☞ SEE: Zoraesque at the Faison Firehouse

Saturday, March 20th from 8:00 PM-11:00 PM at the Faison Firehouse Theater. Zoraesque, a play written by Eleanor Traylor and performed by actress Lynn Whitfield (the one and only), celebrates the life of Zora Neale Hurston. George Faison designed the sets himself! This one is sure to be the major Harlem theater production of the year so book tickets ahead of time. Call for advance tickets at $25 or purchase at the day of the event for $30. Tel. 212.665.7698. Guest can also RSVP via Facebook: LINK. The Faison Firehouse Theater is on 6 Hancock Place which is aproximatley 124th Street between St Nicholas & Morningside Avenues. The closest subway station is the A,B,C,D on 125th Street.

☞ READ: The Faison Firehouse in the News

The New York Daily News has a feature on Broadway choreographer George Faison who is making strides to get his Firehouse Theater at 6 Hancock Place a destination for those interested in Harlem history. Mr. Faison purchased the vacant firehouse back in 1999 and converted it into a 350-seat theater located around the corner from Manhattan Avenue.  There is also rehearsal space and a cafe inside but now the Tony Award winner is having a 5-minute film produced on the neighborhood's history so that visitors will make the theater a required stop on any uptown venture.  The Faison Firehouse also has the end goal of engaging the younger generation in Harlem and raise awareness on all the possibility that working in the theater has to offer. Read more in the Daily News: LINK

INTRODUCING: THE WIZ AT MARCUS GARVEY PARK

Thursday-Friday, August 13th-14th,  6:45PM-9:00PM,  The Wiz: A Celebration in Dance and Music at Marcus Garvey Park, 122nd Street and Mount Morris Park West, FREE to the public.  George Faison, internationally celebrated producer, writer, composer, director, choreographer and dancer, made history in 1975 when he became the first African American to win a Tony Award for Best Choreography for The Wiz. In honor of the Broadway hit’s 40th anniversary this year, Faison will present performances of original songs and dances from the show.

A number of members of the original Broadway cast will return for this celebratory run! Actress Phylicia Rashad, a munchkin and swing in the original production, will co-host the performance with George Faison. André De Shields will reprise his original role as the Wiz and Ebony Jo-Ann, who played Addaperle in the Broadway revival of the production will reprise her role as well. Singer-songwriter Wallace Gary will join the cast as the Scarecrow. Damien L. Sneed will act as the musical director and conductor of The Wiz: A Celebration in Dance and Music.

More details on this free Summer Stage performance can be found on the official website: LINK

SEE: THE WIZ AT MARCUS GARVEY PARK

Thursday-Friday, August 13th-14th,  6:45PM-9:00PM,  The Wiz: A Celebration in Dance and Music at Marcus Garvey Park, 122nd Street and Mount Morris Park West, FREE to the public.  George Faison, internationally celebrated producer, writer, composer, director, choreographer and dancer, made history in 1975 when he became the first African American to win a Tony Award for Best Choreography for The Wiz. In honor of the Broadway hit’s 40th anniversary this year, Faison will present performances of original songs and dances from the show.

A number of members of the original Broadway cast will return for this celebratory run! Actress Phylicia Rashad, a munchkin and swing in the original production, will co-host the performance with George Faison. André De Shields will reprise his original role as the Wiz and Ebony Jo-Ann, who played Addaperle in the Broadway revival of the production will reprise her role as well. Singer-songwriter Wallace Gary will join the cast as the Scarecrow. Damien L. Sneed will act as the musical director and conductor of The Wiz: A Celebration in Dance and Music.

More details on this free Summer Stage performance can be found on the official website: LINK

☞ SEE: Faison Firehouse Theater

In 2000, after coming upon a Beaux-Arts style firehouse in Harlem, Tony Award-winning Broadway choreographer George Faison saw an opportunity to use his professional success as a way to bring classic culture back into in Harlem. Built over 100 years ago, the limestone firehouse was unusual for its lack of red brick, and Faison would imagine a more peculiar proposal for its future. He purchased the building immediately and since then has started his own namesake theater providing independent theater and a community performance space. Contact by phone to inquire on schedules or bookings. 6 Hancock Place between Manhattan and Morningside Avenue. Subway stop 125th street A,B,C,D. Tel.(212) 531-3185

☞ SEE: James Baldwin's Harlem

August 2nd, starting at 5 PM at the Faison Firehouse Theater. For James Baldwin's 85th Birthday, the Faison Firehouse will have a special presentation on James Baldwin's Harlem. The posters are all around town and booking in advance will guarantee a seat and also a discount. Admission $25 at the door and $20 in advance.  6 Hancock Place which is west 124th Street between St. Nicholas and Morniside Avenue.  Tel. 212.665.716. Read more about the Faison Firehouse Theater in our previous post: LINK or go to the website:  www.faisonfirehouse.org

☞ SEE: Around Harlem This Weekend

The 4th Annual International Harlem Street Fair, Saturday, July 24th, 11:00 AM-7:00 PM, at the Faison Firehouse, 6 Hancock Place, between West 124th and St. Nicholas Avenue. Check out the live performances, arts, antiques and food vendors at this street fair set up in front of the Faison Firehouse Theater. Closest subways are the A,B,C,D at 125th Street.

