Saturday, June 17, 2023

Wave Hill Events: June 30–July 6

 

Hurray! The gardens will be open all day on Tuesday, July 4. The celebration continues here at Wave Hill as we kick off our Sunset Wednesdays series on July 5. Gather on our Great Lawn and experience the newest creation by the brilliant tap dance and live music company, Music From The Sole. They bring together tap, percussive dance, samba, house, and live music and are sure to move you. Bring supper, too, for a chance to enjoy it during the performance. If it rains, the performance will move inside Wave Hill House, where capacity is limited. If you purchased a ticket, you will have priority for seating indoors.  

Family Art Project: Such are Snakes 
Free with admission to the grounds 
Meet at Wave Hill House 

Learn about these limbless creatures, how they move and which ones can be spotted at Wave Hill. Use recycled materials to make your own snake sculpture. 

Registration not required.  

The program takes place outdoors on Wave Hill House Lawn. Rain location is the Kerlin Learning Center located on the lower level of Wave Hill House. Please note the following important COVID-related information to ensure everyone’s safety if we move inside: 

  • Approximately nine families will be able to participate at a time, based on the time each family arrives. 

  • If capacity is full when you arrive, we will provide a “come back” card so you will have first entry for the next session. 

  • Each family will receive its own set of materials and cleaning will happen in between seating participants. 

  • Unvaccinated visitors are encouraged to wear a mask inside. 

Wave Hill House is located along a paved route with moderate changes in grade. The building is wheelchair-accessible. There is an accessible, ground-level entrance at the front of the building with a power-assist door. The restroom on the ground level is all-gender and ADA-compliant. Additional ADA-compliant restrooms are available on the lower level, which can be accessed by elevator.  

Public Gallery Tour  
Free with admission to the grounds 
Meet at Glyndor Gallery Front Desk 

 Exhibitions at Glyndor Gallery explore the dynamic relationship between nature, culture and site. When exhibitions are open, Gallery Greeters lead public gallery tours on Thursdays and Saturdays. Visitors can expect an in-depth look at artworks on view in Glyndor Gallery and in the Sunroom Project Space, showcasing the work of both emerging and established artists in a unique environment. Each tour lasts approximately 45 minutes. 

Registration is not required. 

Today’s tour features current exhibitions. 

Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or call 718.549.3200 x251. 

Glyndor Gallery is wheelchair-accessible. There is an accessible, ground-level entrance at the front of the building with an elevator that provides access to the gallery level. The Glyndor Gallery and Sunroom Project Space can be accessed with an ADA-compliant ramp. The restroom on the gallery level is all-gender and ADA-compliant.  

No Yoga in the Garden  
Sun, July 2, 2023 

The next gentle yoga class with certified yoga instructor Susie Caramanica takes place on Sunday, July 9. 

Public Garden Highlights Walk 
Free with admission to the grounds 
Meet at Perkins Visitor Center 

Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens. Topics vary by season and the expertise of the Guide--come back for an encore; each walk varies with the Guide leading it. This walk lasts a half-hour to 45 minutes. Severe weather cancels. 

Registration is not required for this drop-in event. Public Garden Walks are most appropriate for adults or young adults. Not intended for groups; groups should sign-up for Private Garden Tours. 

Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or call 718.549.3200 x251.   

Garden Highlights Walks follow a variety of routes along mixed-material pathways and varying elevations. Accessible routes are available as requested; please indicate your need to Wave Hill staff at the Greeter Desk in the Perkins Visitor Center.   

Sunset Wednesdays: Music From The Sole: I Didn't Come to Stay 
$15/adults; $10/students/seniors; $6/children 6-18; FREE/members and children under 6 
Great Lawn 

Sunset Wednesdays kicks off with I Didn’t Come to Stay, the newest creation by the brilliant tap dance and live music company, Music From The Sole. In the work, Brazilian tap dancer and choreographer Leonardo Sandoval and bassist and composer Gregory Richardson lead eight dancers and a five-piece band in a performance that explores tap’s lineage and connections to other Afro-Diasporic forms. Together the pair embrace shared roots across the diaspora and reflect on racial and cultural identity, while also celebrating the joy, strength, depth, and virtuosity of Black dance and music. 

