Literacy Partners presents The Bluest Eye: A Virtual Public Reading with author, Toni Morrison, on February 28 & 29 at 7 p.m. ET.
Society continues to receive Morrison’s first novel with controversy. She is unapologetic in her depiction of the suffering and neglect of Black girls and women and the consequences of the psychological and physical violence they have endured for generations. Morrison is equally committed to lifting up their humanity and grace while interrogating the mechanisms by which oppression is internalized. Click here for more information.

 

PHOTOGRAPHY

Hostos Community College President Daisy Cocco De Filippis; Zion Ozeri, international photographer; District 11 Council Member Eric Dinowitz; and Rabbi Ron Fish, interim regional director at the Anti-Defamation League will attend an opening reception for a photo exhibition on “Jewish Identity/Jewish Diversity” on Tuesday, March 5, at 11 a.m. at Hostos Research Center, Hostos Community College, 450 Grand Concourse, C-130, Bronx, 10451.

 

The exhibition is part of the multi-year CUNY Anti-Hate Initiative, aiming to educate the CUNY community about diverse groups’ identities and experiences. This year focuses on Jewish and Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islanders. Next year, the initiative will spotlight Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx demographics, followed by Muslims and the LGBTQIA+ groups in the third year. The exhibit is made possible through the generous support of Hostos Community College, the CUNY Anti-Hate Initiative, and The Covenant Foundation.

 

The Black Photographers Collective Exhibition: Black Life is showing at The Point CDC, 940 Garrison Avenue, Bronx, NY 10474. A closing event will be held on March 8, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Sophie Rivera was a photographer of Puerto Rican descent, who was an activist and teacher. She is best known as a photographer whose work challenged stereotypical assumptions of Puerto Ricans in the United States. Her exhibition, “Boricua Lens: Sophie Rivera Portraits” is an initiative of the Nueva Luz Study Center (NLSC) and is part of efforts by arts organization, En Foco, to preserve the culture and legacy of diasporic lens-based artists.

 

Sophie Rivera had been involved with En Foco since before the launch of the Nueva Luz photographic journal in 1985. The exhibition at Pregones/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, 575 Walton Avenue, Bronx, NY 10451, is showing, by appointment only, from Oct. 13, 2023 to April 4, 2024. Call (718) 585 1202 for more details. Click here to view the virtual exhibition.

 

EVENTS

The Office of the Bronx Borough President is hosting a Garifuna Heritage Celebration on Thursday, March 7. See attached flier below for detials.

The Kingsbridge Historical Society (KHS) will host a free presentation by KHS president, Nick Dembowski, entitled, “History of a Bronx Street Corner, West 230th Street & Broadway” on Thursday, March 21, at 7 p.m. at Edgehill, 2570 Independence Avenue in Spuyten Duyvil. The talk will feature new research and rarely seen maps, photos, and footage. Since the location still lacks a heating system, visitors are requested to dress appropriately.

 

KHS members say today, it is easy to drive past the corner of West 230th Street and Broadway without pausing to think about its past, but it is probably among the most historic spots in the area. Patriots, spies, Native Americans, enslaved people, lords, authors, entrepreneurs, soldiers, and secret missions are all part of its history.

 

KHS also presents “Bringing Oysters back to The Bronx” by Kevin Horbatiuk at Edgehill on April 11, at 7 p.m., and on April 25, the “Historic Photographic Panorama Exhibit” will open at Edgehill (time to be confirmed).

 

Join The Bronx County Historical Society and come see the Virginia Poe Death Exhibit, which explores the death and legacy of Edgar Allan Poe’s wife Virginia at the Edgar Allan Poe cottage in Poe Park, Fordham Manor Saturday, March 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The exhibit is on loan from the Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Baltimore.

Van Cortlandt Track Club is hosting a 5k in Van Cortlandt Park on March 9 to support the Friendly Fridge initiative. Sign up here. Read our previous stories here and here. 

