We’ve grown a lot of tomatoes at Katchkie Farm over the years—and we’re not exaggerating when we say they’re some of the best around. They’ve starred in our eponymous Katchkie Tomato Soup, been transformed into a wood-fired pizza sauce by pizzaiolo Rafi Bildner during a memorable farm pop-up, and—perhaps most enduringly—found their way into this rich, tangy, farm-fresh ketchup.
Katchkie Ketchup has been a beloved staple at our cafés and events for years, and now you can make it at home. It’s part of the Katchkie Pantry—a handcrafted summer collection made with ingredients grown or foraged with care, and preserved with purpose to celebrate the bounty of the farm.
Katchkie Ketchup
Yield: 1 Quart
Ingredients
2 ¼ c tomato paste
¾ c honey
1 ½ c white vinegar
¾ c water
1 Tbsp sugar
2 ¼ tsp salt
¾ tsp onion powder
⅜ tsp garlic powder
Procedure
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine all ingredients and whisk until smooth.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring often.
- Remove from heat and cover until cool.
- Refrigerate in a sealed jar or container.
Suggestions for Use
Katchkie Ketchup is the perfect condiment for your meal (try it with our Veggie Burgers), fries, hot dogs, or chicken tenders; as an ingredient in meatloaf or baked beans; or in a sauce like our cocktail sauce or 1000-Island dressing from our Cooking with Katchkie cookbook!
Explore Other Recipes in this Collection
We’ve partnered with Pier 36 (Basketball City) to cater some truly unforgettable events—and we’re just getting started. If you’re looking for a bold, flexible, and spacious NYC event venue with serious wow factor, this waterfront event space delivers on every level.
Located at Pier 36 on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the venue offers over 70,000 square feet of raw, versatile space. Originally known as a state-of-the-art basketball facility, it’s now one of New York City’s most in-demand venues for corporate events, galas, brand activations, fashion shows, concerts, and more.
With seven regulation courts, high ceilings, and stunning East River views, it’s a venue that can transform from a tournament space to a candlelit dinner to a full-scale product launch—all in a single day.
We love working here because it allows for limitless creativity. The space is a true blank canvas: ideal for large-scale events in NYC, yet intimate enough for experiences that feel personal and customized. The venue team is collaborative, the logistics are seamless (yes, there’s on-site parking!), and the backdrop—iconic NYC bridges and waterfront views—is unmatched.
Built for Impact, Rooted in Community
Beyond its flexibility and scale, Pier 36 has a strong foundation in community engagement, hosting NBA events, youth clinics, and nonprofit galas that give back. It’s a venue that doesn’t just host events—it creates lasting impact.
If you’re ready to plan your next event at one of the most exciting event venues in New York City, let’s talk. From elegant seated dinners to high-energy basketball tournaments, Great Performances will help you bring your vision to life at Pier 36 (Basketball City).
Each month, our Food Festival series celebrates a single seasonal ingredient through a chef-driven recipe, creative tips, and serving inspiration. In July, we’re spotlighting bell peppers—vibrant, sweet, and at their summer peak. This month’s recipe combines roasted red peppers with toasted hazelnuts for a velvety romesco sauce that’s equal parts earthy and bright. Whether you spread it, spoon it, or dip into it, it’s a summer essential.
Want more seasonal ideas? Explore the full Food Festival series here.
Ingredient Spotlight:
Bell peppers are at their best in summer—crisp, colorful, and packed with vitamins A and C. Red peppers are the ripest and sweetest, with natural sugars that intensify when roasted. Their versatility makes them perfect for raw salads, cooked sauces, or smoky dips like this month’s romesco.
What Is Romesco?
Romesco is a bold, nutty Spanish sauce that originated in Catalonia. Traditionally made with roasted red peppers, garlic, nuts, olive oil, and vinegar, it’s blended into a rich, smoky purée. While it was originally served with seafood, romesco’s versatility makes it perfect for vegetables, grilled meats, sandwiches, and more. Think of it as your new go-to summer sauce.
Recipe:
by Chef Andrew Smith
Ingredients
3 red bell peppers
¼ cup toasted hazelnuts
2 tsp sherry vinegar
1 clove garlic confit
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Salt, to taste
Method
Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until you reach a semi-smooth consistency. Season to taste. Store under refrigeration for up to four days.
Pro Tips from Our Chefs
🔪 Choose the sweetest peppers
Red bell peppers are fully ripened and the sweetest of the bunch. Look for firm, glossy skin and no soft spots. Heavier peppers = juicier flesh.
🔥 Toast hazelnuts like a chef
Toast hazelnuts in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant and golden—about 5–7 minutes. Rub the warm nuts in a clean kitchen towel to remove bitter skins.
