Culture

Bronx Native American Festival Delights Attendees

By MIRIAM QUIÑONES
The Annual Bronx Native American Festival was held at Pelham Bay Park in the Northeast Bronx on Sunday, Sept. 25, and was hosted by Bobby Gonzales.   It comprised music; colorful, costumed dancers; food and face-painting, and brought broad smiles to the faces of those in attendance.   Gonzales said The Bronx is Native American country. “There will always be a celebration of native cultures of the Americas here, north, south, central and the Caribbean,” he said.   The Thunderbird American Indian Dancers, Tchin, and Grupo Higuayagua (Taino) took part in “The Eagle Dance.” According to the dancers, this is a dance ritual practiced by some American


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UPDATE Neighborhood Notes: DV Awareness Month, High School Admissions Test, Heat Season & More!

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  GoFundMe Page for Bedford Congregational Church Residents are being kindly asked to donate to support the upgrading of the heating system at Bedford Congregational Church, located at 309 East 201st Street in Bedford Park. Founded in 1889 and a designated landmark since 2000, the church is a 501c3 charity and provides space for local support groups battling addictions, as well as other congregations. A replacement oil tank is needed before the water pipes freeze and burst. To donate, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/warm-hearts-cold-church.   Alternate Side Parking Alternate Side Parking regulations will be suspended Monday-Tuesday, October 17-18 in observance of  Shemini Atzereth and Simchas Torah.


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UPDATE Out & About: A Hispanic Culture Celebration, Fun Fair/Flea Market & More!

Editor’s Pick A Community & Connections Social will be held in the Williamsbridge Oval in Norwood on Saturday, Oct. 8, from noon to 4 p.m. with food, fun and friends. RSVP here.   Friends of Parkland are hosting a Fall / Halloween event on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. See attached flier below for more details.   The 21st Annual Fall Festival takes place on Oct. 22, 2022. See attached flier below for more information.   Halloween Costume Bash A Halloween Costume Bash is being held on Mosholu Avenue in North Riverdale on Saturday, Oct. 29. See attached flier below for


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NWBCCC Pushes for Local Input on Kingsbridge Armory’s Next Phase

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
This following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition.   Members of the Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC) were back organizing, yet again, to ensure residents living in the shadow of the majestic Kingsbridge Armory have a say in how the iconic, city-owned structure will finally be used, following news that the latest proposal has reportedly been shelved. Community members came from all over The Bronx for a recent rally, though most were from the Armory’s surrounding area.   As reported at length previously, developers behind the most recent proposal, the


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Bronx Symphony Orchestra’s 2022-23 Season Opens Oct. 23 with Free Concerts at Lehman College

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Described as a true champion of Bronx arts, conductor and artistic director, Michael Spierman, returns with the opening performance of the 2022-23 season with the Bronx Symphony Orchestra on Sunday Oct. 23, at the orchestra’s home base of Lehman College. Kicking off at 3 p.m. with a program by Haydn, Mendelssohn and Rossini, the orchestra, founded over 50 years ago, will give a number of performances in The Bronx, which will be free to the public. This is due to the company’s mission to make classical music concerts, performed by first-rate musicians, available to people of all economic levels, allowing them experience the


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DSNY’s “Trucks of Art” Program Highlights Sustainability and Honors New York’s Essential Workers

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has announced a revival of its art program, “Trucks of Art,” which offers New York artists the opportunity to creatively paint a garbage collection truck.   “Trucks of Art” is open to all artists – professional, amateur and aspiring. Priority will be given to proposals that encourage New Yorkers to use litter baskets and recycling, or those that honor DSNY’s essential workers. To promote sustainability, artists are challenged with using paints that would otherwise be discarded or recycled.   Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said DSNY’s fleet is part of the cityscape. “We’re


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Da’ Block Music & Arts Festival Showcases The Multiple Talents of the Bronx

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
  The Bronx has no shortage of musical performers looking for opportunities to showcase their talents on stage. On Saturday, Aug. 27, the inaugural “Da’ Block Music & Art Festival” will take place at The Bronx Brewery, located at 856 East 136th Street in the Port Morris section of the borough.   Described in a press release as “the first major music festival in The Bronx,” organizers hope it will “empower local music in the borough, create a safe space for culture, and provide a platform for the local community to build a lasting creative legacy.”   The festival is


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District 14 City Council Member Pierina Sanchez Hosts Summer Block Party

By MIRIAM QUIÑONES
District 14 City Council Member Pierina Sanchez hosted a community block party on Morris Avenue between 181st Street and Burnside Avenue in Fordham Heights on Saturday, July 30, 2022, from 12 noon to 4 p.m., with free food, music and access to various resources.   As the event took place during the summer heatwave, some kids were seen cooling off with water sprayed from a nearby fire hydrant. Meanwhile, members of the City’s test and trace taskforce gave out goodie bags, including test kits and other health-related resources, and a number of other elected officials also made an appearance on


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Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center Hosts the 5th Annual Open House Street Festival on Sept. 17

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center, a hub for arts education and instruction in the Northeast Bronx, will host a day of celebration, open and free to all with performances, music, and family fun on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Open House Street Festival, now in its fifth year, will usher in the new 2022-2023 season at the center, and the event will include indoor and outdoor activities onsite at Mind-Builders, located at 3415 Olinville Avenue in Olinville.   Organizers of the festival said, “This year’s festival will feature special performances from the organization’s dance ensemble, music


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