This month’s Spotlight is on The Veggie Mobile Market. The brain child of food justice advocate Tanya Fields, the veggie mobile market will offer fresh produce to neighborhoods that don’t have access to them or have access to poor quality produce. Check out the video below to find out more information and how you can help make this a reality!
Pictures from South Bronx Unite’s Will Sing for Food fundraiser event for The Veggie Mobile Market will be up on my Facebook soon!
…actually I’m pretty sure it’s many Bronxites’ backyard. But, I’m just going to pretend that it’s my backyard and I’m just being super courteous by letting others hang out in it. A couple of weeks ago when my allergies were killing me, I had a severe case of cabin fever and just wanted to relax outside. So I gathered up some food in my picnic basket (yes, I own a picnic basket!) and headed to the park. It was awesome.
P.S. I’m super backlogged on posts so expect to be hit with like 10,000 in the next couple of days!
WNYC and WQXR is hosting the 4th annual Battle of the Boroughs next Friday. Read more about the event and come out to support the Bronx!
From WNYC & WQXR:
The Greene Space at WNYC and WQXR Announces the Fourth Annual
BATTLE OF THE BOROUGHS
Annual City-wide Competition to Discover NYC’s Best Emerging Talent
Kicks Off with the BROOKLYN BATTLE on Friday, February 1 at 7pm
For The First Time, Grand Prize Includes Guest Artist Appearance
at Amateur Night at the Legendary Apollo Theater
Let’s get ready to battle! The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space at WNYC and WQXR has announced the contestants of its fourth annual BATTLE OF THE BOROUGHS, New York City’s premiere search for undiscovered musical talent.
The contestants, hailing from all five boroughs, were culled from hundreds of submissions. From country gospel and experimental rock to a Latin string quartet and soul funk jazz, the 64 musical acts representing their home boroughs capture the excellence, vitality and diversity of the New York City musical scene.
these musicians will compete in Borough Battles at The Greene Space, WNYC and WQXR’s intimate and acoustically-superior street-level performance venue. The borough winners will go onto the final showdown, The Ultimate Battle, on Friday, June 21. The winners will be selected through votes from both the live studio audience and the online audience watching via live webcast. Voting will be available online at www.wnyc.org/thegreenespaceand via mobile phone by texting vote codes to 69866.
For the first time ever, the Ultimate Battle Grand Prize winner will be awarded with the opportunity to perform at the iconic APOLLO THEATER as a guest artist at its signature series, Amateur Night.
Every Battle will be emceed by award-winning WQXR host TERRANCE MCKNIGHT. This year, insightfulcommentary will be provided bymusicians, singers, industry executives, and WNYC and WQXR staffers, including:
GERI ALLEN, Composer and jazz pianist
CHRIS BANNON, Vice President, Content Development and Production, WNYC
HAKIM BELL, Singer, songwriter and producer
NONA HENDRYX, Singer, songwriter, and producer
FRANCO IEMMELLO, Vice President of Rhythm Promotion, Capitol Records
WES JACKSON, Executive Director of The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival
CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE, Bassist and composer
STEVE PAGEOT, Grammy Award-winningproducer
MIKE RINZEL, Senior Director, Digital, WQXR
JOHN SCHAEFER, Host of WNYC’s Soundcheck and New Sounds
STEVE PAGEOT, Grammy Award-winningproducer
The last act standing at the final battle will win an exclusive concert at The Greene Space with live video webcast, a professional, multi-track recording session, a Tekserve package including iPads, a professional photo shoot, a produced music video and, for the first time, a guest artist appearance at Amateur Night at The Apollo.
April 5: THE BRONX
I Am B13 (rap)
Captains of Industry (Free Jazz)
Tee Dot Ohh Liya Marie (Singer/Rapper)
Blue Meadow (Rock)
marie-claire (Jazz)
Kevin Batchelor’s Grand Concourse (Reggae/Ska)
Daphya (Hip hop/ R&B)
Bill Santen (Folk)
Flow Freequan (Rap)
Yurby (Folk/Alternative Rock/Blues)
Al-Lisha Burns (R&B/ Pop/)
Corky Has a Band (Hyper- Vaudevillian Performance Art)
Tickets: Tickets for all events are on sale now at www.wnyc.org/thegreenespace
One Borough:$15 ticket includes a complimentary glass of wine or beer; $30 ticket includes open wine and beer bar.
All Borough Badges: New this year! $90 for general admission to all five borough battles and winner’s concert, with a complimentary glass of wine or beer at each event; $180 for VIP admission to all five borough battles and winner’s concert with an open wine and beer bar.
New York Public Radio is New York’s premier public radio franchise, comprising WNYC, WQXR, The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space, and New Jersey Public Radio, as well as www.wnyc.org, www.wqxr.org, www.thegreenespace.org and www.njpublicradio.org. As America’s most listened-to AM/FM news and talk public radio stations, reaching 1.1 million listeners every week, WNYC extends New York City’s cultural riches to the entire country on-air and online, and presents the best national offerings from networks National Public Radio, Public Radio International, American Public Media, and the British Broadcasting Company. WQXR is New York City’s sole 24-hour classical music station, presenting new and landmark classical recordings as well as live concerts from the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, among other New York City venues, immersing listeners in the city’s rich musical life. In addition to its audio content, WNYC and WQXR produce content for live, radio and web audiences from The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space, the station’s street-level multipurpose, multiplatform broadcast studio and performance space. New Jersey Public Radio extends WNYC reach and service more deeply into New Jersey. For more information about New York Public Radio, visit www.nypublicradio.org.
You know I like to keep it really positive around here at The Bronx Socialite. But sometimes, stuff that happens in the borough is not always positive and it’s important to be realistic about that and know how to deal with it. So today, I’d like to give you a couple of tips on how to deal with hoodrats.
Hoodrat – (n.) an unsavory character who exhibits boisterously ignorant mannerisms and behavior, often accompanied by lively hand movements; natural habitat consists of the ‘hood, specifically Kennedy’s Fried Chicken, public transportation, laundromats, nail salons, and World Star Hip Hop; comes in varied shapes, sizes, and colors; typically vain in nature; thrives on confrontation
I want to make an important distinction here before I continue. Coming from the ‘hood, or not having a formal education, or being broke do NOT necessarily lead to one becoming a hoodrat. However, the ‘hood does breed hoodrats, so you must be aware of this distinction.
Now being The Bronx Socialite, I don’t often run in the same circles as hoodrats, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. But, at some point or another, you, too, may come across a hoodrat along your travels and I’m going to show you three different ways to handle the hoodrat.
1. There is a hoodrat engaged in a confrontation with someone else.
DO NOT GET INVOLVED! It is imperative that you not make eye contact with the hoodrat. Similar to animals in the wild, direct eye contact may provoke an unintended attack. The hoodrat goes from 0 to 100 in 0.005 seconds, so it is important to move quickly. Keep it moving and get away as soon as possible.
2. The hoodrat is engaged in a verbal confrontation with YOU.
I told you not to make eye contact! Oh well, too late. First, remain calm. Second, hoodrats do not subscribe to logic and common sense, so any attempts to reason with them will be fruitless. It is NOT your responsibility to educate the hoodrat. You will have to let the thought that eventually public shaming will convince the hoodrat to change his/her nature comfort you. Ignore the hoodrat and leave, but make sure you keep the hoodrat in your peripheral vision in case of a sneak attack or thrown object.
3. The hoodrat is engaged in a physical confrontation with you.
Guess you didn’t leave fast enough. Fine. If the hoodrat decides to ‘throw the hands’, you must defend yourself as best possible and seriously, get out of there. And alert the authorities. Perhaps you’ll luck out and they were already looking for him or her? You’ve just done society a favor, pat yourself on the back. But, maybe you’ll want to avoid that location for a bit?
And there you have it, a basic introduction to navigating society in working harmony with the hoodrat.
Now that I’ve got my internet back and my life has gotten settled again (I’m going to try to have a post up ASAP of places to volunteer and donate items for hurricane victims), I thought I’d share some pictures of my pre-Halloween festivities.
I’m really glad I got to wear my costume at least once this year as I thought long and hard about it (I plan all of my costumes a year in advance.) Boyfriend and I were Baseball Furies from one of the best NYC movies of all time, The Warriors.
Friday, the 19th we visited the Bronx Haunted Warehouse. I didn’t notice this last year, but there’s a small cemetery – the Ferris family cemetery- that I’ve never noticed before, right on Commerce, which adds to the creepiness on your way to the haunted warehouse. (For more info on the Ferris family cemetery and a host of other interesting history facts about the area, check out Forgotten NY’s post here.) It was very much like last year. Since it was just BF and me, we went in with another group and seeing their reactions was hysterical.
Saturday, the 27th we headed to join bf’s friends at Bridges Bar in Throggs Neck. People had really creative costumes despite the cold weather. The drinks were about the same as I’d pay at a bar downtown; I just ordered my standard cranberry and vodka, nothing fancy. The DJ was really hit and miss. He played a few dance-able songs, but didn’t really follow up on the momentum. Granted, people were dancing, but then again drunk people often dance just because.
I really wish I would’ve been able to leave my house on Halloween, but I’m definitely glad I got in some festive activity before the hurricane.
The Bronx Museum of the Arts has got to be one of my favorite places in the Bronx. I’m mad I didn’t get to explore it until adulthood. In elementary school, we schlepped almost every year downtown to the Met, but couldn’t go across the borough to visit the art museum practically in our own backyard? *scratches head in bewilderment*
Regardless, I wish the museum 40+ more years of awesomeness. There were so many different things going on Friday evening – three different stages and food and drinks downstairs. Here are some of my favorites: Sophie Calle’s The Bronx, Rigoberto Torres’ Daze, the Latin Jazz Quartet, and Annie Lanzillotto (who I am really partial to because we grew up in the same neighborhood).