 

Stop ‘n Swap Event 

A Stop ‘n Swap event is being held in Van Cortlandt Village on Saturday, March 2. See attached flier for details.

The Bronx Historical Society presents a virtual roundtable, The Allerton Coops & Black Women’s Liberation, on March 6. See attached flier for more information.

 

The 52nd Precinct is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on March 23. See attached flier for details.

 

To mark Black History Month, Woodlawn Conservancy, 4199 Webster Avenue, Bronx, NY 10470-2471, is hosting a Trolley Tour on Sunday, Feb. 25, at noon given by New York City-based independent historian and author, Eric K. Washington. Visitors will tour the gravesites and memorials of Woodlawn’s African-American and Afro-Caribbean notables. Honor the legacies of such trailblazers as international star, Florence Mills, America’s first Black female self-made millionaire, Madam CJ Walker, supervisor of Grand Central’s “Red Cap” railroad porters, James H. Williams, and jazz giant, Duke Ellington, among many others.

 

The Bronx Library Center is hosting a number of Free Adult Programs throughout February. See attached calendar for details.

Lunch & Learn: The Birth of New York City’s Municipal Government, is an online program of presentations on Dutch colonial records to launch the 400th Anniversary of the arrival of the Dutch in New York. Join NYC Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) each month for its virtual Lunch & Learn Series – an intimate conversation with agency staff and special guests on the collections of the municipal archives and library, as well as the history of New York City. The program began online on Friday, Feb. 2. Click here for more information.

 

 

The 30th Bronx Parks Speak Up event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 24. See attached flier below for details.

Pick up a copy of the newest publication by The Bronx County Historical Society, “Geography of The Bronx,” authored by CEO Dr. G. Hermalyn. This colorful guidebook, on select geographical features of The Bronx, supplemented with more than 100 photographs, maps, and other illustrations, will be of great interest to educators, students, and Bronxites. Click here to buy a copy.

 

New York Botanical Garden (NYBG)’s Beer Garden at the Leon Levy Visitor Center, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10458, continues to have Craft Beers to purchase, as well as grab-and-go meals, snacks, and drinks at the Pine Tree Café at the same NYBG location. NYBG is located at 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458-5126.

 

NYBG is a museum of plants, including 50 gardens and plant collections spread across a 250-acre National Historic Landmark site. Founded in 1891, The New York Botanical Garden is the most comprehensive botanical garden in the world and an integral part of the cultural fabric of New York City, anchored in the Bronx. Visitors come to the Garden to connect with nature for joy, beauty, and respite, and for renowned plant-based exhibitions and programming. Visit NYBG’s website to plan your visit: https://www.nybg.org/visit/. Check out the events listed below among others which are ongoing at the garden.

 

“The 24th Annual Winter Lecture Series: From Skyline to Shoreline: Imaginative Waterfronts of NYC” is ongoing at NYBG. This year’s Winter Lecture Series celebrates three distinguished individuals, Tom Balsley, Warrie Price, and Signe Nielsen, who have meaningfully contributed to New York City’s green
spaces over the past several decades, using innovative designs for urban waterfront parks that exhibit a remarkable convergence of art, nature, narrative, and community.The final talk on Signe Nielsen takes place on Thursday, March 28, from 11 a.m. to noon at the NYBG’s Ross Lecture Hall.

 

The “Signe Nielsen: Little Island: More Than Meets the Eye” event will be held on Thursday, March 28, from 11 a.m. to noon. With views of the city’s skyline at its highest point to the embrace of the warm palette of plantings at pier level, Nielsen will discuss the importance of Little Island’s choreography and how its pathways allow the visitor to choose their own experience. Click here for more information.

