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Out & About: Mother’s Day, Silent Disco, 50 Years of Hip Hop Show, Theater in the Oval & More!

KIDS ENJOY FACE PAINTING and arts & crafts at the annual Easter celebration in the Williamsbridge Oval Park on Saturday, April 8, 2023. Photo by Síle Moloney

Editor’s Note: Check back for more updates as we add more events. 

 

Editor’s Pick

Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, in association with Sal Abbatiello of Fever Records, celebrates the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop on Saturday, May 6, at 8 p.m. with the Hip Hop Fever 2023 concert. Click here for more details.

 

EVENTS

The New York Botanical Garden is celebrating Earth Month throughout April, culminating with a weekend of activities, including learning opportunities, tours, demonstrations, and more on Earth Day Weekend, commencing Friday, April 22, the annual global event to support environmental protection. Monitor the progress of the blossoms of NYBG’s daffodil, magnolia, cherry, and azalea collections with our Bloom Trackers as you plan your visit for Earth Day Weekend and throughout the spring. For more information, click here.

 

Bronx Young Democrats and District 11 City Councilman Eric Dinowitz will be hosting a “ Build On” community fun day in the Williamsbridge Oval in Norwood on Wednesday, April 26. See attached flier below for more information.

FLIER FOR BUILD on event in the Williamsbridge Oval park in Norwood on April 26, 2023.
Flier courtesy of the event organizers

An event at Lehman College entitled, Freedom to Read: Celebrating Banned Books takes place on May 3, 2023. See attached flier below for more information.

FREEDOM TO READ: Celebrating Banned Books takes place on May 3, 2023.
Flier courtesy of Lehman College

 

The 2nd Annual Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu Street Fair takes place on Sunday, May 7. See attached flier below for more details.

THE 2ND ANNUAL Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu Street Fair takes place on Sunday, May 7.
Flier courtesy of Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu Street Fair

As part of the Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day on April 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the area between 147th Street and 148th Street and St Willis Avenue / Roberto Clemente Plaza will be car fee. For more information, visit http://nyc.gov/carfreenyc.

FLIER FOR CAR free Earth Day
Flier courtesy of the event sponsors

 

Neighborhood Initiatives Development Corporation (NIDC) NY is celebrating 40 years Building in The Bronx on May 10. See attached flier below for more details.

NIDC is celebrating 40 years building the Bronx on May 10, 2023.
Flier courtesy of the event sponsors

 

Bronx Arts Ensemeble is celebrating 51 Years of Moving Arts Forward on May 4. See attached flier below for more details.

 

BRONX ARTS ENSEMBLE is celebrating 51 years of moving arts forward on May 4, 2023.
Flier courts of Bronx Arts Ensemble

 

NYC Imagine is hosting a premier event that shines a spotlight on the nonprofit sector on October 17, 2023. See attached flier for more details.

NYC Imagine is hosting a premier event that shines a spotlight on the nonprofit sector on October 17, 2023.
Flier courtesy of NYC Imagine

 

Bronx River Alliance is hosting an Open House during Earth Week 2023 on Saturday, April 22. See attached flier below for more information.

BRONX RIVER ALLIANCE is hosting an open house during Earth Week 2023 on Saturday, April 22.
Flier courtesy of Bronx River Alliance

 

Soundview Public Library is hosting a Bronx History event on Arts, Cultures and Spaces in The Bronx on Mondays, starting at 3 p.m. on Google Meets. See attached flier below for more information.

SOUNDVIEW LIBRARY IS hosting a Bronx History event on Arts, Cultures and Spaces in the Bronx on Mondays, starting at 3 p.m. on Google Meets.
Flier courtesy of NYC Parks

 

Rosa’s at the Park Bronx Launch Party will take place on May 6. See attached flier below for more details.

ROSA’S AT THE Park will hold a Bronx Launch Party on May 6, 2023.
Flier courtesy of the event sponsors

The Bronx Night Market, a vibrant community event that celebrates the values of inclusivity, diversity, and local entrepreneurship comes back for its 6th season, starting Saturday, April 29. The long-awaited Bronx Night Market returns to Fordham Plaza, bringing together over 50 diverse vendors, live performances, and a cultural extravaganza. Visitors are invited to experience the market magic on the last Saturday of each month from 1 pm to 7 p.m. until October. With a diverse array of international cuisine, live music, and captivating performances, visitors will immerse themselves in the bustling energy of the market. More information can be found here.