How to Use It: Serving Suggestions
As a dip: Serve with grilled vegetables, warm pita, or crusty bread
With grilled proteins: Spoon over grilled chicken, shrimp, or steak
Spread on sandwiches: Swap for mayo or mustard—especially with turkey or roasted veg
Tossed with pasta: Stir into warm pasta with a splash of pasta water
On eggs: Drizzle over poached or fried eggs with toast for brunch
With roasted potatoes: A dollop adds flavor to crispy roasted or sweet potatoes
From Our Farm to Your Table: Meet Katchkie Farm and Our CSA
The peppers in this month’s recipe—and many of the ingredients we spotlight—come straight from Katchkie Farm, our organic farm in Kinderhook, NY. It’s where we grow with intention: focusing on flavor, sustainability, and connection to the land.
Through our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program, you can enjoy the very best of the season each week—from just-picked produce to specialty pantry items and surprises from our kitchen.
Want a deeper connection to your food? Learn more about our CSA and Katchkie Farm →
Keep Cooking with Us
We’re cooking our way through the seasons—one ingredient at a time. Sign up for our newsletter to get each month’s recipe, tips, and art delivered to your inbox.
Get recipes, seasonal stories, and event tips delivered each month? Sign up for our newsletter →
Related Articles
More from the Food Festival series—seasonal recipes, chef tips, and ingredient inspiration.
This year, Chef Andrew Smith, Culinary Director, curated our Food Festivals and prepared some delicious recipes to help celebrate each ingredient!
In June, we’re celebrating strawberries!
Strawberry Chutney
Ingredients
- 1 pint strawberries tip removed and cut in half length wise
- 2 tbs shallots finely chopped.
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1Tbs chopped mint. Reserving remaining mint whole
- 1 tbs white wine vinegar
- 1 tsp cooking oil
- 1tbs water
Method
On a grill or cast-iron grill pan char strawberries cut side down then remove to bowl. In a small sauce pot over medium heat shallots and mint in cooking oil till shallots become translucent. And in strawberries, sugar, vinegar, and water. Reduce heat to low and cook mixture until strawberries start break down taking care to stir mixture to prevent burning. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Brooklyn Artists Ball | Brooklyn Museum | Senior Event Director Ali Rea-Baum
On April 29, 2025, the Brooklyn Museum hosted its fourteenth annual Brooklyn Artists Ball, presented by Dior. The evening honored Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation, for his contributions to philanthropy, social justice, and advocacy for artists. The event commenced with a cocktail reception in the museum’s lobby, featuring a performance by the Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet beneath the museum’s iconic KAWS sculptures. Guests then proceeded to the Beaux-Arts Court, transformed by artist Jeffrey Gibson into a vibrant space inspired by his 2020 exhibition, “When Fire Is Applied to a Stone It Cracks.” Brooklyn Museum+8Brooklyn Museum+8Vogue+8
During the program, museum director Anne Pasternak announced a $1 million gift from the Ford Foundation to support the display of African-American artworks previously held in storage. The event raised over $4 million in total for the museum’s exhibitions and educational programming. The evening concluded with a musical performance and an afterparty that continued into the night, featuring a DJ set by Swizz Beatz.
Event Gallery
Event Menu
- Truffle Creme & Duxelle Puffs
- Truffled Creme, Pickled Pioppini, Chervil
- Carrot Mousse Tart
- Crispy Ginger, Celery
- Smoked Tofu Jewel Box
- Purple Ninja Radish, Yuzu Pearls
- Tuna & Wasabi Tobiko
- Tuna, Wasabi Sesame Yuzu Vinaigrette, Wasabi Tobiko, Micro Shiso
- Asparagus Palette
- Fresh Herb Salad, Lemon Pearls, Basil Creme, Crispy Ginger, Flower Gremolata, Green Oil
- Branzino & Roasted Spring Vegetables
- Saffron, Lemon
- Raspberry Mousse
- Basil Oil, Basil Financier, Raspberry Veil
- Elegant 75
- Lemon Juice, St. Germain, Honey Syrup, vodka
- Delicate
- Bourbon, Lillet Blanc, Aperol, Orange Bitters
- Spiced Raspberry Paloma
- Casco Viejo Reposado, Grapefruit Juice, Chambord Raspberry Liquer, Lime Juice, Jalapeno Agave
Open House New York Open City Benefit | Hosted at GLDG 303 in the Brooklyn Navy Yard | Menu by Great Performances | Senior Event Director Morgan Golumbuk
Our founder, Liz, has been on the board of Open House New York since 2020, and I have been lucky enough to partner with them on two of their annual events (the Open City Benefit in the spring and the OHNY Weekend Launch Party in the fall) since the following year.