 

Forest Bathing at NYBG is an ongoing, audio, self-guided tour of the Thain Family Forest. Click here for more information. Allow yourself to be fully present as you bathe your senses in the sights, smells, sounds, and sensations of the Thain Family Forest with forest bathing experiences, known as shinrin-yoku in Japan. In Japanese shinrin means forest, and yoku means bath. This audio guide focuses on slowing down and experiencing the sensory connections that help calm the mind and deepen reflection under a glorious forest canopy. This experience takes roughly one hour from beginning to end. You can also choose to do a shorter 20-minute session and conclude after
Track 2. (The tracks are accessible through your mobile device via the link above.)

 

Join the Floral Design, Gardening, Landscape Design, Botanical Art, educational program at NYBG, and explore hundreds of classes to educate, inspire, and guide you.

 

Pruning Principles and Practices takes place at NYBG on Fridays through March 1 (excluding Feb. 16) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Watson Education Building. Click here for more details. Through classwork and hands-on practice, develop pruning tools and techniques to help shrubs, conifers, broadleaves, evergreens, and deciduous plants thrive. Explore how woody plant structure and physiology influence pruning. Learn how to create and maintain hedges and explore authentic pollarding techniques. Come dressed for fieldwork, and bring bypass pruners if you have them.

 

Free your creativity with Seasonal Workshops at NYBG. Whether you’re an aspiring photographer, a budding apartment gardener, or you’re looking to explore the healing benefits of plants, NYBG’s Continuing Education program offers hands-on, one-day courses that supply you with creative ways to work plants into your daily routine. Explore a wealth of diverse offerings and fall in love with a new skillset this season. Click here for more information.

 

Tai Chi for Peace of Mind and Body takes place at NYBG on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. through April 6, (excluding Feb. 10, Feb. 17, and March 30) at the Watson Education Building. This ancient, meditative, Chinese exercise teaches relaxation, balance, and self-defense with an emphasis on correct body posture and spinal alignment. Students become relaxed, physically stronger, and ultimately healthier in both mind and body. Click here for more details.

 

Plant Studio starts April 2024 at NYBG. Click here for more details. Discover the perfect balance of flexible coursework and expert instruction with NYBG Plant Studio, the newest addition to The New York Botanical Garden’s Continuing Education program. NYBG’s bite-sized, online courses are tailormade for the plant curious, plant advocate, or busy plant lover. Students will dig into gardening, botany, floral design, landscape design, and more from the comfort of their own space, whenever it fits their schedule, and meet an array of seasoned plant professionals eager to expand their plant knowledge through pre-recorded course videos; virtual tours of gorgeous garden spaces, often off-limits to the general public; and personal feedback on hands-on projects. Students will become a part of a diverse community of fellow nature enthusiasts and gain new skills from NYBG plant professionals.

 

 

The Bronx Historical Society and Columbia University, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, is looking to five neighborhood history keepers for a special history project running from November 2023 to March 2025. You’ll be paid $30 per hour for your work and receive free training and support. You’ll be based in Mott Haven and will be required to devote about 15 hours a month to the project. Call Amy Starecheski on (212) 851 4395 or email aas39@columbia.edu.

Edible Academy Fresh from the Garden Tastings takes place at the New York Botanical Garden on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Get hands-on with healthy cooking using new recipes featuring plants grown in the Edible Academy. NYBG staff create family-friendly recipes using seasonal vegetables, fruits, and herbs, and kids and adults alike can learn how garden-to-table cooking is not only nutritious, but fun, too. While you’re exploring the Edible Academy, get hands on with the crops in the vegetable garden during Dig! Plant! Grow! each month. For more information, click here.

 

On Tuesday, and Thursday-Sunday; a grounds access pass to the New York Botanical Garden is available for purchase by NYC residents only. Proof of residency is required and may only be purchased onsite. On Wednesdays, grounds admission is free to NYC residents all day and to all other visitors between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Grounds admission includes access to outdoor gardens and collections, including the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden.

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

The Mid-Winter Break Black History Month Art Camp is ongoing at Bronx River Art Center. See attached flier for details.

“Fro Your Information,” an art exhibit by Ella Santos, opened Jan. 26. See attached flier for more information on the ongoing exhibit.

