From the Producers behind the hit TV series “Who Do You Think You Are?”, “Back in Time,” and “Long Lost Family,” comes a new immersive history show and Family TV Casting. Producers are looking for fun American families to step back to the 1950s, then travel forward in time on an exciting new series for a major U.S.A. Network.

Does your family love American history? Is your family interested in a time traveling adventure? Have you got what it takes to overcome the challenges of the past? Sign up at https://eu.castitreach.com/ag/walltowall/americandream/welcome.html.

 

PHOTOGRAPHY

Sophie Rivera was a photographer of Puerto Rican descent, who was an activist and teacher. She is best known as a photographer whose work challenged stereotypical assumptions of Puerto Ricans in the United States. Her exhibition, “Boricua Lens: Sophie Rivera Portraits” is an initiative of the Nueva Luz Study Center (NLSC) and is part of efforts by arts organization, En Foco, to preserve the culture and legacy of diasporic lens-based artists.

 

Sophie Rivera had been involved with En Foco since before the launch of the Nueva Luz photographic journal in 1985. The exhibition at Pregones/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, 575 Walton Avenue, Bronx, NY 10451, is showing, by appointment only, from Oct. 13, 2023 to April 4, 2024. Call (718) 585 1202 for more details. Click here to view the virtual exhibition.

 

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

A Valentine’s Day Art Workshop will take place at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center on Sunday, Feb. 11. See attached flier below for more details.

 

T-Shirt Cutting Class

Orisha Wholeness presents a T-shirt cutting class at Poe Park Visitors Center on Feb. 3. See attached flier below for more details.

Professional Development Grant for Museums

A professional development grant for museums is now available, with a great chance to grow your staff’s skills and expertise! In collaboration with CNY Arts, NY non-profit museums can level up their team with up to $1,000 in professional development funds. Apply today! Deadline is March 1. For more information, visit https://ow.ly/w8si50Qu7OU

Registration will open on Monday, Nov. 20 for Pelham Art Center’s Winter 2024 semester, which includes classes and workshops for all ages, plus Winter Break Camps for students aged 3 and up. Winter programming will cover a wide variety of art techniques and media ranging from pottery and watercolors to digital media, ceramics, and more. Register at pelhamartcenter.org/education.

 

FILM

BAAD! [Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance] celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and is marking its birthday by presenting “Get Tough, Get BAAD!” an annual series of films and events being held throughout February at BAAD!, located at 2474 Westchester Avenue in The Bronx’s Westchester Square neighborhood, which celebrate queer power, diversity, defiance, strength, and visibility. Click here to read our latest story on the series.

 

The Bronx Documentary Center, located at 614 Courtlandt Ave, Bronx, NY 10451, presents “Marty,” on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 6.30 p.m. Marty, a devoted South Bronx resident who advocates for social justice and community improvement, is an inspiration and a guiding force, motivating others to take action. This documentary explores Marty’s background, unveiling anecdotes that expose his profound love for his community, and providing insight into his dedication to its progress. Following the screening, there will  be a Q&A featuring director Giacomo Francia and editor, Cynthia Rivera. Call (347) 270-2055 or click here for more information.

THEATER

 

FOOD

Throughout February, in a special celebration of Black History Month, FreshDirect is proudly shining a spotlight on their “incredible” Black-owned vendor partners. As an online grocer committed to diversity and inclusion, FreshDirect is inviting their customers to explore the rich tapestry of flavors, stories, and businesses that make their local communities thrive.