Advance tickets encouraged, but not required, online or by calling 718.549.3200 x251. In the event of inclement weather, this event will move to Armor Hall, in Wave Hill House. Capacity there is limited and ticketed guests receive priority seating. Premium admission is in effect from 4PM to 8PM each Sunset Wednesday. Passes and discounts, including guest passes, Culture Pass, AHS, etc., will not be accepted starting at 4PM. Member-for-a-Day passes are accepted. 

Sunset Wednesdays take place on the Great Lawn. Visitors may bring folding chairs and blankets. Picnicking is permitted. The Café and Shop are open until 7PM. Rain site: Armor Hall 

Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or call 718.549.3200 x251. 

I Didn’t Come to Stay was made possible by the New England Foundation for the Arts' National Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. This project is funded, in part, through a Seed Fund for Dance grant from the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation, thanks to the support of the Mertz Gilmore Foundation. The piece’s creation was also supported by a 2022 grant from the O’Donnell-Green Music and Dance Foundation, and a 2022 APAP ArtsForward grant. Music From The Sole is supported by Dance/NYC’s Dance Advancement Fund, made possible by the Howard Gilman Foundation and the Ford Foundation. 

The work is a commission from Works & Process at the Guggenheim and was created with the support of a summer 2020 Works & Process bubble residency at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, as well as residency support in March 2021 from The Yard, an April 2021 Pillow Lab residency at Jacob’s Pillow, a 2022 Creative residency at Chelsea Factory, and a March 2022 Works & Process LaunchPAD “Process as Destination” residency at Catskill Mountain Foundation. 

This event takes place on the Great Lawn, a flat grassy area accessible via flat, paved paths that run along the edge of the lawn. In the case of rain, it moves to Wave Hill House. Wave Hill House is accessible to all our visitors. Wave Hill House and Armor Hall are wheelchair-accessible. There is an accessible, ground-level entrance at the front of the building with a power-assist door. The restroom on the ground level is all-gender and ADA-compliant. Additional ADA-compliant restrooms are available on the lower level, which can be accessed by an elevator.    

Plant “Pick-of-the-Day" 
Free, and admission to the grounds is free on Thursdays 
Meet at Perkins Visitor Center 

A Wave Hill Garden Guide shares the most notable plants or garden features of the day on this bite-size walk. Severe weather cancels. 

Registration is not required for this drop-in event. Guided garden walks are most appropriate for adults or young adults. Not intended for groups; groups should sign up for Private Garden Tours. 

Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or call 718.549.3200 x251.   

Plant “Pick-of-the-Day" walks follow a variety of routes along mixed-material pathways and varying elevations. Accessible routes are available as requested; please indicate your need to the Wave Hill staff at the Greeter Desk in the Perkins Visitor Center.    

Public Gallery Tour  
Free, and admission to the grounds is free on Thursdays 
Meet at Glyndor Gallery Front Desk 

Exhibitions at Glyndor Gallery explore the dynamic relationship between nature, culture and site. When exhibitions are open, Gallery Greeters lead public gallery tours on Thursdays and Saturdays. Visitors can expect an in-depth look at artworks on view in Glyndor Gallery and in the Sunroom Project Space, showcasing the work of both emerging and established artists in a unique environment. Each tour lasts approximately 45 minutes. 

Registration is not required. 

Today’s tour features current exhibitions. 

Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or call 718.549.3200 x251. 

Glyndor Gallery is wheelchair-accessible. There is an accessible, ground-level entrance at the front of the building with an elevator that provides access to the gallery level. The Glyndor Gallery and Sunroom Project Space can be accessed with an ADA-compliant ramp. The restroom on the gallery level is all-gender and ADA-compliant.  

HOURS: 10AM–5:30PM, Tuesday–Sunday 
Shuttle Service runs Thursday–Sunday 

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at wavehill.org.  

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Team AOC - Hey NYC, it’s time to vote!

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for Congress

NYC’s 2023 primary election is coming up on June 27th, and early voting begins today!

Here’s what you need to know:

And last reminder: registered voters do not need to show ID to vote! You will only need ID if you are a first-time voter who registered by mail and did not provide identification.

See you at the polls!