This year’s Open City Benefit was held at BLDG 303 in the Brooklyn Navy Yard and brought together 400 design and civic leaders in a celebration of the power of place and new possibilities for our city. We called on our Culinary Director, Andrew Smith, to curate a highly seasonal family style menu and partnered with Kings County Distillery to serve a delicious, classic Penicillin cocktail at the bar.
From the initial walkthrough in December to the event in April, we collaborated with the Open House New York team to bring their vision to life. They continue to open doors for New Yorkers, and we will always be ready to feed them.
Open City Benefit Dinner Menu
- Honeyed Mixed Nuts* [VT, CN]
- Root Vegetable Chips* [VEGAN]
- Carrot Mousse Tart with Candied Fennel Seeds, Celery Sprouts [VEGAN]
- Peruvian Potato Cup with Comte Fondue [GF, VT]
- Tamari Ginger Tuna Poke with Crisp Sesame Tuile [GF,DF]
- Whitefish Salad on Crispy Grits with Dill, Radish [GF]
- Chicken & Waffle with Black Pepper Honey, Fried Rosemary
- Korean Chicken Bite with Gochujang Fried Chicken, Kimchi Slaw, Cilantro & Sriracha Aioli
- Grilled Chicken and Strawberries with Burnt Strawberry Chutney [GF]
- Citrus Grilled Branzino [DF, GF]
- Fava Beans with Young Pecorino Cheese, Affilla Cress, Lemon Mint Vinaigrette [GF, VT]
- Roasted Baby Beets with Brown Butter [GF, VT]
- Red Bliss New Potato Salad [VEGAN, GF]
- Hen of the Woods Mushrooms & Chiffonade Kale with Frisee, White Balsamic Vinaigrette & Garlic Blossom [GF, VEGAN]
- Great Performances Signature Bread Basket with Multigrain Rolls, Pretzel Baguettes, Mini Baguettes, Olive Rolls, & Local Butter with Sea Salt
- Caramel Cheesecake Bites
Carrot Ginger Squares [VEGAN,GF] - Dark Chocolate-Raspberry Truffles [VEGAN,GF]
- Dirty Chai Tartlet with Chai Custard, Coffee Whipped Cream
- Funfetti Cake Bite with Colorful Sprinkles
- Lemon Basil Madeleine with White Chocolate & Micro Basil [VEGAN,GF]
- Kings County Distillery Peated Bourbon, Ginger-Honey Syrup, Fresh Lemon Juice, Lemon Twist
About Chefs’ Choir®
A chorus of culinary voices from Great Performances—our chefs step out of the kitchen to share recipes, stories, and inspiration. Learn more →
Chef Michael Steifman shares a mouth-watering recipe for smokey, savory, sweet, and tangy St. Louis Ribs. This is a delicious recipe that does involve several steps, but we think it’s well worth it. These are a guaranteed crowd pleaser (and we wouldn’t blame you if you made a couple extra ribs for a rainy day).
Everything can be prepared in advance, saving time and effort the day of your event, but we love the magic of preparing these in the morning to serve straight from the grill to the plate. Perfect for lunch or dinner, we like them paired with classic barbecue favorites of grilled corn on the cob and a fresh salad.
St. Louis Smoked Pork Ribs
by Chef Michael Steifman
Serves 2-4
Ingredients
55 grams kosher salt
5 grams black pepper
10 grams chili powder
5 grams smoked paprika
2 grams coriander
10 grams mustard powder
3 grams cumin powder
18 grams onion powder
16 grams garlic powder
2 grams coffee granules
10 grams activated charcoal
Procedure
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl until evenly combined.
- If not using immediately, place in an air tight container and store in a cool, dry, dark place until ready to use.
Ingredients
7 pounds ketchup
1/2 Spanish onion, minced or pureed
1 pint black coffee (brewed)
1 pint apple juice
1 pint cider vinegar
1/2 pint soy sauce
1/8 cup chipotle puree
1 pound dark brown sugar
1 Tbsp smoked paprika
1 cup Urfa Biber
Procedure
- Combine all ingredients, except ketchup in a pot.
- Bring to a boil and stir to make sure all ingredients are combined and solids dont stick to the bottom.
- Reduce heat to a low and simmer for 30-45 minutes until liquid is reduced by half.
- Add the ketchup and whisk until completely combined.
- Keep heat on low and let simmer very lightly for another 30 minutes.
- Let cool to room temp, then refrigerate.
Ingredients
450g (1 Rack) St. Louis Ribs
30g (2tbsp) Black Rub
200g Bitchin’ BBQ Sauce
Procedure
- Clean ribs and remove membrane from backside
- Rub ribs with black rub
- Set smoker to 225 degrees and cook ribs for 2 hours
- Remove ribs from smoker, sprinkle with the brown sugar and wrap tightly in aluminum foil, then return to smoker for 1 hour.