A Professional Development Grant for museums is now available, with a great chance to grow your staff’s skills and expertise! In collaboration with CNY Arts, NY non-profit museums can level up their team with up to $1,000 in professional development funds. Apply today! Deadline is March 1. For more information, visit https://ow.ly/w8si50Qu7OU

FILM

Bronx Independent Cinema Center has launched a campaign to bring independent film to The Bronx. Click on the donation link here for details. Read our latest story on the topic here.

 

Parkchester Library is hosting its next Movie Day screening Dream Girls on Feb. 24. See attached flier for details.

BAAD! [Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance] celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and is marking its birthday by presenting “Get Tough, Get BAAD!” an annual series of films and events being held throughout February at BAAD!, located at 2474 Westchester Avenue in The Bronx’s Westchester Square neighborhood, which celebrate queer power, diversity, defiance, strength, and visibility. Click here to read our latest story on the series.

 

FOOD

Throughout February, in a special celebration of Black History Month, FreshDirect is proudly shining a spotlight on their “incredible” Black-owned vendor partners. As an online grocer committed to diversity and inclusion, FreshDirect is inviting their customers to explore the rich tapestry of flavors, stories, and businesses that make their local communities thrive.

FreshDirect recognizes and honors “the significant contributions of the Black community to the vibrant New York food scene all year long.” Black History Month serves as a special moment to amplify these contributions, share stories, and celebrate the diversity that enriches the City’s culinary landscape. Some of the Black food-business owners with whom FreshDirect partners include:

• Partake – The Partake brand was born from a mission to make snacking inclusive for all. These vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and top 8 allergen-free treats are the result of founder Denise Woodard’s quest to make healthy, high-quality, and delicious allergy-friendly snacks for her daughter. FreshDirect has proudly offered this Jersey City-based company’s cookies since 2021. We love their products made with simple and wholesome ingredients, from Denise’s classic Chocolate Chip to the fan-favorite Ginger Snap.
• A Dozen Cousins – Ready-to-heat beans from A Dozen Cousins make it super easy to bring delicious, globally-inspired flavors to mealtime. Each variety is perfectly simmered and seasoned, using recipes from founder Ibraheem Basir. Serve them with rice, in tacos, or tucked into a wrap for a satisfying, quick lunch or dinner with plenty of protein.
• Spoonful – Nurtured by FreshDirect’s R.I.P.E. incubator program for emerging brands, Spoonful stems from founder Bradley Gifford’s transformative health journey. Recognizing nutrition’s vital role in well-being during his health challenges, Bradley manifested his vision to make nutritious, convenient, and flavorful foods accessible to all. Spoonful crafts diverse, delicious overnight oats, thoughtfully sourced to meet various dietary preferences and requirements.
• Don Carvahal Café – This brand is committed to bringing their customers the finest direct trade, eco-friendly coffees in sustainable packaging. Based in FreshDirect’s backyard of The Bronx, their team maintains relationships with farm co-ops throughout Central and South America, creating a supply chain that emphasizes putting ethical labor and environmental stewardship behind each cup of coffee.
• McBride Sisters wine – McBride Sisters, founded in 2005 by sisters Robin and Andréa, combines old-world elegance with new-world finesse in their wines. Reflecting the terroirs of their upbringing, the wines cater to diverse palates. As the largest, women-owned winery in the U.S., they established the McBride Sisters SHE CAN Professional Development Fund in 2019 to advance women in the wine industry, address gender and race gaps, and create new opportunities.

AfroBeats Master Dance Classes are taking place at Mindbuilders in Olinville. See attached flier for more information.

Registration is now open for Summer Classes at Mindbuilders in Olinville. See attached flier for more information.

BAAD! [Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance] celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and is marking its birthday by presenting “Get Tough, Get BAAD!” an annual series of films and events being held throughout February at BAAD!, located at 2474 Westchester Avenue in The Bronx’s Westchester Square neighborhood, which celebrate queer power, diversity, defiance, strength, and visibility. Click here to read our latest story on the series.

