Bronx Week 2012 officially starts a week from today, Friday, May 12. Here’s a guide to all this year’s events.

PRELUDE EVENTS:

Centenarian Celebration
Come learn the secrets of long life from those who have lived to see an entire century. Join Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. as he commemorates the lives of those senior Bronxites who have turned, or will turn, 100 years old this year.

Date: Thursday, May 10
Time: 11 a.m.—3 p.m.
Admission: Free ticket for honoree and one guest, any additional guest is $30.
RSVP: (718) 590-6248

The 14th Annual Bronx Bankers’ Breakfast
Take the opportunity to connect with more than 400 leaders of the banking, business, real estate, and technical assistance industries at the 14th annual Bronx Bankers’ Breakfast. Mayor Michael Bloomberg will take the stage as this year’s special guest speaker along with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who will co-host the the largest networking event of its kind in the Bronx. The event is also hosted by the Business Initiative Corporation of New York, in partnership with The Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation.

This year’s theme is “Bank on The Bronx…We’re On The Move,” which responds directly to the many economic development projects simultaneously occurring in the Bronx and to the credit environment faced by many businesses trying to obtain capital to expand or start their own business. BIC is now able to lend more and for the first time refinance debt.

Date: Friday, May 11
Time: 8:00 a.m.-11 a.m.
Location: Villa Barone Manor, 737 Throggs Neck Expressway
Admission: $50 in advance; $60 at the door
RSVP: Required at 718-590-4588 or Dcarmona@boedc.org
Speaker: Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg

KICK OFF WEEKEND

First Annual Bronx Solar Economic Development Conference
In an effort to promote solar energy in the Bronx, the First annual “Bronx Solar Economic Development Conference,” will be held at St. Paul’s Church where its community centered solar energy pilot program for Parkchester will be unveiled. Expected speakers and guests will include: Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC), solar installation companies, home owners, solar industry experts, and others.

Date: Saturday, May 12
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: St. Paul’s Church-1891 McGraw Ave, Bronx NY 10462
Admission: Free admission, child care, breakfast and lunch

Second Agricultural Tour of the Bronx
All aboard for the second annual urban farm tour series, a narrated group tour of some of the borough’s most amazing working farms and gardens. Come aboard the Bronx Trolley and meet community farmers as they tend to their plots of land, micro-entrepreneurs that harvest honey and chickens that roam freely and produce Bronx farm fresh eggs. The day includes a healthy lunch, a lesson in agro-tourism and entertainment. The event is co-hosted by the Bronx Food & Sustainability Coalition, the Bronx Tourism Council, and Bronx Green-Up/The New York Botanical Garden. All proceeds go toward the support and programming of Bronx community gardens.

Date: Saturday, May 12
Time: Pick -up 9:00 a.m. Drop- off 3:00 p.m.
Location: NYC Visitors Information Bureau, 810 Seventh Avenue, Manhattan
Admission: $20
RSVP: 718.817.8026 or email bronxfoodsummit@gmail.com

Bronx Family and Youth Day
Celebrate the Boogie Down Bronx at this family-friendly event, featuring interactive activities to inspire creativity in youth through the power of music. This special event honors hip hop culture, including art, dance, rap, DJ mixing and fashion in the place where it all began. There will be face painting, dancing and kid-oriented entertainment.

Date: Saturday, May12, 2012
Time: 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm
Location: Bronx Museum of the Arts, 1040 Grand Concourse @ E 165 st.
Admission: Free

Mother’s Day Weekend Garden Party
Treat Mom to a beautiful green retreat. Play lawn games such as badminton and croquet, fly a kite, and have a picnic among the Garden’s spectacular spring color. Professional photographers will be on hand to snap pictures of you to take home. Kids can enjoy hands-on nature activities and create a greeting card for the occasion. On May 13, take in a Bronx Arts Ensemble Family Concert, an interactive performance of the classic tale Beauty and the Beast. And it’s all included in the regular price of an All-Garden Pass! Get tickets and more information at nybg.org.
Date: Saturday, May 12 & Sunday, May 13
Time: 12-5 p.m.
Location: New York Botanical Garden, enter @ 2900 South Southern Boulevard
Admission: Regular admission for botanical garden

Bronx Veterans Appreciation Day
Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and his Bronx Veterans Advisory Council pay tribute to the men and women who have served our country in the armed forces.

Date: Monday, May 14, 2012
Time: 10 am – 12 noon
Admission: Free
RSVP: 718-590-3914

COMMUNITY AWARENESS DAY

Tour of Bronx Green Roofs (Trolley Tour)
The Bronx is home to the first green roof on a city-owned building and a leader in bringing this green technology to commercial and nonprofit buildings across the borough. The 10,000 sq. ft. roof atop the Bronx County Building is the first stop on this narrated tour of five roofs across the Bronx, many funded in part by the Bronx Initiative for Energy & the Environment, a program of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC).

