Op-Ed: Manhattan May Not Notice Parks’ Budget Cut, Other Boroughs Will

By LIANA SMALE

Next time you walk through one of New York City’s 1,700 public parks, take a closer look at the names on the signs advertising park events, or at the shirts worn by people picking up trash. Do they say “NYC Parks” or the name of a private group? While NYC Department of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks) performs many general park maintenance tasks, oftentimes private groups ensure that parks are clean, safe, and fun spaces. According to New Yorkers for Parks, the City already spends less on its parks than other major U.S. cities, and this June, according to New

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed Intro. 891 into law on Thursday, May 25, which will allow sporting venues to hold games of chance, such as raffles, for charitable purposes. “Today, we are hitting a home run for New York City nonprofits,” said Adams. “New York City is home to some of the greatest sporting teams in the nation, and we love supporting them, especially when they give back to the community. Today, with the signing of this bill into law, we are stepping up to the plate, and making it easier for the Yankees, the Mets, and others

By DAVID GREENE

Several hundred members of different trade unions from across the City stood vigil down the block from Walton High School in Kingsbridge Heights on Wednesday, May 24, as city officials joined local residents for the final community input meeting to determine the future of the massive, vacant Kingsbridge Armory, located at Jerome Avenue and West Kingsbridge Road, also in Kingsbridge Heights. It has remained all but dormant for the better part of the last 20 years. Only Bronxites were allowed inside the school for the meeting. The Kingsbridge Armory residents meeting kicked off at 5 p.m. at the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition. Lehman Center for the Performing Arts was the chosen Bronx venue for the 50th anniversary celebration of the birth of Hip Hop on Saturday, May 6, when the Hip Hop Fever 2023 concert kicked off in conjunction with Sal Abbatiello of Fever Records. In the early 1970s, Hip Hop was born in the South Bronx and the concert celebrated the early pioneers of the now world-famous music genre. The show featured performances by Grandmaster Melle & Scorpio, KRS-One, Kurtis Blow, the Sugar

Bronx Week 2023 celebrations continued with a Silent Disco at Woodlawn Cemetery on Friday, May 12.

New York City Beaches Reopen for Summer 2023

By SÍLE MOLONEY

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

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

By SÍLE MOLONEY

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

By SÍLE MOLONEY

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