FREE FOOD tasting at Harlem's Farmers' Markets, Saturday, July 24th. The thing we noticed most last week at the new Mount Morris Park Historic District Farmers' Market is the free food tasting. The friendly peach guy gave a taste of the variety of peaches on hand. There was also greek olive oil bread dipping and a variety of sausages from the local-raised meat vendor. This farmers' market is at 124th Street and 5th Avenue, from 8:00 AM-4:00 PM. The Morningside Farmers Market is further West and there's usually free range roasted pork and organic breads and cheeses to try out along with upstate apples. This market is at 110th Street and Manhattan Avenue, from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM.

AMS String Quartet at the Morris-Jumel Mansion Lawn, Saturday,July 24th, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM. The July Family Picnic series continues on the big lawn at the Morris-Jumel Mansion Museum this Saturday so come enjoy some great music to benefit Academic Music Seminars. Guests are encouraged to bring food and drinks for a family picnic! About the Music: Composed of four of the Academic Music Seminars professional teaching artists, the quartet uses a fresh perspective and individuality in performances while offering diverse programs that are entertaining for both children and adults. Call 212-923-8008 to make a reservation, tickets are $15 per person. Children under 12 are FREE! The mansion is located at 65 Jumel Terrace between 160th and 161st Streets. The nearest trains are the C at 163rd Street or the 1 at 157th Street. www.MorrisJumel.org

Brazilian Jazz band Blindfold Test will perform on Sunday, July 25, at the Harlem Meer's Conservatory Garden. Located inside Central Park at 105th Street and 5th Avenue, the show will take place from 2:00 PM- 4:00 PM. The performance is free and open to all ages. Call 212-860-1370 for further information. www.CentralPark.com

DANCE: THE NUTCRACKER AT FAISON FIREHOUSE

Harlem Bespoke:  Those looking for a local production of the Nutcracker might want to check out the Faison Firehouse Theatre at 6 Hancock Place this weekend for the Saturday 14th, 4:00PM performance.  Tickets are $22 to get in and the location by 124th Street by Morningside Avenue is just a block away from the A,B,C,D express subway station. There does not appear to be any online ticket sales so those who are interested in more details should call the above number at 917.736.3394 before the big event.

HarlemBespoke.com 2019

DWELL: FAISON FIREHOUSE UP FOR SALE

Harlem Bespoke:  The Faison Firehouse Theater and the adjacent lot is now up for sale for $13 million.  This all looks to be packaged for a developer to come in and build condos based on the asking and the historic address will probably to demolished. Express trains at 125th Street are only a block away and the FDB commercial corridor is also short walk from the location.  More details on Streeteasy: LINK

HarlemBespoke.com 2018

DWELL: 206 WEST 137TH STREET NOW SOLD

Number 206 West 137th Street went on the market earlier in the season and has now apparently sold according to one news source.  The Real Deal reveals that actor Donald Faison of the movie Clueless and television show Scrubs was the owner who purchased the 2-unit home located just west of 7th Avenue about five years ago for $1.4 million and the townhouse was on the market recently for a couple of months for the asking of $2.4 million.  The article confirms that Mr. Faison made $1.7 million from the sale so the brownstone with great bones but in need of a good polish up has closed for under the listing price.  Read more about the Central Harlem sale in The Real Deal: LINK

DWELL: FAISON FIREHOUSE BACK ON MARKET

Harlem Bespoke:  The Faison Firehouse Theater and the adjacent lot was up for sale for $13 million earlier on in 2018 then reduced to just below $10 million months later, had a contract out at the end of June and now is back on the market with a noticeably upgraded $14 million asking.  As previously mentioned, we have been informed that the adjacent lot is not included with the new asking and just the building is up for sale.  The 29-feet-wide facade was originally a Beaux Arts firehouse which has been converted into a performance theater and living space over the years. This is one of the highest price points in the neighborhood so a developer might end up purchasing the unique property.  Express trains at 125th Street are only a block away and the FDB commercial corridor is also short walk from the location.  More details on Streeteasy: LINK

HarlemBespoke.com 2020

DWELL: THE FAISON FIREHOUSE

Harlem Bespoke:  The Faison Firehouse Theater and the adjacent lot was up for sale for $13 million earlier on in 2018 then reduced to just below $10 million months later. We have since been informed that the adjacent lot is not included with the new asking and just the building will be for sale.  The 29-feet-wide facade was originally a Beaux Arts firehouse which has been converted into a performance theater and living space over the years. This is one of the highest price points in the neighborhood so a developer might end up purchasing the unique property.  Express trains at 125th Street are only a block away and the FDB commercial corridor is also short walk from the location.  More details on Streeteasy: LINK

HarlemBespoke.com 2020

REMEMBER: THE FAISON FIREHOUSE CIRCA 1940

Harlem Bespoke:  An archival city photo reveals the firehouse on Hancock Place just west of St. Nicholas Avenue as it stood back in the 1940s and the building pretty much looks the same today.

