Engaging Exhibits and Performances in Melrose, Bedford Park, Riverdale, Wakefield and Beyond ...
Let’s start with where you can find this Romare Bearden painting and much more …
There’s an excellent museum in north Riverdale by the Hudson River called the Derfner Judaica Museum, which is at the Hebrew Home for the Aged. There are often solo exhibits — in addition to their ongoing exhibit of stunning antique Jewish ritual objects, such as menorahs and Passover plates, called “Tradition and Remembrance: Treasures of the Derfner Judaica Museum” — but this time a group show, “Aspects of Appearance: Portraits from the Collection in Context,” beginning on Feb. 25, features the work of many artists, including Andy Warhol and Romare Bearden (photo of the latter’s piece above).
More Exhibits/Performances
Longwood Art Gallery, run by Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) at Hostos Community College in the South Bronx (E. 149th St. and Grand Concourse) features “Against the Grain: Stories We Tell Ourselves (photo below) at Longwood Art Gallery for just a few more days. It closes Sunday, Feb. 18.
Two must-see photo shows at the Bronx Documentary Center in Melrose — “Expose for the Shadows” (on through Feb. 18) and “Through Our Eyes: Youth Photography at BDC 2013-23” (on through March 3). I saw both a few weeks ago — the evening of “Through Our Eyes” opening — and shared a good bit about them, including photos, in a previous newsletter.
Pregones/PRTT Theatre in the South Bronx presents “Barba: A Brazilian Body Percussion Musical,” from Feb. 22 - 25.
I hand’t been to the Lehman Art Gallery in Bedford Park since sometime prior to COVID. Today, I finally went over there and saw an excellent exhibit, “Variations: Selections From the Benefit Print Project,” which continues through May 4. Here is the work of the artist, El Anatsui, who is from Ghana. I saw a giant piece by him just a month ago (images in prior edition here) at the Yale Art Gallery in New Haven, CT, and that work, like the one below, was made with found objects, including bottle caps and item labels. (Photo followed by a few closeup photos to give you a better sense of what he’s up to.)
Echoing a past post: In addition to the Sixth Annual Biennial (Part One) show at the Bronx Museum, (on through March 31), I also want to see Carlos Wilfredo’s exhibit, “Naturaleza Mutable” at Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education, (on through March 1) in Hunts Point.
Upstream Gallery in Hastings-on-Hudson (about a 20 min. drive from northwest Bronx (you can take Metro North there, too) has its annual photography exhibit, “Ordinary and Extraordinary,” through Feb. 25.
Classes
When school is out, Feb. 19 through Feb. 24, Bronx River Art Center offers “BRAC Mid-Winter Break Art Camp.”
And if you’re into learning some art on-line, Yonkers Public Library provides free art classes.
Live Music
Mind Builders Creative Art Center in Wakefield is hosting a free jazz concert called “Love Special: A Funky Good Time” on Feb. 16 at 6:30 PM, with the nonprofit’s Mind Builders Stage Band (young people) and Music Department Faculty.
For all the diverse upcoming shows at the Lehman Center for the Arts in Bedford Park, go here.
And for great live music An Beal Bocht in Riverdale provides, go here.
Important:Two Upcoming Submission Deadlines for Artists!
Applications for “Longwood and Governors Island Residency Program,” via The Bronx Council on the Arts, are due this Sunday, February 18. For Bronx artists only.
Blue Door Art Center in downtown Yonkers has put out a call for artists for an upcoming exhibit called “Women in Action, Together!” Submissions are due Feb. 18. All welcome to apply.
Some Substack newsletters and other artsy sites I love:
OK, have a great week and weekend everyone. Hope you get see, and enjoy, something cited above soon! I’ll post again on Wednesday night next week. —Jordan