Editor’s Pick 

Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, located at 3225 Reservoir Oval East in Norwood, is hosting its Annual Pumpkin Party on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Families and children are invited to the event where there will be trick-or-treating and family fun. Activities will include carnival games, arts & crafts, photo booth, and much more. The event is free and open to the public. Prevailing COVID-19 regulations apply. Call Sarah at (212) 360-1430 or email sarah.bishow@parks.nyc.gov for more information.

 

Events

The Jerome Gun Hill BID 20th Annual Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, Oct. 23, from noon to 5 p.m., on Jerome Avenue between E Mosholu Parkway and E Gun Hill Road in Jerome Park. Stop by and enjoy the pumpkin patch, performances by local bands and giveaways. Click here for more information or email jeromegunhillbid@gmaill.com.

 

An Italian Heritage Trolley Tour will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery & Conservancy on Oct. 10, 2021, at 1 p.m. Visit the memorials and mausoleums of famous Italian-Americans at Woodlawn. Stops on the tour include Piccirilli Brothers Monuments, Joseph Stella’s Mausoleum and the gravesite of Fiorello LaGuardia. Guests are asked to wear a mask while on the trolley. Find our more information at: https://www.woodlawn.org/conservancy/tours-events/.

 

The Bronx People’s Festival, organized by the Bronx-wide Coalition in conjunction with Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition, takes place in Crotona Park on Saturday, Oct. 23, at 11 a.m. At the event, you’ll be able to:

• Share your ideas for how we can transform our Bronx economy and society to prioritize self-determination, wellbeing, and dignity for all,
• Learn about exciting projects happening locally and beyond that are aligned with our vision and values,
• Get all the information you need to vote in NYC’s general election this November,
• Reflect on the loved ones we’ve recently lost, and access resources for healing, like Reiki,
• Connect with the organizations, staff, and delegates in our leadership team and learn how you can stay engaged, and
• Eat delicious food, play games, win prizes, build community, and a lot more!

See attached flyer further below for more information.

 

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the CUNY Institute for Health Equity at Lehman College will hold Latinx Scholars and Research virtual, panel discussions on Tuesday, Oct. 12, at 11:30 a.m. Discuss the scholars’ professional trajectories and how their scholarship impacts communities and populations. Panel chairs include Lehman College president, Fernando Delgado, and Juan DelaCruz, director of the CUNY Mexican Studies Institute. Register at: https://lehman-cuny-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mdU4wNRQSbeU4tuEovZ-Xg. For information on other Lehman College events marking Hispanic Heritage Month, go to https://www.lehman.edu/cuny-institute-health-equity/upcoming-events.php.

 

 

In celebration of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, a Fiesta de Flores celebration will be held at the New York Botanical Garden on Friday, Oct. 13, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Garden Terrace Room. The event is being held in collaboration with New York City Council Member Vanessa Gibson, and will present a Distinguished Leadership Award to Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Come enjoy music, crafts, food, and much more! Admission is free, space is limited, and RSVP is required by October 8. RSVP here.

 

Parkchester’s Annual Celebration of Kwanzaa

‘CREATING UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY,’ Parkchester’s annual celebration of Kwanzaa will take place on Thursday, Dec. 30, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST at St. Helena Church, 1315 Olmstead Avenue, Bronx, NY 10462.  It will celebrate the fifth principle “Nia (Purpose) which is a commitment to the COLLECTIVE VOCATION of building, developing, and defending the community, its culture and history in order to regain its historical initiative and greatness.” Kwanzaa will also be live-streamed on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/272429704720549/ and on YouTube at:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKQFSUxPO9ez9f6i7EyP9rw. Click on the Kwanzaa link for more details.

 

Dance

New York Botanical Garden(NYBG), located at 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10458, continues with its Contemporary Dance Series throughout October on Saturdays and Sundays from 2-5 p.m. A series of spontaneous, outdoor performances celebrate the infinite possibilities of our connection with nature and each other. Ballet Hispánico takes place on Oct. 9 and 10. It is the nation’s renowned Latino dance organization and one of America’s cultural treasures. Artistic director and CEO, Eduardo Vilaro, has infused Ballet Hispánico’s legacy with a bold brand of contemporary dance that reflects America’s changing cultural landscape.

