LAST CHANCE: SEIZE THE KING AT MARCUS GARVEY PARK

FINAL PERFORMANCE: Thursday, July 29th, 8:30PM,  Seize the King at Richard Rodgers Amphitheater at Marcus Garvey Park, 122nd Street and Mount Morris Park West, FREE to the public.   Outdoor theater returns to Harlem after a year's absence with the Classical Theatre of Harlem's production of Seize the King.  The family-friendly annual event is uptown's own version of Shakespeare in the Park but is more accessible and also a fantastic representation of black theater in the city.  One of the must-see experiences of summer!  No RSVP tickets required after previews on July 9th.  Just show up for each scheduled performance thereafter.   Check out full dates and times on the official website: LINK

HarlemBespoke.com 2021

INTRODUCING: A RESTORED VICTORIA THEATRE FACADE

Harlem Bespoke: It has been decades in the makeing but the facade of the Victoria Theatre on 125th Street between Frederick Douglass and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard has finally been restored.  We walked by the site today and noticed that all of the scaffolding was currently being removed.  Everything has been polished up and any missing details except the windows have now been replaced at this point in time. 

INTRODUCING: HARLEM STAGE FALL EVENTS 2019

Harlem Bespoke:  Harlem Stage at The Gatehouse on Convent Avenue by 135th Street now has the Fall 2019 lineup including the first Harlem Documentary Festival, live concerts and dance events on the official website. Check out the full schedule and buy advanced tickets for the season in support of this amazing local cultural center: LINK

HarlemBespoke.com 2019

BESPOKE: ONE MORE PERFORMANCE OF THE BACCHAE

Harlem Bespoke:  Sunday's performance of The Bacchae will be the last one for the brilliant Classical Theatre of Harlem Production of the Euripides play which has now been transformed into a roaring rock opera.  Starting at 8:30PM at Marcus Garvey Park's amphitheater, the quick hour and a half production runs more like a blockbuster Broadway Musical such as Rent with a minimilist industrial stage but also has video panels reminiscent to those found at major stadium concerts.  This was an absolute change of pace this year and those usually trepidatious about seeing a slow Greek play will have a change of heart after seeing this contemporary translation of The Bacchae.

LAST CHANCE: THE CLASSICAL THEATRE OF HARLEM

Tuesday-Sundays, 8:30 PM, The Bachae at Marcus Garvey Park, Mount Morris Park West by 122nd Street.  The Classical Theatre of Harlem presents The Bacchae by Euripides from July 6th to July 28th,  The Classical Theatre of Harlem has announced that the local theatre group will be returning to Marcus Garvey Park at the Richard Rogers Amphitheater this summer in a new production of The Bacchae by Eurpides that is free to the public starting July 6th.  These summer performances have been quite impressive over the past few years and are a must see for the season.  More details can be found on the official Classical Theatre of Harlem site: LINK

HarlemBespoke.com 2019

SEE: CLASSICAL THEATRE OF HARLEM SUMMER 2019

The Classical Theatre of Harlem presents The Bacchae by Euripides from July 6th to July 28th,  The Classical Theatre of Harlem has announced that the local theatre group will be returning to Marcus Garvey Park at the Richard Rogers Amphitheater this summer in a new production of The Bacchae by Eurpides that is free to the public starting July 6th.  These summer performances have been quite impressive over the past few years and are a must see for the season.  More details can be found on the official Classical Theatre of Harlem site: LINK

HarlemBespoke.com 2019

SEE: CLASSICAL THEATRE OF HARLEM SUMMER 2019

The Classical Theatre of Harlem presents The Bacchae by Euripides from July 6th to July 28th,  The Classical Theatre of Harlem has announced that the local theatre group will be returning to Marcus Garvey Park at the Richard Rogers Amphitheater this summer in a new production of The Bacchae by Eurpides that is free to the public starting July 6th.  These summer performances have been quite impressive over the past few years and are a must see for the season.  More details can be found on the official Classical Theatre of Harlem site: LINK

HarlemBespoke.com 2019

SEE: ANTIGONE AT MARCUS GARVEY PARK

The Classical Theatre of Harlem production of Antigone will run from July 7th through the 29th this year at Marcus Garvey Park and the 8:00PM daily performances (closed on Mondays) are always free to the public. These summer productions have been quite impressive over the past few years and are a must-see for the season, so do not miss out on the upcoming shows.  More details can be found on the official NYC Parks site: LINK

