BAAD's TransVisonaries Performance Series Kicks Off June 25

BAAD! - The Bronx Academy of Arts & Dance presents The TransVisionaries Performance Series 2019 Featuring Transgender Artists in Bronx Restaurants with
Cabaret, Poetry, Film, Performance and more! 

Series kick-off on June 25 at Mott Haven Bar & Grill

  For 20 years, BAAD! The Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, has presented works that are empowering to women, people of color and LGBTQ people. The organization continues its newest program the TransVisionaries Performance Series, a first-ever, Bronx live performance series featuring transgender and GNC (gender non-conforming artists) in free, open to the public performances in South Bronx restaurants that are turned into one-night art centers. The series began in 2017 and ran through the summer of 2018. The new iteration of TransVisionaries will include eight evenings of cabaret, poetry, music and performance. The series kicks off on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at 7pm at the Mott Haven Bar & Grill and will feature an evening hosted by the legendary Javon Egyptt and feature short films and performance by Egyptt and Chanel Lopez. The TransVisionaries Performance Series is made possible in part by Lincoln Center Cultural Innovation Fund, which is generously supported by The Rockefeller Foundation and administered by Lincoln Center. Visit www.BAADBronx.org to RSVP or call 718-918-2110 for additional information. 

The Mott Haven Bar and Grill, The Boogie Down Grind, Sam’s Soul Food and Charlies Bar & Kitchen are among the partner restaurants.  The schedule is as follows with additional events to be added in October and November:

Tue., June 25  |  7pm  | Mott Haven Bar & Grill  |  1 Bruckner Blvd. 

Film & Performance 

Javon Egyptt hosts an evening of performance and film including “Happy Birthday Marsha” and “Atlantic is a Sea of Bones” by Tourmaline, and “Mx. Enigma” by Jay Daniels, with performances by Egyptt and Chanel Lopez.

Mon., July 8  |  7pm  |  Boogie Down Grind Café  |  868 Hunts Point Ave. 

POETS & WRITERS 

An amazing mix of work by Nahshon Dion Anderson, Jeanne Bailey, Jimena Lucero and Jasmine Reid.

Sun, Aug. 4  |  7pm  |  Charlies Bar & Kitchen  | 112 Lincoln Ave. (nr. E. 134th St.) 

CABARET with Barbra Herr and guests 

The beloved and celebrated Barbra Herr leads a night of cabaret music with guest performers including Barbie Crawford and Suggapie Koko.

Mon., Aug. 19  |  7pm  |  Boogie Down Grind Café  |  868 Hunts Point Ave. 

MUSIC & SONG 

An exciting line-up of musicians that go from folk to funk to hip-hop including Auset Bennu, Apollo Flowerchild and Zyi Namaste.

Sun., Sept. 8  |  7pm  |  Sam’s Soul Food  |  598 Grand Concourse (150th St.) 

CABARET with Michael Michelle Lynch 

Critically acclaimed Michael Michelle Lynch brings a dazzling evening of music, song, storytelling and sass, accompanied by pianist Steven Kaufman.

Crowned “a funky and welcoming performance space” by The New York Times, BAAD! is a performance and workshop space that presents cutting-edge works in dance and all creative disciplines empowering to women, Latinos and people of color and the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) community. BAAD! is home to Arthur Aviles Typical Theatre (AATT) and the Bronx Dance Coalition and was founded by dancer/choreographer Arthur Aviles and writer/activist Charles Rice-Gonzalez in 1998 in Hunts Point. BAAD! moved to Westchester Square in October 2013 to a gothic revivalist building on the grounds of St. Peter’s Church.

For the past 20 years, BAAD! has held consistent space for the Bronx’s LGBTQ community presenting live performance, community forums and social/civic engagement.  BAAD! has also stepped into a leadership role linking LGBTQ community organizing efforts to performances when the art and activism share a theme. The TransVisionaries Performance Series takes our mission into Bronx communities.