- Remove ribs from smoker and remove foil
- Baste ribs with bbq sauce and return to smoker for 15 minutes
- Repeat step 6 every 15 minutes until ribs are done
APOLLO SPRING BENEFIT
Wednesday, June 4th at 7:00pm
Location: The Apollo’s Historic Theater
The Spring Benefit, The Apollo’s signature fundraiser, is a spectacular celebration of the Theater’s rich legacy and its commitment to its future as a mission-led arts and cultural organization, a community anchor and an economic driver for Harlem and New York City. Known as one of the hottest events of the year, the Benefit brings together New York City’s elite business, entertainment and philanthropic communities in support of the Apollo.
JUST ANNOUNCED!!!
Thirteen-Time Grammy Winner Babyface and Six-Time Hip Hop Award Winner Busta Rhymes Join 2025 Apollo Spring Benefit Honoring Music Legend Clive Davis.
Duality
Friday, June 6th and Saturday, June 7th
Location: The Apollo Stages at The Victoria
Tickets: start at $54.20
What binds the worlds of dance and quantum physics? Movement— a force as primal as existence itself. Duality is a ground-breaking dance show developed through the Open Interval Residency in collaboration with Gibney Dance and the Simons Foundation.
With choreography shaped by the laws of general relativity and quantum mechanics, Duality brings to life the paradoxes at the heart of modern physics— two powerful, yet not yet unified, visions of reality. Space-time curves, particles entangle, and bodies navigate a universe where certainty coexists with chance. Are we governed by precise rules— or is there room for choice in the unfolding of the cosmos? Step into a performance where the fabric of the universe becomes motion— and experience the mysteries that move us all.
Leo Bar Happy Hour: Celebrate Pride Month
Thursday, June 26th from 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Tickets: $25 (includes one drink)
Asia Society is partnering with Human Rights Campaign (HRC) for a special Leo Bar to celebrate Pride!
Enjoy free admission to Asia Society Museum and guided tours of our exhibitions. Featuring a fabulous evening of networking with the LGBTQ+ community, make new professional and personal connections!
Ghosts of Hell Creek: Stone Garuda
Saturday, June 28th and Sunday, June 29th
Tickets: $30 Non-Members, $20 Members. $15 Children (4 – 16 years old). Seniors/Students: Use discount code SENSTU at checkout for $5 off!
In this performance by the Prehistoric Body Theater ensemble, Indonesian dancers channel prehistoric dinosaurs as they explore themes of mass extinction, climate crisis, and evolutionary ancestry through movement. Praised as “an innovative form of global public outreach for paleontology” (Oxford University Press), the company fuses animal movement with traditional dance and experimental Javanese percussion. Co-created with Indigenous Indonesian performing artists, Prehistoric Body Theater collaborates with international scientists to craft performances informed by cutting-edge paleontology—uniting art, science, and a deep commitment to nature conservation.
Riccie Oriach
BAM FREE MUSIC
Wednesday, June 4th at 7:00pm
Location: Peter Jay Sharp Building, The Adam Space (BAMcafé)
Tickets: FREE
Dominican singer, guitarist, percussionist, and sound engineer Riccie Oriach has forged a distinctive musical style that fuses punk and hard rock with traditional Caribbean rhythms like merengue, bachata, and samba. Collaborating with eminent artists including the illustrious producer Eduardo Cabra, formerly of Calle 13, Oriach has created a signature sound deeply rooted in tradition, but always looking to the future—and guaranteed to make listeners move on the dance floor.
Ultra Violet is a Dominican-American DJ hailing from the Bronx. With mixes full of nostalgia combined with musical genres such as house, dembow, and disco, she takes you on a journey with every set. Her curated sound is inspired by growing up in the melting pot that is New York City. She currently has a monthly residency in the Onyx Room at the legendary House of Yes, and has performed at Bonnaroo, Glitterbox, and other iconic stages.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Thursday, June 5th through Sunday, June 8th
Location: Peter Jay Sharp Building, Howard Gilman Opera House
Tickets: start at $35
The company that shattered every boundary of American dance returns to Brooklyn with a vital display of world-class artistry. An AILEY performance isn’t just dance; it’s a force of nature—a rich sensory experience that embodies all the staggering joy and wistful longing that human movement can elicit.
This year’s exhilarating run includes a world premiere by renowned choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar in collaboration with Company dancers Samantha Figgins and Chalvar Monteiro. Zollar recently completed 40 years at the helm of Urban Bush Women and will be AILEY’s 2025 Artist in Residence. Also featured is Elisa Monte’s Treading, a mesmerizing duet set to music by Steve Reich; the 25th anniversary production of Ronald K. Brown’s Grace, a spellbinding dance journey to the promised land; and Alvin Ailey’s visceral classic Revelations.