HarlemBespoke.com 2018

SEE: ANTIGONE AT MARCUS GARVEY PARK

The Classical Theatre of Harlem production of Antigone will premier from July 7th through the 29th this year at Marcus Garvey Park and the perfomances are always free to the public. These summer productions have been quite impressive over the past few years and are a must-see for the season, so do not miss out on the upcoming shows.  More details can be found on the official Classical Theatre of Harlem site: LINK

HarlemBespoke.com 2018

SEE: INSIDE THE UNITED PALACE

Tuesday, February 13th, 6:00PM-7:00PM, Historical Tour at United Palace, 4150 Broadway by 175th Street. Get up close and personal where you’ll explore this stunning 3,400-seat theatre, its mezzanine, grand foyer, balcony, exterior, and if you’re lucky, you’ll get to go up on stage!

The history of United Palace, Manhattan’s 4th largest theatre and now a landmarked building, began in 1930, when it was then one of five Loew’s “Wonder Theatres” across the boroughs and New Jersey. Designed by noted architect Thomas Lamb (Cort Theatre, the former Ziegfeld Theatre) with interiors overseen by decorative specialist Harold Rambusch (Waldorf Astoria, Radio City Music Hall), it was one of the region’s premier vaudeville and movie houses. Today, the United Palace is a transformational venue that fuses culture, spirituality and entertainment.   Free, but RSVP required: LINK

SEE: AROUND HARLEM THIS WEEKEND

Keep it all uptown and help out Harlem's great local businesses over the weekend.  Below is the Bespoke list of what is new and notable in the north neighborhoods to try out this upcoming weekend.  

Seeing E-Moves 18 at Harlem Stage at the Gatehouse Theatre:  LINK

Visiting Bo's Bagels on 116th early in the morning before they sell out: LINK

Saturday Morningside Farmers Market at 110th and Manhattan: LINK

Dinner service at Clay on Manhattan Avenue and 123rd Street: LINK 

Grabbing coffee at Little Bean on St. Nicholas and 111th Street: LINK

The new Circa 1970 exhibit at the Studio Museum on 125th Street: LINK

Drinks at the new Honeywell in Hamilton Heights on Broadway: LINK

Eating hand-made tacos at the Oso on Amsterdam and 140th Street: LINK

Checking out the new location of Charle's Pan Fried Chicken on FDB: LINK

Trying out the brunch burger at RDV on FDB by West 112th Street: LINK

Sipping java at the new Harlem Coffee Co. on Lenox by 118th: LINK

Seeing the new cultural photo exhibit at El Museo Del Barrio: LINK

Tacos and tequila at the new La Diagonal on St. Nicholas: LINK

Japanese style crepes at Crepe Master on Fifth Avenue by 125th: LINK

Hanging out at the  Bierstrasse beer garden on 12th Avenue: LINK

Weekend brunch service at Belle on ACP 7th Avenue by 139th Street: LINK

New local brew and pizza at Hop House on FDB and 120th Street: LINK

Checking out the new Harlem Shake location on East 111th Street: LINK

Discovering the East Harlem Bottling Co. on Lexington by 107th Street: LINK

Seafood and craft cocktails at the new B2 Harlem on West 119th: LINK

Trying out southern whiskey at Uptown Bourbon by 152nd Street: LINK

Drinks at the new Alibi lounge on 7th Avenue by 139th Street:  LINK

Trying out burgers at Harlem Burger Co. on FDB and 118th Street: LINK

Slurping up authentic ramen at R.O.K.C on Broadway by 141st Street: LINK

Drinks at the Sunday LGBT Pride Night at Hogshead Tavern: LINK

Brunch or dinner at Sottocasa Pizzeria on Lenox by 121st Street: LINK

Tasting delicious Japanese curry at the new Curry-Ya Uptown: LINK

Eating great Italian at Fumo on Amsterdam and 139th Street: LINK

Destination worthy brunch at Solomon & Kuff on 12th Avenue: LINK

Sunday Brunch at Mountain Bird on East 110th Street: LINK

Tasting incredible Edomae style sushi at Inoue on Lenox and 129th: LINK

SEE: THE FIRST NOEL AT THE APOLLO

From December 10th-18th, The First Noel at the Apollo, 253 West 125th Street between 7th and 8th Avenue.   The Classical Theatre of Harlem, returns to the Apollo Theater and with the Harlem-based holiday musical that crosses genres - from disco to rock to gospel that promises to be a classic for years to come.

