Art All Around Us — 9.24.24
Creative Happenings in the Bronx and a Bit Beyond ...
Art
Through Jan. 26, 2025 in Norwood, the Museum of Bronx History presents the group exhibition of Seis del Sur: “HISTORIAS: The Stories Behind the Images.” “This interactive multimedia exhibition will go below the surface of the collective’s documentary photographs of The Bronx — many never exhibited before — and illuminate the borough’s historical narrative through contextual timelines, meta and personal anecdotes.” The museum adds that the pop-up showcase “will cover a broad range of issues … that have impacted the people of the Bronx over the last four decades.” The museum is open on Saturdays, 10 AM to 4 PM. Private tours via appointment are available throughout the week. All FREE!
The Casita Maria Gallery, of the Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education in Hunts Point, presents the exhibit “Animal Studies,” by Maria P. Vila, through March 6, 2025. The work of Vila, a teaching artist at Casita Maria, “features a series of watercolor, soft pastel and oil paintings combining animal imagery with poetry and collage as a form of healing.” The opening for the exhibit is on Thursday, Sept. 26 from 5:30 to 8 PM, with live music and refreshments.
On Wed., Oct. 16, the Bronx River Art Center presents Artistry in Service: A Celebration of Legacy and Dedication, Honoring Executive Director Emeritus Gail Nathan. The celebration includes a group exhibition, gala and silent auction. For tickets and more info, click here.
At Lehman College Art Gallery (and at two other CUNY colleges) is “Incandescence: The Chandelier in Contemporary Art Works” by 45 artists exploring “the motif and meaning of the chandelier through sculptural forms, photography, painting, drawing, installation and video.” All the details here and here.
There are five art exhibits through the end of the year at Wave Hill in Riverdale. All the info here. (See “Dance” below for more Wave Hill info)
Bronx Museum presents “FUTURA 2000: BREAKING OUT,” “a retrospective of this singular artist’s evolution from early graffiti art styles to his current practice of contemporary abstraction. The exhibition is the most comprehensive examination of FUTURA 2000’s five-decade career ever presented in his hometown of New York City.” It runs through March 20, 2025. Always FREE at Bronx Museum.
The current art exhibit (outdoors and indoors) at the New York Botanical Garden is “Wonderland: Curious Nature” through Oct. 27.
Through Oct. 12, BronxArtSpace presents “The Intersectionality of The Taino: Embracing a Cultural Exploration.” FREE.
The Derfner Judaica Museum, at the Hebrew Home in Riverdale, features “Artfully Arranged: Floral Works from the Collection” through Feb. 2, 2025. It’s a “thematic exhibition [that] features 24 prints, paintings, drawings, and mixed media works spanning the mid-20th century to the aughts by 20 artists who use flowers and floral forms to explore the intersection of the natural and urban worlds; formalism; decorative design motifs; symbolism, and mortality.” FREE. You can also see on Derfner’s website many of the paintings and more info on the exhibit.
In Mott Haven, WallWorks New York features never-before seen original artworks in the exhibit, “The Found Art of Thom Corn,” curated by filmmaker Nancy August. Recently found by the late artist’s landlord, the works showcase classic elements of Corn’s artwork. The exhibit is on through Oct. 18 in Mott Haven.
Photography
So, regarding photo above, I was at the Bronx Documentary Center opening for “El Salvador: Legacy of Violence,” by photographers Robert Nickelsberg and Fred Ramos on Friday. I would say it’s a must-see if you’re interested in seeing excellent photography expressing a variety of devastating reality in a way that words cannot. Respectively, the work by these two focuses on the the country’s almost endless Civil War (1979 to 1992), where it’s far right-wing had the United States’ backing, and led to the death of 75,000 people, 8,000 disappeared persons, and its recent ongoing dangerous crises. According to BDC: “The two projects define El Salvador’s troubled Cold War history, document today’s political evolution and focus on US complicity and negligence in the small Central American country’s troubled past and present.” The exhibit is open through Oct. 27. FREE. (Photo below is Fred Ramos explaining much of his work to visitors on opening night.)
Documentary Film
Next Wed., Oct. 2, the Bronx Documentary Center in Melrose, features the documentary “Zip Code Matters,” and a Q&A with its writer and director, led by Jeanmarie Evelly, a great journalist whom I worked with when I was editor of the Norwood News. I have a feeling it’ll just add to my thoughts about bad landlords. The housing crisis is not just the lack of affordable housing, but too many landlords’ nightmare treatment of the buildings they own and are responsible for. They suffer little, or not at all, for the laws and rules they consistently ignore. It’s FREE, but make sure you RSVP. Hope to see some of you there!
Theatre
The Red Monkey Theater Group, in the 19th century parlor of historic Bartow-Pell mansion in Pelham Bay Park features “Uncle Vanya,” a “fierce and funny production of Chekhov’s darkly comic masterpiece on Sept. 26, 27 and 29 and Oct. 5. The denizens of a fading estate in the Russian countryside share unrequited love, longing, heartbreak, and humor.” Tickets here.