 

Founded in 1970 by National Medal of Arts recipient, Tina Ramirez, the organization emerged during the post-civil rights movement on New York’s Upper West Side, providing a safe haven for primarily Black and brown Latinx youth, seeking artistic sanctuary during New York City’s plight in the 1970s. The need for place, both culturally and artistically, led families to find Ballet Hispánico. The focus on dance as a means to develop working artists, combined with the training, authenticity of voice, and power of representation, fueled the organization’s roots and trajectory. The organization serves as a platform for historically limited and overlooked artists, providing them with increased capacity, voice, and affirmation. For more information, go to: https://www.nybg.org/event/kusama/kusama-cosmic-nature-programs/contemporary-dance-series/.

 

 

Kids 

Scarecrows & Pumpkins is ongoing at the New York Botanical Garden through Sunday, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Plentiful pumpkins and hordes of gourds will be on display at the LuEsther T. Mertz Library Building and on the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory Plaza. To add to the seasonal fun, more than 100 whimsical scarecrows will line the twisting trails of the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. Go to https://www.nybg.org/event/scarecrows-pumpkins/ for more information.

 

Pumpkin Carving Demonstrations will be held at New York Botanical Garden, on Saturdays & Sundays on Oct. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. Visitors, young and old, will be amazed as faces and designs emerge from pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, thanks to the skill of professional sculptor and pumpkin carver, Adam Bierton, the 2015 winner of the Food Network series, Halloween Wars. In addition, Plethora of Pumpkins, an NYBG online hub offers pumpkin carving tips, fall recipes, decoration ideas, and more. For more information, go to: https://www.nybg.org/event/plethora_of_pumpkins/.

 

 

 

An NYC Parks After-School Program will be held at Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, located at 3225 Reservoir Oval E, Bronx, NY 10467, through June 10, 2021 from Monday to Friday, between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. For more information, contact Debra Edwards at NYC Parks on (718) 430-1847 or email debra.edwards@parks.nyc.gov.

 

A “BOO-rrific” Halloween event will be held for families and children aged 12 and younger at Poe Park Visitor Center, located at 2640 Grand Concourse, on Saturday, Oct. 23, from noon to 3 p.m. for a chills and thrills adventure through the “BOO-rrific” graveyard. Activities will include pumpkin-picking, Halloween games, and much more! Prevailing COVID-19 regulations apply.  For more information call (718) 365-5516, email  Cathy.Mitchell@parks.nyc.gov or, visit nyc.gov/parks. Contact accessibility@parks.nyc.gov or (212) 360- 1430 for more information regarding accessibility.

 

Art

The Bronx Documentary Center will hold the 7th Annual Photo Auction, which will be held virtually this year, from Oct. 7 through Oct. 21. Every print sold will directly benefit the center’s programs, and each depicts the vibrant landscapes and narratives of the world. The prints have been part of projects featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, TIME, and at cultural institutions such as the Brooklyn Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. Auction prints will be available to bid on from 8 a.m. on Oct. 7 through 8 p.m. Oct. 21. The online auction will culminate in a FREE, virtual celebration from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 21. To preview available prints, and to register, visit the auction website https://e.givesmart.com/events/iBn/.

 

The exhibit, Wardell Milan: Amerika, God Bless You If It’s Good To You, opens on Wednesday, June 23, at the Bronx Museum and will remain open until October 24. The exhibit showcases 12 new drawings and mixed media created by the artist Wardell Milan. Milan and choreographer, Zachary Tye Richardson, will present new performance works as part of the exhibit. Visit bronxmuseum.org, select the exhibitions tab and scroll down to learn more about the exhibit. Tickets to visit the museum can also be purchased at bronxmuseum.org/visit.

 

Watercolor Painting Workshops will be held at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, located at 3225 Reservoir Oval East in Norwood on Wednesdays, from Oct. 6 to Oct. 27, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. A flyer is attached below with more information.

Spoken Word

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.

 

Music

Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, located on the campus of Lehman College/CUNY at 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY 10468, is excited to present a FREE CONCERT in the Bronx to continue the kick off of the new 2021-2022 season. The show, featuring the Brazilian All Stars, will be on Sunday, Oct. 10, at 4 p.m. Join the Brazilian All Stars for a uniquely memorable musical journey through Brazil’s most famous songs, Sambas, Bossa Novas, Ballads, Choro, Fado, virtuoso instrumental tracks and more.

Seating is on a first-come first serve basis. Reservations can be made by calling the Lehman Center box office at 718-960-8833 (Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m to 5 p.m. and beginning at 4 p.m. on the day of the concert), or through online access at www.LehmanCenter.org.