 

The Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, 3225 Reservoir Oval East, Bronx, NY 10467, is offering Free Ballet Classes, taught by professionals. There will be live music in every class and classes will take place from February to May, Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. See attached flier below for details.

Participants aged 6 to 18 are invited to join The Bronx All Star Dance Team at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, 3225 Reservoir Oval East, Bronx, NY 10467 from Jan. 4 to March 23 on Thursdays at 5 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m. to learn fun and energetic dance styles. Sessions last one hour. Participants must have an NYC Parks & Recreation Center membership card. Membership is free for those under 24. Call (718) 543 8372 for more information or email Kelsey.Phoenix@parks.nyc.gov.

 

A Silent Disco will be held at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center in Norwood on March 29. See attached flier below for more details.

A Rock Night is taking place at Mindbuilders in Olinville. See attached flier below for more information.

Bronx talk show host Gary Axelbank has announced a new podcast, The Bronx Music Podcast with Gary Axelbank, and the release of the debut episode, recorded on Sunday, Feb. 4, in front of a live audience at The Artist performance venue on City Island. Click here to read our latest story about the podcast as well as details of how to attend the recorded live music sessions.

 

Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Park Blvd West Bronx, New York 10468, presents the Sing and Swing opening with special guest Jimmy Bosch Salsa Masters on Sunday, Feb. 25, at 4 p.m., featuring Bria Skonberg and Benny Benack III. This new and highly anticipated touring project celebrates the Great American Songbook in all of its playful and sophisticated glory. Re-imagine some of the classic partners in jazz and popular song, including Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland and Bing Crosby, and Dean Martin and Peggy Lee. The show features songs by Gershwin, Ellington, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and many more. Visit https://www.lehmancenter.org/events/jazz-at-lehman for more information and to buy tickets.

 

St. Patrick’s Day Events at An Béal Bocht 

See attached flier for details of upcoming music events at An Béal Bocht for St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

 

Live Music in March to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

See attached flier below for details of live music sessions to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Riverdale Steak House.

Celebrate 170 Years of Merengue with Dominican Legends at the Main Theater of Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture, 450 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York 10451 on Friday, Feb. 23, at 7:30 p.m. All Seats: $12. Discounts available for students, seniors and children. For more information, visit here.

The Lehman Center for the Performing Arts presents the legendary Andy Montañez in “Toda una Vida Concierto!” on Saturday, March 2, as Montañez celebrates his 60th anniversary. The show features Tito Puente Jr. performing a tribute to his father, Tito Puente, along with performances by “El Trio Ideal,” and the exciting dance rhythms of Johnny Olivo and Herencia de Plena. Click here to read our latest story and for details on how to book tickets.

Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture presents The History of Latin Music and Latin Jazz, a free, virtual seminar series running from February to April 2024, that highlights the diverse music pioneers and their impact on the history of Latin music and jazz. Learn about musicians and artists like Graciela, known as the First Lady of Latin Jazz, Ceila Cruz, Olga Guillot, Gloria Estefan, Enrique Jorrín, Johnny Rodríquez, Julio Gutiérrez and many others that helped create and influence the music of this time. Hosted by Joe Conzo, Sr., noted music historian, producer and author of “Mambo Diablo: My Journey with Tito Puente.” Click here for more information.

 

Enjoy Community Karaoke at KRVC, 505, West 236th Street, each Friday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. See attached flier for more details.

Join the Name that Tune event at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center on Friday, Feb. 23. See attached flier below for more information.

 

MindBuilders hosts a free Vocal Ensemble series of classes which started on Jan. 9. See attached flier below for more information.

You can often find different types of live music at An Béal Bocht Irish restaurant and pub, located at 445 West 238th Street in Riverdale.

The Bronx Music Heritage Center Music and Dance Program listing is attached below.