DWELL: THE FAISON FIREHOUSE

Harlem Bespoke:  The Faison Firehouse Theater and the adjacent lot was up for sale for $13 million earlier on in 2018 then reduced to just below $10 million months later. We have since been informed that the adjacent lot is not included with the new asking and just the building will be for sale.  The 29-feet-wide facade was originally a Beaux Arts firehouse which has been converted into a performance theater and living space over the years. This is one of the highest price points in the neighborhood so a developer might end up purchasing the unique property.  Express trains at 125th Street are only a block away and the FDB commercial corridor is also short walk from the location.  More details on Streeteasy: LINK

HarlemBespoke.com 2020

☞ LISTEN: Zoraesque Live Seating Sold Out

Tonight's March 20th performance of Zoraesque at the Faison Firehouse Theater has sold out! For those who still want to see it, there are $10 cabaret seats available, which includes real-time projector streaming of the performance with food and drink served. The one and only actress Lynn Whitfield will play Zora Neale Hurston in this live stage performance starting at 8:00 PM. Call 212-665-7698 to reserve! The Faison Firehouse Theater is on 6 Hancock Place, which is approximately 124th Street between St Nicholas & Morningside Avenues. The closest subway station is the A,B,C,D on 125th Street.

DWELL: THE FAISON FIREHOUSE

Harlem Bespoke:  The Faison Firehouse Theater and the adjacent lot was up for sale for $13 million earlier on in 2018 then reduced to just below $10 million months later. We have since been informed that the adjacent lot is not included with the new asking and just the building will be for sale.  The 29-feet-wide facade was originally a Beaux Arts firehouse which has been converted into a performance theater and living space over the years. This is one of the highest price points in the neighborhood so a developer might end up purchasing the unique property.  Express trains at 125th Street are only a block away and the FDB commercial corridor is also short walk from the location.  More details on Streeteasy: LINK

HarlemBespoke.com 2020

☞ MEET: The Harlem International Street Fair

The 5th Annual Harlem International Street Fair, Saturday, July 23rd, 11:00 AM-6:00 PM, at the Faison Firehouse, 6 Hancock Place, between West 124th and St. Nicholas Avenue. The Faison Firehouse Theater will have their summer street fair again this Saturday and has a bit of everything for everyone.  Come over to Hancock Place this weekend and check out the live performances, arts, antiques and food vendors.

DWELL: PRICE INCREASE AT FAISON FIREHOUSE

Harlem Bespoke:  The Faison Firehouse Theater and the adjacent lot had a contract out at the end of June 2020 when the price was reduced to $10 million and then went back on the market with a noticeably upgraded $14 million asking.  The price in the past year was set at  $12.7 million but now has switched brokers and pricing has returned to $10 million $11 million.   As previously mentioned, the 29-feet-wide facade was originally a Beaux Arts firehouse which has been converted into a performance theater and living space over the years. As previously noted, this is one of the highest price points in the neighborhood so a developer might end up purchasing the unique property.  Express trains at 125th Street are only a block away and the FDB commercial corridor is also short walk from the location.  More details on Streeteasy: LINK

HarlemBespoke.com 2021

SEE: LGBT THEATER AT FAISON FIREHOUSE

For Harlem Pride uptown, the Faison Firehouse theater at 6 Hancock Place (124th Street) by St. Nicholas Avenue will be having a series of LGBT shows throughout the week.   This former firehouse station was converted to a community theater back in 2000 and will have a series of events to celebrate the LGBT community uptown in following days.  Those interested in the schedule of performances and purchasing tickets should check out the My True Colors website for additional details: LINK

☞ SEE: James Baldwin's Harlem

Support the arts in Harlem tomorrow night, Sunday, August 2nd starting 5 PM at the Faison Firehouse Theater. Come see a celebration of James Baldwin's 85th birthday with notable guest Andre Leon Talley from Vogue magazine as one of the headliners. Admission $25 at the door and $20 in advance. 6 Hancock Place, which is West 124th Street between St. Nicholas and Morningside Avenue. Tel. 212.665.716. Read more about the Faison Firehouse Theater in our previous post: LINK or go to the website: www.faisonfirehouse.org