Author: tourist_yp6g7u

There have been a couple of stories on the old Silver Rail Bar just below 125th Street on 8th Avenue in the past but Bespoke readers are the ones who have revealed the forgotten LGBT history at some of Harlem’s establishments in 70s, 80s or 90s.  This block would eventually be demolished for the big glassy Harlem USA complex but before that happened, 2321 8th Avenue became Andre’s which appears to haves been the spot for the gay community to socialize.

Andre’s filled-in where the Silver Rail left off and did very well. Another gay bar on 125th St. was known as Jay’s and lets not forget the Big Apple. All three catered to a particular sub-set within the black gay culture of Harlem. The Big Apple catered to older, middle-aged gay black men while Andre’s was known for its demimonde and Jays catered to everyone else including hustlers.  


We visited each site this week to see what they look like in 2016.  Anyone with more details on the actual dates they were open should comment accordingly or contact: harlembespoke@gmail.com

The archival photo from the Museum of the city of New York shows the west side of 8th Avenue between 124th and 125th Street back in 1948 and the Silver Rail Bar can be seen at center.  Apparently everything was intact in the 90s but by 1996, the $56 million Harlem USA mall complex would cause the demise of the old buildings on the block.  Silver Rail was replaced by Andre’s which was one of the notable LGBT spots in the neighborhood but would eventually transformed into Showman’s Jazz bar.  Showman’s moved a little further west on 125th Street and is still around today but we have yet to find a photo of Andre’s at its height of popularity.   Can anyone advise on the actually timeline?

The other bar mentioned was Jay’s located at 307 West 125th Street which was literally half a block up on the north side of 125th Street.  This old tenement building located just west of FDB has a dollar store and a braid shop upstairs today and sits next to the Bingo hall where quite a few Vogue balls were held in the 80s and 90s.  There is not much about Jay’s to be found online so any information on the time period that the establishment was open would greatly be appreciated.

The Big Apple jazz club debuted at 2300 7th Avenue back in 1934 and the facade would remain at corner of 135th Street until demolition in 2006 to make way for a Popeye’s.  Apparently the club was open for half a century but nobody really has a date on when it shuttered.  Based on past blog comments in regards to recent gay bars in Harlem, the Big Apple might have been one of the establishments open up until 80s or even the 90s.

* This article was originally published here

The LGBTQ+ community came out to celebrate Harlem Pride 2023 on Saturday, June 24. 

The neighborhood’s Pride events stretched along 12th Ave. and featured food, music and informational vendors. Electeds also joined with community members to celebrate the acceptance of the LGBTQ+  community and its achievements.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, D.A. Alvin Bragg, Assembly Member Eddie Gibbs, and Council Member Gale Brewer were all noticeably in attendance. “I could not be prouder to be the governor of a state that is the birthplace of the LGBTQ+ movement,” Gov. Hochul said in an address to the crowd. “And when people in other states are trying to take away the rights of our friends, we have to stand up. We have to stand up and show them who we are in New York––that we will not tolerate that. We’ll call it out, and we’ll shut it down because New York leads and what we’re talking about is moving forward together fearlessly.

“That’s how you get along in New York. You have to be fearless every single day. You have to be tough. You have to stand up to the hatred and the bigotry, and that’s what this celebration is all about.” — Karen Juanita Carrillo

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* This article was originally published here

The number of retail jobs is on the decline in New York City.

According to a report from the Center for an Urban Future (CUF), the city’s retail sector is not recovering from the pandemic in the same way other city jobs have—and the retail sector is one of the main areas young Blacks and Latinos turn to for initial employment.

According to the CUF report, “More than 70 percent of the city’s retail workers are Black, Hispanic, and/or Asian, and over 20% of the retail workforce is under the age of 25,” the CUF report states, and yet there are 11.1% fewer retail jobs in the city than there were in February 2020.