 

April is Jazz Heritage Month! Woodlawn Cemetery is known for its Jazz Corner where many jazz giants are at rest. Join Woodlawn’s Jazz Heritage Trolley Tour on Saturday, April 29, at 2 p.m. to view the unique monuments and honor the legacies of jazz greats Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Illinois Jacquet, and Lionel Hampton, among other notables. Visit https://www.woodlawn.org/conservancy/tours-events/ for more information.

 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson in conjunction with the Bronx Interfaith Council will host a National Day of Prayer on May 4. See attached flier below for details.

 

NATIONAL DAY OF prayer flier 
Flier courtesy of the Office of the Bronx Borough President

 

On select Friday nights from April to September, the Intrepid Museum in Manhattan opens its doors for free (tickets are usually $36), allowing visitors to explore the museum and enjoy free after-hours programming. Free Fridays run on the last Friday of the month (April 28, June 30, July 28, August 25, September 29). Visit intrepidmuseum.org for more details.

 

Applications are open for the 4th Annual Brandon Hendricks scholarship. Click here for more details.

 

A number of citywide events highlighting Black Excellence can be found on eventbrite.

 

Van Cortlandt Park Nature Center is open every Saturday and Sunday. See attached flier below for more information.

VAN CORTLANDT PARK Nature Center is open every Saturday and Sunday.
Flier courtesy of NYC Parks

New York Botanical Garden (NYBG)’s Bronx Neighbors Program offers free Grounds-Only Admission to Bronx Residents Tuesday to Sunday and Monday federal holidays, offering the local community access to nature in their backyard, programs for the whole family, and more. Get your tickets online now, or learn more about other ways to receive your FREE Bronx Resident Grounds-Only admission ticket. Up to 6 tickets per transaction.

  • 250 acres to explore year-round
  • The largest surviving old-growth forest in New York City
  • Two family gardens for hands-on exploration
  • Free mobile guides with audio tours, videos, and special content!

 

Want to work with other writers? Commit to a writing schedule? Practice your craft through writing prompts? Receive and discuss information and tips on writing, reading, editing, and revising? Join the weekly meetings of the Kingsbridge Writing Circle, held online at the Kingsbridge Library every Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon. Share your unpublished drafts in an intimate setting. Get and give feedback. Writers of all genres and styles are welcome to participate. The program is for those aged 18 and up. You must register to receive the Google Meet meeting code which will be emailed the day before. Register here.

 

Friends of Devoe Park are seeking artists for a Cultural Expressions Installment Program. See attached flier for more details.

FRIENDS OF DEVOE Park are seeking artists for a Cultural Expressions Installment Program. 
Flier courtesy of Friends of Devoe Park

 

Applications of the Fresh Air Fund’s summer camp are now open. See attached flier for more details. See also our recent story on the Fresh Air Fund’s Junior Camp in honor of The Bronx’s Lesandro “Junior” Guzman Feliz.

 

APPLICATIONS FOR THE Fresh Air Fund’s summer camp are now open.
Flier courtesy of the Fresh Air Fund.

 

Bronx Arts Space is calling on artists to apply for the Giving Light / BID exhibition. See attached flier below for more information.

BRONX ARTS SPACE is calling on artists to apply for the Giving Light / BID exhibition. See attached flier below for more information. 
Flier courtesy of Bronx Arts Space

Free Earth Day events are being held at the National Museum of the American Indian in Manhattan. Click here for more details.

 

Applications are open for the People’s Choice Award in education as part of the Bronx Walk of Fame 2023 inductions. See attached flier for more information.

APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN for the People’s Choice Award in education as part of the Bronx Walk of Fame 2023 induction.
Flier courtesy of the sponsors

 

Friends of Devoe Park are hosting a Pollinator Garden event at 10 a.m. on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22 in the park. They will spring clean and remove harmful species, do some ground preparation and sew native pollinator seeds, welcome spring flowers planted last fall, and give an iNaturalist presentation. All ages are welcome, including kids. Tools and gloves are provided.

 

The Orchid Show: Natural Heritage continues through Sunday, April 23, 2023 at the New York Botanical Garden. Acclaimed artist, Lily Kwong, the designer for The Orchid Show’s 20th year, presents a meditative and captivating design inspired by her ancestral connections to the natural world. Kwong’s vibrant and fantastical vision will envelop visitors in thousands of orchids, allowing them to reconnect to nature amidst picture perfect beauty. Be immersed in a mesmerizing array of orchids, enfolded into rolling mountains throughout the historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, and feel enwrapped in this one-of-a-kind experience. On select nights, to be announced, adults 21 and over can experience the exhibition through Orchid Nights, with music, cash bars, and food available for purchase.

