Experience Corner Social in Harlem, New York

New York is one of those places that many people know about around the world. There are so many great sites and historic neighborhoods. Whether is it, Chelsea, Tribeca or Harlem, visitors will have a memorable experience in this great city.

Speaking of Harlem, if you are traveling to NYC and are just around the corner why not get a littlesocial and have a great brunch, lunch or dinner with friends and family. You have the pleasure or choosing an appetizing meal when visiting the Corner Social.

After just celebrating their first anniversary in March 2013, Corner Social is a great spot where Harlem Locals, tourists and other visitors take eating and drinking seriously. The eatery is well placed and located at the northwest corner of 126th and Lenox.

In other words, it is dining and drinking destination that embraces the very best of Harlem. There is a warm, inviting, vibrant, pulsing scene. Corner Social offers late night dining, outdoor seating, special DJ nights, in addition to daily lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, a 18-brass tap bar and year round custom catering for events large and small.

As a proud member of the Harlem community, Corner Social sources ingredients from local vendors that serve the community and partners with local organizations that further the interests of the Harlem neighborhoods it serves.

The food was quite delicious as well. There were so many choices on the menu that it was hard to decide. Overall, the experience was a pleasant one and would definitely recommend to others.

For more information on Corner Social in Harlem, visit their website and be sure to tell your friends. You can also check them out on Facebook and Twitter.

Things Do Get Better

As I have talked to many people over the past 4 years after being laid off from a great career for the first time, I still encounter a lot of pain.  When I talk to individuals, I hear fear, anger, frustration and uncertainty.  Truly I do understand having these feelings and emotions but I can also take the time to tell people that it actually does no good.   In fact, feeling this way can even make things worse.  For me, personally I knew deep down that something had to change.  I need to think a different way, but how would I start.  So, I thought about it and decided that maybe I should go back to church, start reading some positive books, watch the OWN Network’s Super Soul Sunday, etc. and I did.

I took my time an found the church that worked for me. and in my downtime, I read positive books, watched positive programs on various channels and each day I began to feel better.  The thing that is funny is that my situation did not change right away, but I started to feel better about life.  I was starting to go to more networking events, invitations on LinkedIn, meeting nice people and I had a better outlook on life.  Now, I will be honest, there were days when I wondered if things would change, but I decided that my attitude did not have anything to do with how things were so I made a choice to be happy and thankful no matter.

Then one day it happened.  Little by little things began to change for the better.  I started getting more interviews and meetings.  It took a little time to get back into the game, but situations continued to change.  As I write, this blog there are even more things happening and I am very excited and know there are more good things to come.  If I had to give advice to anyone, it would be this: Things do get better, and it really can begin to happen when we do something as simple as change our attitude.  It really is up to each individual and hey, what could it hurt?  Be honest with yourself.  Has being negative or pessimistic really been to your benefit.

Just a thought.  Wishing you the best.

Apollo Theater Hosts Africa Now Festival in April 2014

The legendary Apollo theater continues to bring some of the best events around New York City. In April 2014, in collaboration with World Music Institute, presents Africa Now, a four–day music festivalspotlighting today’s African music scene.

This event marks the second annual festival and will feature a powerful and impressive lineup of artists who have drawn upon their roots for inspiration – and transplanted them onto the global music landscape. Africa Now will be anchored by a blow-out concert, April 5th, on the legendary Apollo stage featuring: Malian songstress Fatoumata Diawara; Senegalese trio Les Frères Guissé; and reggae/Afrobeat collective Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars.

As part of the Apollo’s 80th anniversary season, Africa Now Festival further establishes the legendary Theater’s longstanding role as a creative catalyst for Harlem, New York, and the nation and as a platform for culturally diverse artists.

The Apollo Theater recently announced the public phase of a $20 million fundraising campaign to extend the nonprofit institution’s role in fostering artistic innovation, supporting emerging artists, and deepening its engagement with audiences locally, nationally, and internationally. The 21st Century Apollo Campaign supports the growth of a variety of programmatic initiatives, including the Africa Now Festival. The Theater is currently celebrating its 80th anniversary season.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through the Apollo Theater Box Office which is located at 125th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, 212-531-5305 and Ticketmaster, (800) 745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com.