Everybooty 2025
Sunday, June 15th at 5:00pm
Location: BAM Fisher
Tickets: start at $25
After a six-year hiatus, BAM’s Pride takeover returns.
Transforming the BAM Fisher into a four-floor day rave, Everybooty is an eruption of underground dance music, revelry, art, discourse, and joy celebrating New York City’s vibrant and unstoppable queer community.
Meet us at The Club and The Flea, on The Roof, and in The Salon to experience some of the most thrilling dance floor divas, artisans, and pleasure activists working across Brooklyn queer nightlife.
Get down, act up, be proud. This is Everybooty.
First Saturday: Star-Makers
Saturday, June 7th from 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Location: throughout the Museum
Tickets: register for free
Join us for a lineup of trailblazing queer artists who shine across mediums, from film and music to drag and visual art. Inspired by Oscar yi Hou’s The Arm Wrestle of Chip & Spike; aka: Star-Makers, June’s First Saturday celebrates luminaries who forge constellations of connection among queer Brooklynites. Enjoy music, art-making, performances, and so much more.
Juneteenth Jubilee
Saturday, June 21st from 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Location: Throughout the Museum
Tickets: Free with Museum admission
Celebrate Juneteenth with an afternoon of activities and music celebrating self-expression, community, and Black liberation and creativity. Enjoy the musical stylings of Bruce Edwards Trio with Alisa Ohri. Listen in or contribute your own voice to a poetry open mic. Vibe to sets mixed by SoulSummit, play games, make a mini-zine or scrapbook, and participate in our fifth annual community photo series. Sip, shop, and be nourished by some of Brooklyn’s favorite Black-owned restaurants. Plus, don’t miss a special tour of Nancy Elizabeth Prophet: I Will Not Bend an Inch.
Hometown Heroes: Harlem’s Own Bertha Hope Quintet
Tuesday, June 3rd at 7:00pm and 9:00pm
Tickets: start at $20
Celebrate one of Harlem’s living legends as trailblazing pianist, composer, and bandleader Bertha Hope brings her trio to the stage. A beacon for generations of musicians and an inaugural recipient of the Jazz Legacies Fellowship from the Jazz Foundation of America and the Mellon Foundation, Hope continues to champion the music of her late husband, Elmo Hope, a pivotal figure of the bebop era whose close relationships with Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell shaped the modern jazz piano sound. As part of the Hometown Heroes series, this performance highlights Harlem’s vital place in jazz history and features rarely heard Elmo Hope compositions alongside beloved favorites, brought to life through Hope’s powerful artistry and enduring vision.
Bryan Carter: Jazz at Pride
Wednesday, June 11th and Thursday, June 12th
Tickets: start at $20
Bryan Carter’s powerful vision returns to Dizzy’s Club with Jazz at Pride, a celebration of community, creativity, and connection. The Grammy and Tony Award-winning drummer, composer, and vocalist brings together fellow LGBTQIA+ artists to share their music and stories, creating an inclusive space where all are welcome and represented. Join us for an unforgettable night of bold artistry, joyful connection, and music that uplifts, empowers, and brings people together.
Future of Jazz Orchestra
Monday, June 23rd at 7:00pm and 9:00pm
Tickets: start at $20
The Future of Jazz Orchestra brings to life the original compositions of Erik Larsen, vibrant works that blend swing, minimalism, and rich harmonic color. Influenced by jazz greats like Thad Jones, Joe Henderson, and Duke Ellington, Larsen’s music highlights the full range of the ensemble while offering space for standout solo moments. It’s a dynamic celebration of big band tradition and forward-thinking creativity.
Best of the JLCO with Wynton Marsalis
Friday, June 13th and Saturday, June 14th
Location: Rose Theater
Tickets: start at $47
Close out the season with a high-energy celebration led by Wynton Marsalis and performed by the powerhouse Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Known for turning the traditional big band into a bold, globally inspired ensemble, the JLCO delivers an evening of swing, soul, and surprise that reflects the full scope of their artistry.
Curated by Marsalis, this season finale features a handpicked mix of audience favorites and standout originals by longtime Orchestra members Chris Crenshaw, Vincent Gardner, Carlos Henriquez, Sherman Irby, Ted Nash, Dan Nimmer, and Marcus Printup. More than a concert, it’s a joyful sendoff to summer that showcases one of the most electrifying ensembles in jazz today.