 

October marks the National Disability Employment Awareness month. The 2nd annual Danny Awards will take place on Dec. 12, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. EST, sponsored by René Plessner. The award show showcases and recognizes the musical talents of individuals with developmental and physical disabilities. To give award recipients the event that they deserve, organizers are pushing to host the event live in New York City, and live streaming it globally via the internet.

A panel of judges comprised of musicians and music industry professionals will have selected top award recipients, chosen from video submissions in two categories; “Outstanding Original Song” and “Joyful Expression of a Cover Song”. Each award recipient will receive a personalized Danny Award memorializing their achievement, an honorarium of $500; plus, up to a $500 travel reimbursement (reimbursement to be made based on actual expenses incurred and submitted). Most importantly, each award recipient will have the opportunity to share their musical talents with the world! Visit danielsmusic.org/TheDannys2021 for more details.

 

Bronx native, saxophonist and composer, Albert Rivera, who was recently awarded a city artist corps grant, will present The Albert Rivera Quintet with special guest, Joél Leon, at the Bronx Library Center, on Friday, Oct. 16, at 2:30 pm as part of the award program. For more information about Rivera’s career and shows, visit www.AlbertRiveraJazz.com. 

 

State Sen. Luis Sepúlveda is holding an Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration in partnership with RAIN Inc. and The National Association of Hispanic Nurses on Saturday, Oct. 9 at noon at 12 p.m., at El Parque de los Niños, located between Morrison Avenue and Watson Avenue in the Bronx. The celebration will consist of live music, entertainment, free health screenings, COVID-19 vaccines, informational resources, prepared meals, and much more.

The Nest Music Conservatory, a non-profit organization providing music education to youths in the Bronx through out-of-school programs, has reopened. The organization is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment that contributes to the social and emotional growth of students, their families, and our communities through classes, events, and concert series. The center suffered severe damages due to the recent hurricane, and had intended to be open for regular after school programs in time for the beginning of the school year but was delayed during repairs. The center, located at 3636 Holland Ave, The Bronx, NY 10467, USA will be open daily, Monday to Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Call 718-994-6378 for more information. 

 

An Artwalk and Concert (BRONX SOLE & BEAM ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE) will take place on Saturday, Oct. 16, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., in conjunction with Sean Desiree’s BEAM ENSEMBLE installation which is on view from Aug. 26 to Oct. 26, in Crotona Park, located on Charlotte St. Join for a walk through the Bronx led by Pedro Rivera from Bronx Sole, a South Bronx-based community running & walking group that teaches Bronx history. We’ll explore sights and sounds that echo the rich musical and cultural history of the neighborhood. RSVP here.

 

The walk will begin at the Bronx Museum of the Arts, pass the Clay Avenue Historic District, and the Francis Keil Mansion at 381 E. 165th Street. The group will then walk on to the street named after jazz trumpeter and vocalist Henry “Red” Allen, and then stop by the former home of jazz great, Maxine Sullivan. They will finish up at Crotona Park to catch a performance by Sean Desiree and local musicians at Desiree’s interactive public art sculpture BEAM ENSEMBLE, with a performance of original works and improvisational compositions alongside local musicians, including Gregory from the Bronx Drum Messengers.

Film

The Fox and King has announced the season one finale of “B-Sides” which will premiere at the Mott Haven Film Festival for the 2021 season. Featuring Bronx-native emcee, Kevin “Advice” Toledo, the music docuseries has also been selected as a nominee for Best Documentary during the film festival’s award ceremony. The screening will air on Saturday, October 9, 2021. For more information, go to www.motthavenfilmfestival.eventbrite.com. 

 

Food

 

The Bronx Night Market is the largest event series in Uptown, The Bronx, and Westchester County and takes place every Saturday at 1 Fordham Plaza from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and is celebrating a new season of your favorite sports teams. Baseball playoffs are coming up, and week 5 of football is lighting up your screens. Bring your sports energy outside the house, and wear your team’s gear to the market. By wearing your favorite jersey, you will be participating in an exclusive raffle with a chance to win a 55-inch, flat-screen sponsored by PC Richards and Son. Visitors can pick up their raffle tickets at the market booth.

The event will also have unique giveaways courtesy of Angry Orchard in partnership with the cider brewery to host the bi-annual New York Cider Week. Tim Victor, with a soulful R&B set, and DJ Riddim, with a party style, will add the music vibes to the event. Eat, drink, shop, and support the community. For more information, visit www.bronxnightmarket.com.

