a university. Yeah it could be Corn Husk university or the University of 110th Street, but this place is only for people who looked like they've step into a college classroom. If you happen to just be in the neighborhood and you just want to chill for a sec; not to worry. They have a cool shelf of ultra hip magazines and books to borrow on their coffee time.

On the exposed brick wall you'll see monthly artist's exhibit's that range from avant garde expressionalism to totally trendy. But it's all good and it's way cool. Society can also boast that it's restroom is living feng shui: purposeful, complete and in the right place.

They serve brunch all day; and there are no labtops allowed on weekend days; and rightfully so. I mean they are supposed to make money right? Whomever comes up with a solution for the buy one coffee and use eight hours of free WiFi user will become a billionaire. For the customer keeping our order under three dollars, while IM'ing, conducting business, sending e-mails, and browsing on the Internet for free is a dream come true; however for the business owner it must be the ultimate pain in the arse because that kind of customer takes up space and time. I've been that customer, but nowadays I'm a tad more thoughtful.

Society is located on 114th and Frederick Douglass Boulevard. You can't miss it because it's a gem.

M.

St. Nicks Pub and The Monday Night Jam

If you're not afraid to get your hands dirty for a piece of Harlem's continuum on jazz history, venture uptown to St. Nick's Pub on the Corner of 149th Street at 773 Saint Nicholas Avenue. There you will meet people from all walks and corners of life; from the local alcoholic vagabond and ivy-league aficionado's to the Euro-Asian invasion eclipse of tourists. At St. Nick's Pub it's all good. Here the rickety tables are covered with plastic vinyl from the late sixties, soul food plates are microwaved and sold for five bucks, and the ceilings hang low with cheap ass Christmas lights. But somehow St. Nick's pub works by blending tons of local, original and sublime authentic charm. Once you experience live jazz at St. Nicks pub you'll want to find an apartment right around the corner.

At the Monday night jam session you will see, experience and discover the creativity, passion and expression of the music that gels the spirit of international humanity. The coronet, trombones with toilet plungers, scatting, beat poetry, fanatic drumming, are all examples of the die hards that sign up to share the primal human need of expression. St. Nicks pub is the twilight zone of jazz. The cover is only three bucks and the drinks are no more than seven. And if you want, you can hang out all night until four in the morning; St. Nicks is a true after-hours spot.

Not your contrived or polished Jazz space; Jazz purists will get their jones fix. Get there around 10pm and you'll get a good viewing seat and an experience that will remain a surreal memory.

Sweet On Marshalls

Ok. So if you venture into Marshall's on 125th Between Lenox(Malcolm X Boulevard) and 7th(Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd) Avenues, I guarantee that you'll be so addicted; especially if you have your own place. Marshall's simply satifies your inner spendthrift. You know that voice that tells you when your'e going overboard with the finances. Marshall's has some of the best deals going in Harlem in terms of sprucing up your space and giving your boudoir "reflection of me" personality.

Here are My faves:

If you are an entertainer like me; you salivate over great kitchen finds. And if your'e depending on your medicine cabinet mirror to get a good look of yourself, you need to run to Marshalls. A glam mirror is the ultimate sign of "grown and sexy" maturity. They have books that make you look like you give a damn about style and literacy, 300 and up thread count sheets for less than $50, Duvets, pillows, towels, all the ish you need to make you look savy.

If your'e creative, and can get someone to lug that "to die for" ottoman up your staircase, you can make your space pop with their one of a kind odd selection of furniture finds. Honest to god, they have furniture that will make you say:"What in the "brass iron rooster" do I need this for? But it may be just the thing your'e looking for.

The shoes I'm not too keen on, but that depends on your style and budget tastes. I tend to be very particular when it comes to matters of the feet, b/c I love my toes and I want to love what I walk in. So my values don't quite mix well with Marshall's selection. But every once and a while you'll find a cute steal that you can rock for the summer. I feel the same way about Payless shoes. Just remember: It's a long arduous path to curing corns, bunions, hammertoes, and all other forms of foot salad. You may be ablet to get away with that four ninety nine shirt from H&M, but choose wisely when looking at that $9.99 shoe.

For shoe deals, I would venture over to the Nine West Outlet over on 125th and St. Nicholas Avenue....

