New York City Beaches Reopen for Summer 2023

By SÍLE MOLONEY

NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue announced earlier this week that the City’s eight public beaches are open for swimming effective Saturday, May 27, and will remain open through Sunday, Sept. 10. Lifeguards will be on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and swimming is unsafe and strictly prohibited at all other times. “Our city’s waterfront is a vital part of summer for New Yorkers,” said Donoghue. “It’s a place to cool off, kick back, and relax, and we’re committed to making sure that all of our beaches are clean, safe, attractive destinations. There’s so much to do

Editor’s Note: Check back for more updates as we add more events. Editor’s Pick The Bangladeshi Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA) will celebrate and honor Bangladeshi culture through Bengali folk dance and music on Saturday, June 3, at 2 p.m. in the Williamsbridge Oval park at 3225 Reservoir Oval in Norwood. (Rain Date: June 4) Don’t miss out on a thrilling showcase. This in-person event is free and open to all, and no RSVP is required. EVENTS The South Bronx Culture Festival 2023: Mi Cultura Viva en Mí will take place from June 2 to 4 at Father

By SÍLE MOLONEY

LEGOLAND® Discovery Center, Westchester is starting its biggest mini LEGO® competition as kids across the Tri-State area build their way to be crowned Westchester’s mini master model builder. LEGOLAND officials said children aged 5 to 10 are invited to submit their best original LEGO creations online for their chance to be selected for the live Mini Master Model Builder competition on Saturday, June 3, from 11 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester. Of all contestants entering, officials said only 10 will be selected to participate in the competition, which will be judged by Master Model Builder

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Lehman Center for the Performing Arts presents the spectacular, multi-media, live performance honoring Michael Jackson, described as the greatest entertainer of all time in “Invincible: A Tribute to Michael Jackson,” on Saturday, May 27, at 8 p.m. The show’s promoters said producer Darrin Ross searched all over the world to find people that could sing and dance like Michael and worked closely with them to perfect this vision of what is described “as a one of a kind spectacular tribute show that truly captures the essence of Michael Jackson.” Promoters say Invincible star artists, Jeffrey Perez (singing Michael) and

By SÍLE MOLONEY & MIRIAM QUIÑONES

Bronx kids and teens joined Broadway performers, including Lexi Lawson and Samantha Williams and Keren Abreu for a special event, Empowering Youth Through Songwriting and Performance, at Montefiore Medical Center earlier this month to address the teen mental health crisis. Hear Your Song, a nonprofit that empowers children and teens who live with serious illness and complex health needs to make their voices heard through collaborative songwriting, teamed up with Montefiore, described by Montefiore officials as a leading academic medical center, for the event at the center, located at 110 East Gun Hill Road in Norwood, on May 3. The two organizations

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Disney animated movie, “Encanto,” was screened on Thursday, May 18, in the Williamsbridge Oval park in Norwood from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. by NYC Department of Parks & Recreation in conjunction with District 11 City Councilman Eric Dinowitz. The councilman represents the neighborhoods of Bedford Park, Kingsbridge, Norwood, Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Van Cortlandt Village, Wakefield, and Woodlawn. “DC League of Super-Pets” had been screened by Parks and the councilman on Wednesday evening, May 17, in Indian Field, East 233rd Street and Jerome Avenue in Van Cortlandt Park, southwest of Woodlawn Heights. Meanwhile, Parks and District 14 City

By DAVID GREENE

Mothers and other visitors to Jerome Garden Plaza enjoyed an afternoon of free music and giveaways on Saturday, May 13, as the Jerome Gun Hill Business Improvement District (BID) held its annual Mothers’ Day celebration. Held inside plaza, located at East Mosholu Parkway North and Jerome Avenue in Norwood, the free event featured a live band, a sketch artist, and giveaways. Daniela Beasley, executive director of the BID, said, “This event is part of a spring event series that’s funded by the New York City Small Business Services. They gave the BID a small BID grant and so we’re

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the shorter annual Bronx Week Parade and its move from Mosholu Parkway to Grand Concourse between 167th Street and 158th Street. “Why did they move it? I actually attended the parade a couple of years ago when I was a part of Peace December, where peaceful artists came together, and I attended the festival. I think it’s better now that they moved it by the courthouse. I think it has to do with the protection there because things can happen with all these young kids nowadays and people, in general, doing

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Described by one speaker as a room filled with love, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson joined Bronx Tourism Council, the Bronx Economic Development Corporation, Montefiore Hospital, Essen Health Care, and other community partners to kick-off Bronx Week 2023 at the new Bronx Children’s Museum in the South Bronx on Monday, May 8. The highlight of the event was the announcement of the 2023 Bronx Walk of Fame inductees. “Bronx Week is our marquee event of the year meant to celebrate everything that makes the Bronx a beautiful place to live, work and raise a family,” said Gibson. “Following

Norwood News

Serving Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights

Entertainment

New York City Beaches Reopen for Summer 2023

UPDATE Out & About: Pride Month, Bronx Taste of Africa, Juneteenth, Caribbean Festival & More!

LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Westchester Searches for 2023 Mini Master Model Builder

Michael Jackson Tribute Show Comes to Lehman Center

Broadway Stars & Bronx Youth Harmonize at Montefiore, Addressing Teen Mental Health Crisis

“Movies Under the Stars” are Back! For Now, Wrapping Up Snugly is Recommended

Jerome Gun Hill BID Hosts Mother’s Day Celebration

Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the Bronx Week Parade Moving to the Grand Concourse

Bronx Walk of Fame Inductees Unveiled at Bronx Week 2023 Launch