Bronx-Related Work at Museum in Manhattan ...
... and art happenings throughout the Boogiedown ...
Before the event listings, I thought I’d share some photos from a few exhibits at the Museum of the City of New York. Here is a sculpture of the exhibiting artist himself, Manny Vega, by Bronx-based artist John Ahearn, in 2021. The exhibit is called “Byzantine Bembé” and it’s on through Dec. 8.
And that sculpture is what leads to the incredibly diverse works of Vega, who is based in Harlem but originally from the Bronx. Below is part of a mosaic work he did of famous Latin jazz performer Tito Puente, born in Manhattan to Puerto Rican parents in Harlem.
And another gorgeous piece with ink on paper by Manny Vega: Homage to the People of the Bronx: Double Dutch at Kelly Street — La Freeda, Jevette, Towana, Staice. 1981-1982
OK, as I mentioned in the last edition, I have a bit of a busy summer and some editions through August will not have as many happenings as I regularly provide. Much of what follows is from last week’s newsletter but all are still relevant. (There is also a photo at the end I think you’d be interested in seeing, as it’s so very relevant to what we all learned last Sunday :-)
There’s a Free Summer Concert Series in parks throughout the Bronx this summer. Here’s the most detailed online list I could find.
“BronxArtsSpace hosts Bronx-based artists in residence on Governors Island this summer with several free open studios and other events, where visitors can meet the artists and learn about their artistic practices.” Bronx Council on the Arts also presents an excellent show there. I saw them both last week and will report on that next week. It was pure joy to see all of it and meet some of the artists! (More info here.)
Lots of great music at An Beal Bocht Cafe (also a bar and restaurant) in Riverdale this week and next.
“Wonderland: Curious Nature,” at The New York Botanical Garden is on through Oct. 27. Back in May, I was there to discover stunning layouts of colorful plants and beyond in the Garden’s 250 acres, with “sights, settings, and scents of the classic story of ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.’” Check it out.
You can check out Gary Axelbank’s latest interview on The Bronx Music Podcast, with native Bronx musician Amadeus right here on YouTube.
Through Aug. 18, The Bronx Museum presents the exhibit “Making Room: Museum as Space for Self-Expression.” All the details here. The Bronx Museum is always FREE.
“A Bronx Writers’ History,” at The Museum of Bronx History in Norwood is on through Aug. 31. Curated by STAFF 161 (TED), the show “highlights the stories and ongoing creativity of Bronx pioneers of writing (“graffiti”) from the late 1960s and early 1970s. The exhibit also features street art by high school students from Academy for Scholarship and Entrepreneurship and High School for Contemporary Arts.” More details here.
All summer art exhibits at Wave Hill in Riverdale listed here.
On Sunday, July 28 at noon, the Latin American Foto Festival at Bronx Documentary Center is celebrating the exhibit’s closing with showing the work, of course, but also a block party!
Here are upcoming concerts/events at the brand new Bronx Music Hall. (It’s a truly gorgeous theatre.)
I was at the opening of Alexis Marie Montoya’s wonderful collage exhibit, “leftovers,” at Casita Maria in Hunts Point back in March but it’s still on through August 16. Check it out!
On through July 31, Derfner Judaica Museum in Riverdale has an excellent photo exhibit: “Leonard Nones: Essential Workers,” which features Nones’s portraits of staff on RiverSpring Living’s Riverdale campus (also known as The Hebrew Home). “The series of 18 archival inkjet prints are tributes to the strength, resilience, and compassion of all the people who work with the Hebrew Home’s residents.” And when you leave the building, or before you head inside, make sure you check out the building’s large sculpture garden with a wonderful view of the Hudson River. You can also see all the photos here.
I’ll end with what is incredibly relevant to where we are in the presidential race. At the Museum of the City of New York, was an exhibit called Changing the Face of Democracy: Shirley Chisholm at 100. Chisholm was the first Black woman to be elected to Congress (she represented a Brooklyn district). And she also was the first black candidate for a major-party nomination for president. I hope Kamala Harris gets a chance to see it before she becomes president, or even after she takes office, as the exhibit is on through July 2025!
Have a great weekend everyone!
—Jordan
P.S. If you use Instagram, you can check out my photos and artwork @jordanmossbx. Thanks!