Expectations

When many people come to Harlem, they bring with them deeply held romantic expectations of Black America's most infamous neighborhood. You will see black people, that's for sure. But for some there's a deeper sentimental yearning. Perhaps a stronger sense of a vibrantly congealed community: Well dressed black men in suits, jazzy speakeasies, catching the "holy ghost"from storefront churches, a macaroni and cheese station, The Weed Man, block parties, number runners, house rent parties, and vestiges of activism exemplified by our beloved Malcolm X. However, the cultural renaissance that made Harlem's mark was over seventy years ago. Our latest sustained revival is all about the greenbacks with a touch of cultural panache. And it ain't going nowhere.

When you come to Harlem you've got to dig for remnants of cultural historical relevance. And it can't be done in one day. There's the architecture of Sugar Hill, Striver's Row, Hamilton Heights, and The Mount Morris Park Historic District. Then there's the Lenox Lounge right around the corner. Hot. The newly opened Minton's Place for jazz nostalgics, historians, and lovers. And for grease spoon brick weighing soul food: Amy Ruth's, Ole Reliable's and Slyvia's.

These are all obvious paths to take towards getting to know Harlem better. But I've got the passionate Harlemite aficionado's guide on how to work your stay in Harlem. Hell, you might just move here when I'm through with you.

There's much to be discovered: George Fiason's firehouse, The Harlem Writer's Guild, Parlor Entertainment,The Langston Hughes House, and St. Nick's Pub for starters....doing the damn thing in continuing the legacy of Harlem.

I will break all of these places down in the blogs to come...

Mobay Uptown

When you're in the mood for authentic Jamaican cuisine and "fall off the bone" Barbecue venture to Mo Bay Uptown on 125th between Lenox and 5th Avenues. Normally I wouldn't recommend a thing on 125th; except for the Apollo Theatre, but I must take exception with the ire of this restaurant.

MOBAY is never empty and the food is always dalish. And the drinks are worth the 12 dollars that you plunk, b/c you will surely feel a tinge in all the right places; they do not skimp on the alcohol. They also make this alcohol-free Jamaican punch that will make you put down the Kool-Aide forever. The place is kinda on the small side, and when the house jazz band isn't in, they could use a better soundtrack in terms of their music selection. "Ready for the World's: Let Me Love You Down" is not my idea of music to my ears when I dine out; in fact it's quite distasteful. And sometimes you will have neighbors who simply do not have any table manners when it comes to the dining out experience; the wearing of Yankee caps, obnoxiously loud conversations; and we are all too familiar with ultra rudeness that the invention of the cell phone brought. But that's just snobby me looking for ways to be offended.

The plus plus here is that they have a great restroom; an indicator of good business practices.

No dress code. Reservations are recommend; even though I've never made a reservation ever. Otherwise, give them a call.

MobayUptown

Harlem's Red Sweetness.

If you haven't tried Red Velvet Cake, make it a part of your next Harlem Experience. The New York Times has selected Harlem's own Make My Cake as having the best Red Velvet Cake in New York City. A writeup from the New York Times is simply too good for business and a proud accomplishment indeed.

No offense, but you can't always trust the tastesbuds of the culture of power...so yep... I went out in the Nor'easter of yesterday's wind whipping weather, to do a taste test in the name of Valentine's day and Harlem representation. The result? Simple decadence. Middle of the range sweet, moist, and with a delectable Cream Cheese frosting. My only annoyance is that they could step up the aesthetic factor in the cupcake presentation. The Cupcakes looked a tad to homemade; and they were being a little stingy on the icing. In addition they weren't credit card ready. Otherwise, the bomb.

M.

Harlemite Welcome

This blog will represent all things Harlem. It's aesthetic, it's sound, it's eats..its feel. And unless you've been living under a rock, you should know that Harlem; particularly it's real estate, has been on the up and up for the last ten years; but it's swagger has just been crazy in just the last 3 years. In terms of class, soon Harlem will be the "it" place for all things middle, upper, and affluent.

Being born and raised in Harlem there are some nostalgic memories of days gone by, but best believe Harlem's change is all good. You can actually not have to go downtown to have a good time. Harlem Aesthetic thinks that that's hot to death! Particularly places such as the Harlem Tea Room, Society, and The Langston Hughes House. Fabulousness and forward thinking! I miss the authentic block parties, my Lottos, and jumping double dutch on the sticky ass sidewalk, but I don't miss the crack vials or burnt out abandoned buildings. Feel Me?

To Newness.

M.