EXCITING EVENTS AROUND NEW YORK: AUGUST 2023

By Great Performances

Explore Great Music, Art and More at Our Partner Venues This Month!

TONTON PAL AND BINGUINI BAKHAGA

Saturday, August 5th at 8:00pm

Location: Apollo’s Historic Theater

Tickets: start at $120.90

The event is a concert featuring Tonton Pal and Biguini Bagaga from Mali, West Africa.

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TALLER MUJER COMPLETA FOR ALL

Saturday, August 26th at 6:00pm

Location: Apollo’s Historic Theater

Tickets: start at $117

PRESENTED BY SOY LA PROTA SHOP
Taller Mujer Completa is a yearly inspirational panel catered but not limited to women. World known panelists will each have a presentation based on their expertise. The main panelist and creator of Mujer Completa is Orquidea De Leon also known as @orquiss La Prota in all her platforms with a following of over 1 million. Here are some of the subjects which Mujer Completa covers: Finances, relationship management, wellness and health, mental health, how to start and maintain a business, social media presence, beauty, parenting, etc.

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BOOK TALK | EAT THE BUDDHA: BEING TIBETAN IN 21ST CENTURY CHINA

A conversation with award-winning author Barbara Demick

Tuesday, August 8th from 6:30pm to 8:00pm

Tickets: $15 Nonmembers; $8 (please contact membership for the discount code)

Award-winning journalist Barbara Demick’s most recent book, Eat the Buddha: Life and Death in a Tibetan Town reveals what it is really like to be a Tibetan in the twenty-first century China, striving to preserve one’s unique cultural, religious, and linguistic identity against the policies of a seemingly unstoppable superpower, including forced assimilation of Tibetan children at state-run residential schools.

Join us for a conversation with the author and Asia Society’s Osborn Elliott Prize for Excellence in Journalism on Asia awardee Barbara Demick. She will be in conversation with Philipp Ivanov, Asia Society’s Chief Programming Officer. The Q&A session will be followed by book signing.

Click here to learn more

FIRST SATURDAY: CELEBRATING CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY

Saturday, August 5th, all day

Kick off the countdown to Labor Day and celebrate the global influence of the Caribbean diaspora!

This program is free; registration is required and includes Museum general admission. Tickets are released on a rolling basis. Sign up for the Brooklyn Museum newsletter to be notified of the next release.

Click here to learn more

Brooklyn-Musuem_Drag_and_Draw_20220609_PUB_101_Kolin_Mendez_2151-Medium_JPEG_600_900
Jenn D’Role poses at Drag and Draw, 2023. (Photo: Kolin Mendez)

DRAG AND DRAW

Thursday, August 17th from 7:00pm to 9:30pm

Location: Steinberg Family Sculpture Garden, 1st Floor

Tickets: $35 and include after-hours admission to It’s Pablo-matic, your own Brooklyn Museum tote, and a complimentary drink. Member tickets are $25.

Sip and sketch in our backyard Sculpture Garden this summer with a monthly series of life drawing classes. Drink and Draw is open to all levels and accompanied by a refreshing beverage and musical vibes by local DJs.

In August, sketch from live models and enjoy after-hours access to our special exhibition Africa Fashion. Experiment with materials in this casual class led by teaching artist Mellasenah Nicole Edwards while listening to vibes by DJ InO.

Click here to learn more

Ronnie Burrage. (Photo: courtesy of the Jazz Foundation of America)

JAZZ IN THE GARDEN: RONNIE BURRAGE’S HOLOGRAPHIC PRINCIPLE

Sunday, August 27th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Location: Steinberg Family Sculpture Garden, 1st Floor

Tickets: This program is free; registration is encouraged. Reserve tickets to visit the galleries.

Swing by the Museum’s backyard Sculpture Garden for performances by some of the city’s best musicians, and enjoy a range of creative styles incorporating blues, jazz, and international sounds. Presented in partnership with Jazz Foundation of America.

In August, catch St. Louis–born drummer, percussionist, keyboardist, composer, arranger, bandleader, and educator Ronnie Burrage, who draws from jazz, funk, and soul. Burrage performed with Duke Ellington at the age of nine and later collaborated with many acts that informed his style, including the Oliver Sain Band, Defunkt, and the Burrage Band. His current group, Holographic Principle, performs Burrage’s own compositions and imaginatively reworked standards.

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MICHAEL OLATUJA: LAGOS PEPPER SOUP

Concert on the Lawn

Wednesday, August 16th at 7:00pm

Tickets: Adults $39 / Children $19

Just like the pepper soup from his hometown of Lagos, Nigeria, Michael Olatuja’s most recent album Lagos Pepper Soup is packed with a rich array of tantalizing flavors. The composer, bandleader, and bassist blends the sounds of Lagos, London (his birthplace), and New York (his current home) into what he describes as a “cinematic Afrobeat.” Join him and his band for a high-energy evening of hard-hitting Afrobeat, jazz, and fun. Yeah, we know, it’s August … but it’s never too hot out for a soup this good!

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NEAL FRANCIS

Presented in Collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center

Concert on the Lawn

Friday, August 18th at 7:00pm

Tickets: Adults $39 / Children $19

Overview

Cap off Caramoor’s summer season with singer-songwriter Neal Francis who, according to Rolling Stone Magazine, “is making piano rock cool again.” Enjoy a picnic and chill out on our lawn while he performs songs from his new album, In Plain Sight, which he wrote over the course of a tumultuous year spent living in a possibly haunted church in Chicago. The evening sky above Friends Field will become even more enchanted and vast as the backdrop for such endlessly absorbing kaleidoscopic sounds.

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CELEBRATING MULGREW MILLER: WINGSPAN REUNION

Thursday, August 10th through Saturday, August 12th

Tickets: start at $25

ABOUT THE SHOW

Bandmates of iconic pianist and composer Mulgrew Miller commemorate what would have been his 67th birthday weekend, for their first reunion since his untimely passing in 2013. This hard swinging and celebratory event presents a reincarnation of Wingspan, one of Miller’s final bands, featuring Steve Nelson (who also celebrates a birthday on opening night), Steve Wilson, Duane Eubanks, and Rodney Green, with guests Danny Grissett and Nat Reeves. The artists freshly interpret repertoire from 2002 Wingspan album The Sequel. Says Nelson, “it is with great joy that I anticipate this reunion.”

PERFORMANCE LINEUP

Steve Nelson, vibraphone
Steve Wilson, alto saxophone
Duane Eubanks, trumpet
with
Danny Grissett, piano
Nat Reeves, bass
Carl Allen, drums

Click here to learn more

JOHN BEASLEY & MAGNUS LINDGREN LEAD BIRD LIVES

FEAT. STUTTGART’S SWR BIG BAND

Thursday, August 24th through Sunday, August 27th

Tickets: start at $25

ABOUT THE SHOW

Trailblazing soloist and iconic architect of the music’s tradition, Charlie Parker became one of the first bebop artists to perform with a jazz orchestra. To celebrate what would have been his 103rd birthday, Stuttgart’s SWR Big Band brings Bird Lives to Dizzy’s Club. Earning a 2023 Grammy Award and three nominations, SWR Big Band presents a complete reimagining of Bird’s vital repertoire from acclaimed recording Bird Lives which features arrangements from co-conductors John Beasley and Magnus Lindgren. Lush and lyrical, endlessly swinging — these selections also serve as vessels for creative improvising from Miguel Zenón and more surprise guests. Don’t miss this energetic and textural event.