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.

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, & LITERACY

Mosholu Library is hosting an Informal Creative Writing for Adults class on Mondays. See attached flier for details.

 

Mosholu Library is hosting an Adult Online Open Book Discussion on March 7 and March 21. See attached flier for details.

 

BAAD! [Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance] celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and is marking its birthday by presenting “Get Tough, Get BAAD!” an annual series of films and events, including some conversations with authors, being held throughout February at BAAD!, located at 2474 Westchester Avenue in The Bronx’s Westchester Square neighborhood, which celebrate queer power, diversity, defiance, strength, and visibility. Click here to read our latest story on the series.

 

The Bronx Historical Society presents a one-person dramatic reading on Feb. 25, to mark Black History Month. See attached flier below for more details.

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.

DYK? @nycveterans launched the Veteran Voices Project (VVP) to record the stories of NYC's veterans and preserve their legacy.
🎙️ Learn more about this oral history initiative at https://t.co/k6d4WfIHIW#VeteransDay #NYCVeteransDay21 pic.twitter.com/FTKKjI2R0Z

— NYC Consumer and Worker Protection (@helloDCWP) November 11, 2021

 

MOVEMENT

NYC Parks & the 52nd Precinct are hosting Self-Defense Classes for Seniors. See attached flier for more information.

NYC Parks and New York Knicks (MSG Sports New York Knicks) are hosting an All-Girls Basketball Clinic at Kwame Ture Recreation Center, 1527 Jesup Avenue, Bronx, NY 10452, to mark National Girls and Women in Sports Day, and Women’s History Month on Saturday, March 2, from 2 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. Girls aged 8 to 17 will participate in a series of skills and drills led by New York Knicks Youth development coaches. The event is free and open to the public. Online registration is required as space is limited. Registration is ongoing until Feb. 29, at 11:59 p.m. For more information, call (332) 207-3647 or email Ronald.Lashley@parks.nyc.gov.

Recreation Center Membership is free for youth and young adults ages 24 and under. For more information visit nyc.gov/parks. Contact accessibility@parks.nyc.gov or (212) 360-1430 for more information regarding accessibility.

 

The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458-5126, invites residents to participate in its EcoQuest Challenge. EcoQuests, part of the NYC EcoFlora Project, challenge New Yorkers to become community scientists and observe, study, and conserve the native plants, fungi, and animals of the City via iNaturalist, an easy-to-use mobile app.

 

Each month, NYBG EcoFlora will announce a new Challenge where they need help documenting the wild flora and fauna of New York City by taking and sharing photos via iNaturalist. Download the iNaturalist App or register at iNaturalist.org. Take photos for the month’s EcoQuest Challenge. Post your findings on iNaturalist so they can be added to the NYC EcoFlora Project.

 

There are no wrong observations. Each observation contributes vital information to reveal traits and processes largely unknown before due to a lack of data and coordination between data sets. Millions of individual data points add up to big data that will enable new insights and opportunities for research, conservation, and engagement. Please do not disturb animal activity as you record your observations.

 

Tai Chi for Peace of Mind and Body takes place at NYBG, 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458-5126, on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. through April 6, (excluding Feb. 10, Feb. 17, and March 30) at the Watson Education Building. This ancient, meditative, Chinese exercise teaches relaxation, balance, and self-defense with an emphasis on correct body posture and spinal alignment. Students become relaxed, physically stronger, and ultimately healthier in both mind and body. Click here for more details.

 

Dance, Fun & Fitness classes will take place on Wednesdays from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center at 3225 Reservoir Oval East in Norwood. The classes consist of nonstop rhythmic cardio conditioning, utilizing different genres of dance and basic bodyweight exercises, all set to high-energy music, designed to give you a full body workout. See attached flier below.

Walking History Tours of Hard Island with an NYC Parks Urban Park Ranger guide are now live. Click here for more information.