Team AOC

Photo credit: Corey Torpie Photography

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MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH LISA PROJECT NYC TO CREATE 50 MURALS CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF HIP HOP ACROSS ALL FIVE BOROUGHS

 

Partnership Will Celebrate 50 Years of Hip Hop Through Street Art Across New York City

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced a formal partnership with LISA Project NYC to create 50 murals celebrating 50 years of hip hop across all five boroughs. As the birthplace of this cultural movement, New York City is celebrating 50 years of history through the medium of street art, a defining aspect of hip hop culture. Artists will be curated by LISA Project NYC with consulting curation from Marie Flageul, John “Crash” Matos, and the City of New York. Murals will start going up at the start of July and continue through Labor Day. All locations are being scouted through LISA Project NYC, which will also host five future free block parties and artist roundtables alongside the murals over the course of the year, one for each borough. LISA Project NYC is currently in talks with the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS), the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), the New York City Department of Media and Entertainment (MOME), and local business improvement districts to discuss locations for murals and block parties. Neighborhood and artist selections will be announced soon.

 

“When hip hop was first born in the South Bronx, it gave a voice to the voiceless,” said Mayor Adams. “That voice took the form of not just rhymes and raps, but also visual street art that decorated and inspired New York City. I am proud that our city is working with local nonprofit LISA Project NYC to spread public art throughout every borough, while celebrating the global cultural force that began right here on our streets.”

 

“From beatboxing and breakdancing to rhythms and rhymes, hip hop taught people how to turn their pain into purpose and tell stories of starting from the bottom and making to the top,” said First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. “Street art helped New Yorkers nearly 50 years ago express themselves, and, today, we are celebrating that tradition. The Adams administration is proud to partner with LISA Project NYC to spread love and art across our city, celebrating the rich history of hip hop.”

  

“As a proud Bronx native and devoted hip hop enthusiast, it is truly an honor to collaborate with the City of New York and the mayor’s office in commemorating the 50th anniversary of this cultural phenomenon, hip hop, through public art,” said Rey Rosa, co-founder and chief operating officer, LISA Project NYC. “The LISA Project NYC is thrilled to showcase the vibrancy and diversity of hip hop culture in all five boroughs, and we look forward to inspiring the next generation of artists and creatives through this celebration.”

 

“I am incredibly honored to curate and produce the public art component for the momentous 50th anniversary celebration of hip hop,” said Wayne Rada, executive director and curator, LISA Project NYC. “This initiative is a testament to the transformative power of art and its ability to connect communities, celebrate cultural legacies, and inspire generations. Through the uniqueness of graffiti art, we aim to pay homage to the pioneers and trailblazers of hip hop, while creating immersive experiences that leave a lasting impact on the hearts and minds of all who encounter them. Join us as we come together to honor this extraordinary milestone and ignite a new wave of creativity and unity.”

 

“The arts inspire and fill the souls of our children, and nothing indicates that better than the origin story of hip hop,” said New York City Department of Education Chancellor David C. Banks. “Hip hop started in New York City public schools with students breaking the boundaries of self-expression. It is an honor to celebrate 50 years of hip hop and the impact it has had on our schools, our education system, and our world.”

 

“I was there at the birth of hip hop,” said New York City Department of Youth and Community Development Commissioner Keith Howard. “Living in the Bronx, you could walk to Cedar Park to witness DJ Kool Herc drown out all challenges with his tower speakers, or wait for LL Cool J’s response to Canibus and crush it. Let’s salute the hip hop legends and support hip hop evolution. We are excited to see this citywide collection of murals by Lisa Project NYC and believe it will continue to inspire the youth of our city to uplift their talents, providing them with a glimpse into the history of what truly is one of the most influential genres of all time.”  

 

“The history of hip hop is inextricably tied to creative NYCHA residents — some of whom founded and cultivated hip hop from its origins at NYCHA’s Sedgwick Houses to the global culture it is today,” said NYCHA Interim CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “Like LISA Project NYC, NYCHA celebrates the power of art and community-building through mural projects at many of our properties. We are excited about this new partnership between LISA Project NYC and the City of New York and look forward to collaborating with the city around these 50 murals.”

 

“Hip hop in New York City gave rise to a new intersection of art and commerce that transformed our neighborhoods and helped artists become entrepreneurs,” said SBS Commissioner Kevin D. Kim. “Small Business Services is excited to be working with LISA Project NYC and agency partners to celebrate hip hop and its contributions to bringing equity into the city’s economy.”

