Bronx Talk show host Gary Axelbank hosts a new music podcast, The Bronx Music Podcast with Gary Axelbank, recorded in front of a live audience at The Artist performance venue on City Island. Click here to read our latest story. Episode 4 is available to listen to now. Check it out on the following platforms Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.

 

The podcast is recorded in front of a live audience on the first Sunday of each month at 1 p.m. at ‘The Artist’, 249 City Island Avenue, City Island, Bronx, NY. The Artist venue was recognized as the 2023 Best Concert Venue in The Bronx. On Sunday, June 2 at 1 p.m., the next guest to join Axelbank will be popular singer/songwriter Johnny Seven. All are welcome to attend.

 

EVENTS

The Jerome Gun Hill Business Improvement District (BID), in conjunction with the Bronx Historical Society and partners, will host an inaugural “Norwood Pride” festival during Pride Month on June 23 in the Wiliamsbridge Oval park in Norwood. See attached flier for details.

Celebrate Juneteenth at the New York Botanical Garden on Bronx Day, Saturday, June 15, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. Visit the Garden on Bronx Day for a lively celebration of Juneteenth featuring music, dance performances, arts and crafts, food trucks, and so much more. Register for the symposium with author and historian Dr. Jessica B. Harris as NYBG celebrates the opening of its African American Garden in its newest form, and don’t miss the fantastical displays to explore throughout the Garden during the latest exhibition, Wonderland: Curious Nature. NYBG is offering complimentary tickets for Bronx residents to visit on June 15. Distribution of tickets is on a first-requested, first-served basis. Click here for more details.

 

Join Bronx Arts Ensemble and partners for a Juneteenth celebration in Van Cortlandt Park on June 19. See attached flier for details.

Bronx Commmunity Solutions presents “Juneteenth Jubilee: Educate & Celebrate the Arts,” a free event on June 12. See attached flier for details.

 

In 2017, according to the Kingsbridge Historical Society, the neighborhood landmark Villa Rosa Bonheur was bought by investors. Two years later, the society said because of “as-of-right” real estate laws, it was reduced to a pile of rubble and carted away. A presentation will be given on June 6, outlining the community efforts to try to save it, and when they failed, the co-naming of the location where it once stood as “Villa Rosa Bonheur John J McKelvey Sr. Way.” See attached flier for details.

The 52nd Precinct and partners are hosting their Annual Autism Awareness Walk on Wednesday, May 29, at noon, at the stationhouse at 3016 Webster Ave, Bronx, NY 10467. For more information, contact Community Affairs Officers Stephen Echevarria and Jessalyn Capo at (718) 220-5824.

 

The Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade Gala will take place on Thursday, Sept. 12, at Villa Barone Manor in Throggs Neck. See attached flier for details.

 

Bronx Fasion Week presents a Decade of Dreams on May 25. See attachd flier for more details.

Elizabeth Quaranta of Future of Mosholu Parkland (FOMP) has shared details from Bideawee’s Feral Cat Initiative on social media on how to help decrease the number of kittens being born in “the wild” and improve the lives of feral and stray cats in the area. Residents can register for upcoming online Trap-Neuter-Return (#TNR) Certification Workshops from the Community Cats Podcast / Neighborhood Cats, coming on June 1 and July 14. Register here.

 

Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition will mark its 50th Anniversary at a Gala at Manhattan College, 3900 Waldo Avenue, The Bronx, on Friday, Oct. 18, at 6 p.m.

 

The Bronx Historical Society presents the 2nd Annual Aerosol Arts & Street Jam on Saturday, June 8. See attached flier for details.

 

The Bronx Historical Society presents the 6th Annual MC Sha Rock Day on Saturday, June 1. See attached flier for details. Read our previous story here.

 

The Bronx Historical Society presents the Mott Haven Walking Tour on Saturday, May 25. See attached flier for details.

 

The Office of the Bronx Borough President is holding her 2nd Annual Prom Dress & Suit Giveaway on Friday, May 24. See attached flier for details.

 

The St. Peter’s Greek Festival is back. Stay tuned to be a part of the journey into the heart of Greek culture, cuisine, and tradition. Save the date, June 16. More details to follow.

 

The Office of the Bronx Borough President is hosting an African Union Flag-Raising day on Friday, May 28. See attached flier for details.

 

The Office of the Bronx Borough President is holding a CCNY Studio Award Ceremony on Thursday, May 23. See attached flier for details.

 

The Office of the Bronx Borough President is hosting a music concert in Praise of God (in Spanish) on Saturday, May 25. See attached flier for more details.

Join the Green House Gallery on Sunday, May 26, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m, for 315 Thrift, a one-day only thrift event where you can find some fun threads and comics! Shop while you enjoy tunes by @djcurlynez.

Please see attached flier for the upcoming Poe Cottage Health & Fitness Spring / Summer 2024 event series.

 

Attached below is the Programming Schedule for the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center.

 

NYC Parks presents Bring It Talent Show on Friday, May 31. See attached flier for details.

 

NYC Parks is hosting a Modeling 101 Classes from April to June. See attached flier for details.

 

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.

 

The New York Botanical Garden (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.

 

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.

 

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.

• 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!

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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 latest story on the library’s latest activities. The library also meets regularly as a book club.

 

COMEDY

Bronx Comedy has taken over the Arthur Avenue Retail Market since Jan. 29, 2024, every Monday at 7 p.m. Producer Walt Frasier is teaming up with Pauly DiSilvio of LCG Cigars to bring professional stand-up comedy, improv comedy, music and even murder mystery events to The Bronx’s Little Italy. Frasier has 20+ years of comedy performance and production experience and has been seen on HBO, MTV, NBC’S Blacklist, CBS’s Blue Bloods and Letterman, Showtime’s Billions and more.

The Mosholu branch of the New York Public Library is holding James Baldwin inspired art classes “My Hands are My Heart” with instructor Blanka Amezkua on Saturday, May 18, and Saturday, June 1, from 1 p.m. to 2.30 p.m., at 285 E 205th St, Bronx, NY 10467. Participants will engage in activities like embroidery, gluing, painting, printing, and cutting with all materials provided. For more information, call (718) 882-8239.

 

Mosholu Library is hosting “My Hands Are My Heart,” James Baldwin inspired art classes given by Blanka Amezkua on various dates ending June 1. See attached flier for details.

Click here to check out Free Museum Days in New York City during 2024.

Junior McLean from the 149th and Tinton Avenue area in The Bronx is a self-taught artist since 1996. For years, he studied art and learned by reading at public libraries or studying online tutorials from online art groups like Renderosity and Deviant art. From 2005-2011, he used to have small, public art exhibitions. Currently, he is a freelance artist and wants to encourage other artists to stay creative and use their talents in a way that is positive to the neighborhood and each other. His social media links are:

Junior’s Digital Designs ((IG))

https://www.instagram.com/juniorsdigitaldesigns

Junior’s Digital Designs ((Twitter/X))

https://www.twitter.com/TheFractalKing/

Junior’s Digital Designs ((Business Page FB))

https://www.facebook.com/juniorsdigitaldesigns

Junior has a Redbubble Artwork Store for those seeking greeting cards, postcards and other custom products for sale at Junior’s Digital Designs Redbubble Artwork Store  https://fractalking.redbubble.com. He says he plans to collaborate with Link NYC about having his artwork seen/featured on their “Art on Link” program in the Tristate area. His work was featured last August with Link NYC for 3 weeks.

Bronx River Art Center, 1087 East Tremont Ave, PO Box 5002, Bronx, NY 10460, celebrating 37 years of bringing Arts & Cultural programs to The Bronx, presents “Never Wait! / ¡Nunca Esperes!” from April 13 to June 8, organized by Blanka Amezkua. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, April 13, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and an Artist Talk will be held on Saturday, May 11, at 4:30 p.m. Gallery hours are Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays, from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, click here.

Casita Maria Gallery presents “Leftovers” from March 21 to August 16. See attached flier below for detials.

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

 

Local artist and photographer, Jordan Moss, a former editor of the Norwood News, runs the website, “Art All Around Us,” which can be accessed here. His photos and abstract/mixed media work can also be viewed on IG @jordanmossbx. Greeting cards with his photo prints are available on Etsy. Moss’s latest solo art/photography exhibit is showing at Poe Park Visitor Center, south of the corner of Grand Concourse and Kingsbridge Road.

The Bronx Night Market has returned to Fordham Plaza. The Bronx Night Market is not merely a culinary gathering; it is a powerful reflection of the community’s resilience, creativity, and collective pride, contributing to the borough’s cultural richness and economic vibrancy. This special event will occur on the first Saturday of the month from April to October. Click here for more information.

 

FILM

The Bronx Historical Society hosts a free screening of “Up Jump Da Boogie” documentary on Saturday, May 25. See attached flier for details.

 

The Bronx Historical Society hosts a free screening of “At Home in Utopia” documentary on Saturday, May 31. See attached flier for details.

 

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.

DANCE

Join Bronx Arts Ensemble for a Capoeira Performance and Dance on Saturday, June 15.  See attached flier for details.

 

NYC Parks hosts the Bronx All Stars Dance team classes at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center from April to June. See attached flier for details.

 

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

 

MUSIC 

Join Bronx Arts Ensemble for a celebration of music, culture, and community as it shares in the joy and spirit of Congolese drumming and dance. Experience the rhythmic pulse of traditional Congolese drumming and the rich cultural heritage of the dancers’ graceful movements telling stories of their ancestors. Feel the energy and passion that resonate through each beat, connecting you to a tradition that has been passed down through generations. See attached flier for details.

 

Join Bronx Arts Ensemble and Jenn Jade 5! for Summer Sprinklers at Pelham Bay Park on Friday, June 14.  See attached flier for details.

 

The Riverdale Choral Society would like to invite residents to its Summer Sing performance. Conductor emeritus, John Lettieri, will lead an informal performance of Mozart’s Requiem. The Summer Sing will be held at Christ Church Riverdale, 5040 Henry Hudson Parkway East, Bronx, NY 10471, on Wednesday, June 12 from 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.

A “di.vi.sion concert” will take place on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at 3 p.m. at the historic Riverdale Presbyterian Church, 4765 Henry Hudson Parkway West, Bronx, NY 10471. The program features music by composers Douglas Anderson, Beethoven, Haydn and John Newell performed by di.vi.sion members, Kurt Briggs, Renée Cometa Briggs, Matt Goeke, Don Mokrynski and Shotaro Mori. Two new works will be premiered: On the Way for Piano Trio by John Newell and Three Meditations on ‘Hope’ for Solo Piano by Douglas Anderson. Also on the program are Beethoven’s Duet No. 3 for Clarinet and Bassoon, WoO 27; Haydn’s Piano Trio in d minor, Hob. XV:23; and Douglas Anderson’s Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano (1975). A suggested donation of $20/$15 for students and seniors. Parking is available at the church. “Di.vi.sion concerts” are made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, the New York State legislature and administered by the Bronx Council on the Arts.

 

Join Bronx Arts Ensemble and partners for a Goussy Celestin’s Ayiti Brass performance in Pelham Bay Park on Friday, June 21. See attached flier for details.

 

Chabad of Riverdale’s annual Lag Ba’Omer Celebration takes place on Sunday, May 26, and features Noam Buskila, IDF Reservist Musician as part of a live concert at 2:45 p.m. There will also be a BBQ, cotton candy, pony rides, inflatables, crafts and more.
Purchase tickets at ChabadBronx.org/LagBaomer.

 

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance (VCPA) announce that the NY Philharmonic will hold its Free, Annual Concert in Van Cortlandt Park on Tuesday, June 11, at 8 p.m. Pack a picnic, BYOB (bring your own blanket), and get ready for a lovely evening on the Parade Ground. Fireworks will follow the concert.

 

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.

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.

 

Bronx Arts Ensemble and partners present Steven Oquendo’s Ocho Con Afinque in Pelham Bay Park on Friday, June 28. See attached flier for details.

 

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

Enjoy Everyday Play programs a at season at Pelham Bay Park throughout July and August for kids aged 6 to 17, with with City Parks Foundation. Everyday Play is a free, 5-day-per-week, multi-sport program for kids. Students enjoy a rotating schedule of activities which typically feature two different sports each day, including tennis, golf, track & field, soccer and general fitness. Throughout the six-week program, coaches introduce the basics of these sports while also providing fun games and contests to keep kids active and engaged. For more information, visit the City Parks Foundation website.

 

The organizers of the Puerto Rican Day Parade are looking for contestants for the Puerto Rican Day Parade Pageant / Talent Show. See attached flier for more details.

The Bronx Children’s Museum offers a range of activities for the borough’s children to enjoy. See our latest story on the museum’s opening here. When the museum welcomed its first children for a preview of the new facility with special guest, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and were asked how they enjoyed it, the children reportedly responded, “A-MAZ-ING!” The opening hours for the museum, located at 725 Exterior Street near Yankee Stadium along the Harlem River, can be found on 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. 

 

The Bronx Historical Society and Photoville Festival 2024 displays “Los Inocentes” (The Innocents) photo exhibition in The Bronx from June 3-16. See attached flier for details.

The 7th Annual Latin American Foto Festival takes place on July 11 at the Bronx Documentary Center Annex, 364 East 151st Street, The Bronx, NY 10455. Click here for details.

A photo exhibition on “Jewish Identity/Jewish Diversity” is on display 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.

 

SPOKEN WORD, STORY TELLING, & LITERACY

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

New York City’s public beaches will open for swimming on Saturday, May 25. Orchard Beach, the only public beach in The Bronx, will officially open on May 25 also. Lifeguards will be on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Sunday, September 8. Swimming is strictly prohibited at all other times.

 

The Bronx County Historical Society (BCHS) and the the Bronx Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) are hosting a Mott Haven Walking Tour on May 25 from 10 a.m. to noon. The tour will explore one of the first developed areas of The Bronx, and discuss its general history, demographic change, and architecture, with a particular focus on Mott Haven’s central location as a robust manufacturing base in the 19th century. The tour will explore the rich architectural styles found in the Mott Haven Historic District and the Bertine Block Historic District, with their notable Queen Ann and Romanesque styles.

 

The tour costs $20 for AIA and BCHS members and $30 for nonmembers. The group will meet at the NE Corner of Alexander Avenue and 138th Street on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 10 a.m. Contact education@bronxhistoricalsociety.org to sign up for the tour or for more information.

 

A Herb Walk billed as a “Trans, Queer, Black, Indigenous, POC space,” is being held on May 25 in Van Cortlandt Park. See attached flier for details.

 

The City Parks Foundation offers Free Tennis Lessons from Apri to June at different locations across the City. See attached flier for details.

The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is looking for soccer referees. Read our latest story here.

 

NYC Parks 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.

 

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 

Save the date for the Bronx Historical Society’s 23rd Annual Golf Tournament. See attached flier for details.

 

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

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.

 

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.

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. Read our latest story here.

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.

 

NYC Parks Movement Events 

Hiking Trails

NYC has 300 miles of nature trails! Find a trail and go exploring

 

Signs of Spring Hikes

Find adaptations and signs of spring this weekend on hikes with the Urban Park Rangers

 

Download the NYC Bike Map

Our friends at NYC DOT have published their annual map of NYC‘s bike paths and trails.

 

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