 

Community Fitness & Wellness Series 

A Community Fitness & Wellness series is ongoing every Tuesday at Bridgefield Civic League in Williamsbridge. See attached flier for details.

NYC Parks also has the following events listed for the coming weeks, including specific events for Black History Month. Click here for more information on various Black History Month events.

 

Self-Defense Classes 

Self Defense Classes are taking place at Mindbuilders in Olinville. See attached flier for more information.

Hiking in NYC Parks

There’s no need to head Upstate to experience the awe of New York’s natural wonders. Plan your next hiking trip right here in New York City! The city’s 300 miles of trails will take you through some of its oldest forests, and past 10,000 acres of wild and untouched natural areas, glacial potholes, and bedrock you can see and touch. As you explore these beautiful parks, you’ll come across all kinds of wildlife, from the majestic ospreys nesting high up on utility poles to turtles sunbathing on rocks in the ponds. Along the way, you can also visit historic places that give a glimpse of Old New York and tell the story of our city. Be sure to pack plenty of water, and wear sunscreen and layered clothing. Visit the Bronx River Park hiking plan here.

 

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Winter Mushroom ID Hike 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. at Section 2 Orchard Beach, Pelham Bay Park, Bronx

 

Sunday, February 25, 2024

Full Moon Festival Lantern Craft 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m. at Crotona Nature Center, Crotona Park, Bronx

 

Monday, February 26, 2024

Be Bold: Ballet 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. at Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, Williamsbridge Oval, Bronx

Chair Yoga 6:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. at Bartow Community Center – Room 31, Bronx

 

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Workshop for Volunteers: The Power of Native Plants 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. at Online,

Talking About Race Matters: Redressing American Fashion: Black Designers in the 19th and 20th Centuries 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. at Virtual

Poe Park Playground Reconstruction Community Input Meeting 6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. at Virtual/Online Events, Manhattan

 

Gentle Yoga Flow classes with Shape Up NYC and NYC Parks have begun at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center at 3225 Reservoir Oval East in Norwood since Nov. 9, 2023 and continue each Thursday at 6.30 p.m. Bring a mat. See attached flier.

She’s on Point celebrates girls and women in sport on March 2. See attached flier below for more details.

Van Cortlandt Track Club is hosting a 5k in Van Cortlandt Park on March 9 to support the Friendly Fridge initiative. Sign up here. Read our previous stories here and here. 

 

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 since April 2023. 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.

 

The only operational Ice Rink in The Bronx has been renovated and reopened on Nov. 20 at Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club in Castle Hill. As a part of the Frederic R. Coudert Sports Complex, the ice skating rink provides professionally trained staff and visiting coaches that feature individuals with over 15 years of professional experience of ice skating.

 

The ice skating rink is managed by ASAC Management and with over 30 years of ice skating management, ASAC has specialists from a wide variety of diverse backgrounds offering expert training techniques. The age range for the ice rink (during program hours) is 6-18. For more information, contact athletics director, Darril Almonte, on darril.almonte@kipsbay.org or visit https://www.kipsbay.org/icerink. Read our recent story on the reopening here.

 

Shape Up NYC and NYC Parks hosts a Running Group at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. See attached flier below for more details.

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 or see attached flyer below.

 

Van Cortlandt Park Nature Center, Van Cortlandt Park, 246th Street and, Broadway, Bronx, NY 10471, is open every Saturday and Sunday. See attached flier below for more information.

 

Exercise Classes in Cantonese 

Visiting Nurses Services NY is inviting the public to virtual, exercise classes in Cantonese on Tuesdays, from 2.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. See attached flier below for more information.

BronxWorks and Twin Parks West Older Adult Center, 355 East 183^rd 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.

 

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. Read our latest stories on two of the club’s runners who recently completed the 2023 TCS New York City marathon here and here.

 

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 find a gym near you, click here.

Gotham City Panthers is an 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, and are recruiting all age groups. Call the numbers in the attached flier, above, for more information.

 

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