BAAD!/AATT receive support from The Ford Foundation, The SHS Foundation, The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, The Howard Gilman Foundation, The Lincoln Center Cultural Innovation Fund supported by The Rockefeller Foundation and administered by Lincoln Center, The Mertz Gilmore Foundation, The Emma A. Sheafer Charitable Trust, The Jerome Foundation, The Dance/NYC Dance Advancement Fund supported by the Ford Foundation, The Harkness Foundation for Dance, The New York State Regional Economic Development Corporation, The New York State Council on the Arts, Councilmember Mark Gjonaj and Ruben Diaz, Sr., and private donations.

ASSEMBLYMAN DINOWITZ STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF LANDMARK CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION

The New York State Legislature has passed the strongest climate change legislation in the nation with the Climate and Community Protection Act.

  Upon the passage of the Climate and Community Protection Act, which has previously passed the Assembly in each of the past three years, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz issued the following statement:

“Every generation seems to have one preeminent challenge that defines their relationship with the world around them. For this generation, that challenge is climate change. It is beyond irresponsible that we have allowed our climate to descend into the horrifying state that it is already in, and it is our obligation – not as legislators, but as moral human beings – to correct this blatant disaster that will be passed onto our children and grandchildren.

For the fourth year in a row, I am incredibly proud to vote in favor of taking substantial and significant action to combat climate change and to establish New York State as a global leader in how we can transform our economy to save our planet. The Assembly has long been the leading voice demanding action on climate change, and it is through the incredible persistence of my colleagues and our Speaker that we have established the most monumental and aggressive action on climate change in the world outside of the Paris Agreement.

This bill is not the end by any means. We will have to continue working hard, together with private industry and individual consumers, to meet the lofty goals that have been established. It won’t be easy to achieve net zero emissions by 2040, but it also wasn’t easy to land a man on the moon. I believe we can accomplish the goals espoused in this legislation and in the process transform our economy into one that leads the world in green technology, green jobs, and a cleaner environment.”

Wave Hill events July 4‒11

Thu, July 4

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights on Independence Day. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Fri, July 5

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Sat, July 6

Family Art Project: Felting the Magical Atmosphere

Come together to read Faith Ringold’s Tar Beach and imagine flying over places that hold a special meaning. Then layer stiffened, wool-felt shapes to create a magical atmosphere to hold you on your spectacular journey, defying Earth’s gravity! Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sat, July 6

Gallery Tour

Tour Glyndor Gallery with Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow or Gallery Greeter to get an insider’s view of current exhibitions. The exhibition Here We Land features three former Winter Workspace artists, Camille Hoffman, Maria Hupfield and Sara Jimenez, who return to explore narratives about contested space that draw on personal and cultural touch points in their immersive installations. In the Sunroom, Amir Hariri creates sculptural installations constructed of wood, brick and other building materials—along with a wall drawing—that connect to his architectural research to the Bronx and Wave Hill. In the Sun Porch, Geoffrey Owen Miller suspends transparent, upside down sculptures of flora and fauna—inspired by Wave Hill—from the ceiling over sheets of black-mirrored glass. Visitors see prismatic reflections of the hanging plants and animals in upright positions in the glass. Free with admission to the grounds.

Glyndor Gallery, 2PM

Sun, July 7

Yoga in the Garden

On Sundays through July, enjoy the gardens as the setting for your yoga practice as your find your breath and become connected to the landscape. Classes are led by certified Yoga Haven instructors. All levels welcome. Please bring a mat and be on time. This class is rain or shine; the rain location is Glyndor Gallery. $25; Wave Hill Members save 10%. Registration suggested, online.