FreshDirect recognizes and honors “the significant contributions of the Black community to the vibrant New York food scene all year long.” Black History Month serves as a special moment to amplify these contributions, share stories, and celebrate the diversity that enriches the City’s culinary landscape. Some of the Black food-business owners with whom FreshDirect partners include:

• Partake – The Partake brand was born from a mission to make snacking inclusive for all. These vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and top 8 allergen-free treats are the result of founder Denise Woodard’s quest to make healthy, high-quality, and delicious allergy-friendly snacks for her daughter. FreshDirect has proudly offered this Jersey City-based company’s cookies since 2021. We love their products made with simple and wholesome ingredients, from Denise’s classic Chocolate Chip to the fan-favorite Ginger Snap.
• A Dozen Cousins – Ready-to-heat beans from A Dozen Cousins make it super easy to bring delicious, globally-inspired flavors to mealtime. Each variety is perfectly simmered and seasoned, using recipes from founder Ibraheem Basir. Serve them with rice, in tacos, or tucked into a wrap for a satisfying, quick lunch or dinner with plenty of protein.
• Spoonful – Nurtured by FreshDirect’s R.I.P.E. incubator program for emerging brands, Spoonful stems from founder Bradley Gifford’s transformative health journey. Recognizing nutrition’s vital role in well-being during his health challenges, Bradley manifested his vision to make nutritious, convenient, and flavorful foods accessible to all. Spoonful crafts diverse, delicious overnight oats, thoughtfully sourced to meet various dietary preferences and requirements.
• Don Carvahal Café – This brand is committed to bringing their customers the finest direct trade, eco-friendly coffees in sustainable packaging. Based in FreshDirect’s backyard of The Bronx, their team maintains relationships with farm co-ops throughout Central and South America, creating a supply chain that emphasizes putting ethical labor and environmental stewardship behind each cup of coffee.
• McBride Sisters wine – McBride Sisters, founded in 2005 by sisters Robin and Andréa, combines old-world elegance with new-world finesse in their wines. Reflecting the terroirs of their upbringing, the wines cater to diverse palates. As the largest, women-owned winery in the U.S., they established the McBride Sisters SHE CAN Professional Development Fund in 2019 to advance women in the wine industry, address gender and race gaps, and create new opportunities.

BAAD! [Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance] celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and is marking its birthday by presenting “Get Tough, Get BAAD!” an annual series of films and events being held throughout February at BAAD!, located at 2474 Westchester Avenue in The Bronx’s Westchester Square neighborhood, which celebrate queer power, diversity, defiance, strength, and visibility. Click here to read our latest story on the series.

 

The Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, 3225 Reservoir Oval East, Bronx, NY 10467, is offering Free Ballet Classes, taught by professionals. There will be live music in every class and classes will take place from February to May, Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. See attached flier below for details.

Participants aged 6 to 18 are invited to join The Bronx All Star Dance Team at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, 3225 Reservoir Oval East, Bronx, NY 10467 from Jan. 4 to March 23 on Thursdays at 5 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m. to learn fun and energetic dance styles. Sessions last one hour. Participants must have an NYC Parks & Recreation Center membership card. Membership is free for those under 24. Call (718) 543 8372 for more information or email Kelsey.Phoenix@parks.nyc.gov.

 

The Bronx Music Heritage Center presents an Afro-Cuban Dance Workshop on Feb. 7. See attached flier below for more details.

A Silent Disco will be held at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center in Norwood on March 29. See attached flier below for more details.

 

Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture presents The History of Latin Music and Latin Jazz, a free, virtual seminar series that highlights the diverse music pioneers and their impact on the history of Latin music and jazz. Learn about musicians and artists like Graciela, known as the First Lady of Latin Jazz, Ceila Cruz, Olga Guillot, Gloria Estefan, Enrique Jorrín, Johnny Rodríquez, Julio Gutiérrez and many others that helped create and influence the music of this time. Hosted by Joe Conzo, Sr., noted music historian, producer and author of “Mambo Diablo: My Journey with Tito Puente.” Click here for more information.

 

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.

Join the Name that Tune event at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center on Friday, Feb. 23. See attached flier below for more information.

Bronx Opera will be performing Il signor Bruschini by Rossini and Giani Schicchi by Puccini in English on Saturday, Feb. 3, and Saturday, Feb. 10, at 7.30 p.m. and on Sunday, Feb. 4, and Sunday, Feb. 11, at 2.30 p.m. at the Lovinger Theatre at Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Blvd West, The Bronx. Tickets can be purchased at www.bronxopera.org.