 

The orchid expert is in every Saturday and Select Sundays (April 23), from noon to 4 p.m. in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. On select weekend dates, learn about The New York Botanical Garden’s renowned orchid collection from NYBG horticulture staff. These drop-in sessions provide opportunities to meet the stewards behind the orchid collection and learn how these flowering plants are cared for and cultivated. Visit New York Botanical Garden for more details.

 

“Picking Up the Pieces” is a new wellness forum for the LGBTQ+ community, a safe space to have supportive, group discussions. The group meets on Mondays at 5 p.m. at 448 East 149th St (3rd Floor) Bronx, NY 10455, in conjunction with Destination Tomorrow and moderated by Yahaira Gonzalez. 

PICKING UP THE pieces is a new wellness forum for the LGBTQ+ community, a space space for group discussions which take place at 448 East 149th Street each Monday at 5 p.m. in conjunction with Destination Tomorrow. 
Flier courtesy of Destination Tomorrow

Dyckman Discussions: Slavery in Greater New York will take place on Saturday, May 6, at 2 p.m. at the Hispanic Society Museum Museum and Library at Dyckman House. See attached flier for more details.

 

Dyckman Discussions: Slavery in Greater New York will take place on Saturday, May 6, at 2 p.m. at the Hispanic Society Museum Museum and Library at 613 W 155th St, New York, NY 10032.
Flier courtesy of Dyckman House

 

A Mother’s Day tribute writing workshop will be held on Saturday, May 13, in the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center. See attached flier below for more information.

 

A MOTHER’S DAY tribute writing workshop will be held on Saturday, May 13, in the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center.
Flier courtesy of NYC Parks

 

A Weird Science Fair will be held on Tuesday, May 23, in the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center. See attached flier below for more details.

A WEIRD SCIENCE fair will be held on Tuesday, May 23, in the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center.
Flier courtesy of NYC Parks

A Bring It Talent Show will be held on Friday, June 9, in the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center. See attached flier below for more details.

 

A BRING IT talent show will be held on Friday, June 9, in the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center.
Flier courtesy of NYC Parks

INCLUDEnyc fosters positive futures and enhances the quality of life for young people with any disability from birth to age 26 and their families in New York City. The organization promotes access to educational, employment, and independent living opportunities for young people, and advocate with families for meaningful inclusion in the broader community. Share your experiences, struggles, and successes as parents of children with disabilities. For a list of upcoming workshops and events, both online and in person, click here.

 

For those interested in English for Speakers of Other Languages classes, BronxWorks are accepting students. Contact program coordinator, Cheyla Perez, at cperezduran@bronxworks.org or (718) 508 3112 for more information.

 

Norwood Community Library, a mobile library, arranges pop-up library booths around The Bronx and also has a permanent library box located in front of the Keeper’s House at 3440 Reservoir Oval East, Bronx, NY 10467. For more details, check out our previous story on the group. The library also meets regularly as a book club.

 

Woodlawn Heights Library hosts The Crochet & Knitting Social Club on April 18, May 16, and June 20. See attached flier for more information.

 

WOODLAWN HEIGHTS LIBRARY presents The Crochet & Knitting Social Club on April 18, May 16 and June 20.
Flier courtesy of Woodlawn Heights Library

Norwood Farmstand Compost sessions are held in conjunction with Grow NYC on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at East Gun Hill Road and Dekalb Avenue in Norwood. See attached flier below for details.

 

NORWOOD FARMSTAND COMPOST sessions will be held on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at E Gun Hill Rd & Dekalb Avenue.
Flier courtesy of Grow NYC

 

DANCE

Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, located at 250 Bedford Park Blvd W, Bronx, NY 10468, in association with OZ Productions, International Concerts and Love Productions, presents the world-class, State Ballet of Georgia, on Sunday, April 16, at 6 p.m. Led by Nina Ananiashvili, a native of Georgia and a former Bolshoi prima ballerina, the State Ballet Of Georgia will present their triple bill “Mostly B“: Serenade, with choreography by George Balanchine and music by P. I. Tchaikovsky; Concerto Barocco, with choreography by George Balanchine, and music by J. S. Bach; and Sagalobeli, with choreography by Yuri Possokhov, to Georgian folk music. Tickets can be purchased by calling (718) 960-8833 or online at https://www.lehmancenter.org/events.