 

“Fifty years ago, the trailblazers of hip hop ignited a movement that uplifted communities and transformed our culture,” said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “This wonderful partnership will beautify our streetscape and showcase how street art enhances New York’s vibrant public space. We thank Mayor Adams, our sister agencies, and LISA Project NYC for their collaboration on this creative initiative.”   

 

The LISA Project NYC is a public art charity dedicated to transforming urban spaces through captivating street, graffiti, and contemporary art murals. By partnering with acclaimed artists, property owners, prestigious brands, and community organizations, LISA Project NYC has been instrumental in revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering civic pride, and creating powerful connections between art and communities. With an unwavering commitment to inclusivity, creativity, and social impact, LISA Project NYC continues to push the boundaries of public art, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of New York City and beyond. Consulting with LISA Project NYC on the murals are Marie Flageul — a visionary curator and hip hop culture advocate renowned for her work at 5ptz, Long Island City, and the Museum of Street Art — as well as Bronx native John “Crash” Matos — a legendary graffiti artist known for his explosive vibrant style and lasting impact on the urban art scene.


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Latin Kings Leader Convicted Of The 2017 Murder Of Joshua Flores

 

Jonathan Garcia, a Leader in the Violent Black Mob Tribe of the Latin Kings, Also Found Guilty of Racketeering, Firearms, and Narcotics Offenses

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JONATHAN GARCIA, a/k/a “Jayo,” was found guilty at trial of the May 2017 murder of Joshua Flores in aid of racketeering.  GARCIA shot and killed Flores in front of a playground on a residential street in Queens, New York, while Flores was running away from GARCIA.  The verdict followed a four-day trial before U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni. 

According to court filings and the evidence presented in court during the trial:

GARCIA is a member of a racketeering enterprise known as the Latin Kings and, specifically, the set or “tribe” of the Latin Kings known as the Black Mob, which operates in the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island.  In order to enrich the enterprise, protect and expand its criminal operations, enforce discipline among its members, and retaliate against members of rival gangs, members and associates of the Black Mob committed, conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit acts of violence; distributed and possessed with intent to distribute narcotics, including heroin, fentanyl, and crack; committed robberies; and obtained, possessed, and used firearms.  In December 2019 and April 2021, several members and associates of the Black Mob, including its senior-most leaders, were charged with racketeering offenses, narcotics conspiracy, and firearms offenses.

GARCIA has been a member of the Latin Kings since at least 2012.  On May 18, 2017, GARCIA brought a firearm to a meeting with other Latin Kings members with whom he had been arguing and who intended to revoke his membership in the Latin Kings.  During the meeting, next to a park in a residential area of Queens, GARCIA began arguing with other gang members.  When the argument escalated, one of GARCIA’s associates fired a warning shot into the air, and gang members immediately began running away.  GARCIA then took the firearm from his associate and shot at the fleeing gang members, hitting Joshua Flores, who was trying to run away.  The bullet went through Flores’s back, into his jaw, and killed him.  The murder elevated GARCIA’s status within the Latin Kings, including the Black Mob, with whom GARCIA committed additional crimes in the years after the murder. 

GARCIA, 29, of Queens, New York, was found guilty of (i) conspiracy to commit racketeering, which carries a maximum term of life in prison; (ii) murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a mandatory term of life in prison or death; (iii) narcotics conspiracy, which carries a maximum term of life in prison and a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison; and (iv) use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, which carries a maximum term of life in prison and a mandatory minimum term of seven years in prison, which must be served consecutively to any other term of in prison. 

The minimum and maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.  

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department. 

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (“OCDETF”) operation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.  

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Governor Hochul Announces Groundbreaking of $150 Million Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Emergency Department Expansion and Modernization Project

 Governor Hochul breaks ground on a planned expansion of Jamaica Hospital Emergency Center

Project Will Create New Level 1 Trauma Center, Two New Critical Care Units with 22 ICU Beds

Funding Awarded Through the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program IV

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the groundbreaking of the $150 million Jamaica Hospital Emergency Department expansion and modernization project. The project will build a new state-of-the-art emergency department, creating the only Level 1 trauma center in the area and adding two new critical care units with 22 new ICU beds. The funding was awarded through the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program IV. Governor Hochul made the announcement at a groundbreaking ceremony this morning alongside Jamaica Hospital leadership, elected officials and local community leaders.