PERFORMANCE LINEUP

Magnus Lindgren, director, tenor saxophone, flute John Beasley, piano/keyboard
Klaus Grafas, alto saxophone
Matthias Erlewein, alto saxophone
Jörg Kaufmann, tenor saxophone
Andi Maile, tenor saxophone
Pierre Paquette, baritone saxophone
Nemanja Jovanovic, trumpet
Felice Civitareale, trumpet
Karl Farrent, trumpet
Martin Auer, trumpet
Rudolf Reindl, trumpet
Marc Godfroid, trombone
Juergen Neudert, trombone
Ian Cumming, trombone
Georg Maus, trombone
Frank Kuruc, guitar
Christian Diener, bass
Guido Jöris, drums
with special guests
TBA, tenor saxophone (8/24)
Chris Potter, tenor saxophone (8/25-8/27)

Click here to learn more

EXHIBITIONS

Where Time Runs Backwards

by Daniel Shieh, With Chia-Lun Chang and Arleene Correa Valencia

Upper Gallery at The Arts Center at Governors Island

____

ANTI•VENOM

Presented by Allies in Arts

Lower Gallery at The Arts Center at Governors Island

____

there is nothing you can think that is not the moon

by Rhonda Weppler and Trevor Mahovsky

The Café at The Arts Center at Governors Island

____

Click here to learn more

THE TAKE CARE SERIES

The Take Care Series offers audiences of all ages an opportunity to actively engage in performances, workshops, talks, and other interactive events that embrace ideas of caretaking. This series of free public programs aims to find artfulness in the everyday by exploring creative practices and community projects that emphasize care for ourselves, our communities, and our planet.

Through performance, workshops, talks, and Open Studios with our artists-in-residence and partnerships with local arts and cultural organizations, we explore creative practices and different ways to care for ourselves, our communities, and our planet and world around us. Past partners have included Little Sun, The Climate Museum, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Earth Celebrations, the poet Asiya Wadud, and many others.

Earth Matter, Make an Herbarium: Plants Can Live Forever

Saturday, August 12th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Meet 12 farmers who have captured the ephemeral nature, from seed to flower (or vegetable), of common, everyday plants. Experience 12 collages of preserved specimens, from roots to shoots, and then learn to make your own flower press to take home. You can create a library of plants and flowers (herbarium) that will delight you forever.

FIRST FRIDAY

Friday, August 4th from 10:00am to 9:00pm

Tickets: Free all Day!

Join Poster House on the First Friday of every month for free admission and extended hours! Explore the museum’s latest exhibitions and get in on the fun by attending a tour, workshop, performance, or activity throughout the day. Every First Friday is different, offering unique opportunities to engage with rotating exhibitions and the permanent collection.

Click here to learn more

RADICAL SIPS: AN EVENING OF BLACK PANTHER-INSPIRED COCKTAILS

Thursday, August 10th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Tickets: $45 General / $35 Members

Did you know that the Black Panther Party had their very own cocktail? Panther Piss was the official drink of the BPP and would often make appearances at newspaper distribution events, community gatherings, and other important meetings. Taking note from the Party, Poster House is pleased to welcome DC-based restaurateur Andra “AJ” Johnson for an evening of cocktails inspired by Black Power to Black People: Branding the Black Panther Party. Enjoy three different cocktails developed by this expert mixologist, paired with an exclusive tour of the powerful exhibition led by Curator Es-pranza Humphrey! Come for the cocktails, stay for the posters!

Click here to learn more

Paloma McGregor, "Building a Better Fishtrap/A’we deh ya" at Loophole of Retreat in Venice, Italy, October 7 & 8, 2022, Photo: Glorija. Courtesy of the artist.

PERFORMANCE:

PALOMA MCGREGOR: BUILDING A BETTER FISHTRAP / A’WE DEH YA

Sunday, August 6th from 12:00pm to 1:00pm

Tickets: free, with admission to the grounds

Paloma McGregor’s latest iteration of Building a Better Fishtrap is commissioned by Wave Hill as part of the exhibition This Place We Once Remembered. In the inter-disciplinary performance A’we deh ya—a Crucian phrase translating to “All of us are here”— the artist explores her father’s vanishing fishing tradition through the activation of a choreographic call-and-response between body and place, colony and the United States mainland, art and activism. Having left St. Croix, her birthplace, decades ago, McGregor uses performance and collaboration as inquiry-based research and asks: “What do you take with you? Leave behind? Return to reclaim?” Building a Better Fishtrap has been performed at venues across New York City, including at the BronxAcademy of Arts and Dance, Brooklyn Arts Exchange in Red Hook and along the Bronx River. Through these various iterations, McGregor has developed a “Fishtrap Method,” a way of developing communal collaborations through movement. In the same way that her father’s resourcefulness allowed him to transform the industrial materials available to him into long-lasting fish traps, McGregor collaborates with and draws from the people, traditions and spaces that are available to build long-standing collaborations and impactful performances.

Click here to learn more

Photo: Joshua Bright

DROP-IN CANDLE-MAKING WORKSHOP

Saturday, August 12th from 11:00am to 2:00pm

Location: Wave Hill House (Armor Hall)

Tickets: $15 materials fee per kit

Drop by Armor Hall and try your hand at creating rolled beeswax candles with Instructor Olivia Kalin to to take home and enjoy. Materials fee collected upon entry to workshop; each kit includes enough supplies to make several candles. Appropriate for adults and children 5 and up with an adult companion. Space is limited—you may be asked to wait if all workspaces are full. Bees, Butterflies and Blooms Weekend event.

Click here to learn more

COOKING DEMO: A TASTE OF HONEY

Sunday, August 13th from 12:00pm to 1:00pm

Location: Wave Hill House

Tickets: Free, with admission to the grounds

Honey is a sweet liquid produced by honeybees from the nectar of flowers. Discover fascinating facts about honey and compare the complex tastes of honey with a Wave Hill beekeeper and Chef Nick Acosta of Great Performances, Wave Hill’s exclusive caterer. Sample delicious recipes using local honey and take home recipes designed to take advantage of honey harvest season.

Click here to learn more

CITYPICKLE AT WOLLMAN RINK

April 7th through October 9th

As reported in the New York Times:

CityPickle is bringing the country’s fastest growing sport to Wollman Rink in Central Park! The rink will house 14 courts – the largest pickleball offering in the Northeast – with 196 hours of pickleball daily. Come play with us!

Whether you’re a pickleball pro or a newbie looking for a fun way to stay active this season, we’re welcoming all skill levels. Lessons, clinics, open play, leagues, and private events are also available. Grab a friend, grab a paddle, and meet us on the court!

CityPickle is proud to offer a professional playing experience with the court surface provided by Pickleball United USA, the official court partner for MLP and APP professional leagues and the nets provided by CD Pickleball Nets, the official net partner of the PPA and APP.

Click here to learn more

VEGAN NIGHT MARKET

Every Tuesday through the summer

Get ready to taste the best of plant-based cuisine at NYC’s first-ever Vegan Night Market!

Starting June 6th, Wollman Rink will host the weekly series, from MHG Events, featuring the city’s top vegan vendors, live music, and rotating food and product tastings until October 10th. Every Tuesday from 4-10pm!

Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just curious about the lifestyle, there’s something for everyone at the Vegan Night Market.

Come for the food, stay for the fun, and leave feeling inspired to make positive changes in your life and the world around you. Take advantage of this exciting opportunity to celebrate all things vegan in the heart of the city!

Click here to learn more

EXCITING EVENTS AROUND THE BRONX: AUGUST 2023

By Great Performances

Explore exciting community events around the Bronx this month.