 

A Social Salsa Disco Night will be held on April 22 in Parkchester. See attached flier below for details.

A SOCIAL SALSA Disco Night will be held on April 22 in Parkchester. See attached flier below for details.

 

NYC Parks will host a Silent Disco will be held on Wednesday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center at 3225 Reservoir Oval East in Norwood. This event is free and open to the public and headphones will be provided. See attached flier below for more details.

 

A SILENT DISCO will be held on Wednesday, April 26, in the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center.
Flier courtesy of NYC Parks

Free Dance/Movement Classes are available in public schools and senior centers in The Bronx, sponsored by Dance Parade. The annual Dance Parade (May 20 this year) advocates dance and movement for everyone, and is happy to make available these free classes under the supervision of Carlye Eckert. If you would like to observe a class, or get out your dancing shoes and participate, you are welcome to join a class at Bronx Arena High School in Soundview on Wednesdays from 2 to 3 p.m. (Break Dance) with Victor Alicea. Visit www.danceparade.org for more information.

The Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance (BAAD!) hosts the 22nd Annual BOOGIE DOWN DANCE SERIES (2023) from April 21 to May 30 at BAAD!, 2474 Westchester Avenue in the Westchester Square section of The Bronx. With a diverse line-up of events, the BOOGIE DOWN DANCE SERIES promises to showcase the vibrant artistic community of the borough Bronx. This year’s series will open with the BRIO All Star Dance Concert, featuring previous BRIO (Bronx Recognizes Its Own) award winners and the BAAD! Bunny Dance Compilation, a curation of pieces by local choreographers set to the music of Puerto Rican megastar and ally, Bad Bunny.

 

In the spirit of Sankofa, Dancing While Black’s three-part series: Past, Present, and Future, will honor the work and visions of artists who are shepherding Black dance and performance hubs across the United States. Make It Happen: An Alice Teirstein Memorial will celebrate the legacy of the New York dance icon, In Scena! Italian Theater Festival NY will present Little Funerals, and finally, BOOGIE DOWN DANCE will come to a close with the New York premiere screening of ¡FENOMENAL! ROMPEFORMA 1989—1996, co-sponsored by CENTRO, The Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College.

 

The events will take place in a combination of in-person, virtual-only, and hybrid formats, meaning some events will be accessible online via live stream. Ticket prices range from free to $20. BAAD! offers discounts to students and seniors, and free admission to residents of 10474 and 10461 zip codes. For ticketing and additional information, visit BAAD!’s website: www.BAADBronx.org.

Local kids face off with each other as part of a monthly dance battle series at Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center in Olinville each month, with the chance to win cash prizes. The next monthly dance battle will take place on May 6 from 6.45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Register to battle here, for the chance to win $100-$200.Click here to read our recent story on the dance series.

 

MUSIC

Tara’s smokin’ hot, authentic Bluegrass Jam takes place at The Punch Bowl in Kingsbridge on Friday, April 21, 2023.
See attached flier below for more details.

TARA’S SMOKIN’ HOT, authentic Bluegrass Jam takes place at The Punch Bowl in Kingsbridge on Friday, April 21, 2023.
Flier courtesy of Tara’s

A Bronx Opera in Performance event will be held on Saturday, April 22, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lucius T Wasserman Auditorium at The Bronx House, 990 Pelham Parkway South, Bronx, NY 10461. Program: New York City-based opera companies and/or artists performing highlights of upcoming opera productions. Participants include Bronx Opera, International Brazilian Opera Company, Manhattan Opera Repertory Ensemble, Encompass New Opera Theatre, Little Opera Theatre of NY with Harlem Opera Theater, SAS Performing Arts Company and Studios, Inc., Opera Praktikos featuring non-hearing actress Amelia Hensley in collaboration with mezzo-soprano Shanley Horvitz, and more. For tickets and more information and to reserve, visit NYoperaalliance.org.

 

An Opera Salon + Jam will be held at Bronx Music Heritage Center, 1303 Louis Nine Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10459, on Sunday, April 23, from 2 p.m. to  4.30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. There is a suggested donation of $5-$10. Join the Bronx Opera community and bring your own instruments for an improv opera jam. For more information and to sign up, visit NYoperaalliance.org.

A free concert with The Bardekova Ensemble will be held in the Williamsbridge Oval on Friday, April 28. See attached flier for more information.