The First Noel follows three generations of a family affected by the tragic loss of a loved one, when an unexpected visit reveals some long-absent Christmas joy. It is a story about how a community is healed, one family at a time, as everyday people do extraordinary things to help one another receive the gift of love at Christmas time.

More details and online tickets at the Apollo website: LINK

SEE: AROUND HARLEM THIS WEEKEND

Keep it all uptown and help out Harlem's great local businesses over the weekend.  Below is the Bespoke list of what is new and notable in the neighborhood to try out this week.   

Macbeth premiers at Marcus Garvey Park at Mount Morris Park West: LINK

LGBT Family social at Marcus Garvey Park on Saturday: LINK 

Sugar Hill Market at La Maison d'Art on 132nd Street this Sunday: LINK

Catching up with 80s fashion through the Antonio exhibit at El Museo: LINK

Exploring the Gavin Brown gallery in Manhattanville on Saturdays: LINK

Trying out burgers at Harlem Burger Co. on FDB and 118th Street: LINK

Discovering the Morningside Park Farmers Market on Saturday: LINK

Slurping up authentic ramen at R.O.K.C on Broadway by 141st Street: LINK

Hanging outside at the new Bierstrasse beer garden on 12th Avenue: LINK

More java at the new Hamilton's Bakery on Broadway by 146th Street: LINK

Drinks at the Sunday LGBT Pride Night at Hogshead Tavern: LINK

Eating hand-made tacos at the Oso on Amsterdam and 140th Street: LINK

The Yiddish Theater exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York: LINK

Getting java at ACP Coffee on 7th Avenue by 134th Street:  LINK

Brunch or dinner at Sottocasa Pizzeria on Lenox by 121st Street: LINK

Tasting delicious Japanese curry at the new Curry-Ya Uptown: LINK

Breakfast or lunch at Company on Edgecombe by 158th: LINK

Eating great Italian at Fumo on Amsterdam and 139th Street: LINK

Crepes at Crepe Cafe on Lexington Avenue in East Harlem: LINK

Destination worthy brunch at Solomon & Kuff on 12th Avenue: LINK

Weekend brunch at The Row House on 8th Avenue and 115th Street: LINK

Burgers for dinner at Island Burgers on Broadway by LaSalle Street: LINK

Get affordable takeout at BK French Cuisine on 7th by 128th Street: LINK

Italian takeout at Tuscan Kitchen on 7th Avenue by 136th: LINK

Sunday Brunch at Mountain Bird on East 110th Street: LINK

Brunch or Dinner at Chaiwali on Lenox and 124th: LINK

Tasting incredible Edomae style sushi at Inoue on Lenox and 129th: LINK

Coffee at Monkey Cup on Amsterdam by 146th Street: LINK

Dinner at Babbalucci on Lenox Avenue by 126th Street: LINK

Wood oven pizza at the new Bono trattoria at West 151st: LINK

Lunch or dinner at Clove indian restaurant by 139th Street: LINK

Eating brunch offerings at newly open Serafina Harlem: LINK

Beer and grub at newly open The Drafthouse in Hamilton Heights: LINK

SEE: DANCE NEST AT THE NATIONAL DANCE INSTITUTE

Monday, December 8th, 6:30PM,  DANCE NEST: THE FEET MAKE THE BEAT at National Dance Institute Center for Learning & the Arts 217 West 147th Street,  between 7th and 8th Avenue.  The non-profit organization that has transformed the lives of millions of public school children through the arts, will present the next installment of the series, Jacques’ Art Nest: The Feet Make the Beat performance at NDI’s Harlem state-of-the-art headquarters, exploring the fascinating rhythms from around the globe including Ballet, Tap, Bharatnatyam, and Flamenco.

NDI was founded by legendary New York City Ballet principal dancer Jacques d’Amboise in the belief that the arts have a unique power to engage children and motivate them towards excellence. NDI’s programs reach more that 6,000 children each week in 42 New York City public schools. Tickets are $100, with limited seating available. To purchase tickets, visit:  www.nationaldance.org