 

MindBuilders are hosting a free Vocal Ensemble series of classes which started on Jan. 9. See attached flier below for more information.

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.

The Bronx Music Heritage Center Music and Dance Program upcoming classes begin on Feb. 5. See attached flier below for more details.

Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, The Bronx, has advised that TITO PUENTE CENTENNIAL, a tribute to the 100-year legacy of Tito Puente, originally scheduled for Saturday, May 20, 2023 has been rescheduled to Saturday, March 2, 2024.

 

As the “King of Latin Music”, Tito Puente created over 200 compositions and produced more than 100 albums in the span of five decades. Known for fusing styles and putting a big-band spin on traditional Latin music, Tito Puente put Caribbean styles, including mambo, salsa, boogaloo, cha-cha-cha, rumba, guaracha and Afro-Cuban jazz, on the global map.

 

Performing alongside with Tito Puente’s son, Tito Puente Jr., will be world-class musicians, including Orestes Vilato, Nicky Marrero, Endel Dueño, Frankie Figueroa, Frankie Morales, John ‘Dandy’ Rodriguez, and Jose Madera. The ensemble will come together to honor Tito Puente’s enduring musical heritage at Lehman Center! Call the box office at (718) 960-8833 Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (weekend hours vary)

 

 

EVENTS

The Bronx Library Center is hosting a number of Free Adult Programs throughout February. See attached calendar for details.

Join the Bronx County Historical Society on Jan. 29, for a 7 p.m. for a virtual book talk with Helaine Helmreich, author, editor and widow of William Helmreich, a famed sociologist and urban historian, whose award-winning, “The New York Nobody Knows” series explored each of New York City’s five boroughs. The talk will focus on “The Bronx Nobody Knows, An Urban Walking Guide,” and delve into the research and process that went into producing the book.

 

Beyond Words is a fun, virtual, friendly, supportive book club that meets regularly to host intimate discussions of books focused on real-life issues and interpersonal relationships. The group meets Wednesdays, Jan. 10, 17, 24 and 31 at 7 p.m. and sessions are facilitated by Barbara Keihani-Dubison. Register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfah4LWN3HDGAb6eShRu7dDgOJSuK6NZX_ntw9qTNqQ7soXCw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0. Join on Jan. 31, as the club continues “How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House” by Cherie Jones. Jones is scheduled to join the discussion.

 

Lunch & Learn: The Birth of New York City’s Municipal Government, is an online program of presentations on Dutch colonial records to launch the 400th Anniversary of the arrival of the Dutch in New York. Join NYC Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) each month for its virtual Lunch & Learn Series – an intimate conversation with agency staff and special guests on the collections of the municipal archives and library, as well as the history of New York City. The program begins online on Friday, Feb. 2, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Click here for more information.

 

 

See some seals at Orchard Beach Nature Center on Feb. 4. See attached flier below for details.

 

The 30th Bronx Parks Speak Up event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 24. See attached flier below for details.

Pick up a copy of the newest publication by The Bronx County Historical Society, “Geography of The Bronx,” authored by CEO Dr. G. Hermalyn. This colorful guidebook, on select geographical features of The Bronx, supplemented with more than 100 photographs, maps, and other illustrations, will be of great interest to educators, students, and Bronxites. Click here to buy a copy.

 

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.

 

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/.

 

“The 24th Annual Winter Lecture Series: From Skyline to Shoreline: Imaginative Waterfronts of NYC” takes place on Thursday, Feb. 22 and Thursday, March 28, from 11 a.m. to noon at the NYBG’s Ross Lecture Hall. This year’s Winter Lecture Series celebrates three distinguished individuals, Tom Balsley, Warrie Price, and Signe Nielsen, who have meaningfully contributed to New York City’s green
spaces over the past several decades, using innovative designs for urban waterfront parks that exhibit a remarkable convergence of art, nature, narrative, and community.