A FREE CONCERT with The Bardekova Ensemble will be held in the Williamsbridge Oval on Friday, April 28, 2023.
Flier courtesy of the event organizers and Music Performance Trust Fund

Live from the New York Botanical Garden: Bloom Thru by ADÀI performs as part of Orchid Night sessions April 15 and 22 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets for non-member adults (21+) are $39, and for patron/member adults (21+), they are $29. During The Orchid Show: Natural Heritage, adults 21 and over can experience the exhibition through Orchid Nights, with music, cash bars, and food available for purchase in the Conservatory Plaza.

 

Internationally acclaimed musician, ADÀI, invites you into the bright and bold world of The Orchid Show: Natural Heritage with a mix of high-energy, contemporary beats, vocals, and instrumentals. Featuring singer/DJ ADÀI, with musicians and dancers, Bloom Thru is a 45-minute stage show told in three acts, beginning with traditional tunes, blended with modern, Asian-fusion electronic dance music. ADÀI is an ElectroPop producer, DJ, singer, and songwriter performing in New York City and Beijing. Visit New York Botanical Garden for more details.

 

Adults are invited to join a Mother’s Day Karaoke event by NYC Parks with music, singing and dancing on Monday, May 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center at 3225 Reservoir Oval East in Norwood. This event is free and open to the public.

 

A LET’S SING for Mothers Karaoke event will be held on Saturday, May 15, in the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center.
Flier courtesy of NYC Parks

 

Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, located at 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, The Bronx, is proud to present The Doo Wop Project, the dynamic, rave-reviewed celebration of a beloved music genre, on Sunday, April 23, at 6 p.m. Starring the five engaging, charismatic Broadway stars from smash hits like Jersey Boys and Motown: The Musical, this exciting new show features fresh renditions of classic Doo Wop hits as well as “doo-wopified” versions of contemporary hits. Members of The Doo Wop Project are Dominic Nolfi, Charl Brown, Dwayne Cooper, Russel Fischer, John Michael Dias and Musical Director Santino Paladino. Visit https://www.lehmancenter.org/events/doo-wop  or call (718) 960 8833 for more information.

 

Lehman Center for the Performing Arts also recently announced some important changes to the upcoming performances of Orquesta Aragón and Los Van Van. Due to unforeseen aisa and travel issues, both shows have been rescheduled. Orquesta Aragón, originally scheduled for April 8, has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 29 at 8 p.m. Los Van Van, originally scheduled for April 29, has been rescheduled to Friday, May 26 at 8 p.m.

 

Bronx Arts Ensemble (BAE) is celebrating 51 Years of Moving Arts Forward on Thursday, May 4 at 7 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., there will be a VIP reception to honor WQXR’s Terrance McKnight at Pelham Bay & Split Rock Golf Courses, 870 Shore Road Bronx, NY 10464, with MC, Roger Clark of NY 1. Guests include New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams and Dr. Fredara Hadley. For more information, visit https://www.bronxartsensemble.org/events/.

 

The Riverdale Choral Society has advised that The World Beloved, a Bluegrass Mass concert by Carol Burnett on Sunday, May 7, has been CANCELED due to unforeseen circumstances.

THE RIVERDALE CHORAL Society has advised us that their concert planned for May 7, 2023 has been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.
Flier courtesy of Riverdale Choral Society

The Revolution of Hip Hop exhibit at Bronx Terminal Market remains open Tuesday to Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., and on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Visit the Universal Hip Hop Museum’s website at hhhm.org for more information. For more information on the development of the Universal Hip Hop museum building, check out our latest story.

 

As reported, 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop with a number of events taking place throughout the City to celebrate this milestone. Click here here for more information.

 

As also reported, a new Hip Hop show, KWIK2ROK, has premiered on BronxNet to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop this year.

THEATER

The Comedy of Errors can be seen at Williamsbridge Oval Rec Center on Sunday, May 7, 2023 and is free and open to all. See attached flier for details.

THE COMEDY OF Errors can be seen at Williamsbridge Oval Rec Center on Sunday, May 7, 2023 and is free and open to all.
Flier courtesy of NYC Parks

 

FILM

A newly released film “American Hospitals” will be live screened on Tuesday evening, May 2, at 7 p.m. at Manhattan College campus in 100 Hadley Hall, located at 4513 Manhattan College Parkway. According to the filmmakers, “American Hospitals uncovers the economic incentives of an industry that charges outrageous fees while sitting on billions of dollars in accumulated cash, juxtaposed by 100 million hardworking Americans who suffer from medical debt. Hospitals are the driving force that makes the average cost of a family health insurance policy exceed $22,000, plus an additional deductible cost of up to $17,500. Employers and workers alike can’t keep up with these runaway costs. American Hospitals shows a path forward.”

