By Jeff Mays, Ben Fractenberg, Paul Lomax, Sonja Sharp and Tom Liddy
DNAinfo Staff
MANHATTAN — President Barack Obama arrived in Manhattan Wednesday night for a series of fundraisers on the Upper East Side and Harlem — the latest in a string of visits to the Big Apple for the Commander-in-Chief.
The trip left some New Yorkers hoping to get a glimpse of the president, while others seemed to barely notice.
"I’m surprised. I thought there would be more people. I guess it’s too cold for people to hang out," said Ade Berri, 30, of the Upper East Side, who at one point was the only person waiting to see Obama at the upscale East 65th Street restaurant Daniel, where he attended a dinner with Jewish leaders.
"Since I’m the only one standing here, a lot of people thought I was part of the Secret Service."
Chelsea resident Chris Christian, 68, was disappointed that he didn't get to join in the festivities at the Upper East Side restaurant.
"He should have invited me," he said.
The president flew into JFK Airport at 4:15 p.m. and hopped on a chopper over to Randall's Island instead of the Wall Street heliport to avoid tying up traffic during rush hour.
After that, Obama took a whirlwind tour of the Upper East Side before heading up to the famed Apollo Theater for a star-studded concert.
The president first dropped in at Daniel Boulud's famed eatery, off Park Avenue to reportedly meet with Jewish leaders at a reception, with tickets ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. There was also a second event for 60 guests who dished out at least $15,000, according to reports.
“When I think back to the last three years, I could not be prouder of what we’ve been able to do” the president told attendees, which included Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
Obama headed to the Upper East Side townhouse of Spike Lee and his wife Tonya Lee Lewis for a reception that was expected to draw about 45 guests, each paying $38,500, according to the campaign.
From there, the president headed to the Apollo Theater for a concert in front of 1,400 people performed by Al Green and India.Arie. The president himself belted out the opening lines of Green's "Let's Stay Together," sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Among those in attendance was Rep. Jerrold Nadler, who brushed off criticism of Obama's accomplishments and described the mood inside the theater as celebratory.
“Maybe he could have done more if he was a miracle worker,” said the congressman, who was also joined at the event by Rep. Charles Rangel and New York County Democratic Party Chair and Assemblyman Keith Wright.
Outside the theater, more than 50 Occupy Wall Street protesters gathered, chanting "We are the 99 percent!"
Heated arguments occasionally broke out.
"I'm disappointed in you, Obama," said Pedro Armendarez, 70, an OWS protester who argued with Obama supporters.
"It cost $200 to get in. Most people in this neighborhood can't afford that. This is an oppressed community."
Christina Gonzalez, 25, another member of Occupy Wall Street, said Obama should be in Harlem speaking out against the NYPD's stop-and-frisk policy.
"Why can he come to Harlem to hold a fundraiser, but not talk about the hundreds of thousands of black and brown people being unjustly harassed by police in places like Harlem?" she asked.
Obama entered the Apollo from 126th Street between Frederick Douglass Boulevard and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and did not make an appearance at the theater's 125th Street entrance.
He left just after 11 p.m. Protesters and supporters alike were disappointed.
"I wish I could have seem him just for a second," said Shirley Jones, 71, a retired registered nurse and Obama supporter. "He's a good president who means what he says."
Other Obama supporters agreed, saying the protesters were off base.
"He inherited this mess. As much as Republicans want to turn it on him and make it like it's his fault, it's not," said Delia Vasquez, 51, a student studying for her bachelor's degree.
At the Apollo fundraiser, Obama, with a large American flag in the background, took the stage to chants of "four more years."
"He talked about all of his accomplishments from healthcare to saving the auto industry in Detroit and education," said attendee Jennifer Owens, a corporate paralegal from Jersey City.
With a nod to this year's election cycle, the president also touched on the current Republican primary race.
"In 2008, the Republican nominee wasn’t a climate change-denier," President Obama said, alluding to the fact that the GOP had shifted far to the right in the years since he took office.
Obama also mentioned Osama bin Laden. He received periodic standing ovations during his remarks.
“If you want to end the cynicism and the game playing and the point scoring (that) passes for politics these days, you’ve got to send a message," he said.
Tickets for the sold-out event ranged from $100 to $25,000.
With Pool Reporting