 

Tom Balsley spoke on Jan. 25. The “Warrie Price: The Battery, The Beautiful” event will be held on Thursday, Feb. 22, from 11 a.m. to noon. Price will discuss The Battery’s stunning transformation since the founding of the Battery
Conservancy in 1994, and how it continues to bring inspired vision and targeted resources to the thriving green heart of downtown New York.

 

The “Signe Nielsen: Little Island: More Than Meets the Eye” event will be held on Thursday, March 28, from 11 a.m. to noon. With views of the city’s skyline at its highest point to the embrace of the warm palette of plantings at pier level, Nielsen will discuss the importance of Little Island’s choreography and how its pathways allow the visitor to choose their own experience. Click here for more information.

 

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.

 

Pruning Principles and Practices takes place at NYBG on Fridays through March 1 (excluding Feb. 16) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Watson Education Building. Click here for more details. Through classwork and hands-on practice, develop pruning tools and techniques to help shrubs, conifers, broadleaves, evergreens, and deciduous plants thrive. Explore how woody plant structure and physiology influence pruning. Learn how to create and maintain hedges and explore authentic pollarding techniques. Come dressed for fieldwork, and bring bypass pruners if you have them.

 

Native Flora in Winter takes place at NYBG on Friday, Feb. 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Watson Education Building. Click here for more information. In class and in forays around the Garden, you’ll learn to recognize the winter characteristics of native and common woody plants by bud types, leaf scars, fruit remnants, and other distinguishing marks.

 

Urban Mammals takes place every week at NYBG on Wednesdays, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., starting Feb. 7, and ending on Feb. 21. Click here for more information. Coyotes, bears, and deer are becoming an integral part of urban life due to the extirpation of their predators and conversion of natural habitats. You will look closely at these species and discover how they have adapted to co-exist with humans. You will also study how these urban mammal populations are documented and managed, and as well as how they are perceived.

 

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.

 

Tai Chi for Peace of Mind and Body takes place at NYBG on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. through April 6, (excluding Feb. 10, Feb. 17, and March 30) at the Watson Education Building. This ancient, meditative, Chinese exercise teaches relaxation, balance, and self-defense with an emphasis on correct body posture and spinal alignment. Students become relaxed, physically stronger, and ultimately healthier in both mind and body. Click here for more details.

 

Fermenting Vegetables takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 31, at NYBG from 6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Fermentation is one of the oldest food processing methods still used today. Scientifically known as zymology, it is the conversion of carbohydrates into alcohols, carbon dioxide,
yeast, or bacteria. Beer, miso, sourdough, kefir, kimchi and many other delicious foods we love are the product of fermentation. Discover and cover the basic science behind how to ferment vegetables, from sauerkraut and beets to carrots and corn. Then, try your hand at fermenting whatever vegetables you have in your kitchen while discussing the many health benefits fermented foods can provide. Click here for more information.

 

Paper Peonies with Livia Cetti takes place at NYBG on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Click here for more details. Join Livia Cetti, the nation’s premier paper flower artist, as she guides you on how to make your own remarkably realistic charm peony from stem to stamen. Bleach, cut, and shape paper into petals using wire and floral tape, creating an exquisite, lifelike flower that will brighten your home regardless of the season.

 

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.

 

Check the daily handout when you arrive at the Garden for a full list of Drop-In Tours on various topics led by NYBG’s knowledgeable tour guides. People and Plants in the Haupt Conservatory take place on Jan. 31 at 11 a.m. Click here for more information. Take an ecotour around the world through distinct habitats, including rain forest and deserts, and aquatic and carnivorous plant displays. Learn about the traditional uses of various plants, which are customarily used for everything from food to medicine in cultures around the world.

 

Take the Haupt Conservatory Tour on Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. Click here for more information. Explore the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, a stunning example of Victorian-style glasshouse artistry, and a New York City landmark. Take an ecotour around the world through distinct habitats, including rainforest and deserts, and aquatic and carnivorous plant displays.