 

The Manhattan College Political Science Department, Northwest Bronx Indivisible and the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition are hosting the screening. The event is free, and all are welcome. Parking is also free for those viewing the film and is available in the College parking lot on Manhattan College Parkway opposite the campus.

 

The film, Dissonance, will be screened at Bronx Community College on April 27 and 28. See attached flier below for more information.

 

DISSONANCE BY MARCI Duncan in collaboration with Kerry Sandell, directed by James Webb, will be screened at Bronx Community College on April, 27 and 28.
Flier courtesy of the film producers and Bronx Community College

ART 

Toward Love & Power is showing at the Bronx Art Space on from April 13 to May 20, 2023.  See attached flier below for more information.

TOWARD LOVE & POWER takes place at the Bronx Art Space on from April 13 to May 20, 2023.
Flier courtesy of Bronx Art Space

Join the Bronx Museum Gala and Art Auction After Party on April 24. Click here for more information.

 

The Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center Spring Schedule is attached below.

 

WILLIAMSBRIDGE OVAL RECREATION Center Spring Schedule
Flier courtesy of NYC Parks

 

The Feel Free Art Festival takes place Saturday, June 17, at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center. See attached flier for more details.

FEEL FREE ART Festival takes place Saturday, June 17, at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center.
Flier courtesy of NYC Parks

On the occasion of the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Bronx River Art Center, located at 1087 East Tremont AvePO Box 5002Bronx, NY 10460, is proud to present five brave, Ukrainian women artists responding to their experience of the war as part of the PEREMOHA/victory/ukr exhibition which runs from March 22 through April 23. The exhibition is curated by Irina Danilova. Click here for more information.

 

New York Foundation of the Arts (NYFA) is offering a grant opportunity for New York State artists (including NYC). The NYSCA/NYFA Artists with Disabilities Grant will distribute cash grants of $1,000 to visual, media, music, performing, literary, and multidisciplinary artists with a disability who have experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis to cover art related expenses. Applications opened on April 4 and will close on Tuesday, June 6. The program is supported by New York State Council on the Arts and administered by NYFA. Visit https://bit.ly/NYSCANYFAGrant for more information.

A Family Art Night will be held on Tuesday, May 9, in the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center. See attached flier below for more details.

 

A FAMILY ART night event will be held on Tuesday, May 9, in the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center.
Flier courtesy of NYC Parks

Bronx Arts Factory presents “I See You” from April 14 to June 16, 2023. See attached flier below for more information.

BRONX ARTS FACTORY presents “I See You” April 14 to June 16, 2023.
Flier courtesy of the event sponsors

 

PHOTOGRAPHY

Showing from March 31 to May 14, at the Bronx Documentary Center (BDC), located at 614 Courtlandt Ave, Bronx, NY 10451, is “Everyday Bronx,” a Bronx-themed Instagram account with more than 43,000 followers. The exhibit is part of The Everyday Projects, a global initiative to amplify local voices and champion a collective, grassroots form of storytelling.

 

Founded in 2014, Everyday Bronx exclusively features photographs from its followers, and rewrites the narrative of The Bronx, one photo at a time, telling the complex stories from often-overlooked daily lives in the borough. The BDC curated the exhibition in collaboration with Rhynna Rhynna M. Santos, a Puerto Rico-born documentary photographer living and working in the Bronx, who leads a five-member volunteer team who post images every day of the year on Everyday Bronx. Click here for more details.

 

En Foco, Inc. is currently spotlighting the work of Lisa DuBois, a Bronx-based, artist-curator and photojournalist. DuBois is a socially conscious artist who describes herself as “an inquisitive spectator exploring subcultures in the world.” A 2017 Fellow (Nueva Luz, Volume 21:1), DuBois is now the photo editor and diversity advisor for Social Documentary Network. As curator and creative advisor, she helped launch the first “Art on the Ave,” the first large-scale outdoor exhibition on Manhattan’s West Side, and she is also a Loupe Art artist. Loupe Art is a channel that provides streaming art on multiple cable stations. DuBois curated the 2021 En Foco group exhibition, Deep Roots, which tells visual stories on traditions and the connections between the photographer and his or her beloved heritage.