Blueprints of Resistance: Lessons from LGBTQ+ Activism Past and Present
Featuring: Ivy Kwan Arce, NYC Council Member Erik Bottcher, David France (moderator)
Friday, June 13th from 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Location: Robert H. Smith Auditorium
Tickets: Free
What lessons can we learn from the history of HIV/AIDS activism among the LGBTQ+ community? Journalist and filmmaker David France is joined by NYC Council Member Erik Bottcher and ACT UP member Ivy Kwan Arce for this timely discussion about the advocacy, community-building, and resistance that define the story of the AIDS pandemic. They’ll celebrate the courage and character of LGBTQ+ heroes as well as reflect on what the country as a whole can learn from their storied legacy of activism.
Sunday Story Time: Glenn Burke, Game Changer: The Man Who Invented the High Five
Sunday, June 29th from 11:30am to 12:30pm
Location: 1st floor, Robert H. and Clarice Smith New York Gallery of American History
Tickets: Free with Museum admission
Happy Pride Month! Today we are reading Glenn Burke, Game Changer: The Man Who Invented the High Five, written by Phil Bildner and illustrated by Daniel J. O’Brien. Ever since he was a kid, Glenn Burke loved to play baseball. When he grew up, he joined the LA Dodgers and became the first openly gay Major League Baseball player. And one day in 1977, he created one of the world’s most recognizable gestures: the high five! After the story, we’ll make our own celebratory high five craft!
First Friday
Friday, June 6th from 10:00am to 9:00pm
FREE ADMISSION ALL DAY & OPEN LATE
Join Poster House on the First Friday of every month for free admission and extended hours! Museum Members can check in at the Info Desk to receive one free drink ticket to use at the bar from 6 – 9 PM. 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.
Soundtrack to a Coup d’État: Juneteenth Screening
Tuesday, June 17th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Tickets: $10
Join us at Poster House for a special Juneteenth screening of Soundtrack to a Coup d’État, a powerful documentary by Johan Grimonprez that explores the intersection of jazz, politics, and decolonization, focusing on jazz legends like Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, and Nina Simone in their roles as cultural ambassadors during the 1960s.
With a rich combination of archival footage, historical narrative, and unforgettable musical performances, the film reveals how these artists became unwitting players in the CIA’s plot to assassinate Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1960. The documentary highlights the important protests of powerful women like singer Abbey Lincoln and activist Andrée Blouin while probing the murky alliances between Western powers and the local forces behind the assassination.
Enjoy complimentary small bites and refreshments while watching this compelling and thought-provoking film.
Father's Day Picnic
Sunday, June 15th, All Day
Location: Wave Hill House Lawn
Tickets: Free with admission (premium weekend)
To celebrate Father’s Day, Wave Hill opens the Wave Hill House Lawn for picnicking. Bring your own picnic or leave it all to us and order a custom picnic basket available only at Wave Hill by our exclusive caterers Great Performances.
Bring a blanket or folding chairs and relax while enjoying our custom menu with your loved ones. In addition to picnicking on the lawn, limited seating will be available for picnic purchasers at Wave Hill House in Armor Hall and the Kate French Terrace. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis.
Carnegie Hall Citywide Concert: Endea Owens and The Cookout
Thursday, June 26th from 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Location: Great Lawn; Rain Site: Armor Hall
Tickets: Free, and admission to the grounds is free on Thursdays
Endea Owens is a Detroit-raised, New York-based bassist, recording artist, and composer. Known as one of jazz’s most vibrant emerging artists, she graduated from The Juilliard School in 2018 and joined the Late Show with Stephen Colbert as a member of the house band, Stay Human. Since then, Owens has won an Emmy Award, Grammy Award, and a George Foster Peabody Award. Her work has appeared on Jon Batiste’s Grammy Award-winning album We Are, Oscar-nominated film Judas and the Black Messiah, and H.E.R’s widely acclaimed Super Bowl LV performance. Owens released her debut album Feel Good Music in September 2024. Don’t miss the chance to catch this rising star as she performs with her band The Cookout in this free presentation in partnership with Carnegie Hall Citywide.
Lead support for Carnegie Hall Citywide is provided by the Howard Gilman Foundation and the Hearst Foundations.
CityPickle at Wollman Rink
Daily: 8am-9pm
Come play on our 14 courts, the largest pickleball offering in the Northeast.
Playing on professional courts in Central Park’s iconic Wollman Rink? Our dream come true too! CityPickle is thrilled to offer C&D Nets, net sponsor of the PPA and APP, JOOLA x CityPickle custom paddles for rent, and Franklin X-40 balls to provide an elevated playing experience for all.
Special Event Cabana Party
Looking for a unique way to celebrate a special event? Book a two hour cabana party for memories that will last forever.
Cabana Parties offer private use of a court and adjacent cabana, where players can enjoy pickleball and hang out in their own private lounge, enjoying food and drinks between matches.