As usual, check out the pics from the event below:
My best friend Aaron has launched a campaign to help him take classes at iO Theater in Chicago.
From Aaron:
Hi my name is Aaron and I’m an aspiring comedian living in New York. Improv and sketch has really taken over my mind for the past couple of years. I really enjoy working with other people, pushing aside the “real world” and creating something fun and rewarding.
I’m also a Theatre student at Brooklyn College; so pursuing a career in comedy is just as unstable. You only live life once and I’m not taking the safe route. Not taking the safe route usually means eating questionable food that your co-workers made for you.
I believe that everyone should love what they do, no matter what it is. I’m also a fan of thinking that people should follow what makes them happy. You could call me a dreamer. I want to be the best writer/ performer that I can be and work with people on an artistic level; creating funny material, producing it, directing it, performing it and teaching it. Every step I take forward is a blessing and I don’t take anything for granted.
This summer at Improv Olympic will make me a better performer and motivate me to continue on this very fun and scary journey that I paved for myself. Truth be told, I envision many Tuna and peanut butter sandwiches coming my way. By the Way…Does anybody have any jelly?
Check out the promo video below AND contribute if you can here. There are 15 days left!
So my birthday (and coincidentally the 1 year anniversary of The Bronx Socialite) was late May on a Wednesday of all days. And for the record, Wednesday birthdays kinda suck because you can’t really do it justice, so I had two birthday celebrations. One on my actual birthday, which was spent at EL Habanero (43 Bruckner Blvd.) Mexican is my favorite cuisine, so it was only fitting that I have some on my birthday. Now, instead of going to my favorite Taqueria Tlaxicali or even Estrellita Poblana, I decided to try somewhere new.
I went for an early dinner, a.k.a we just missed the lunch special . The place is medium-sized and our waitress was very nice and attentive. When you order the guacamole, they actually come out next to your table and make it in front of you. I ordered the quesadillas, which come with a side of rice and beans. I could barely finish it, I was so full.
That Sunday, I invited my friends (there were 15 of us!) to The Clock Bar for brunch. I’d been to this space before back when it was an art gallery and I was practically drooling over how awesome the pictures looked on the bar’s website. If I were to ever own my own bar, it would look just like The Clock Bar. Our host Roger (I forgot to ask if he was the owner or manager) was AWESOME. By far, one of, if the, best service experiences I’ve ever had at a restaurant. He put together a prix fixe menu for us featuring the breakfast pizza, poached eggs with hollandaise sauce (photo below), and a belini or mimosa and was just generally a very cool dude. The place totally captured my heart and quite possibly can give the Bruckner Bar and Grill a run for its money as my favorite Bronx bar. We’ll see.
Check out the photos from my birthdays at El Habanero and The Clock Bar:
The spa was beautifully decorated with soothing music and super friendly staff. Catherine, the owner, made sure that everyone was attended to.
I had a paraffin hand treatment, facial, and got my eyebrows threaded. The hand treatment was wonderful. To be honest, my hands look all kinds of grody on a daily basis, but after the treatment they were silky smooth. Because I’m on my whole broke recent college grad thing, I try to convince myself that I can DIY beauty treatments at home and it’ll be the same thing and it’s better because “I’m saving so much money!” but I can tell you that I could NEVER recreate the relaxing and rejuvenating facial experience at Tones. When it was over, Ruby asked, “So, how do you feel?” I said, “I actually look awake.” I felt so relaxed and my skin was glowing. I’d never had my eyebrows threaded before, but afterward I was shocked at how amazing they looked. How could everyone just let me walk around with my Shrek eyebrows this whole time?! I know I’ll definitely be back and with Mothers’ Day right around the corner, Tones Spa is an ideal and convenient present.
Last night, was the extremely successful opening reception of No Longer Empty’s This Side of Paradise at the Andrew Freedman Home. I can’t even express how much I loved this event. From the flappers and dapper gentlemen ready for the speakeasy fundraiser to the wide variety of exhibits, there was something for everyone. And I really mean everyone, the place was packed! It was cool to see so many people in the Bronx for an art event like this (though, as you’ll see below there’s a Post-It note someone left on a mirror. I’m inclined to agree.) For a little background info on what’s going on, check out my post about the Andrew Freedman Home’s makeover.
I took a ton of pictures (the longest slideshow on the blog to date!), look closely and you may see a piece that made an appearance from my visit to Linda Cunningham’s studio a couple of weeks ago.
Plus, I got to hang out with Adrien Brody.*
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
*This is a lie. I did not hang out with Adrien Brody. I stood a few feet away from him and smiled awkwardly.
. The place is medium-sized and our waitress was very nice and attentive. When you order the guacamole, they actually come out next to your table and make it in front of you. I ordered the quesadillas, which come with a side of rice and beans. I could barely finish it, I was so full.