 

KIDS 

The Bronx Children’s Museum has officially opened. See our latest story on the opening here. The museum recently welcomed its first children for a preview of the brand new facility with special guest, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. When asked how they enjoyed it, the children reportedly responded, “A-MAZ-ING!” The 2023 opening hours for the museum, located at 725 Exterior Street near Yankee Stadium along the Harlem River, as of Jan. 3, are now Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit the museum’s website here.

 

The Nest Music Conservatory is a non-profit organization providing music education to youths in the Bronx through out-of-school programs. The organization is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment that contributes to the social and emotional growth of students, their families, and communities through classes, events, and concert series. The center, located at 3636 Holland Ave, The Bronx, NY 10467, USA is open daily, Monday to Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Call (718) 994-6378 for more information. 

 

SPOKEN WORD & STORY TELLING 

The Bronx County Historical Society will be hosting Spring 2023 Poetry Seminars at Poe Cottage, located in Poe Park at 2640 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10458. Track 1 sessions will be taught by award-winning Bronx poet, Mariposa Fernández, partially in Spanish. Track 2 sessions will be taught by the Thursday Morning Poets, an award-winning New York City-wide group of writers. Seminars are free and open to all ages. Both seminars will culminate in a Poetry Slam on the porch of the Cottage, located at Poe Park, on Saturday, June 24, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Individuals are welcome to participate in as many seminar sessions as they wish across both tracks. Given the limited space at Poe Cottage, participants should register beforehand for the sessions they intend to attend. Individuals who have not registered are welcome to sessions, as long as space is available, on a first come basis.

 

BRONX COUNTY HISTORICAL Society presents Spring Poetry Seminars through June 7.
Flier courtesy of Bronx County Historical Society

 

Neighborhood Stories is a storytelling initiative by the NYC Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) to gather and preserve the stories of NYC neighborhoods. Learn more about the project, and how to share memories of your neighborhood and community here.

 

NYC Veterans’ Veteran Voices Project records the stories of NYC’s veterans and preserves their legacy. Learn more at nyc.gov/vetvoices.

 

MOVEMENT    

A Family Day including family games, sports, obstacle courses, cotton candy and family photos will be held by NYC Parks and District 11 Councilman Eric Dinowitz on Thursday, May 11, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center at 3225 Reservoir Oval East in Norwood. This event is free and open to the public.

 

A FAMILY DAY will be held on Thursday, May 11, in the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center.
Flier courtesy of NYC Parks

The Annual Family Fitness Festival will be held on Saturday, June 24, in the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center. See attached flier below for more details.

 

A FAMILY FITNESS festival will be held on Saturday, June 24, in the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center.
Flier courtesy of NYC Parks

 

On Tuesday, May 23 at 5 p.m., Montefiore Rehab Specialists are hosting a “Walk with a Doc” event at Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center at 3225 Reservoir Oval East, Bronx, 10467, where specialists from the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine will gather with local residents and walk for one hour. They will cover around 2-3 miles, and participants are encouraged to go at their own pace. New research shows that walking 8,000 steps once or twice a week may help you live longer.

 

Other benefits include lower risk of heart disease and improved brain health. Walk with a Doc is a free exercise event that has been taking place since 2015. It allows the community to come together to exercise, connect and practice wellness, along with medical professionals. Montefiore specialists also participant in the physical activity and answer health and wellness questions from the group. More information is available at https://walkwithadoc.org/join-a-walk/locations/bronx-new-york/.

Meanwhile, for New Yorkers 60 years old and over, a Seniors Fitness program offers free twice weekly pickleball, tennis, yoga, and fitness walking classes across all five boroughs starting in April. Participants of all levels are welcome to come out, have fun, and socialize. Visit https://cityparksfoundation.org/ or call (212) 360-1399 for more information.

 

Run the Bronx will take place on Saturday, May 6. See attached flier below for more information.

RUN THE BRONX will take place on Saturday, May 6.
Flier courtesy of Bronx Community College (CUNY)

Learn to Become a Lifeguard. Make summer happen for NYC! Becoming a lifeguard is a rewarding experience. You’ll work outdoors in some of New York City’s most iconic locations, playing a critical role in helping New Yorkers of all ages and abilities have safe access to beaches and pools. Click here for more details.

 

New York City of Parks & Recreation has announced that registration is now open for the spring season “Learn to Swim” classes at its indoor pools from March 27 to June 24. The department is offering swim lessons for toddlers, kids & teens, adults, and seniors. Register to join a class here.