 

The Bronx Historical Society and Columbia University, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, is looking to five neighborhood history keepers for a special history project running from November 2023 to March 2025. You’ll be paid $30 per hour for your work and receive free training and support. You’ll be based in Mott Haven and will be required to devote about 15 hours a month to the project. Call Amy Starecheski on (212) 851 4395 or email aas39@columbia.edu.

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.

 

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.

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

 

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.

• 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!

 

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 previous story on the group. The library also meets regularly as a book club.

 

KIDS  

Kingsbridge Heights Community Center is celebrating Literacy Day on Thursday, Feb. 15. See attached flier for details.

The Bronx Children’s Museum has officially opened. See our latest story on the opening here. The museum recently welcomed its first children for a preview of the brand new facility with special guest, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. When asked how they enjoyed it, the children reportedly responded, “A-MAZ-ING!” The 2023 opening hours for the museum, located at 725 Exterior Street near Yankee Stadium along the Harlem River, as of Jan. 3, are now Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit 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. 

 

SPOKEN WORD, STORY TELLING, & LITERACY

Longwood Art Gallery @ Hostos, located at 450 Grand Concourse [off 149th Street] in The Bronx, presents The Playground, a monthly theater Open Mic, returning on Monday, February 5 at 7 p.m. Hosted by artist-in-residence,Eric Avilés, The Playground is an evening dedicated to creativity and expression. Whether you’re an actor, poet, or musician, or simply a theater enthusiast, The Playground offers a safe and welcoming space to share your work or enjoy the performances of others. Sign-up for a 5 to 10-minute slot beginning at 6:30 p.m. on the day of the event. Click here for more details.

 

The Bronx Documentary Center, located at 614 Courtlandt Ave, Bronx, NY 10451, will be hosting a Book Talk on Monday, Feb. 12. Join photographer Jacqueline Silberbush for a presentation of her new book, “What Shod I be!!!!?”, a uniquely poetic series about the cycle of a young woman’s life. It travels with humor and melancholy from her birth through her childhood into her maturity, love and eros, and culminates in the birth of her own child. Click here for more information.

 

BAAD! [Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance] celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and is marking its birthday by presenting “Get Tough, Get BAAD!” an annual series of films and events, including some conversations with authors, being held throughout February at BAAD!, located at 2474 Westchester Avenue in The Bronx’s Westchester Square neighborhood, which celebrate queer power, diversity, defiance, strength, and visibility. Click here to read our latest story on the series.

 

The Bronx Historical Society presents a one-person dramatic reading on Feb. 25, to mark Black History Month. See attached flier below for more details.

Art in the Basin presents “Working Gal Rock n’ Roll Poet and Spoken Word artist Anne Leighton,” on Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. for a night of poetry dedicated to her “late, great 102-year-old mom” at Mon Amour Coffee & Wine, 234 W 238th Street, The Bronx, located off Broadway in Kingsbridge. Visit Art in the Basin’s event page on www.eventbrite.com and search for Art in the Basin for more information or Facebook at www.facebook.com/events/888089339526406.

 

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

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.

 

Tai Chi for Peace of Mind and Body takes place at NYBG, 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458-5126, on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. through April 6, (excluding Feb. 10, Feb. 17, and March 30) at the Watson Education Building. This ancient, meditative, Chinese exercise teaches relaxation, balance, and self-defense with an emphasis on correct body posture and spinal alignment. Students become relaxed, physically stronger, and ultimately healthier in both mind and body. Click here for more details.

 

Dance, Fun & Fitness classes will take place on Wednesdays from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center at 3225 Reservoir Oval East in Norwood. The classes consist of nonstop rhythmic cardio conditioning, utilizing different genres of dance and basic bodyweight exercises, all set to high-energy music, designed to give you a full body workout. See attached flier below.

Walking History Tours of Hard Island with an NYC Parks Urban Park Ranger guide are now live. Click here for more information.

 

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.

She’s on Point celebrates girls and women in sport on March 2. See attached flier below for more details.

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.

 

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.

 

 

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