ON EXHIBIT: DIANNE SMITH: TWO TURNTABLES & A MICROPHONEREAD

July 7th though August 20th

One two, one two…Party people in the place to be…Let me hear you say, hey, ho…

When you hear these lyrics at a hip-hop party you know it’s about to be a good time filled with music, dancing, joy, and community. Dianne Smith’s exhibition Two Turntables & a Microphone celebrates Black joy and expressions of identity that hip-hop has fostered through its community-building power. Hip-hop parties during the 1970s, created with virtually nothing more than two turntables and a microphone, have played a large role in the lives of Bronx youth, especially in the early days of hip-hop. Through these gatherings Bronx-native Smith, like many others, found a space filled with creativity, freedom, hope, and love. With this year marking the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, Smith celebrates this milestone by paying homage to hip-hop’s Bronx roots and its role in empowering communities across the world through a large-scale and site-specific interdisciplinary installation.

Click here to learn more

OLD-SCHOOL CHAT & JAM!

Friday, August 4th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm

Dust off your boomboxes. Shine your gold chains. Lace up your Adidas. We’re keeping it old-school to celebrate the new exhibition Dianne Smith: Two Turntables & a Microphone and the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.

Before the party gets started join us from 6–6:45 PM for an engaging conversation about the communal and creative elements of hip-hop and the Bronx with Smith and hip-hop legends: Easy A. D. (The Cold Crush Brothers), Sparky D and Pete Nice (3rd Bass). Moderated by guest curator, Souleo.

Afterward, the party officially gets started with DJ Kevie Kev Rockwell spinning old-school tunes.

Old-school hip-hop attire and dance moves are not required, but are highly encouraged.

Click here to learn more

BRONX RIVER WATER & WOODLANDS FESTIVAL

Saturday, August 5th from 11:00am to 3:00pm

Location: Burke Avenue Bridge

Come celebrate the Bronx River with us! On Saturday, August 5th, join us in the Bronx River Forest at Burke Avenue Bridge for an exploration of the Bronx River’s beautiful biodiversity. Become an ecologist for a day and learn about the major parts of this amazing urban ecosystem: the water, soil, plants, and of course the wonderful wildlife that calls this river home. Some activities include:

  • Bird watching
  • Plant ID tour
  • Wildlife showcase and investigation
  • Hands-on science demos
  • Free community soil testing
  • Nature scavenger hunt
  • Arts and crafts station
  • and more!

This event is free and open to all ages. We hope to see you there!

Click here to learn more

TEXTILE TALES

Every Saturday through August 19th from 12:00pm to 3:00pm

Location: Burke Avenue Bridge in Bronx Forest

Join textile artists from the New School in this FREE series centered around community storytelling through textile making. Learn about natural dyes, basketry, embroidery, and crochet! Supplies and materials provided. No registration is needed!

Click here to learn more

SUMMER CAMP AT THE BRONX ZOO

All Summer!

Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 3:00pm

Bronx Zoo is WILD about camp! Our summer camp allows campers to explore our 265-acre zoo and learn about animals and nature like never before! Campers will be engaged all week with fun activities, exhibit explorations and animal encounters.

Click here to learn more

NATURE PUPPET SHOW

Sunday, August 6th from 1:00pm to 2:00pm

Location: Crotona Nature Center in Crotona Park

The Urban Park Rangers welcome you for some nature themed puppet shows! Learn more about animals that can be found in our local parks.

Click here to learn more

IT’S MY PARK AT CROTONA PARK

Friday, August 11th from 10:00am to 1:00pm

Location: Clinton Playground in Crotona Park

This It’s My Park season, volunteer with Future Star Productions: Performing Arts & Youth Enhancement Program to remove litter and paint park benches at Clinton Playground located within Crotona Park. We look forward to cleaning up the park with you!

Click here to learn more

FORDHAM PLAZA

BRONX NIGHT MARKET

7/29, 8/26, 9/30, 10/28

Location: 1 Fordham Plaza

RSVP required

The Bronx’s renowned cuisine and culture festival is back for its 6th season, bringing with it an array of flavors and cultural experiences that represent the city’s diverse heritage. As a beloved event, it’s a must-attend festival for any food lover in the Bronx. With an average of 4k patrons per event, the festival gathers at the Fordham Plaza, providing an exciting and unique experience.

This year’s festival is even bigger and better, offering a curated selection of local Bronx and NYC-based food, beverage, arts & crafts, and packaged goods vendors. These vendors come together to provide an incredible culinary journey, showcasing a wide range of cultures and flavors.

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THINGS TO BE REMEMBERED: INTERACTIVE ART PROJECT

Now through October 22nd from 10:00am to 6:00pm

Location: 4th Floor Rotunda of LuEsther T. Mertz Library

Take a moment to reflect. What have you witnessed or felt during your visit today? The adjacent display shows the remains of extinct plants, and reminds us what has been lost and what should be remembered. We invite you to add your sketches, notes, and thoughts to an always-evolving collective artwork that will remain on view for the duration of the exhibition.

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…things come to thrive…in the shedding…in the molting…

extended through October 22nd

This summer, experience the seductive beauty of gardens through the eyes of celebrated contemporary artist Ebony G. Patterson. Known for her lavishly detailed mixed media installations, Patterson brings her signature style to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, and NYBG’s landscape and galleries, in a major site-specific exhibition featuring breathtaking and provocative displays of art and nature.

Patterson’s work will captivate Garden visitors with the beauty of exotic flora and garden-inspired installations—from a monumental peacock sculpture to swarms of glitter-encrusted vultures. Inspired by her immersion in NYBG’s collections, Patterson’s work explores entanglements of race, gender and colonialism while inviting visitors to contemplate their own relationships with gardens and the natural world.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see one of the most exciting contemporary artists of our time transform one of the most stunning settings in New York City like never before. Ebony G. Patterson’s summer exhibition at NYBG is a must-see.

Click here to learn more

FAMILY CAMPING: BRONX

Friday, August 18th, 7:00pm to Saturday, August 19th, 8:00am

Location: Section 2 Orchard Beach in Pelham Bay Park

We camp to create lasting memories, connect with the natural world, and bond with our families. The Urban Park Rangers celebrate the tradition of camping and we look forward to welcoming your family. Families are chosen by lottery. Lottery registration opens on Wednesday August 9th.

Click here to learn more

SEINING AND SHORE EXPLORATION

Sunday, August 27th from 11:00am to 12:00pm

Location: Section 2 Orchard Beach

Explore the shore of Orchard Beach and get ready to get your hands wet; seining program participants don waders and use large nets to catch fish and other marine life. All equipment is provided; this program is recommended for ages 8 years and older.

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STARLIGHT CINEMA: OUTER SPACE

Every Tuesday, starting July 11th through August 8th

Location: Van Cortlandt Park Parade Ground

  • 7:00pm: Music of 1956, 1968, 1977, 2014
  • 7:30pm: Movie-themed Crafts
  • 8:30’ish pm: Movies Begin at Last Light

July 11: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

July 18: Planet of the Apes (1968)

July 25: Star Wars (1977)

August 1: Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

August 8: Story Ave (2023) * Presented by Rooftop Films. Meet Bronx born filmmaker Aristotle Torres! *

Click here to learn more

WATER CHESTNUT WEDNESDAYS: VOLUNTEER IN VAN CORTLANDT PARK

July 12th through August 9th

Every Wednesday from 3:30pm to 5:30pm

Location: Van Cortlandt Golf House in Van Cortlandt Park

Join the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance for Water Chestnut Wednesdays as we work together to maintain the health of Hester and Miro’s Mill Pond. Water chestnuts are an invasive aquatic species that, if left unchecked, can disrupt the local ecosystem.

Throughout the summer, we’ll meet every Wednesday from 9 am – 12 pm at the Van Cortlandt Park Golf Clubhouse. From there, we’ll head out to the pond with waders and gloves, getting in the water to tackle this invasive plant’s spread.

