Culture

Espaillat Calls on District 13 High School Students to Enter Congressional Art Competition

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Congressman Adriano Espaillat, who represents New York’s 13th congressional district (NY-13), released a statement on Thursday, March 4, to encourage high school students throughout New York’s 13th congressional district to submit entries to this year’s Congressional Art Competition.   The national contest is open to high school students from around the district to showcase their artistic talents and provides an opportunity for students to display their winning art in the United States Capitol for up to one year.   Espaillat serves as a national co-host of this year’s art competition, which is open to high school students from around the nation. The


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Upload a Free Dance Video Entry in the “Dare To Dance” Challenge for a Chance to Win $1,000

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  Dance Parade New York is, once again, launching its popular, “Dare to Dance” challenge, inviting choreographers and dance groups to submit videos of newly created work for cash prizes, with winning submissions broadcast during the virtual Dance Parade on Saturday, May 22, 2021, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. EST.  The first place winner, selected by a five-person review committee receives $1,000, $500 for second place and $250 for third place.   The Dare to Dance challenge was launched last year when Dance Parade, an outdoor dance festival which brings together the dance community in New York annually, had


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Teddy Car Dealers Awards Music Grant to Bronx House School of Performing Arts

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Teddy Cars, a car dealership in Nissans and Volkswagens based on Boston Road in the Bronx, is continuing its monthly commitment, which began in 2020, of awarding $20,000 to various music education programs in the Bronx, as part of the Teddy Cars Bronx Music Grant Program.   This month, the recipient is Bronx House School for Performing Arts. Teddy Cars General Manager, Julio Batista, visited Bronx House in December 2019 to see the program in action, first-hand (see the video). “It’s an excellent program,” he said. “At Teddy Cars, we feel strongly about doing things to help the community and


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Black History Month Continues at Lehman College with Poetry & Discussion Series

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  When 22-year-old Amanda Gorman reflected on the fraught state of the country at President Joe Biden’s inauguration with her poem “The Hill We Climb,” she became, in that moment, one of the most visible examples of a rich tradition: Black poets who speak to the urgency of the day, and center African American historical perspectives.   Throughout February, an innovative initiative has been giving the public an opportunity to learn more about that tradition, which stretches back some 250 years, and Lehman College’s Leonard Lief Library has taken a leading role in the effort.   Entitled, “Lift Every Voice: Why African American


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BCC Students Shoot Short Film: “The Essential Bronx: COVID Stories”

By SÍLE MOLONEY
    Like shows on Broadway, live performances by Bronx Community College (BCC)’s Theatre Workshop have been shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, its students found another outlet for their talents in Essential Bronx COVID Stories Part 1, a powerful short film written, performed and shot by the students themselves.   Chronicled over the past year, these unique stories are now available to watch, and the public can get to know the lives of the students affected by the pandemic and experience them recounting their stories of struggle.   Dr. John Socas is director of the workshop at BCC.


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“Shaun Leonardo: The Breath of Empty Space” Virtual Walk-Through at Bronx Museum

By SÍLE MOLONEY
A special virtual walk-through of “Shaun Leonardo: The Breath of Empty Space” exhibition is currently on view in the Bronx Museum’s North Gallery. Shaun Leonardo will be joined by the exhibition’s curator, John Chaich, for an in-depth look at the exhibition and the artist’s process on Thursday, Feb. 25, between 1 and 2 p.m. Following the tour, the public is invited to ask questions and have a robust public conversation with both the artist and the curator. Register in advance HERE to receive the link to join.

Empire State Building to be Lit in Red, Black & Green in Honor of Black History Month

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Fashion For All Foundation (FFA), founded by Hannah Stoudemire and Ali Richmond, have partnered with the NAACP NY State Chapter in lighting the Empire State Building in red, black and green (colors that represent the Pan African Flag) in honor of Black History Month 2021. According to the organization, it is the second year in a row that FFA has had the honor to light up the building, and the lighting will take place on Thursday Feb. 25. The Empire State Building will be lit for one evening only, starting at dusk (at 6:07 p.m.) and will shine all evening and


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NYC Parks Presents “Honoring Black History: The Parks Naming Project” Panel Discussion

By SÍLE MOLONEY
In celebration of Black History Month, NYC Parks will host a virtual panel discussion focused on the ongoing effort to name park spaces in honor of the Black experience. The discussion, entitled, “Honoring Black History: The Parks Naming Project” will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 6 to 7 p.m.   NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, a fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners, will be the panel moderator and the panel will discuss the agency’s work to incorporate Black history into the fabric of New York City and make the park system more diverse and reflective


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Commissioner Mostofi Welcomes Introduction of New Citizenship Act, Warns of Potential Scams

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bitta Mostofi, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, issued a statement, on Feb. 18, in response to U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (D-CA) unveiling the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021.   The bill would create a pathway to citizenship for approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants, most of whom have been long-standing, essential members of various U.S. communities. The bill also places a strong emphasis on the integration of immigrants by increasing access to citizenship, strengthening labor protections, addressing naturalization and other backlogs, expanding access to legal counsel, providing grants for legal services, expanding caps


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