“For too long, underserved communities like the ones Jamaica Hospital tends to were neglected, and the State failed to deliver the resources and support they need,” Governor Hochul said. “As Governor, my administration is committed to righting the wrongs of the past, prioritizing health equity and working to strengthen health care systems across the state. Thanks to a $150 million State investment, the new state-of-the-art facility will help dramatically improve emergency care in this community and provide Jamaica residents the top-rate care they deserve.”

The original Jamaica Hospital Emergency Department was designed to handle 60,000 patients annually, however currently serves closer to 120,000 patients per year, not factoring in the increased visits it experienced at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. After almost a decade of planning, the expansion and modernization project was able to move forward after Jamaica Hospital was awarded $150 million through Statewide IV. The project will construct a new 48,534 square foot facility on an adjacent property now being used as a parking lot for physicians.

Among the 13 Level 1 Trauma Centers in New York City, this project will enable Jamaica Hospital to build an expanded and modernized emergency department to adequately meet the community's needs.

The Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program is aimed at supporting efforts to reduce health care costs and improve the health outcomes of New Yorkers by expanding access to inpatient, primary, preventative, and other ambulatory care services as part of regionally integrated health care delivery systems. These awards are also focused on projects which will help ensure the financial sustainability of safety net health care providers, and the preservation or expansion of essential health care services. Statewide IV was established in the FY2023 Budget and authorized up to $200 million for emergency department modernizations of regional significance.

Strong Memorial Hospital, the safety-net hospital for the Finger Lakes' most vulnerable residents, was awarded $50 million from Statewide IV. The 55,000-square-foot facility receives more than 100,000 emergency department visitors annually. The expansion project will roughly triple the size of the emergency department, thereby improve health equity in the Finger Lakes region. The expansion will help to ease overcrowding situations and reduce wait times for admission to hospital.

To receive funding, hospitals needed to demonstrate how the proposed project will strengthen and protect continued access to health care services in communities.

Only Level 1 Trauma Centers serving a high percentage of Medicaid patients were eligible to apply. Level 1 Trauma Centers provide the highest level of trauma care to critically ill or injured patients.

The Department of Health will award another $950 million through additional phases of Statewide IV. The FY 2024 Budget also includes $1 billion in additional funding to establish Statewide V.

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State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's Weekly News - Juneteenth is a Time for Reflection and Celebration

 

Weekly News Header Final

Juneteenth Is a Time for Reflection and Celebration

Juneteenth 2023

Juneteenth is a time for reflection. We remember that our nation was built on liberty, but Black Americans were long excluded from that promise. We celebrate the joy of freedom but we will never forget the pain that led to it.

Local Sales Tax Collections Up Slightly in May

Local sales tax collections in New York State increased by 1.1% in May compared to the same month in 2022, according to an analysis released by State Comptroller DiNapoli. This is the third consecutive month in 2023 of less than 2% growth. Overall, local collections totaled $1.71 billion in May, up $18.4 million compared to last year.

DiNapoli Audit Finds Hazardous Conditions Persist in Mitchell-Lama Developments

New York State’s affordable housing agency, Homes and Community Renewal, is falling short in its oversight of several Mitchell-Lama developments, according to an audit released by State Comptroller DiNapoli. Auditors found unsafe conditions at facilities that went unaddressed, sometimes for years, and questionable spending.

Former Chatham Rescue Squad Business Manager Charged With Stealing Over $17k From Squad

State Comptroller DiNapoli, Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka, and the New York State Police announced the indictment of former Chatham Rescue Squad Business Manager Sara Thorne, of Forest City, North Carolina, for allegedly stealing more than $17,000 from the rescue squad.

State Comptroller DiNapoli, Senator Cooney and Assemblymember Solages Urge Governor to Sign Contract Legislation

State Comptroller DiNapoli, Senator Jeremy A. Cooney, and Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages urged Governor Kathy Hochul to sign legislation that passed both houses at the end of session enhancing transparency and accountability for State contracts awarded during a state of emergency, such as those that were not made transparent to the public during the COVID pandemic, as well as those contracts that are otherwise exempted from the Comptroller’s review.

ALSO IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK

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Tom DiNapoli @NYSComptroller
RFK Human Rights TOW

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