No previous experience is required, and we will provide all necessary equipment. Bring your adventurous spirit, plenty of water, a hat, and an extra pair of socks. Make sure to RSVP as spaces are limited – we are taking the first 30 respondents for each Wednesday.

This is a great opportunity to get your feet wet (literally!) in conservation work, learn more about your local ecosystem, and make a positive impact on your park. We look forward to seeing you there!

Click here to learn more

Did you know that Great Performances is headquartered in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx? We love being a part of the Bronx community, supporting other Bronx-based companies, and giving back to our community.

Read more about it here.

Fan-Fan Doughnuts and La Newyorkina

Chef Fany Gerson
Photo courtesy of Fany Gerson

Fany Gerson is a chef, consultant, teacher, speaker, and cookbook author. She was born and raised in Mexico City and her work has been featured in the New York Times, Food and Wine, Fine Cooking, Saveur, Fine Cooking, Fast Company and Inc magazines, among others. She has also been featured in Food 52, The Insider, The Cooking Channel, Steve Harvey Show, and collaborated with brands such as Nike, Budweiser, The EGG board, Callebaut chocolates, Volcan Tequila to name a few. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Fany has worked in a range of fine-dining kitchens around the world including 3 Michelin starred Akelare in Spain and Eleven Madison Park in New York.

Fany launched the acclaimed La Newyorkina, an artisanal Mexican frozen treats and sweets business in 2010. She was the Chef and co-founder of Dough, an artisan gourmet doughnut shop in New York and the newly opened Fan-Fan Doughnuts.

In 2009, I spent a year doing research & traveling through Mexico to write my first book “My Sweet Mexico.” That experience changed my life.

When I returned to New York, I knew I wanted to share and celebrate the amazing frozen treats & sweets of Mexico.

I wanted to have my own business, but I didn’t know what to do since I wanted to do it all. One day, I had a dream that I was going to open a Mexican ice cream shop in New York. That’s how I decided to start with paletas, the quintessential frozen treat in Mexico. I thought I could test the idea without spending money on an ice cream machine and see how New Yorkers liked the sweet flavors of Mexico.

My mission is to share the sweetness of Mexico; I also strive to create the kind of company that people want to be a part of, support, work for, and partner with. I have tried to build a strong local community in the relationships we have with customers, growers and anyone else that is involved. 

Featured Paletas provided by La Newyorkina
on July 22nd, 2023:

Pink Lime, Mango Chili, and Coconut

Featured Doughnuts provided by Fan-Fan Doughnuts
on March 31st, 2022:

Doughnut Holes: Chocolate and Mexican Cinnamon Sugar
Mini Doughnuts: Mango Lassi, La Donna, and White Coffee

Photos courtesy of Fan-Fan Doughnuts and La Newyorkina

Fan-Fan Doughnuts

448 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205

347-533-7544

www.fan-fandoughnuts.com

Follow Fan-Fan Doughnuts:

La Newyorkina

61 Commerce Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231

347-763-0253

www.lanewyorkina.com

Follow La Newyorkina:

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JULY FOOD FESTIVAL:
THUNDER PICKLES

Our 2023 calendar theme, Preservation, is an ode to the art of preserving the harvest as well as a salute to the self-preservation of body and spirit. These have been challenging years! It’s fair to say we have been pickled and fermented, but that life goes on. It is the celebratory moments and the opportunities to come together that we relish.

This month, we’re celebrating with Thunder Quickles, a slight spin on Liz Neumark’s “Thunder Pickles”.

The name “Thunder Pickles” originates from a young Liz Neumark’s visit to a farm. A farmer told her that thunder made cucumbers grow! In the earlier years of The Sylvia Center, a portion of sales from Katchkie Farm’s “Thunder Pickles” went to support the organization. As a nod to our beginnings, we are excited to share this recipe recreated by TSC teen students.

Thunder Quickles Recipe

by The Sylvia Center Teen Students 

Yield: (3) 16-oz Jars

INGREDIENTS

  • 1.75 lbs cucumbers, sliced
  • 1 sweet onion, such as Vidalia
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup white wine vinegar or white vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons of salt
  • 1/4 cup of sugar

 

FOR EACH JAR

  • 2 sprigs of dill
  • 1 hot pepper (jalapeño, thai chili, serrano etc.)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 1.5 tsp pickling spice
  • 1 tsp whole black peppercorns

PROCEDURE

1. Stem, wash, and slice cucumbers into spears or rounds. Peel and quarter onions.

2. Bring water and vinegar to a boil. Add the salt and sugar, and stir to dissolve.

3. Divide the sliced cucumbers and onions among the 7 jars. Into each jar, add a few sprigs of dill, a bay leaf, one hot pepper, garlic, pickling spices and peppercorns. Pour the hot mixture evenly over the peppers.

4. Close the jars with seals and rings. Allow the filled jars to stand at room temperature until cool. Then refrigerate for at least 24 hours before use. Keeps up to two weeks in the refrigerator.

More Food Festival Recipes

EXCITING EVENTS AROUND NEW YORK: JULY 2023

By Great Performances

Explore Great Music, Art and More at Our Partner Venues This Month!

HARLEM HONORS

Saturday, July 15th at 7:00pm

Location: Apollo’s Historic Theater

Tickets: start at $93

A red carpet, black-tie affair, honoring the most influential and successful individuals impacting the community and beyond.

Click here to learn more

BOWERY PRESENTS KILLER MIKE:
THE HIGH & HOLY TOUR

Thursday, July 20th at 8:00pm

Location: Apollo’s Historic Theater

Tickets: start at $51

Killer Mike and the Midnight Revival bring the High & Holy Tour to The Apollo on July 20! As Killer Mike’s first major solo outing since touring in support of his 2012 album, the show will feature a full performance of Killer Mike’s new album, MICHAEL, in addition to classic hits from R.A.P Music, PLEDGE, and more.

Click here to learn more

Lionel Bonaventure/AFP via Getty Images

CHINAFILE PRESENTS: THE FUTURE OF DISSENT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF CHINA

A discussion with authors Liao Yiwu and Ian Johnson

Wednesday, July 12th from 6:30pm to 8:00pm

Tickets: $15 Nonmembers; $8 Students and Seniors; Free for Members

Please join us for a discussion with internationally acclaimed Chinese author Liao Yiwu, co-hosted by PEN America. A reporter, novelist, poet, and musician, Liao is best known for The Corpse Walker, his 2008 collection of interviews with laborers, migrants, and other people living at the margins of China’s economic boom, and for For a Song and a Hundred Songs, a memoir of the prison term he served for his writings about the Tiananmen protests. Since 2011, he has lived in exile in Berlin.

In conversation with the Council on Foreign Relations’ Ian Johnson, Liao will discuss the role of political dissent in exile, the use of fiction as a means for grappling with history, as well as his recent novels Wuhan, about the outbreak of COVID-19, and Love in the Times of Mao Zedong, set during the Cultural Revolution, and his documentary film on the construction of a Taiwanese memorial to Nobel Peace Prize-winning dissident Liu Xiaobo.

Click here to learn more

FIRST SATURDAY: AFRICA FASHION

Saturday, July 1st, all day

This program is free; registration is required and includes Museum general admission.

Celebrate the opening of Africa Fashion and the installation Sakimatwemtwe: A Century of Reflection on the Arts of Africa, which marks the hundredth anniversary of our watershed exhibition of African artworks. July’s First Saturday features a glamorous lineup of fashion, music, dance, film, shopping, and conversation that honors African heritage.