 

Movement

It’s that time of year again! Williamsbridge Oval need male and female quarterbacks, running backs, receivers and a defensive line for the upcoming Flag Football Season. Flag Football practice will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Games will be on Saturdays. This program is geared toward all youth from 9 to 14 years of age. The venue is the Williamsbridge Oval, 3225 Reservoir Oval, Bronx, New York 10467. Call (718) 543-8672 for more details.

 

The Office of Bronx District Attorney, Darcel D. Clark, will hold the 3rd Annual 5K Run / Walk / Roll to End Domestic Violence on Saturday, Oct. 16, from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. The event will begin and end at E. 161st Street between Grand Concourse and Walton Avenue (rain or shine).

 

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance is hosting a Hike-toberfest on Saturday, Oct. 23. See why Van Cortlandt Park is where New Yorkers hike, when you join Van Cortlandt Park Alliance for Hike-toberfest. Join us for a guided hike in the park, followed by a classic Oktoberfest celebration, complete with local beer, German food, live music, lawn games, and more. Find out more here.

 

The NYPD, the Department of Youth and Community Development, the City’s five district attorneys’ offices and several City agency partners, community-based organizations and foundations launched the “Saturday Night Lights” program on July 10 and it continues all year long. The groups have opened 100 gyms across the City for free, high-quality sports programs for kids on Saturday nights, ensuring no indoor gyms will be closed on these nights – the time when they are needed most by kids in city communities.

 

Each Saturday evening, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., children from 11 to 18 years-of-age will be 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 will be at each of the 100 gymnasiums every Saturday night, helping to coach and participating with members of various Community Based Organizations to interact with young people and help make a lasting and positive impact in their lives.

 

NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) is sponsoring Bike Repair Stations run by the group Get Women Cycling. NYC DOT Street Ambassadors will be on hand at various Bronx venues (and around the City) to talk about projects and collect feedback about cycling in the neighborhood at events marked with an asterisk(*).

• Friday, October 29, 2pm-5pm, Fordham Plaza, Bronx*
• Saturday, October 30, 11am-2pm, Eastchester Road and Pelham Parkway Greenway, Bronx*

 

NYC DOT will be holding pop-up, bike, light and bell giveaways in the Bronx during the weeks of Oct. 4 and Oct. 25 on popular bike routes, along with the following Bike Helmet Giveaways starting this weekend.

Date: Saturday, October 23, 11AM-2:30PM
Location: Tremont Park/Walter Gladwin Park, East 175th Street & Tremont Avenue, Bronx
Sponsored by CM Oswald Feliz

Date: Saturday, October 30, 11AM-2:30PM
Location: Playground 52LII, 681 Kelly Street, Bronx
Sponsored by CM Rafael Salamanca

Watch our Bike Helmet Fitting Tips video on YouTube

Helmets are available for all ages. You must be present to get a helmet and you must learn how to properly fit it. A parent or legal guardian must be present to sign a waiver for children under 18. Adults over age 18 receiving a helmet must sign a waiver. Masks are required during the entire fitting. All CDC social distancing protocols will be followed.

 

NYC DOT has provided further information on riding E-bikes in NYC. 

Click here to learn more about riding an e-bike and other micromobility options in NYC.

 

Williamsbridge Oval Park Recreation Center is now open for the fall season, and registration is free. Go to https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters/X104 for more information on the various physical activity and other classes on offer.

Join NYC Parks for a Halloween Discovery Hike & Craft event in Van Cortlandt Park on Sunday, Oct 31, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Join the Urban Park Rangers for a walk into the woods searching for spiders and other critters. Enjoy fall foliage and try your hand at your choice of nature arts & crafts. Best for kids. Meet at the Van Cortlandt Nature Center, West 246th Street and Broadway.

 

Williamsbridge Oval Park Recreation Center is now open for the fall season, and registration is free. Go to https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters/X104 for more information on the various classes and activities on offer.

 

Other Upcoming NYC Parks’ Events are scheduled in the Bronx for Monday, Oct. 11, as follows:

Adult/Senior Open Access 8:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.

Mott Haven Street Tree Care 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Performance Creative Movement 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. at Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, Williamsbridge Oval, Bronx

Intro to Windows/MS Office 11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

Drum Fit 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Intro to Computers 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Skyhunters in Flight 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m.

Teen Open Access 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.

Skyhunters in Flight 2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.

Victory Games 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. at Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, Williamsbridge Oval, Bronx

K-8 Digital Learning 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

Art With Tatiyana 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. at Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, Williamsbridge Oval, Bronx

S.T.E.A.M 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. at Hunts Point Recreation Center, Bronx

Bronx – Flag Football Clinics and League-St Mary’s Parks 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Park, Bronx