On the Grounds, 9:30‒10:30AM

Sun, July 7

Family Art Project: Felting the Magical Atmosphere

Come together to read Faith Ringold’s Tar Beach and imagine flying over places that hold a special meaning. Then layer stiffened, wool-felt shapes to create a magical atmosphere to hold you on your spectacular journey, defying Earth’s gravity! Free with admission to the grounds.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sun, July 7

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 2PM

Tue, July 9

Gallery Tour

Tour Glyndor Gallery with Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow or Gallery Greeter to get an insider’s view of current exhibitions. The exhibition Here We Land features three former Winter Workspace artists, Camille Hoffman, Maria Hupfield and Sara Jimenez, who return to explore narratives about contested space that draw on personal and cultural touch points in their immersive installations. In the Sunroom, Amir Hariri creates sculptural installations constructed of wood, brick and other building materials—along with a wall drawing—that connect to his architectural research to the Bronx and Wave Hill. In the Sun Porch, Geoffrey Owen Miller suspends transparent, upside down sculptures of flora and fauna—inspired by Wave Hill—from the ceiling over sheets of black-mirrored glass. Visitors see prismatic reflections of the hanging plants and animals in upright positions in the glass. Free with admission to the grounds.

Glyndor Gallery, 2PM

Wed, July 10

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Wed, July 10

Sunset Wednesday: Niall Connolly

A master of songwriting and storytelling, New York-based, Cork-born songwriter Niall Connolly performs at Wave Hill this summer with his four-piece band, sharing his sincerity, wit and humor. Connolly has released eight studio albums, a live album and an EP. His latest album, Dream Your Way Out of This One, features collaborations with his long-term NYC band, as well as guest appearances from Glen Hansard (Once, The Frames, The Swell Season), Javier Más (Leonard Cohen’s band) and Deni Bonet (REM, Cyndi Lauper, Sarah McLachlan). Connolly has toured all over Europe and the US, including festival appearances at Glastonbury, CMJ, Prague Fringe Festival, Acoustic Festival Düsseldorf, Cork Folk Festival and Cuala NYC. Free with admission to the grounds. Special evening admission to the grounds starts at 4PM; $12 general adult admission; $8 student and seniors 65+; $6 children ages six+. Purchase admission online by 4pm on day of event and save $2. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under age six. No guest passes or reciprocal admission accepted.

On the Grounds, 7PM

Thu, July 11

Mokuhanga: A Japanese Woodblock Printing Intensive

Learn the time-honored techniques of mokuhanga, or relief printing, with 2019 Winter Workspace Artist Nandini Chirimar. Print using traditional Japanese woodblock techniques for two full days while exploring the basics of image preparation, transfer, registration, carving and multi-color printing. Materials list provided upon registration. This two-day workshop continues July 12. $160; Wave Hill Members save 10%. Registration required, online or at the Perkins Visitor Center.

Wave Hill House, 10AM‒4PM

Thu, July 11

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS – Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–5:30PM, March 15–October 31. Closes 4:30PM, starting November 1.

ADMISSION – $10 adults, $6 students and seniors 65+, $4 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES – Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

  

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

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

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 20 Years’ Imprisonment for Attempting to Join ISIS in Yemen

Defendant Made Repeated Attempts to Reach ISIS-Controlled Territory and Discussed Plans for a Terror Attack on Times Square Using a Garbage Truck

  Mohamed Rafik Naji was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Frederic Block for attempting to provide material support or resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a foreign terrorist organization.  Naji pleaded guilty to the charge in February 2018.  

Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentence.

“With this sentence, Naji has been held accountable for trying to enter a foreign war zone and join ISIS’ murderous cause,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.  “This Office, together with the FBI, the NYPD and all the members of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force will take every step necessary to incapacitate terrorists like Naji and protect the American people.  I commend the Task Force for its outstanding work in this case.”

“Time and again, the United States has brought to justice those who have traveled from here to try and fight for ISIS,” said Assistant Attorney General Demers.  “This is just what Naji did.  Today’s sentence holds him accountable for his crime and I want to thank the agents, analysts, and prosecutors who are responsible for this result.”