Click here to learn more

Brooklyn-Musuem_Drag_and_Draw_20220609_PUB_101_Kolin_Mendez_2151-Medium_JPEG_600_900
Jenn D’Role poses at Drag and Draw, 2023. (Photo: Kolin Mendez)

DRAG AND DRAW

Thursday, July 20th from 7:00pm to 9:30pm

Location: Steinberg Family Sculpture Garden, 1st Floor

Tickets: $35 and include after-hours admission to It’s Pablo-matic, your own Brooklyn Museum tote, and a complimentary drink. Member tickets are $25.

Sip and sketch in our backyard Sculpture Garden this summer with a monthly series of life drawing classes. Drink and Draw is open to all levels and accompanied by a refreshing beverage and musical vibes by local DJs.

In July, sketch from live models and enjoy after-hours access to our special exhibition It’s Pablo-matic: Picasso According to Hannah Gadsby. Experiment with materials in this casual class led by teaching artist Mellasenah Nicole Edwards while listening to a DJ set by Amber Valentine.

Click here to learn more

Firey String Sistas! perform in the Steinberg Family Sculpture Garden, 2022.
(Photo: Kolin Mendez)

JAZZ IN THE GARDEN: BERTHA HOPE QUINTET

Sunday, July 23rd from 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Location: Steinberg Family Sculpture Garden, 1st Floor

Tickets: This program is free; registration is encouraged. Reserve tickets to visit the galleries.

Swing by the Museum’s backyard Sculpture Garden for performances by some of the city’s best musicians, and enjoy a range of creative styles incorporating blues, jazz, and international sounds. Presented in partnership with Jazz Foundation of America.

In July, hear one of jazz’s living legends, Bertha Hope, perform with her quintet. Hope—a pianist, composer, educator, and bandleader—has toured globally with such artists as Nat Adderley, Dizzy Gillespie, and Eddie Henderson. This year, she celebrates the songbook of her late husband, the pianist and composer Elmo Hope.

Click here to learn more

DAKHABRAKHA

Concert on the Lawn

Friday, July 14th at 8:00pm

Tickets: Adults $59 / Children $29

With roots in Ukrainian folklore and music filtered through modern rhythms and instruments based in punk, cabaret, rock, and hip-hop, DakhaBrakha is an award-winning ensemble from Kyiv with an astonishingly powerful and uncompromising vocal range. They will bring their thunderous and theatrical energy to our Friends Field stage for an evening of “ethno-chaos” and national pride.

Artists
Marko Halanevych, vocals, goblet drum, tabla, didgeridoo, harmonica, accordion, cajón, jaw harp
Olena Tsybulska, vocals, percussion
Iryna Kovalenko, vocals, djembe, flute, buhay, piano, ukulele, zgaleyka, accordion
Nina Garenetska, vocals, cello

Click here to learn more

JAZZ FESTIVAL

Presented in Collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center

Saturday, July 22nd at 12:30pm

Tickets: start at $49

Overview

Caramoor’s Jazz Festival is back! This highly anticipated annual event of the summer is filled with the many facets of the jazz genre performed by phenomenal talent, amid lush gardens and distinctive venues throughout Caramoor’s expansive grounds. Bring the family for the day, and treat yourself to the headlining evening performance — three-time Grammy Award-winner and MacArthur Genius Grant recipient Cécile McLorin Salvant, a singer with, as the late Jessye Norman described her, “a voice supported by an intelligence and full-fledged musicality, which light up every note she sings.”

Evening Headliner
Cécile McLorin Salvant

Daytime Artists
Anthony Hervey Quintet

Christie Dashiell

New Jazz Underground featuring Abdias Armenteros, Sebastian Rios, and TJ Reddick

Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Summer Jazz Academy Big Bands with special guests

Edmar Castañeda Quartet

and many more to be announced!

Click here to learn more

VICTOR GOINES & FRIENDS: SWINGIN’ STORIES

Thursday, July 13th through Sunday, July 16th

Tickets: start at $20

ABOUT THE SHOW

The sounds of Madam Walker strutting down the street, Dorothy Parker raising a glass, and Cicely Tyson whispering to Miles Davis are all part of The Woodlawn Suite, Victor Goines’ 13-movement work celebrating the lives of New Yorkers now at rest within the historic Woodlawn Cemetery. Commissioned by the Woodlawn Conservancy to create a modern memorial, the saxophonist and composer created these biographical sketches that link listeners to the lives of those who impacted the music’s culture. Join his ensemble of creative voices and be part of The Woodlawn Suite’s live recording at Dizzy’s Club. A longtime member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and former director of the Jazz Studies program at Northwestern University, Goines serves as president and CEO of Jazz St. Louis.

Click here to learn more

JAZZ MESSENGERS LEGACY BAND

Tuesday, July 25th and Wednesday, July 26th

Tickets: start at $20

ABOUT THE SHOW

Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers had one of the most transformative impacts on live and recorded music, becoming a true incubator and creative platform for young artists. The Messengers Legacy Band celebrates and evolves the drummer, band leader, and stylistic architect’s expansive influence — and his fierce commitment to bandstand mentorship. Don’t miss this immersive swinging experience!

PERFORMANCE LINEUP

Don Braden, saxophone

Valery Ponomarev, trumpet

Robin Eubanks, trombone

Mamiko Watanbe, piano

Lonnie Plaxico, bass

TBD, drums

Click here to learn more

EXHIBITIONS

Where Time Runs Backwards

by Daniel Shieh, With Chia-Lun Chang and Arleene Correa Valencia

Upper Gallery at The Arts Center at Governors Island

____

ANTI•VENOM

Presented by Allies in Arts

Lower Gallery at The Arts Center at Governors Island

____

there is nothing you can think that is not the moon

by Rhonda Weppler and Trevor Mahovsky

The Café at The Arts Center at Governors Island

____

Click here to learn more

THE TAKE CARE SERIES

The Take Care Series offers audiences of all ages an opportunity to actively engage in performances, workshops, talks, and other interactive events that embrace ideas of caretaking. This series of free public programs aims to find artfulness in the everyday by exploring creative practices and community projects that emphasize care for ourselves, our communities, and our planet.

Through performance, workshops, talks, and Open Studios with our artists-in-residence and partnerships with local arts and cultural organizations, we explore creative practices and different ways to care for ourselves, our communities, and our planet and world around us. Past partners have included Little Sun, The Climate Museum, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Earth Celebrations, the poet Asiya Wadud, and many others.

Paul Deo, Self Actualisation Portraits Workshop

Saturday, July 15th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Paul Deo’s “Self Actualization Portrait painting” classes are fun, calm, safe places where students relax their conscious minds while painting. Visitors are invited to open their subconscious mind to the knowledge of the infinite universe releases past trauma, while accepting and developing our divine purpose and destinies. Painting yourself surrounded by your visions becomes your personal positive affirmation toward the goals you WILL manifest.

Open Studios with Arts Center Artists-in-Residence

Saturday, July 15th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm

Connect with LMCC’s Arts Center artists-in-residence at Open Studios! Visit artists in their studios, where they will share works-in-progress as well as offer hands-on and engaging activities for attendees.

FIRST FRIDAY

Friday, July 7th from 10:00am to 9:00pm

Tickets: Free all Day!

Join Poster House on the First Friday of every month for free admission and extended hours! Explore the museum’s latest exhibitions and get in on the fun by attending a tour, workshop, performance, or activity throughout the day. Every First Friday is different, offering unique opportunities to engage with rotating exhibitions and the permanent collection. This July, celebrate Disability Pride Month at Poster House with any of our disability centered offerings!

Click here to learn more

COMRADE SISTERS PANEL & BOOK SIGNING

Friday, July 21st from 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Tickets: free!

