Editor’s Pick 

Norwood Community Library will be discussing, “Before the Fires, An Oral History of African American Life in the Bronx from the 1930s to the 1960s,” by Mark Naison and Bob Gumbs, during its book club sessions over the next four to six weeks. For further information, follow Norwood Community Library on www.instragram.com.

 

EVENTS

Woodlawn Conservancy will be hosting The Countee Cullen, The Salons, and the Black Tower Trolley Tour on Saturday, June 12, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The tour celebrates Woodlawn’s African American and Afro-Caribbean Heritage, where participants can visit the sites of Countee Cullen and Hubert Harrison and read their writings along the way. The tour supports Woodlawn’s reading and discussion group sponsored by Humanities New York. Tour participants are kindly asked to wear a mask while on the trolley. Children over the age of 4 require a ticket for the tour. Tickets are $15 per person. For more information, call 718-920-0500 or email info@woodlawn.org.

 

Bronx Anti-Prom presents Proud to Read: LGBTQAI+ Book Tasting by Pelham Parkway-Van Nest Library on Monday, June 21. In celebration of PRIDE month, librarians from Bronx Library Center, Hunts Point and Pelham Parkway-Van Nest will highlight favorite LGBTQ reads that showcase the diversity and voices of queer representation.

 

Participants must register with an email address to receive the link to join. The link will be sent by email approximately one day before the program. You will need a device with audio and video and an internet connection to participate. This program is part of the 2021 Bronx Anti-Prom Virtual Programs. The theme this year is ‘New Beginnings’, a hopeful outlook into the future ahead after a difficult year. Discover what the library offers NYC teens, including TeenLIVE events, programs, book recommendations and more. For more information, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/ and search for “Bronx Anti-Prom Presents: Proud to Read: LGBTQAI+ Book Tasting.”

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance (VCPA) is hosting a spring benefit Lawn Party on Thursday, June 24, from 6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Van Cortlandt House Museum, located at 6036 Broadway, Van Cortlandt Park, The Bronx, NY 10471. This year, VCPA is honoring Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, Commissioner, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation. The event will feature music, individually boxed dinners, mingling in the park, goats, lawn games and more. For tickets and more, go to https://givebutter.com/vcpalawnparty.

 

The 52^nd Precinct Community Council is hosting a brunch on Thursday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The New York Botanical Gardens, located at 2900 Southern Boulevard Bronx, NY 10458. The event will be held at Clay Family Picnic Pavilions. Enter the garden via the conservatory gate (across from Fordham University). Contact precinct council members Brenda Caldwell at bcserina@gmail.com, Joy LaFontaine at lafontainej73@yahoo.com, Doug Conduit at thoracicsurgpa@msn.com or Geraldo Landron at jerryws69@gmail.com for more information.

 

MOVEMENT  

Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, located at 3225 Reservoir Oval East in the Bronx, is hosting various Adult Programs from April 5 to June 25, 2021. All programs are free, held outside, and are limited based on social distancing requirements. All participants must wear a face covering. Call Sarah on (718) 543-8672 for more details.

Chair Aerobics with Ingrid is held on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. This chair aerobics class is perfect for someone new or for those getting back into working out.

Circuit Training with Carl is held on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Join this low impact strength workout, a beginner’s way to start building muscle.

Kripalu Yoga with Michele is held on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Through breathing, meditation and movements, wake up with this great morning routine.

Riding to the Beat with Ingrid is held on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Come out for a morning spin bike, ride to get your heartbeat up. This is a great cardio workout.

Pickleball with Oscar is held on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Learn the basics in this paddle game, similar to tennis and compete against others on the tennis courts.

 

Families and children of all ages are invited to join Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center for Family Fitness Festival on Thursday June 17 from 4.30 to 6.30 p.m. in Williamsbridge Oval Park. Activities will include yoga, spin bike classes, whine fitness, aerobics, and much more! The events are FREE and open to the public. Please note, space is limited due to social distancing requirements and remember to wear a face covering. Call Sarah on (718) 543-8672 for more details, or email Sarah.Bishow@parks.nyc.gov. Contact accessibility@parks.nyc.gov or call (212) 360-1430 for more information regarding accessibility.

 

ART

Get an Introduction to Art on Fridays, from May 21–June 28, 2021from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center at 3225 Reservoir Oval East, Bronx, N.Y. (In front of the recreation center). Calling all aspiring artists! Bring your paint brushes and love for art and expression to Williamsbridge Oval. Art, drawing, and painting techniques will be at the forefront of this program. The events are FREE and open to the public. Please note, space is limited due to social distancing requirements and remember to wear a face covering. For more information, visit nyc.gov/parks or contact Sarah.Bishow@parks.nyc.gov. Contact (212) 360-1430 or accessibility@parks.nyc.gov for more information regarding accessibility.

 

The Bronx Documentary Center welcomes photographer, James Nachtwey, and TIME Magazine Editor, Paul Moakley, as they discuss their work ‘The Opioid Diaries’, on Saturday, June 12, at 6 p.m. This is an in-person socially distanced event held at The Bronx Documentary Center Annex, located at 364 East 151st Street, The Bronx, NY 10455. In 2017, Nachtwey and Moakley set out to document the U.S. opioid crisis, an addiction epidemic that kills nearly 64,000 people in America every year. The pair traveled the country gathering stories from users, families, first responders and others at the heart of America’s opioid epidemic. To register, go to Eventbrite.com, and search for BDC Conversations: James Nachtwey + Paul Moakley

 

The New York Botanical Garden is hosting various virtual events to celebrate PRIDE month in The Bronx. Go to https://www.nybg.org/event/nybg-pride/ for more information.

MUSIC

The National Museum of African American Music is hosting an inaugural State of Black Music virtual summit on Friday, June 18. This one-day event will feature dynamic discourse and panels exploring the intersection of Black music and culture, with industry leaders, top artists, and media personalities gracing the stage as panelists. This event will also feature the premiere of the official State of Black Music podcast as well as mark the release of the museum’s 4th State of Black Music report. The event will be livestreamed on YouTube starting at 9:30 a.m. CT (all times below CT). Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/ by searching for “State of Black Music Summit.”

 

The Bronx Arts Ensemble (BAE) proudly announces its 2021 Virtual Benefit Concert, ¡Jazz Puertorriqueño! Latin jazz legend and multi-Grammy nominee, Bobby Sanabria, joins the members of the Bronx Arts Ensemble on Thursday, June 10 at 7p.m. for a musical collaboration to support BAE’s community concerts and arts-in-education programs. The event will be live on Facebook and YouTube. For more information, go to www.facebook.com and search for Bronx Arts Ensemble.