- Two hour time slots
- Each “spot” includes one court and one cabana
- One host books for their group
- Up to eight players allowed per court
- Four complimentary paddle rentals per court
Explore exciting community events around the Bronx this month.
First Friday June 2025 Salsa Dance + Live Music!
Friday, June 6th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Free for all ages!
Experience The Bronx Museum after dark! On the First Friday of the month, we keep our doors open late for everyone to enjoy our art exhibitions, as well as music, dancing, and more!
On June 6th, you are invited to experience the interactive exhibition, Working Knowledge: Shared Imaginings, New Futures, plus fun activities for all ages. Details coming soon.
Instructor Talia Castro-Pozo will offer a tutorial in salsa dancing, then open up the dance floor for everyone to enjoy moving to music performed by Uptown Royalty NYC.
Family Time June 2025: with Artist Ari Melenciano
Saturday, June 14th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
FREE for all Ages
Artist Ari Melenciano — whose installation, Cosmeage, is on view at the Museum as part of the interactive exhibition WORKING KNOWLEDGE: Shared Imaginings, New Futures is joining us for this fun-filled afternoon of art-making for all ages!
Open House
Saturday, June 14th from 11:00am to 3:00pm
Location: Crotona Avenue & Crotona Park S
Come to join as a community at Concrete Dreams Community Garden and to learn, grow and meet your neighbors! Help the garden group clean up and beautify the garden and surrounding areas.
Movies Under The Stars: Moana 2
Tuesday, June 24th from 8:00pm to 10:00pm
Location: Crotona Tennis House in Crotona Park
Grab a blanket and come enjoy a movie in a neighborhood park or playground! This summer, NYC Parks and The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment will host family-friendly movie showings across the five boroughs.
“Moana 2” reunites Moana and Maui three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.
Movies begin at dusk. This event is FREE and open to the public.
Movies Under The Stars: The Little Mermaid (2023)
Saturday, June 7th from 8:00pm to 10:00pm
Location: Basketball Court in I-Am-Park
Grab a blanket and come enjoy a movie in a neighborhood park or playground! This spring, NYC Parks and The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment will host family-friendly movie showings across the five boroughs.
The youngest of King Triton’s daughters and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea and, while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.
Movies begin at dusk. This event is FREE and open to the public.
Van Gogh’s Flowers
May 24th through October 26th
NYBG becomes the canvas for the colorful brush strokes of one of the world’s most revered artists during Van Gogh’s Flowers, where you’ll revel in the beauty of the flowers that inspired his iconic paintings—by day, and by night. Find yourself immersed in botanical displays and large-scale art as you wander through a breathtaking lawn of monumental sunflowers, and see the expressive masterpieces bloom in recreations made of living flowers. As the sun sets, join us on select evenings for Starry Nights, featuring a dazzling drone show—the first of its kind at a cultural institution in NYC—along with live bistro music, performance art, and cocktails and light bites for purchase.
You’ve seen the paintings, now see them come to life in a way that only NYBG can deliver—and let Vincent van Gogh’s unforgettable world of art and nature envelop you in a vibrant daydream during this botanical celebration of the internationally acclaimed painter.
Dig! Plant! Grow! Scent-sational Herbs
Tuesday, June 17th through Sunday, July 13th
Tuesdays–Saturdays; 1:30–5:30pm
Sundays and Monday Holidays; 10:00am–5:30pm
Follow your nose to the Edible Academy to investigate how herbs – delicious and scented edible leaves – are used in our daily lives, from cuisine to medicine. Take a closer look at (and smell!) some of our favorites, and pot up your own culinary herb to take home.
Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat
Saturdays, 12-1:30p, 5/17, 5/24, 5/31, 6/7, & 6/14
Bronx River Community Garden, 180th St. & Devoe Ave.
Tuesdays, 7-8:30p, 5/20, 5/27, 6/3, & 6/10
On Zoom
The 20th anniversary edition of Edwidge Danticat’s groundbreaking debut, now an established classic–revised and with a new introduction by the author, and including extensive bonus materials.
At the age of twelve, Sophie Caco is sent from her impoverished Haitian village to New York to be reunited with a mother she barely remembers. There she discovers secrets that no child should ever know, and a legacy of shame that can be healed only when she returns to Haiti—to the women who first reared her. What ensues is a passionate journey through a landscape charged with the supernatural and scarred by political violence. In her stunning literary debut, Danticat evokes the wonder, terror, and heartache of her native Haiti—and the enduring strength of Haiti’s women—with vibrant imagery and narrative grace that bear witness to her people’s suffering and courage.
Seining and Shore Exploration
Sunday, June 1st from 11:00am to 12:00pm
Location: Section 2 Orchard Beach in Pelham Bay Park
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.
LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Pride in the Bronx
Sunday, June 8th from 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Location: Section 2 Orchard Beach in Pelham Bay Park
Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month with NYC Parks. Learn about the history and significance of Orchard Beach within the LGBTQ+ community.
Juneteenth Celebration
Thursday, June 19th from 5:00pm to 7:30pm
Location: Van Cortlandt House Museum in Van Cortlandt Park
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance and Bronx Arts Ensemble invite you to an evening celebration of Juneteenth on the lawn of the Van Cortlandt House Museum.
Come early to eat dinner before the show. From 5 pm, delicious food will be available for sale from Voila Afrique. (First come-first served.)
The ceremony will begin at 6pm on the lawn of the Van Cortlandt House Museum with performances, including music and spoken word. Then join us for a procession with drums to the Enslaved African Burial Ground with a libation ceremony, honoring the memory of the enslaved people.
Woodlawn Family Fun Day
Saturday, June 28th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Location: Indian Field in Van Cortlandt Park
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, Women of Woodlawn and Woodlawn Taxpayers Association Present Woodlawn Family Fun Day featuring:
- Music & Dance: Domincan Arts Collective
- BioBus: Science Education on Wheels
- Face Painting
- Urban Park Rangers
- Woodland Family Walks
- Nature Crafts
- Bocce
- Games
- And more!
With a Special Ceremony to induct Van Cortlandt Park’s woodlands into the prestigious Old-Growth Forest Network!
Juneteenth Celebration
Thursday, June 12th from 4:30pm to 8:00pm
Tickets: Free, and admission to the grounds is free on Thursdays
Location: Great Lawn; Rain moves indoors
Celebrate Juneteenth with an evening of performances, artmaking and more! Learn how dance and movement can highlight personal expression and history with a workshop led by the Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet. Featuring a performance with students from PS 70 in the Bronx. Take inspiration from the rings of a tree. Discover its story paint your own colorful journey on a tree pendant. The evening concludes with a moving performance by the Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet that explores the history and legacy of the Black experience in America. All ages are welcome.
Pride in the Garden
Sunday, June 22nd, All Day
Tickets: All activities free with admission unless noted in the description
Location: On the grounds
Happy Pride Month at Wave Hill! Spend a day in the garden filled with activities for all ages highlighting community, acceptance, self-expression, and joy. Take inspiration from the rainbow at the Family Art Project. Connect with other nature lovers at Pride Birding. Meet with Destination Tomorrow, the Bronx’s LGBTQ+ center for valuable resources and support.
The garden is open late for a dance extravaganza! Learn about Waacking, a dance style, with the one and only Princess Lockerooo. Experience a dance battle showdown and be entertained by dazzling performances. Show off your best moves and dance the evening away!
The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital
featuring Tessa McQueen, Hannah Jones, Sunghoon Han, with pianist Mariam Bombrun
Wednesday, June 11th from 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Tickets: Free!
Location: Williamsbridge Oval
An annual summer tradition, the Metropolitan Opera’s popular concert series in New York City parks continues with a free outdoor recital series at SummerStage. Three of today’s most exciting young stars– Tessa McQueen, Hannah Jones, and Sunghoon Han– come together for an effervescent evening of favorite arias, duets, and ensembles, accompanied by Mariam Bombrun.
Feel Free Art Festival
Saturday, June 21st from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Tickets: Free!
Location: Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center
Feel free to paint. Feel free to dance. Feel free to express yourself. This festival is to allow all people to have the opportunity to enjoy culture and arts. Join us for art workshops for all ages and musical performances.
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.
Father’s Day has never been a big event in my world. In a family of chefs, holidays often mean longer hours, not less. While others celebrate with barbecues and backyard toasts, we’re usually in the thick of a brunch rush, slicing, sautéing, plating. That’s just the life. But this year was different—this year, I became a father.
Our daughter, Mila, arrived like a spark in the middle of our non-stop, kitchen-bound lives. She’s tiny, but she’s changed everything. It’s not just that I see things differently now; it’s that I feel time differently. I used to measure my days in staff lists and event timing. Now I think about first smiles, bath times, and tiny socks.
On this first Father’s Day, the kitchen was still busy. We were still juggling knives and timers, still shouting “Behind!” and “No Thumbs on the plates!” But somehow, amidst the noise and the rhythm of service, there was a new kind of joy—a quiet one. I looked over at my family, all of us chefs, all of us bound together by something more than food now. And later, when I held Mila in my arms—just for a few minutes before the next task—I felt it: gratitude. Deep, slow-burning gratitude for the love in this fast-paced life.
We don’t usually stop for holidays. But Mila is teaching me that sometimes, even a moment is enough.