The role of women in the Black Panther Party has historically gone unacknowledged. It’s estimated that six out of ten Panther Party members were women. While regularly making headlines agitating, protesting, and organizing, these remarkable women were also building communities and enacting social justice, providing food, housing, education, healthcare, and more to the people. Comrade Sisters is their story.

Join women of the New York Chapter of the Black Panther Party, Yasmeen Majid, Claudia Chesson-Williams, and Lauryn Williams Jackson, and Comrade Sisters co-author and photographer, Stephen Shames, in conversation about their Black Panther Party experiences and life after the BPP. Book signing to follow.

Click here to learn more

THE COMEUPPANCE

Tuesday, May 16th through Sunday, July 9th

Tickets: start at $49

WORLD PREMIERE

Written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins

Directed by Eric Ting

In Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ world premiere of The Comeuppance, the latest from “one of this country’s most original and illuminating writers” (The New York Times), a self-proclaimed “Multi-Ethnic Reject Group” reconvenes for the first time in years to pregame for their twentieth high school reunion. They refamiliarize themselves with new versions of old selves over drinks, other substances, and a not-so-innocent truth-telling game. From the start, Death looms over and speaks through them, describing their disquieting and darkly comedic fates. The Comeuppance marks Jacobs-Jenkins’ prolific decade as a Signature Premiere Resident playwright.

The Comeuppance takes the place of Jacobs-Jenkins’ previously-announced Grass.

Click here to learn more

JULY 4TH: WAVE HILL IS OPEN!

Tuesday, July 4th from 10:00am to 5:30pm

Tickets: free, with admission to the grounds

Spend Independence Day at Wave Hill! Bring friends and loved ones to tour the grounds, have a bite at the Cafe, and take in the sights.

Click here to learn more

Photo: Stephanie Berger

SUNSET WEDNESDAYS

Wednesdays through July

Tickets: $15/adults; $10/students/seniors; $6/children 6-18; FREE/members and children under 6.

Named by Time Out as one of the top “10 under-the-radar cultural experiences in NYC,” this annual summer favorite is back, bringing four exceptional performances each Wednesday evening in July.

July 5: Music From The Sole

July 12: Tatiana Eva-Marie

July 19: Nella

July 26: Los Hacheros

Click here to learn more

COOKING DEMO: SUMMERY HERBAL BEVERAGES AND BAKED GOODS

Sunday, July 16th from 11:00am to 12:00pm

Location: Wave Hill House

Tickets: Free, with admission to the grounds

Peppermint, basil, lemon verbena and more—many herbs taste as good as they smell! Enjoy a taste of summer with some delicious, sweet drinks and baked goods made with fragrant herbs harvested at their peak. Chef Nick Acosta of Wave Hill exclusive caterer Great Performances demonstrates some favorite summer recipes while Wave Hill’s Director of Public Programs Laurel Rimmer shares tips for selecting and growing the herbs featured in the recipes.

Click here to learn more

CITYPICKLE AT WOLLMAN RINK

April 7th through October 9th

As reported in the New York Times:

CityPickle is bringing the country’s fastest growing sport to Wollman Rink in Central Park! The rink will house 14 courts – the largest pickleball offering in the Northeast – with 196 hours of pickleball daily. Come play with us!

Whether you’re a pickleball pro or a newbie looking for a fun way to stay active this season, we’re welcoming all skill levels. Lessons, clinics, open play, leagues, and private events are also available. Grab a friend, grab a paddle, and meet us on the court!

CityPickle is proud to offer a professional playing experience with the court surface provided by Pickleball United USA, the official court partner for MLP and APP professional leagues and the nets provided by CD Pickleball Nets, the official net partner of the PPA and APP.

Click here to learn more

VEGAN NIGHT MARKET

Every Tuesday through the summer

Get ready to taste the best of plant-based cuisine at NYC’s first-ever Vegan Night Market!

Starting June 6th, Wollman Rink will host the weekly series, from MHG Events, featuring the city’s top vegan vendors, live music, and rotating food and product tastings until October 10th. Every Tuesday from 4-10pm!

Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just curious about the lifestyle, there’s something for everyone at the Vegan Night Market.

Come for the food, stay for the fun, and leave feeling inspired to make positive changes in your life and the world around you. Take advantage of this exciting opportunity to celebrate all things vegan in the heart of the city!

Click here to learn more

EXCITING EVENTS AROUND THE BRONX: JULY 2023

By Great Performances

Explore exciting community events around the Bronx this month.

OPENING RECEPTION! DIANNE SMITH: TWO TURNTABLES & A MICROPHONEREAD

Friday, July 7th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm

Hip-hop hooray! Join us for a festive opening celebration of Dianne Smith: Two Turntables & a Microphone, featuring a special live appearance by legendary rapper, Slick Rick.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, we will debut Smith’s site-specific multimedia installation. The exhibition celebrates Black joy and expressions of identity that hip-hop has fostered through its community-building power, as evidenced by the parties back in the day.

Click here to learn more

Bronx-Museum_Darrel-Ellis_Untitled-Friends
Image: Darrel Ellis, Untitled (Friends), 1990.
Graphite, ink, and ink wash on paper. Framed 24 3/4 x 30 3/4 in.

GALLERY CONVERSATION
DARREL ELLIS: REGENERATION

Saturday, July 15th from 1:00pm to 2:30pm

Join The Bronx Museum, and Visual AIDS alongside Susan Spencer Crowe, Joe Lewis, Liora Mondlak, and James Wentzy in a gallery conversation around Darrel Ellis: Regeneration and their experiences with Ellis and his work, facilitated by the exhibition’s Curatorial Fellow Kyle Croft.

Click here to learn more

THE BRONX RIVER LIVING FESTIVAL

Saturday, July 15th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Location: Concrete Plant Park

This fun, free, family-friendly event will be a celebration of our waterfront park, and an opportunity to participate in dialogue about our community’s resiliency in the face of climate change.

The Festival will include:

  • Canoeing paddle-and-pick-up: Participants help clean up the Bronx River, while on a guided canoe tour to learn more about this incredible natural resource and ways to protect, improve, and restore it. Spots are limited, find more information below.
  • Foodway Tour: Learn about one of NYC’s only edible food forests on public land.
  • Hydration Station: Enjoy teas made with local plants from the Bronx River Foodway, and learn how to make your own!
  • Eastern Woodlands Exhibit: Learn how local indigenous people lived along the Bronx River for thousands of years.
  • Community Art Project about the life of the Bronx River
  • Informational tabling for the Bronx River Watershed Plan: Help develop a Climate Resiliency Plan for the Bronx River.
  • Healing Drumming Circle
  • Live Music
  • Educational tabling from partners and more!

Click here to learn more

MORGAN POWELL’S BRONX RIVER WALKING TOUR

Sunday, July 16th from 11:00am to 12:00pm

Location: New York Botanical Garden (reflection pool)

Join historian Terrel L Armistead in a special tour along the Bronx River at New York Botanical Garden as they share the stories and histories of Bronx African Americans who built the Bronx and supported its development. This tour is centered around Morgan Powell’s legacy centered in researching and documenting the little known history of Bronx African American people and their contribution to the eco-cultural history of NYC. You can read more of these histories can be found in detail in his blog called Bronx Sankofa.

Click here to learn more

SUMMER CAMP AT THE BRONX ZOO

All Summer!

Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 3:00pm

Bronx Zoo is WILD about camp! Our summer camp allows campers to explore our 265-acre zoo and learn about animals and nature like never before! Campers will be engaged all week with fun activities, exhibit explorations and animal encounters.