 

NY Parks Foundation’s FREE spring Youth Track & Field program begins on April 8 in parks in The Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. Whether you want to hone skills or discover a new sport, the youth program for ages 6-17 is perfect for all levels looking to learn and have fun. Participants will practice proper technique, learn new skills, and develop healthy habits all while meeting new friends in their neighborhood park.

Meanwhile, for New Yorkers 60 years old and over, a Seniors Fitness program offers free twice weekly pickleball, tennis, yoga, and fitness walking classes across all five boroughs starting in April. Participants of all levels are welcome to come out, have fun, and socialize. Visit https://cityparksfoundation.org/ or call (212) 360-1399 for more information.

 

BronxWorks and Twin Parks West Older Adult Center, 355 East 183rd Street, Bronx, NY 10458, invites residents to come join some fun classes Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. See attached flier below for details.

TWIN PARKS WEST Older Adult Center invites residents to come join some fun classes Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Flier courtesy of BronxWorks courtesy of Bronx Community Board 7

Running group, Bronx Nomads, generally meet at the Bainbridge Avenue entrance to the Williamsbridge Oval in Norwood on Mondays at 6.30 p.m. to run together safely. Founded 5 years ago, the group caters to those with different levels of fitness. You can follow Bronx Nomads on Instagram and Facebook or email the group at bronxnomads@gmail.com.

 

Elected officials, City agency partners, and community-based organizations continue to host the Saturday Night Lights citywide program to work together to keep 100 gyms across the City open for free, high-quality sports programs for kids on Saturday nights, ensuring no indoor gyms are closed on these nights – the time when they are needed most by kids in city communities. Click on the following link to watch a video extract of the Saturday Night Lights Relaunch, where Mayor Eric Adams can be seen observing some of the kids in action.

 

Each Saturday evening, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., children and youth, aged 11 to 18, are able to enjoy an array of indoor sports, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, dance, martial arts and more. According to the organizers, a key component of the program is bringing cops and kids together. Teams of youth coordination officers from NYPD precincts are at each of the 100 gymnasiums every Saturday night, helping to coach, and joining members of various community based organizations to interact with young people and help make a lasting and positive impact in their lives.

 

Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, located at 3450 Dekalb Avenue, is the local venue for the program in Norwood, while the Fordham Heights program is run at 2255 Webster Avenue, Bronx, NY 10457. For a list of all venues, scan the QR code in the below flier. (If you cannot access the QR code from the attached flyer, click on this link.

 

As reported, an additional 25 city gyms and an additional $1.25 million investment in the Saturday Night Lights program was announced on July 9, 2022 to ensure public gyms will continue to remain open during the school year from September 10, 2022 through June 24, 2023. To find a gym near you, click here.

FLIER FOR SATURDAY Night Lights program
Flyer courtesy of the Bronx District Attorney’s Office

Gotham City Panthers is a new amateur basketball team founded by Eric King. Click on the link for more information.

 

Theory 9’s Rising Kings Basketball Club caters to different age groups in the Kingsbridge Heights neighborhood. Click here for more details.

 

Bronx Buccaneers football club meet on Saturdays in the Williamsbridge Oval, located at 3225 Reservoir Oval East, in Norwood from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on Monday to Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Understanding there is more to football, the Buccaneers strive to develop the students/athletes, and the hope is that the players will use the program not only as a stepping stone to advance to upper level sports in High School and college, but also as a means to engage in positive behavior and as a healthy distraction from idleness which the group says can lead to poor decisions. The Buccaneers accept kids from any community, boys or girls, ages 6 to 14. Contact Tasha Andrews at (917) 662-3632 for further information.

 

BRONX PANTHERS YOUTH Football & Cheer save lives through football. Call the numbers in the attached flier for more information.
Flier courtesy of Bronx Panthers

Bronx Panthers Youth Football & Cheer save lives through football, and are recruiting all age groups. Call the numbers in the attached flier, above, for more information.

 

NYC DOT has provided information to New Yorkers on riding E-bikes in NYC.  Click here to learn more about riding an e-bike and other micro-mobility options in NYC.

NYC DEPARTMENT OF Transportation (DOT) has provided information to New Yorkers on riding E-bikes in NYC.  
Flyer courtesy of NYC Department of Transportation

 

Editor’s Note: We will update this feature article as more events become available.

 

 

Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.

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