The 10-year Anniversary Party of JI at the Carlton Hotel in New York City

Another exciting party is happening Manhattan on March 23rd. Joint Interest is a multimedia company that is catered to a progressive audience with diverse backgrounds. As the voice and influencer of the New Connected World, Joint Interest is the hub for multicultural and cross-cultural audience who meets at the crossroads of media, lifestyle, and social interaction.

WHAT Jennifer Williams of Basketball Wives Miami hosts: The 10-year Anniversary Party of JI at the Carlton Hotel

WHEN Saturday, March 23, 2013

WHO Christopher Whyte, Jr. and Juanito Fortuno present with the following:

HOST COMMITTEE Dr. Randal Pinkett, Rhodes Scholar, and winner of Donald Trump’s “The Apprentice”, Ron Claiborne, ABC News; Alvin Bowles, CEO, Grab Networks; Brian Benjamin, Young Professionals for Change; Dr. Dennis P. Kimbro, Entrepreneur and author of the best seller Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice; Douglas Holloway, President, Multi-Channel Distribution, ION Media; Ryan Mack, President of The Optimum Institute of Economic Empowerment, Inc.; Tamika Mallory, Executive Director, National Action Network.

WHAT: Joint Interest (JI ) is a network of young multicultural, career-driven men and women who meet at the crossroads of media, lifestyle, and social interaction.™ Founded 2003, in New York City, JI has defined “social networking” as a powerful career tool for over 10 years and today is a multimedia company.

WHERE: Millesime Restaurant inside the Carlton Hotel 88 Madison Avenue, between 28th and 29th Streets, NYC

WHEN RED CARPET PHOTO OPPS: 11 pm-12:30 pm

Doors Open 9pm to 11pm
Music by DJ Goldfinger
Open Bar sponsored by Moscato
Passed hors d’oeuvres

Mirrors Of The Soula by Leah Poller opens at Knox Gallery in NY on April 11, 2013

Knox Gallery is pleased to announce an upcoming exhibition by acclaimed sculptor Leah Poller, entitled “Mirrors of the Soul.” Ms. Poller offers the following description of the inspiration for the upcoming exhibition from April 11 through May 11, 2013.

“The portrait has endured throughout history. However, the radical experimentation that figurative arthas undergone has barely affected the portrait which tends to adhere stubbornly to academic canons. Yet one has only to think of the portraits by Rodin, Brancusi and even the sculptures of Picasso to appreciate the success of this form of modern art. The idea that the portrait should be the “mirror of the soul” was not original to Titian…Giorgione, the most shadowed and inward looking of the Venetian Quattro cento painters had as an ambition to paint people in the act of thinking, to invent signs for internal reflection as well as external show

Recently Knox LaSister of Knox Gallery sat down with Fred Ho, the subject of one of Leah Poller’s portraits, & gallery owner Charles Knox LaSister one afternoon at Knox Gallery on 129th Street in Harlem and found myself in the presence of two dynamic individuals.

Fred is a legendary jazz composer, internationally renowned baritone saxophonist, arranger, band-leader, writer, producer and political activist. As he was sharing tidbits of his artistic endeavors he stated “If I could design my own planet I would.” And this is believable! Fred is friend, mentor, and inspiration to many. This exhibit is an opportunity to see into Fred’s life and spirit through his sculptural portrait by Poller, his books, and a first-time-ever exhibited collection of his finely designed and crafted clothing.

Fred’s portrait named ”Double-Dare” represents the mutuality of both the visual artist and the musical artist to “only wanting to do what no one else dares.” Poller recounts, “In the long process of sharing stories and getting to the inner depths of Fred, he shared with me the meaning of his life, a theme which rings true to both my own processes and my artistic creation.” Ho adds, “As someone highly self-conscious about my legacy due to the reality of stage 4b metastatic cancer, I have been thrilled with Leah’s imagination and desire to imbue and radiate my spirit and energy as the subject of her sculpture. The sittings at her studio townhouse in Harlem have been fun, engaging and challenging”

Michelle Ange, portrait of a young girl, from the Woman Warrior Series. Michelle is a young woman vested with unique powers … strong enough to fly. Yet the feathers of her wings remain in pubescent carapaces, tightly furled to protect her burgeoning beauty.