 “Extremists like Mr. Naji believe murdering innocent people advances their political agendas,” said FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney.  “In the end, Mr. Naji, like many others before him, find the only thing their actions lead to is a different vantage point from which to watch the world pass by – through the steel bars of a federal prison.  Mr. Naji will remember today as sentencing day, nothing more.  Working day in and day out with our partners on the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, safeguards have been put in place to secure Times Square and other popular attractions so any would be terrorist will find it extremely difficult to carry out their plans.  Our unified goal is to remain proactive and prevent acts before they occur, and once again I would like to thank all of those who ensure our safety.”

“This case is a reminder that New York City remains the top target for terrorism in the U.S.,” said NYPD Commissioner O’Neill.  “The NYPD and its partners in law enforcement will never relent in the fight against terror. I want to thank the dedicated members of the JTTF who worked on this investigation to keep our City safe and the prosecutors from the Eastern District of New York.”

By late 2014, Naji had become a committed supporter of ISIS as he repeatedly promoted its mission and distributed the terrorist group’s propaganda with violent themes and messages on social media.  In March 2015, Naji traveled from New York City to Yemen in an effort to join ISIS.  Naji also used social media to advise another person he could travel to join ISIS, but unbeknownst to Naji, that individual was a confidential source of information for the government (the “CS”).  In an online conversation with the CS, Naji proclaimed his allegiance to ISIS, stating, “I belong to Islamic state only.” 

Following his return to the United States in September 2015, Naji continued to express support for ISIS and violent jihad.  In July 2016, following an ISIS-inspired terrorist truck attack in Nice, France that killed scores of civilians, Naji told the CS how easy it would be to carry out a similar attack in Times Square: “[ISIS] want an operation in Times Square” and “[an ISIS] reconnaissance group . . . put up scenes of Times Square.”  Naji added: “if there is a truck, I mean a garbage truck and one drives it there to Times Square and crushes them . . . Times Square day.” 

Naji has been incarcerated since his arrest in Brooklyn in November 2016.

The Defendant:

MOHAMED RAFIK NAJI

Age: 40

Brooklyn, New York

Third NYC Police Officer Commits Suicide in Less Than Ten Days

  In less than 10 days' time, the NYPD has lost three of its own to suicide: a respected chief, an experienced detective, and — Friday about 3:50 p.m. outside the Staten Island precinct at which he worked — a promising, 29-year-old police officer with six years on the job.

This is a mental-health crisis. And we — the NYPD and the law enforcement profession as a whole — absolutely must take action. This cannot be allowed to continue. Cops spend so much of their days assisting others. But before we can help the people we serve, it is imperative that we first help ourselves. There is no shame in seeking assistance from the many resources available, both inside and outside the department. Accepting help is never a sign of weakness — in fact, it's a sign of great strength.

Please, connect yourself or your friends and colleagues to the assistance that is so close by. We must take care of each other. We must address this issue — now — because it will not go away on its own. We must speak out. And we must end this crisis, together. The resources (you can call for yourself or make a confidential referral for someone else) are:

NYPD-SPECIFIC

• Employee Assistance Unit: 646.610.6730
• Chaplains Unit: 212.473.2363
• POPPA (independent from the NYPD): 888.267.7267

OUTSIDE OPTIONS

• NYC WELL: Text, call, & chat www.nyc.gov/nycwell
• Lifeline: 800.273.TALK (8255)
• Crisis Text Line: Law enforcement officers can text BLUE to 741741 (non-law enforcement can text TALK to 741741)
• Call 911 for emergencies

Sincerely,

James P. O'Neill

Police Commissioner

Friends of Pelham Parkway Hold Rally for Fair Parks Funding

  Saturday there was another rally to protest the very small amount of money directed to parks by New York City. Advocates are asking for one-hundred million dollars in additional funding to NYC Parks. In a deal by the mayor and City Council Speaker Cory Johnson there will be additional money from the budget going to parks citywide, but less than half of what park advocates wanted.