Click here to learn more

OUTDOOR SKILLS: SURVIVAL 101

Saturday, July 8th from 11:00am to 12:00pm

Location: Crotona Nature Center in Crotona Park

Our Urban Park Rangers are well versed in outdoor lore. Learn tips and tricks that will enhance your knowledge of the natural world, and might just save your life. Whether you are preparing for an extended journey through the woods or just want to be more prepared for any situation, an outdoor skills program is the perfect fit for you. Join the Urban Park Rangers as we discuss how to pack and prepare for any potential survival situation.

Click here to learn more

SEASONAL BERRY JAM

Saturday, July 8th from 11:00am to 2:00pm

Location: Watson Room 101

Get a little messy making seasonal berry jam! Trained in preservation techniques at Cornell, Stephen Nocera will show you three distinct methods of jamming, using less sugar and no additives or pectin. You’ll come away with the techniques and recipes you need to keep jamming at home, as well as three delicious jams that will transport you back to summer whenever you reach for a jar.

Click here to learn more

…things come to thrive…in the shedding…in the molting…

extended through October 22nd

This summer, experience the seductive beauty of gardens through the eyes of celebrated contemporary artist Ebony G. Patterson. Known for her lavishly detailed mixed media installations, Patterson brings her signature style to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, and NYBG’s landscape and galleries, in a major site-specific exhibition featuring breathtaking and provocative displays of art and nature.

Patterson’s work will captivate Garden visitors with the beauty of exotic flora and garden-inspired installations—from a monumental peacock sculpture to swarms of glitter-encrusted vultures. Inspired by her immersion in NYBG’s collections, Patterson’s work explores entanglements of race, gender and colonialism while inviting visitors to contemplate their own relationships with gardens and the natural world.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see one of the most exciting contemporary artists of our time transform one of the most stunning settings in New York City like never before. Ebony G. Patterson’s summer exhibition at NYBG is a must-see.

Click here to learn more

CANOEING: ISLAND HOPPING

Saturday, July 9th from 10:00am to 11:30am

Location: Canoe and Kayak Launch in Pelham Bay Park (northwest corner of Orchard Beach parking lot)

Spend a afternoon exploring the islands that surround the Orchard Beach estuary by canoe. Experienced paddlers only. Participants are chosen by lottery. Lottery registration opens on Wednesday June 28.

Click here to learn more

CITY OF WATER DAY: SEINING AND SHORE EXPLORATION

Saturday, July 15th from 11:00am to 12:00pm

Location: Section 2 Orchard Beach

Celebrate City of Water Day with our experienced Urban Park Rangers. Explore the shore of Orchard Beach and get ready to get your hands wet; seining program participants don waders and use large nets to catch fish and other marine life. All equipment is provided; this program is recommended for ages 8 years and older.

Click here to learn more

STARLIGHT CINEMA: OUTER SPACE

Every Tuesday, starting July 11th through August 8th

Location: Van Cortlandt Park Parade Ground

  • 7:00pm: Music of 1956, 1968, 1977, 2014
  • 7:30pm: Movie-themed Crafts
  • 8:30’ish pm: Movies Begin at Last Light

July 11: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

July 18: Planet of the Apes (1968)

July 25: Star Wars (1977)

August 1: Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

August 8: Story Ave (2023) * Presented by Rooftop Films. Meet Bronx born filmmaker Aristotle Torres! *

Click here to learn more

NYC PARKS PRESENTS: TYE DYE IN THE BRONX

Tuesday, July 18th from 3:30pm to 5:30pm

Location: Woodlawn Playground in Van Cortlandt Park

Families and children are invited to join NYC Parks for an afternoon of fun while doing tie-dye with our staff. Participants are encouraged to bring a new tee shirt or clothing for this amazing transformation.

This event is free and open to the public!

Click here to learn more

GP in the Bronx

Did you know that Great Performances is headquartered in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx? We love being a part of the Bronx community, supporting other Bronx-based companies, and giving back to our community.

Read more about it here.

Bite Mini Donuts

Bite is a small, queer-owned business based in Brooklyn, NYC.
Cousins B and Sam started baking early on with their grandmother and their love and passion for baking translated into adulthood. After baking their donuts for friends, family, and small engagements, Bite was officially launched in 2019. In 2022, Bite completed its first season as a Smorgasbord vendor and, shortly after, raised the funds to move into their first commercial space at Nimbus Kitchen in Downtown Brooklyn. Now, BITE offers dessert catering and delivery in NYC. They specialize in beautiful, baked mini donuts with an artisan twist and always have seasonal and holiday menus.

Featured Donut provided by Bite
on Wednesday, June 21st, 2023:

"The Gay Donut"

Photos courtesy of Bite

Bite

Baked in Brooklyn

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People’s Kitchen partners with Bite to bring our guests mini donuts baked in Brooklyn by cousins B and Sam.

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Tris Pies

Owned and operated by Tristan Trowers, Tris Pies is a small operation based in the Bronx. Tristan bakes his famous pies right at home in his kitchen.

Due to popular demand from friends and family, Tristan launched his online business in 2019. During the pandemic, he baked pies for hospital workers. His delicious pies, which can now be shipped nation-wide,
have quickly grown in popularity!

Featured Pie provided by Tris Pies
on Wednesday, June 7th, 2023:

Mini Sweet Potato Pie

Photos courtesy of Tris Pies

Tris Pies

Baked in The Bronx

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DON'T HIRE A CATERER: SUMMER BARBECUE

Georgette Farkas is officially our Culinary Ambassador at Great Performances, but we’ve also crowned her our Hospitality Maven. Drawing upon her experiences working at leading restaurants and spearheading her eponymous Rotisserie Georgette, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. In addition to everything she does at GP across all teams, she also regularly entertains at home, creating incredible dishes with that extra special touch that makes food even more memorable and delicious.

In this series, Georgette shares tips from the caterer’s tool kit to make entertaining at home (almost) effortless. From time saving shortcuts and grocery store secrets to garnishing hacks and presentation magic, she’ll help you host a party that’ll make your guests feel extra special and that you’ll actually be able to enjoy.

She’s also curated recipes for you, highlighting the tips she’s shared. Each month look for dishes and ideas that would be delicious on their own, but that together make up menus that will have you entertaining like a pro.

As the weather heats up, we can’t help but want to take the cooking outside. A couple summers ago, I hosted an online class, World Tour Brochettes. I stand by these recipes – they are timeless, delicious, and infinitely adaptable. Best of all, they are perfect for effortless summer entertaining.

Call them brochettes, skewers, kabobs, as you like. It all comes down to assembling well-seasoned ingredients on a stick to grill over open flames, ideally with a little char around the edges. Of course broiling is an option for city apartment dwellers. These recipes take you on a journey without ever leaving home. We could have chosen flavors from countless destinations, but landed in the South of France, Southern Spain and then Thailand.

I’ve paired each brochette with a side dish made with the same seasonings used in the marinades. This makes for a great menu and also simplifies the market list. I’ve also planned marinade quantities so that you will use only a part of it to coat meat and vegetables, reserving the remainder to spoon over the cooked brochettes.

I recommend flat surfaced brochettes, as they will hold ingredients in place when turning them on the grill. Whether rounded or flat, if using wooden brochettes, soak them first so as to avoid burning the ends. I treasure my steel brochettes with decorative brass finials, a souvenir from long ago summer travels in Turkey.

Each of these dishes can be prepared a day ahead to lighten your entertaining load. In fact, the brochettes will benefit from marinating overnight. Just before grilling, tighten up your brochettes, making sure the ingredients are closely pressed together. Not to worry if you’re not grilling outdoors, the broiler setting in your oven will do just fine.