Date: Monday, May 14
Time: 9:30am – 2:00pm
Location: Bronx County Building, 851 Grand Concourse, room 123
Admission: Free/ lunch
RSVP: Email Kate Shackford, kshackford@BOEDC.org

BUSINESS DAY

Business Day Breakfast
Small Businesses are invited to attend the breakfast meeting covering issues relevant to their growth and development. In previous occasions they have covered the use of the social networks as well as import and export opportunities. The event is hosted by the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC).

Date: Tuesday, May 15, 2010
Time: 8:30 am – 10:30 am
Admission: By Invitation Only
RSVP: Seating is limited; register right away by calling: 718.590.5623

ARTS & CULTURE DAY

Trolley Tours
All aboard the Bronx trolley for a tour of New York City’s only mainland borough led by Bronx historian Professor Lloyd Ultan and co-hosted by The Bronx Tourism Council.

Date: Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Time: Choose from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm tour or 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Location: In front of the Bronx County Building, 851 Grand Concourse at E. 161 Street
Admission: Free
RSVP: 718.590.3047

SENIOR DAY

Senior Sock Hop
Grab your poodle skirt and roll up the sleeves of your t-shirt; it’s time to do the peppermint twist, the mashed potato and the swim at an old-fashioned sock hop hosted by Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. to honor the borough’s fabulous seniors.

Date: Thursday, May 17, 2012
Time: 12 noon – 4pm
Admission: Free (Tickets)
RSVP: 718-590-6248

Bronx Week Film Festival Gala
A Hollywood-meets-the-Bronx-style after-party to close the 2nd Annual Bronx Week Film Festival, this will be a lavish but hip soiree in the Rotunda of the Bronx County Building, with all of the filmmakers and actors and their entourages and other movers and shakers on hand to celebrate the Bronx’s burgeoning film industry and to toast the success of the 2nd Annual Bronx Week Film Festival.
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2012
Time: 6 pm – 9 pm
Location: Bronx County Building Rotunda, 851 Grand Concourse
Admission: By invitation only
RSVP: Yes

HEALTH DAY

Health Day Fair
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Bronx Health Links host the annual Bronx Week Health Fair with over 75 exhibitors providing information on resources across the borough and conducting screenings for blood pressure, eye sight.

Date: Friday, May 18, 2012
Time: 1p.m. – 4p.m.
Location: Bronx County Building, rotunda, 851 Grand Concourse at E. 161 Street
Admission: Free

ENVIRONMENTAL DAY

Bronx Ball
Join Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. for this memorable gala as the borough pays tribute to many of its most notable Bronxites. This popular black-tie awards ceremony is not to be missed, as business, arts, and civic leaders from the Bronx come together to celebrate the induction of several hometown greats into the Bronx Walk of Fame. This event is a fundraiser for the Bronx Tourism Council, a faction of the BOEDC.
Date: Saturday, May, 19, 2012
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Under a huge party tent at Orchard Beach
For ticket and advertising information: (718) 590 – 2502

BRONX WEEK GRAND FINALE

Bronx Volunteer Recognition Day Ceremony
Each year, during Bronx Week, Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. honors a select group of civic-minded individuals for their dedication to making the Bronx a great place to live and work.
This year, in conjunction with the Food Bank of New York, The Bronx salutes our borough’s top Food Bank/ Soup kitchen volunteers.

Date: Sunday, May 20, 2012
Admission: By invitation only

Bronx Walk of Fame – 2012 Induction Ceremony
Be there as the 2012 Bronx Walk of Fame inductees take their rightful place on the Grand Concourse when Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. unveils street signs bearing their names….

Date: Sunday, May 20, 2012
Time: 11 am
Location: Bronx County Building, Grand Concourse at East 161st Street
Admission: Free
RSVP: Not required

41th Annual Bronx Week Parade
Bronx pride is on display as marching bands, community groups, schools, sports teams and civic groups march along Mosholu Parkway celebrating the best of the borough as this great community tradition celebrates its 41th anniversary.

Date: Sunday, May 20, 2012
Time: 12 noon
Location: Reviewing stand, Mosholu Parkway East at Van Cortlandt Avenue
Admission: Free
RSVP: N/A

Bronx Food, Arts & Music Festival
After the parade, residents will enjoy the Bronx Week Food, Arts & Music Festival, which features popular restaurants, arts & crafts and games and activities for kids, including the Arbitron Enchanted Forest with authors reading aloud to kids and giveaways for all. Also, the Bronx Health Pavilion will offer free health screenings and information on services, health insurance; and the stage will offer live music all-day, showcasing the great cultural diversity of the Bronx.

Date: Sunday, May 20, 2012
Time: 12 noon
Location: Mosholu Parkway at Bainbridge Avenue
Admission: Free