“New York has largely made up for the retail sector’s extended job losses with new employment growth in tech, healthcare, finance, and a handful of other industries, but a permanent loss of roughly 40,000 retail jobs would disproportionately impact New Yorkers of color. The retail sector’s troubles have almost certainly contributed to the widening gap in unemployment among Black and white New Yorkers—10.4% compared with 2.5%.

“To address this employment crisis, city and state policymakers should invest in workforce training and continuing education programs that can help retail workers transition into other industries.”

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* This article was originally published here

Bring your banners and drummers to participate in the Marcus Garvey Parade on Aug. 17. Assemble at 3 p.m. at Marcus Garvey Park (West 124th Street and 5th Ave. in the village of Harlem. The parade starts at 5.30 p.m. 

Call 718-570-7350 for information. 

A reception celebration with a Black business expo and vendors, and a red, black, and green banquet will take place at the Alhambra Ball Room (2116 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.) from 7 p.m. to midnight. For reception tickets, call 929-624-4142 or 347-528-4479.

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* This article was originally published here

The legendary jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer Joe Wilder will soon posthumously receive the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his service as a Montford Point Marine, according to an announcement from James Carr, president of the New York Metropolitan Chapter No. 3 of the Montford Point Marine Association.

The Montford Point Marines were the first Black Americans to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps after President Franklin Roosevelt issued an Executive Order establishing the Fair Employment Practices Commission in June 1941. 

Wilder, who was known as a virtuoso landmark trumpeter, with a career spanning more than five decades, served in the Marines from 1943 to 1946, during World War II. 

The Congressional Gold Medal is bestowed by the United States Congress and is the highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals and institutions.

The Congressional Gold Medal will be presented to the Wilder family during a ceremony at the Schomburg Center on July 17, 2023.

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* This article was originally published here

Mayor Eric Adams, Department of Education (DOE) Chancellor David C. Banks, and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan announced Tuesday that all New York City public schools — from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 — will soon be required to facilitate two-to-five minutes of mindful breathing practices in schools every day. 

The announcement aims to increase physical and mental health, enhance social-emotional learning, and improve New York City public schools’ culture. As part of this initiative, the city has already begun a rollout of a citywide professional development program for educators in mindful breathing practices.  

Yoga and mindfulness integration into school communities addresses and supports significant social and emotional needs of the youngest New Yorkers. Studies show that mindful breathing practices support students’ ability to feel secure and receptive while learning — leaving positive impacts from the integration of these practices into the school experience. 

“We live in a time of toxic social media communities, constant news flashes, and unfiltered alerts, all leaving a toll on the mental health of our students. But, today, it is time for our students to calm their nervous systems down,” said Adams. “Mindful breathing can be done by anyone, anywhere, and anytime. We are proud to announce another promise delivered on from our State of the City speech earlier this year that will soon engage all students in mindful breathing practices. Mindful breathing is another way we are teaching our young people healthy habits that will last a lifetime.” 

The DOE’s Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Preparation Program is the first Yoga Alliance-approved yoga and mindfulness program in a public school system nationwide. Yoga Alliance is the nation’s largest nonprofit association representing the yoga community. The Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Preparation Program is building the capacity of school staff to integrate yoga and mindfulness into DOE public schools to engage students, teachers, and staff. 

“The mental wellbeing of our students is a top priority for New York City public schools. These are the future leaders of tomorrow, and it’s important that our young people have a robust tool belt of practices to guide them inside and outside the classroom,” said Banks. “I’m thrilled that we’re enabling our educators to support our kids in this way, and I look forward to continuing to partner with our school leaders and partners across the city in furthering this essential work.” 

The DOE’s Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Preparation Program is the first Yoga Alliance-approved yoga and mindfulness program in a public school system nationwide. Yoga Alliance is the nation’s largest nonprofit association representing the yoga community. The Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Preparation Program is building the capacity of school staff to integrate yoga and mindfulness into DOE public schools to engage students, teachers, and staff. 

The post Officials announce mindful breathing practices for all NYC public Schools appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.

* This article was originally published here