Check out the recipes below or download the recipe packet here: https://docs.greatperformances.com/view/1031572904/

RECIPE: HERBES DE PROVENCE CHICKEN & ZUCCHINI BROCHETTES

Side Dish: Raosted Cherry Tomatoes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

For Marinade:

  • 4 large cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
  • 3 Tbsp herbes de Provence
  • ¾ cup olive oil
  • 1 whole lemon, zested and juiced

 

For the brochettes:

  • 4 pcs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 4 pieces
  • 2 whole green and yellow zucchini, sliced 1/4″ thick
  • 8 whole purple pearl onions, peeled and blanched

 

For the tomatoes:

  • 4.5 cups cherry tomatoes, halved

Procedure

  1. Pre-heat oven to 400֯.
  2. On a sheet pan, toss cherry tomatoes with 1 Tbsp herbes de Provence, 1 Tbsp chopped garlic, ¼ cup olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Cook cherry tomatoes until softened and slightly caramelized, approximately 45 minutes. Remove from oven, adjust salt and pepper. Set aside. May be made one day ahead and refrigerated. Remove from refrigerator at least one hour prior to serving.
  3. In a mixing bowl combine lemon zest and lemon juice with 1 tsp salt and ¼ tsp ground pepper. Whisk together to dissolve salt. Incorporate remaining garlic, herbes de Provence and olive oil.
  4. In a separate bowl, toss chicken, zucchini and pearl onions in just enough marinade to coat. Arrange them on brochettes, sandwiching each piece of chicken between two pieces of zucchini and placing a pearl onion between each set of chicken and peppers.
  5. Marinate covered in refrigerator for at least three hours or overnight. Remove from refrigerator one hour prior to cooking. Just before grilling, tighten up your brochettes, making sure the ingredients are closely pressed together, as this will make for even cooking.
  6. On a heated grill, cook brochettes approximately five to six minutes on each side, until browned and the meat has reached an internal temperature of 165֯. If cooking indoors, arrange brochettes on a sheet tray and place in an oven pre-heated to 450֯ or place under a well heated broiler on high setting. Cook five to six minutes on each side.
  7. Place brochettes on a serving platter and spoon remaining marinade on top. Arrange roasted cherry tomatoes around brochettes.

RECIPE: GINGER-MISO CHICKEN & JAPANESE EGGPLANT BROCHETTES

Side Dish: Carrot, Cabbage, and Kale Slaw

Servings: 4

Ingredients

For the marinade:

  • 4 oz rice vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp Thai chili paste
  • 2 oz Tamari
  • 3 Tbsp white miso
  • 2 Tbsp honey

 

For the brochettes:

  • 4 pcs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 4 pieces
  • 2 whole Japanese eggplant, cut in 1” rounds
  • 2 whole green peppers, halved, seeded, cut into 1.5” squares
  • 2 tsp white sesame seeds

 

For the slaw:

  • 5 oz red or purple cabbage, fine julienne
  • 5 oz carrot, spiral cut or julienne
  • 2 oz kale, coarsely chopped
  • 3 Tbsp grated ginger
  • 3 cloves garlic, grated
  • 2 oz sesame oil
  • 2 Tbsp thinly sliced scallions
  • 2 Tbsp chopped cilantro

Procedure

  1. In a mixing bowl combine rice vinegar, Thai chili paste, tamari, miso, honey, ginger, garlic, and cilantro. Set aside. Can be prepared several days ahead.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine cabbage, carrot, daikon, and kale. Toss with half of the above marinade, or just enough to coat. This is best made the day before. Once slaw has marinated overnight, drain off and discard any excess liquid. Remove slaw from refrigerator at least one hour before serving.
  3. Whisk sesame oil into remaining marinade. Toss chicken, eggplant, and green peppers in just enough marinade to coat. Set aside remaining marinade. Arrange chicken and vegetables on brochettes, sandwiching each piece of chicken between two pieces of green pepper and placing a piece of eggplant between each set of chicken and peppers. Arrange brochettes on a sheet tray. Marinate covered in refrigerator for at least three hours or overnight. Remove from refrigerator one hour prior to cooking.
  4. Just before grilling, tighten up your brochettes, making sure the ingredients are closely pressed together, as this will make for even cooking.
  5. On a heated grill, cook brochettes approximately five to six minutes on each side, until browned and the meat has reached an internal temperature of 165֯. If cooking indoors, place brochettes in an oven pre-heated to 450֯ or place under a well heated broiler on high setting. Cook five to six minutes on each side.
  6. Arrange brochettes on a serving platter and spoon remaining marinade over them. Arrange scallions, cilantro, and sesame seeds on top. Serve the slaw alongside.

RECIPE: SHRIMP, CHORIZO, AND SWEET RED AND YELLOW PEPPER BROCHETTES

Side Dish: Orzo with Safran

Servings: 4

Ingredients

For the marinade:

  • ¾ cup olive oil
  • 6 large cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
  • 1 Tbsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 2 Tbsp tomato paste

 

For the orzo:

  • 1 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp saffron threads
  • ½ cup chopped flat leaf parsley
  • ½ cup orzo

 

For the brochettes:

  • 16 ¼”-thick slices cured chorizo
  • 12 large shrimp, peeled with tail on (size U8)
  • 1 red bell pepper, halved, seeded, and cut in 1.5” square
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, halved, seeded, and cut in 1.5” square
  • 6 cippolini onions, blanched, peeled, halved

Procedure

  1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup olive oil, garlic, thyme, paprika, tomato paste and chopped parsley with salt and pepper to taste.
  2. In a separate bowl toss shrimp, peppers, sliced chorizo and half the cippolini onions with just enough marinade to coast. Arrange them on brochettes, sandwiching each piece of shrimp between two pieces of pepper and placing a cippolini onion half and chorizo slice between each set of shrimp and peppers.
  3. Arrange brochettes on a sheet tray and refrigerate covered for at least three hours or overnight. Remove from refrigerator one hour prior to cooking.
  4. Just before grilling, tighten up your brochettes, making sure the ingredients are closely pressed together, as this will make for even cooking.
  5. Bring salted water to a boil in a saucepan, add orzo and cook approximately 7 minutes to al dente. Drain, setting aside 1/2 cup of the pasta liquid.
  6. In the meantime, coarsely chop the trim from the red and yellow peppers and slice the remaining cippolini onion. In a medium skillet, add 2 Tbsp olive oil, remaining cippolini onion and chopped red and yellow pepper trim. Cook stirring over medium heat, until soft and lightly caramelized. Incorporate half the remaining marinade and saffron. Add orzo and just enough of the reserved orzo cooking liquid to loosen the mixture slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss in chopped parsley.
  7. On a heated grill, cook brochettes approximately five to six minutes on each side, until browned and the shrimp have reached an internal temperature of 165֯. If cooking indoors, arrange brochettes on a sheet tray and place in an oven pre-heated to 450֯ or place under a well heated broiler on high setting. Cook 5-6 minutes on each side.
  8. Place brochettes on a serving platter and spoon remaining marinade over them. Arrange orzo alongside.

HONORING BLACK LIVES MATTER MONTH
AND SOUL FOOD MONTH

By Great Performances

As we honor both Black Lives Matter Month and Soul Food Month, it is important to acknowledge the significant contributions of Black chefs and restaurant owners to the culinary world. From traditional Southern dishes to unique and creative fusion cuisine, Black chefs and restaurant owners have brought immense talent and creativity to the industry. We are honored to partner with Black chefs and restaurant owners who have made an impact on the culinary scene, both locally and nationally.

Join us as we celebrate their achievements, cultural heritage, and culinary mastery this month and every month.

Recent and Ongoing Collaborations Include: