Our Out & About feature is a guide to what’s happening in arts, entertainment and recreation in the Bronx.

Editor’s Pick

Free Shows for the Kiddies

City Parks Foundation presents a series of free Summerstage children’s programs, all starting at 10:30 a.m.:

— Van Cortlandt Park’s Sachkerah Woods Playground, Jerome Avenue and Gun Hill Road:

Javaka Steptoe, Aug. 8

The Uptown Dance Company, Aug. 15

Van Cortlandt Park’s Southwest Playground, 240th Street and Broadway:

The Dirty Sock Funtime Band, Aug. 13

The Ohmies, Aug. 20

— Poe Park, Grand Concourse at Kingsbridge Road:

Mr. Chris’ Musical Experience, Aug. 2

Wildlife Theatre presents “Butterfly “Boogie,” Aug. 9

Griots in Concert, Aug. 16

— Slattery Playground, Ryer Avenue at Valentine and East 183rd Street:

Parallel Exit Physical Theatre (part of Circus Festival), Aug. 5

CityParks PuppetMobile – Little Red’s Hood, Aug. 12

The Ebony Hillbillies, Aug. 19

— Ciccarone Park Plaza, Arthur Avenue and East 188th Street:

Zany Umbrella Circus (part of Circus Festival), Aug. 9

The Uptown Dance Company, Aug. 14

CityParks PuppetMobile – Little Red’s Hood, Aug. 16

 City Parks Foundation also presents free theatre performances including King Kong, Aug. 6, 7 and 10; and Diablo Love, Aug. 8 and 9; all at 8 p.m. in St. Mary’s Park, 450 St. Ann’s Ave. at 145th Street. For more information or a detailed schedule including all Bronx locations, call (917) 626-0525 or visit cityparksfoundation.org.

Onstage

Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy presents free events, all on the VC House Museum’s lawn from 6:30 to 8 p.m. (enter the park at 246th Street and Broadway): Keito Academy (Chinese) on July 25; Greek American Folklore Society on Aug. 1; and Salsafest on Aug. 8. For more information, call (718) 430-1890.

The Bronx Arts Ensemble (BAE) presents Broadway Jazz, July 28; Irresistible Latin Rhythms, Aug. 4; and Summer Treats, Aug. 11; all at Van Cortlandt Park’s Rockwood Drive Circle at 2 p.m. (enter the park at Mosholu Avenue and Broadway); and at 4 p.m. at Fordham University. BAE also presents Latin Rhythms on July 26 and Jazz Classics on Aug. 9 at Pelham Bay Park at 6 p.m. Rain location for VC Park is Vladeck Hall, Amalgamated Houses, Hillman Avenue and VC Park South; and for Pelham Bay, it’s International Caterers, 3243 Ampere Ave. For more information, call (718) 430-1890 or (718) 601-7399.

The Bronx Library Center, at 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., presents Great Ladies of Song: Tribute to Singers From the Swing Era, July 27; Latin Jazz Concert, Aug. 3; and New York Opera Forum performs Mozart, Aug. 10; all at 2:30 p.m. For more information, call (718) 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org.

The NY Botanical Garden presents a Cocktail Evening and Summer Concert, Aug. 15 from 6 to 9 p.m. (rain or shine), in an open air pavilion tent (bring blanket and picnic dinner for before the concert on the Conservatory Lawn). Tickets are $20/members; $30/non members (advance tickets recommended; includes one complimentary cocktail for over age 21, or non-alcoholic beverage). For more information, call (718) 817-8700 or visit www.nybg.org..

Events

The East 204th Street and Bainbridge Avenue Merchants Association, in conjunction with the Mosholu Preservation Corporation (publisher of the Norwood News), invites the public to its 3rd Summer Streets, a walk program, on Aug. 4 and 11 from noon to 5 p.m. along East 204th Street between Bainbridge and Decatur avenues. The intent is to promote local businesses and organizations, to help stimulate the local neighborhood economy, and to bring community residents together. Events include activities and games, face painting, entertainment, food, free salsa lessons, and more. For more information, call (917) 583-2075.

Pregones Theatre presents its free summer block party, Aug. 4 from 2 to 8 p.m. at 575 Walton Ave. Events include music, theatre, dance and poetry. For more information, call (718) 585-1202.

The Fordham Road BID presents free outdoor movie, “Megamind,” July 27 at 8:30 p.m. at Fordham Plaza (189th Street and Third and Park avenues). Bring a chair or blanket. For more information, call (718) 562-2104.

St. Ann’s Church, 3519 Bainbridge Ave., holds summer flea market, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Aug. 17. Vendors welcome. For more information, call (718) 547-9350.

The NY Botanical Garden presents its Greenmarket, farmers market at the base of the Library Allee inside the Mosholu Gate entrance, Wednesdays through Nov. 27, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call (718) 817-8658.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. invites the public and the Bronx Muslim community to celebrate Ramadan, July 25 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Bronx County Building’s Veterans Memorial Hall, 851 Grand Concourse. Call to confirm at (718) 590-3522 or email lroldan@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

Poe Park Visitor Center, 2640 Grand Concourse, offers a variety of activities for the entire family during July. For more information and a detailed schedule, call (718) 365-5516

Wave Hill, a Bronx oasis at 675 W. 252nd St. in Riverdale, offers Family Arts Projects: Put Wave Hill in the Palm of Your Hand, to sketch how different cultures and religions use hands to express peace and friendship, July 27 and 28; Handmade River Rafts, to make a natural raft or boat from a variety of material, Aug. 3 and 4; Spray a Garden, to combine watercolors and blossoms into a blooming vision, Aug. 10 and 11; and Flutter With the Butterflies, to observe, then make a butterfly hat, Aug. 17 and 18; all at the Wave Hill House from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Also scheduled on the grounds from 7 to 8 p.m. is Sunset Music: Ray Martinez, July 31; Kumbacarey, Aug. 7; and Milteri Tucker/Bomabaza Dance, Aug. 14. Grounds admission is free Saturdays until noon all year, and free Tuesdays all day in July and August. Glyndor Gallery tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m.; garden walks are held Tuesdays and Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., from the Perkins Visitor Center. For more information and a schedule of events, call (718) 549-3200.

Bronx Museum of the Arts presents free outdoor film screening, “Soul Boy” and “Lezare,” Aug. 2 from 6 to 10 p.m., at Joyce Kilmer Park, Grand Concourse between 161st and 164th streets (bring blanket). Rain location is at the museum, 1040 Grand Concourse, 2nd floor North Wing. For more information, call (718) 681-6000.

The Bronx County Historical Society’s Museum of Bronx History at the Valentine-Varian House, 3266 Bainbridge Ave., presents free lecture, Lungs for the City – The Origin of Bronx Parks, Aug. 3 at 1 p.m. For more information, call (718) 881-8900.

Bronx Council on the Arts, 2700 E. Tremont Ave., presents free Community Arts Tuesdays in Westchester Square, July 30 from 6 to 8 p.m., to discuss civil rights. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call (718) 931-9500 ext. 22 or 33.

Kingsbridge Heights Community Center (KHCC) will hold its summer play streets program, July 26 to Aug. 30, Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Kingsbridge Terrace between Summit Place and Perot Street. Events include health and arts activities, a rock climbing wall, hip-hop and modern dance classes, cooking classes, and sports. The Teen Green Market, run by the Teen Center, will run from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call (718) 884-0700 ext. 196.

Westchester Square BID presents Carnival in the Square, July 27 from noon to 3 p.m., at Owen Dolen Park, 2551 Westchester Ave. (near Tremont Avenue), featuring games, cotton candy, magician, and more. Also at the park will be Salsa Fest, Aug. 10 from noon to 3 p.m. For more information, call (718) 597-4629.

The public is invited to ride the Aug. 7 free Bronx Culture Trolley, which transports visitors on the first Wednesday of every month (except January and September), to free Bronx hot spots. Trolley night starts with a 5 p.m. reception at the Longwood Art Gallery at Hostos Community College, 450 Grand Concourse (at 149th St.). From there, the trolley departs at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Riders can get on and off at any scheduled stop and spend as much time as they wish at any or all of the featured venues. For more information and a detailed schedule, call (718) 931-9500 ext. 33 or log on to www.bronxarts.org.

Exhibits

Norwood News photographer Adi Talwar presents “Abstract,” a collection of his photographs in an exhibition at Illuminated Metropolis Gallery, 547 W. 27th St., Suite 529 (between 10th and 11th avenues), Fridays from 1 to 5 and Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m. through Aug. 3. For more information, call (212) 946-1685.

The Bronx County Historical Society’s Museum of Bronx History at the Valentine-Varian House, 3266 Bainbridge Ave., presents Pastimes & Pleasures: Having Fun in the Bronx, through Oct. 20. For more information, call (718) 881-8900.

The New York Botanical Garden presents Wild Medicine: Healing Plants Around the World, Featuring the Italian Renaissance Garden, including interactive stations with activities and samples of products made from therapeutic plants, through Sept. 8. For more information, call (718) 817-8512/8637.

The Bronx Museum of the Arts, 1040 Grand Concourse, presents State of Mind: New California Art Circa 1970, story of the California artists of the ‘60s and ‘70s.who impacted artists across the country; and Bronx Calling: The Second AIM Biennial, a variety of work by Artists in the Marketplace participants (free). Both exhibits run through Sept. 8. For more information, call (212) 671-5169.

Bronx Arts Space, 305 E. 140th St., 1B, presents art sale/silent auction at its exhibit, to make a tax deductible purchase. Closing reception is on Aug. 4, and offers final bidding from 4 to 9 p.m. For more information and gallery hours, call (718) 401-8144.

Library Events

The Bronx Library Center, at 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., presents programs for adults including Single Stop/Government Benefits at 9 a.m.: July 25, 30, Aug. 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20 and 22; Heritage Arts & Crafts: (in-person advance registration required), July 26 at 2 p.m.; Heritage Sewing Circle at 4 p.m.: July 27 and Aug. 10; Heritage Tour, Latino and Puerto Rican Cultural Collection: (phone or in-person registration required), July 30 at 2 p.m.; Single Stop/Workshop: July 30 at 3 p.m.; Computer Basics: Aug. 2 at 2 p.m.; MS Word for Beginners: Aug. 8 at 2 p.m.; Learn a Language With Mango: July 31 at 2 p.m.; and Summer Sewing Circle: (advance in-person registration required), Aug. 10 at 2 p.m.  Teens/young adults can attend Teen Theatre: (movie), July 25 at 3 p.m.; On the Plate: to learn to cook, July 29 at 4:30 p.m. (all materials provided); and Teen Minecraft Club: July 30 at 4 p.m. Children can enjoy Summer Magnet Making: July 25 at 2 p.m.; Three Billy Goats Not-So-Gruff: (ages 3 to 12), July 27 at 2 p.m.; film at 2 p.m.: July 30; T-Shirt Making: (ages 5 to 12; preregistration required), Aug. 1 at 2 p.m.; Jewelry Box Making: Aug. 8 at 2 p.m.; My City Park: (ages 3 to 12), a play with puppets and music, Aug. 10 at 3 p.m.; Seashell Fan Making: Aug. 15 at 2 p.m.; Going On a Mystery Hunt: (ages 3 to 12), features stories and song, Aug. 17 at 2 p.m.; Open House Summer Reading Celebration: Aug. 22 at 10 a.m.; and Abracadabra: (ages 5 to 12), magic and comedy, Aug. 22 at 2 p.m. For more information, call (718) 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org.

The Mosholu Library, at 285 E. 205th St., offers for seniors and adults: Knitting Circle: Thursdays at 3 p.m.; Wii Program: Tuesdays at 3 p.m.; Open Lab at 10:30 a.m.: (advance in-person registration required), for basic computer questions, July 31, Aug. 7, 14 and 21; and MS Excel for Beginners: July 25 at 12:30 p.m. Teens/young adults can attend Break: to learn break dancing, Aug. 15 at 3:30 p.m. Children can enjoy Reading Aloud at 2 p.m.: (ages 3 to 12), July 29, 31, Aug. 5, 12, and 19; and Toddler Story Time at 10:30 a.m.: (ages 18 to 36 months), July 25. For more information, call (718) 882-8239.

The Jerome Park Library, at 118 Eames Place, offers for children: Pajama Party: July 29 at 6 p.m.; Arts & Crafts: Aug. 5 at 2 p.m.; film: Aug. 12 at 2 p.m. (all for ages 5 to 12); and Toddler Story Time (ages 18 to 36 months), Aug. 21 at 11 a.m.; and for adults: Computer Basics at noon, July 25, 30, Aug. 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20 and 22. For more information, call (718) 549-5200.

NOTE: THE NORWOOD NEWS WILL BE ON HIATUS THROUGH AUG. 21, 2013. Items for consideration may be mailed to our office or sent to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org, and should be received by Aug. 12 for the next publication date of Aug. 22