LATEST NEWS

Coming Soon: The BxArts Factory — An Incubator for Bronx Artists

We’ve just received word that an incubator for Bronx artists is coming soon — the BxArts Factory!

Our borough has long been a cultural hot bed of the arts, we’ve produced some of the biggest names in a vast array of disciplines and have had an impact on a global scale. The one thing missing for the arts to continue to flourish and be more accessible to folks in The Bronx has been a space where folks can come together and collaborate and work alongside each other, tapping into the creative juices flowing simultaneously. This is the borough that birthed music like Salsa and Hip Hop, fashion icons Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, graffiti legends like Crash, Tats Cru which took the art form to an entire different level blazing a trail through the global art scenes and creating movements around the planet.

Viva Italia! Local Pols Trying to Save Primavera Italian Language & Culture Program

For 35 years, Primavera Italian Language and Culture program has been providing free Italian language courses to elementary and middle school students in The Bronx. Along with the study of the language, the program has also taught and helped preserve the Italian culture — a community which has long and deep roots in our borough and has made great contributions to our communities.

Now several elected officials and Bronxites are trying to save the program.

Viva Italia! Local Pols Trying to Save Primavera Italian Language & Culture Program

For 35 years, Primavera Italian Language and Culture program has been providing free Italian language courses to elementary and middle school students in The Bronx. Along with the study of the language, the program has also taught and helped preserve the Italian culture — a community which has long and deep roots in our borough and has made great contributions to our communities.

Now several elected officials and Bronxites are trying to save the program.

WALLWORKS NEW YORK Official Gallery Launch This Saturday

After a soft launch this past September and with several exhibitions since then, WALLWORKS NEW YORK in Port Morris will officially launch their gallery tomorrow, Saturday, January 10th at 6PM with the exhibition ‘Ikonoclasts’ featuring the works of the late trio of graff artists, A-One, Dondi, and Rammellzee.

When we first interviewed Crash, aka John Matos last year, he told us about his vision for WALLWORKS:

Bronx Resident Develops App to Bring Communities Closer Together

A savvy, young Bronx programmer came up with Shoutloc, a free smartphone app for Android and iphone devices aimed at connecting communities, particularly urban ones — much like a modern-day bulletin board you would see at supermarkets and local establishments.

“With Shoutloc, people can Shout about a burglary in the community, a crime they just witnessed to make others aware, a community basketball event that’s taking place or whatever they feel is important to share. Shoutloc offers an efficient way to keep up with your surroundings and to discuss local topics.” he added.

LATEST NEWS

Surprise! The Mix Coffehaus Is Still Open!

We received pleasant news that The Mix Coffehaus pop up has extended their stay at 55 Bruckner Boulevard in Port Morris!

Peter served up a wicked chai latte (my go to beverage when I find myself at a Starbucks and will say that Starbucks ain’t got nothing on these guys!). The best part was that I was able to get cozy and have a nice, long conversation with some friends.

But don’t wait too long for The Mix Coffehaus will only be open until the end of January and then it’s off to find a permanent space!

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2nd Annual Bronx Gentrification Conference At The Bronx Documentary Center

A little over a year ago in December of 2013, the Bronx Documentary Center held its first ever Gentrification Conference (which received heavy media attention from NY1, Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York, TimeOut New York, Gothamist, DNAinfo, and The Daily News.

During that first initial conference, we talked about the many issues and pending developments in The Bronx. Now this year’s conference will be solution-oriented focused on the issues surrounding the controversial topic.

Please note: SPACE IS LIMITED and you must purchase tickets in advance. If you are a Bronx resident and cannot purchase a ticket in advance, there will be a total of 15 tickets at the door exclusively for Bronx residents ONLY and will be available at a discount of $7. A valid ID showing your Bronx address must be presented so that we can ensure that these tickets go to Bronx residents ONLY.

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Bronx Native Bess Myerson, 1st & Only Jewish Miss America Has Died

Without much as a whisper of her passing, Bronx born and raised Bess Myerson, America’s first and only Jewish Miss America, passed away last month on December 14th at the age of 90. She was known as the woman who refused to change her name so it wouldn’t sound too Jewish.

Myerson, who was crowned Miss America in 1945 just days after the end of World War II, lived in Van Cortlandt Village area of The Bronx with her family at Shalom Aleichem Cooperative, one of the country’s first residential cooperatives.

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Remembering Bronx Native Bess Myerson, 1st & Only Jewish Miss America

Without much as a whisper of her passing, Bronx born and raised Bess Myerson, America’s first and only Jewish Miss America, passed away last month on December 14th at the age of 90. She was known as the woman who refused to change her name so it wouldn’t sound too Jewish.

Myerson, who was crowned Miss America in 1945 just days after the end of World War II, lived in Van Cortlandt Village area of The Bronx with her family at Shalom Aleichem Cooperative, one of the country’s first residential cooperatives.

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Can Streetcars Make A Comeback In The Bronx & NYC?

A couple of months ago we sat down with Bob Diamond, Chairman of the Brooklyn Historical Railway Association, along with several members of BHRA and Bronxite Richard Garey of the West Bronx. For some time now, Richard and I had been discussing the poor transit options in the West Bronx and the vacuum left behind when the Third Avenue El was ripped, leaving a hole in Morrisania straight up to Fordham forcing millions to make do with buses and transfers leading to longer commutes.

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