Dance
This Saturday, Sept. 28 at 8 PM BAAD! (Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance) presents “The Trade-Off: When the North Meets the South.” “Mississippi native performing artist K.H.A.R.I.S. brings together Northern and Southern talents for an electrifying evening, where diverse styles collide in an exciting musical showcase! With Polo Baybee, Flacko Santana & Taji Love.” It’s $10. Get tickets here.
On Thurs., Sept. 26, from 4:30 to 8:30 PM, Wave Hill in Riverdale hosts a FREE celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month called Fiesta on the Hudson. “Dance the night away as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! Learn the basic steps and traditions of dances like salsa and cha-cha, while enjoying live music by Conjunto Tahona, featuring José Mangual Jr. on the Great Lawn overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades.”
In its next Bronx Rising! event, this Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7 PM, the new Bronx Music Hall features Xianix Barrera, a “flamenco powerhouse known for redefining femininity through bold and unapologetic choreography.” It’s $10. More info here.
Live Music
Lehman Center for the Performing Arts hosts a celebration of the famous Cuban singer, Celia Cruz this Friday, Sept. 27 at 1 PM. (By the way, the high school next door to Lehman College is named for Cruz.) More info for this performance and others in October here.
At Hostos Center for Arts & Culture “Husband-and-wife duo Kwikstep and Rokafella reunite their … Bronx-based crew, Full Circle Souljahs perform on Sat., Sept. 28 at 7:30 PM.” It’ll be a night of hip-hop, street dance, and live music. Info and tickets here.
Riverdale Steak House has live music including open mics every other Wednesday eve.
The Artist (also known as Starving Artist) on City Island hosts lots of live music and a weekly open mic. More info here.
An Beal Bocht in Riverdale: Great live music and other artsy events throughout the week.
Cartoon Events/Workshops!
I’m pretty sure I’ve yet to list cartoon workshops/events. But here are two happening very soon!
Bronx Council on the Arts, the city’s Parks Department, and Bronx Planet Productions are putting together “Comic Culture Powers,” in Williamsbridge Oval Park in Norwood now through Oct. 19. Details here. FREE.
And Yonkers Comic Con at the Yonkers Public Library (1 Larkin Center) is on Oct. 5 from 11 AM to 5 PM. “Highlights include … panel discussions with industry experts, a … gaming tournament, Lego building activities, a variety of [unique[ vendors, and a cosplay fashion show.” More info here. FREE.
Families/Kids
BxArtsFactory in Melrose provides a useful series of video lessons on their website for families doing art at home. You can learn a lot more about the organization here.
There are various kids’ art workshops at Bronx Children’s Museum, which opened just a little less than a year ago. Info here (scroll down page for listing).
Blue Door Art Center in downtown Yonkers offers FREE classes/programs for kids on Saturday mornings.
Free Writing Workshop
The Bronx Council on the Arts is hosting, via its Bronx Memoir Project, an online four-class workshop called “The Body is a Portal: A Creative Writing Workshop on Poetry, Prose, and Memoir.” The remaining classes are on the 21st and the 28th. You can RSVP for either or both of those classes. It is all FREE! Oh, one more important thing: “This free virtual workshop series is open to all regardless of writing experience.”
Happenings a Bit Beyond the Bronx
Blue Door Art Center presents “Selfie: Self Portraiture,” a group exhibit through Oct. 26. I’m in that exhibit. Below is one of my two photos in the show, a shadow of myself at a Bruce Museum exhibit last spring called “Dualities,” by Anila Quayyum Aghawith, which “uses light to transform spaces into immersive visual spectacles that inspire a sense of wonder.” So the resulting shadows enabled me to take this photo and many others. Thanks to Aghawith for creating the potential for all of them! (Bruce Museum, in Greenwich, CT, is relatively nearby the Bronx if you’re driving. Just 17 miles from my house in Kingsbridge Heights.)
Upstream Art Gallery in Hastings-on-Hudson has great exhibits (often involving Bronxites!) Check out what’s happening there through Sept. 29. FREE.
Through Nov. 22, Within/Without an exhibit at the Riverfront Art Gallery at the Yonkers Public Library in downtown Yonkers that explores visual storytelling and how what we create reflects deeper underlying personal narratives. FREE.
Pelham Art Center (very near the northeast Bronx and only a 20-minute drive from the northwest Bronx), will feature “Sounds of West Africa — A Celebration of Mande Musical Tradition!” this coming Sunday, Sept. 29 from 1 to 3 PM. The “Feraba-ART” band will [perform], interacting with the audience, dancing, and performing hands-on drumming!” More info here. FREE.
Have you ever been to the Hudson River Museum? It’s really worth checking out, as there are several exhibits to explore, and it’s just a bit beyond north Riverdale. “No Bodies: Clothing as Disruptor,” is one in particular I look forward to seeing.
Have a wonderful week, folks! Enjoy whatever you might choose listed above. And please let me know what you enjoyed seeing that isn’t mentioned here!
If you’re interested in taking a look at my own photography and mixed media abstract work, I’m on IG @jordanmossbx.