BESPOKE: CITY BEACHES OFFICIALLY OPEN

Harlem Bespoke: Hot weather hitting the 90 degree mark has arrived and going to a local beach is always a good idea.  Our favorite spot to get to via public transportation is Coney Island in Brooklyn which can be reached by just hopping on the D train for one straight shot to the historic seaside local. We took the above photos on our last trip in 2018 and could not believe how different everything looked after a couple of decades.  Lots of capital improvement has been invested in the area and the train stations has also been fully restored.  Definitely worth the trip out which take about just under an  hour of time on the train so make sure to head out early in the day.

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ART: THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MURAL ON 7TH AVENUE

Harlem Bespoke:  Local artists and residents came together yesterday to paint a massive Black Live Matter mural on Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and we were able to get a few photos at the community event.  Harlem has had peaceful protests at this intersection of 125th Street over the past month and this new art installation is another example of the unity that uptowners have been experiencing.  We especially like this version of the iconic street painting since yellow, green and red color will switch things up a little. The weather was not so great yesterday but the rain did not come until later in the evening so all should be complete now. We will have more updated photos uploaded over the weekend.

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DWELL: 221 WEST 137TH STREET RESTORATION

Harlem Bespoke:  The shell at 221 West 137th Street sold back in 2016 for a pretty notable closing price and now has returned to market for $3.85 million after a major gut renovation process.  This 18-foot-wide brownstone is still in the coveted single-family layout and has some major modern updates now included.

VIRTUAL CINEMA: ELLA FITZGERALD AT MAYSLES

Friday, June 26th to Thursday, July, 9th, Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of those Things (2019), virtual screening courtesy Maysles Cinema, $12 online admission.  Ella Fitzgerald was a 15 year-old street kid when she won a talent contest in 1934 at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. Within months she was a star.  Ella: Just One of Those Things follows her extraordinary journey over six decades as her sublime voice transforms the tragedies of her own life and the troubles of her times into joy. The film uses never-before-seen images and unheard interviews to bring Ella Fitzgerald to life and to tell the story of her music. - a black woman who makes her career in the face of horrifying racism.  More details and online tickets at the Maysles Cinema site: LINK

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INSTAGRAM: CINEMA BESPOKE WEEKEND EDITION

Harlem Bespoke:  The Harlem Bespoke companion Instagram account is also now live and has color photos of the best restaurants to order out from this weekend. Food ideas for lunch or dinner will be updated several times for those who want a little inspiration on new spots to try out.  Remember calling up to make an order is best since it helps local eateries avoid exorbitant app fees.   Cinema Bespoke will be the visual social media presence for Harlem Bespoke for video and photos of uptown or greater New York City so make sure to follow for the latest news:  LINK

HarlemBespoke.com 2020