  Several park advocates got together to see if they could squeeze any more money from the city budget for parks. Ms. Roxanne Delgado President of the Friends of Pelham Parkway spoke of how different parks are funded. Some like Central Park have private monies coming into them through a public - private partnership. She added in the Bronx there are very few if any public - private partnerships like the one in Central Park. 

Above - Ms. Roxanne Delgado President of the Friends of Pelham Parkway speaks of the needs of most parks that is not being met by the NYC Parks Department. 

Below - Several people joined Ms. Delgado at this rally which was called on very short notice.

There will be an event on Saturday June 29th (noon - 2PM) which will include plantings at this site located at Pelham Parkway North and Wallace Avenue. 

FAT JOE AND BP DIAZ DISTRIBUTE SNEAKERS AS PART OF ONGOING PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION INITIATIVE

  Friday Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Hip Hop legend and Bronx Native 'Fat Joe' returned to the Fox Street Campus to once again give an entire class at IS 217 and Accion Academy brand new Nike sneakers. This is the second time entire classes received Nike sneakers for improved student performance and attendance in each school. 

  Around Christmas Fat Joe and BP Diaz came to these schools to give every student in one class of each school Nike Sneakers for high performance by the students. This time they returned to give students of another class Nike Sneakers that improved the most over the rest of the school year. 

  In talking to the students Fat Joe said that he wished someone came to his school to provide an incentive to learn so he could have learned more. Joe added that the students now know their potential, and what they can do. In the second class one student said that he went from failing to become an honor roll student, and was very proud of it. 

  Fat Joe told each class that years from now to remember where you came from, and give back to the community. 

  

Above and Below - Fat Joe and BP Diaz talk to students about how they felt about being given the incentive of new Nike sneakers to do better in school. Students were called up, and said that they were happy to learn they were getting the Nike sneakers after just missing getting them the first time.

Above - In the second class BP Diaz sat down with the students to listen to Fat Joe.

Below  - BP Diaz joined Fat Joe and the principal in calling on some students to talk about their individual stories. 

Above and Below - Students from each class pose with Fat Joe, BP Diaz, teachers, and their classmates. 

Bronx River Art Center Presents: BRONX RIVER SOUNDS  June 2019 Performing Arts Series ***  La'FroJaz Ensemble, June 22 at 4 PM, in conjunction with our 2019 Education Program Exhibition

Please join us for our next  performance of our June Bronx River Sounds series with  the wonderful La'FroJaz Ensemble on June 22nd at 4 PM. We are celebrating the close of our end-of-year student exhibition. Come between 2 pm and 3 pm to see the exhibit before it comes down. From 3 pm to 4 pm, young and old can partake in informal music lessons on percussion instruments with this community-minded group before sitting down for a lively Latin Jazz concert at 4 pm!

La'FroJaz is a community-based jazz ensemble that partakes in free space jams throughout NYC, particularly in the Bronx (more often in Joyce Kilmer Park near the Bronx County Courthouse). These informal musical gatherings are opportunities for musicians to foster camaraderie and explore their multicultural interests. Begun over 20 years ago by two local musicians, Arinoye Louis and Hector Jorge, the event has grown into regular performances featuring accomplished and emerging musicians.  BRAC is excited to bring this wide-ranging assortment of musicians together in our new event space for our program participants and music lovers alike to enjoy, participate with, and learn about jazz. Weather-permitting, the event could spill out onto our stunning garden just beyond our rear doors.

To RSVP go to www.bracbx.eventbrite.com Suggested Donations is $10 adults, $5.00 seniors and youth through age 18. Currently enrolled Students in BRAC's Education program, FREE . This program is supported in part with City funds by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council, including Council members, Ritchie Torres, Andrew Cohen, Andy King, Ruben Diaz Sr. and Mark Gjonaj, as well as  Con Edison, BronxCare Health System and individual donors.