Poller’s unique approach to the bronze portrait is an amalgam of figurative, and non-figurative, real and sur-real, portraying both the subject and his/her thoughts. The over-arching result as presented in “Mirrors of the Soul” is a series of sensitive and powerful portraits that emanate from a unique subject while expressing the universal.

“I believe that the portrait is not only the likeness of the physical being, but also a spatial positioning of the soul.” – Leah Poller

Paris trained sculptor Poller is known for her internationally exhibited 101 Bed Collection and for her sur-realized portraits. As artist, arts-activist, writer and content editor of New Observations, Poller brings a lifetime career in the arts to Harlem where she lives and works. For information on Leah Poller, visit her website.

RSVP to Mirrors Of The Soul
Portraits by Leah Poller with a special tribute to Fred Ho
Opening Reception: April 11, 6:00-9:00pm
Location: Knox Gallery, 129 W. 129th Street, NY NY 10027
Tel: 855-ART-KNOX (278-5669)
About Knox LaSister

Knox is an urban planner, real estate transactions lawyer, intrepid traveler & gentleman. His work has integrated affordable housing development with job creation, education and training, health and nutrition, art appreciation and education, and sustainable environmental live-ability. “In order for this community to thrive it’s vital that the arts are maintained as an integral part of development. Through the gallery and other community programs I hope to contribute to this mission.”

Singer Marcus Canty Listening Party in NYC

The Box Night Club in New York City was rocking on Wednesday night, March 6th with the listening party for former Xfactor Contestant Marcus Canty.

Just a little over a year after him landing in the top five finalists for the first installment if XFactor, he is delivering his first album to the crowd. The full EP was released on March 5th and immediately was available for a autograph signing on J & R Music in downtown Manhattan.

For the signing, there was a long line of fans available to meet Marcus and got their copy of his first of many CDs. Also, Marcus was number 1 on iTunes on the day of the release which is very impressive for a new artists.

With all the excitement, the listening party was just an extension of the successful start Canty has been having. Performing live, he wowed the crowd with a rendition of Bobby Brown’s song “Every Little Step” and blew the audience away even further with his strong falseto when performing the KateBush/Maxwell’s song entitled “This Woman’s Work.”

Canty also sang a few of his original hits with his popping first single “In & Out” along with “Used by You” which has been a hot song on iTunes.

If this success of Marcus Canty’s listening party is any indication of his career, the world should be expecting to see him for many years to come. For more information on Marcus Canty, visit hiswebsite. He is also on Facebook and Twitter.

Marcus Canty at J&R Music on in NYC on March 5, 2013

Alright, Marcus Canty fans, the time has come and there is good news to share. In just 1, count 1 (ONE) WEEK his debut EP “THIS…Is MARCUS CANTY” drops! To mark this occasion, he is going to be live and in person at J&R Music World in New York City.

Yes, you heard it right! Fans can have the opportunity to meet Marcus face to face and purchase his music. So take the time and celebrate with him at J&R Music NYC on March 5. 2013 in NYC!

Along with meeting Marcus, there is even more fun to be had. From now until that date, Hit Marcus up on Twitter using the hashtag #SonyX and enter to win a pair of Sony X headphones! If you are the lucky winner, this is an even cooler way to enjoy listening to the debut EP.

As most fans of Marcus and XFactor know, Marcus grew up in Palmer Park,Maryland and developed a love for acting, basketball, and singing.

At the ages of 11 and 15, he performed at Harlem’s Apollo Theatre; during his later appearance, he placed second in a competition after singing Trey Songz’ “Gotta Go.” Within a few years, he was opening for national acts such as Bow Wow and Hurricane Chris when their tours hit the Washington, D.C. area.

Now, after paying his dues, he is now getting the opportunity to promote his own material and live a life long dream. So, tell your friends, your classmates and your family to come to J&R Music World at 23 Park Row (2nd Floor) in New York, NY. For more on Marcus, check out his Official Website, follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.