Mott Haven Bronx Artsy Fartsy walk

Yes, I think I am doing the art think for Mott Haven today. Let's see what they got. Stops include the Mott haven Library, and the Haven Gallery.

All the War and Harlem Boys and Girls

We still have a lot of war going on, despite the temporary lull in the Iraq war. Does this mean we should be complacent? Hell no. We saw this week the death of 3 NY National Guards men in Afghanistan. The death rate of American soldiers in Afghanistan, which luckily only number 22,000 soldiers, is over 4 times as high as that for American soldiers in Afghanistan. And then, on top of all this, we have the Israeli war games to bomb Iran, which will blow up the whole situation in Iraq, if it happens, in a qualitatively new and more horrible way.

More Hot Summer in Harlem, Bronx, and New York

With the gas prices and some food prices going up, I think tension is rising in the city. Of course the rents still seem to go up, mortgage crisis or not. A young man is shot to death on the Lower East Side, fighting some men or boys. In East Tremont, Bronx, a family reunion leads to the death of a South Carolina young man, his kissing cousin charged with the murder.

In a more bizarre incident, a corpse is found of a man in a rented room, said to be wearing a condom!!! No identification.

And in East Harlem, a so-called fight over a woman left another young man dead late in the afternoon.

Perhaps, they were mad because they couldn't afford gas?

The End of Bronx Week

The summer party season opened in the Bronx, with the Bronx Week party on Moshulu Parkway, Sunday, June 22nd. The whole area on Mosholu Parkway was blocked from traffic from Van Cortlandt Ave. West to Bainbridge Avenue and even an afternoon thundershower couldn’t ruin the day. The day began at 11 a.m. with a parade, including floats and marching students. Later in the afternoon, on a separate stage, a group of African dancers and singers performed, from Ghana, in West Africa.

After the brief rain shower, the area on Mosholu Parkway was filled with restaurant food stands. Food ran from beef shish-kebab to the King Steak stall and refreshing drinks at Ponce Piña Colada. Bands and singers performed, with some of New York’s hottest acts like Nina Sky, Nice and Smooth and Che’nelle. Che’nelle’s program was particularly amusing with such tongue-in-cheek songs as “Last Night I Fell in Love with a DJ.” A solo male performer sang acapella, several spiritual songs. In all, the variety of performers was bound to please everyone.

Earlier in the day, Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion Jr. unveiled the lamppost signs for the 2008 inductees, into the Bronx Walk of Fame, along the Grand Concourse by the County Courthouse. One of those honored was Adam Rodriguez of television’s “CSI: Miami.” Other inductees included hip hop legends Grandmaster Caz and the Rock Steady Crew, therapist Dr. Ruth and doo-wop recording artists Larry Chance and the Earls. The Rock Steady Crew is known as the originators of break dance. Dr. Ruth is known for her to the point suggestions in sex therapy. Bronx Week is the Bronx’s biggest celebration hosted by Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, Jr., who said, “If you are lucky enough to call yourself a ‘Bronxite’, I invite you to come back and celebrate your home.” Bronx Week sponsors include: Montefiore Medical Center and Health Plus, Verizon, Salsa Caterers, Con Edison, Affinity Health Plan, New York Daily News, Citi, JP Morgan Chase, The Bronx at Work, Bronx Design Group, Bronx Net, News 12, NYC Parks and Recreation Tri-Line Construction, ABC Carpet & Home, and World Visions.

Harlem and the Police

In a place like Harlem, NY, the police can sometimes be viewed as a negative thing, but they have some spiffy uniforms. And some of the stuff that the military wear is even nicer, like a Luminox Navy SEAL Watch. Uniforms are nice. You have something set to wear, and it can be pretty. Harlem is funny because you have the police, and now you have those guys from the BIDs. That is, the little guys telling the tourists where to go, I supposed that they are sort of the tourist police on 125th St.

Anyway, Luminox is a pretty big and recognized watch brand. It is hard to believe that they were founded in 1989, which is quite recent when you consider how far many of these watch band companies go back, like 3 or 4 centuries.

Then taking a look at another product, you have the line of Blackhawk, all nylon, tactical gear. At lapolicegear.com, the chest pouch holster things start at the low price of $41.99, and this is popular with cops, military and just wild guys and girls all over the place.

Bronx Week and African Open Markets Bash

There was a lot of partying on Sunday, yesterday, on the Mosholu Pkwy in the Bronx. It was the end of Bronx Week, but more partying will happen next week, courtesy of the ILM Group at the Hub east 149th St. and Third Ave, on Sunday June 29th, weather permitting. . That's my buddy, Idania Lopez Mercado's operation. Another thing to check out the African Marketing group that were part of the party too for Bronx Week. They were dancing to the African drums, and wearing their exotic costumes and Kente clothe. Hope it is happening in Harlem too.

At the South Bronx Arts District

Bronx and the Green Room

Zeekie Manana ran the Green room project. It was part of the Bronx Arts Project, on Melrose St., but what was the Green Room really. Well, it was her bedroom and it wasn’t that extremely green. Yes, when I visited the Green Room I was a little shocked. It was a big nothing. How did Zeekie have the gall to do it? Well she was already a master of the tricks of the trade, she had won a Bronx Arts award. She knew that this sort of existentialist idiocy would be tolerated and even welcomed.

Partying for Bronx Week, Baby

A series of fun filled events are planned for Saturday and Sunday, as the final wrap-up of Bronx Week. I urge Harlem homeboys and homegirls to take the bus to 161st and other points east for the party. Bronx Week is a bit of a bread and circuses event, but have fun as the masses are placated. These events will conclude with the Sunday inductions into the Bronx Hall of Fame and the Bronx parade on Mosholu Parkway. On Saturday, June 21, 2008, a leading attraction is the Hunts Point Hustle 5K Run/Walk which will be run along the future path of the South Bronx Greenway. The organizers hope to promote safe physical activity to fight the increasing asthma, obesity, and type 2 diabetes rates. It’s at Hunts Point Riverside Park, 9:00AM - 12:00 PM, call (718)617-4668 ext. 21 or visit www.ssbx.org. Not too far away is Bronx Gay Pride, a celebration that brings together the diverse groups within the LGBT community to create a sense of family, understanding, and tolerance. With Celebrity Performances, Politicians, and great Contest! It’s at Baretto Point Park from 12:00 PM-6:00 PM, call (718)292-4368 pr see www.bronxpride.org
That's at Tiffany and Viele Sts, from 12 pm to 7 pm.

Also on Saturday, you can celebrate Bronx Week with live entertainment, food, and canoe trips. Check out River Park; 180th & Boston Road at 11:00 AM-2:00 PM call (718)430-4665 or see www.bronxriver.org. Later nearby hear Bronx River Sounds – the 5th Annual June Performing Arts Festival. This year’s theme, Cool, Hot & Blue, presents the “hot” young Latin band, Insight at 5 PM. The concert will take place at Drew Gardens, across the street from BRAC or in the gallery space (in case of inclement weather). Blankets and lawn chairs are recommended. At Bronx River Art Center, 1087 East Tremont Avenue, call 718-589-5819 or visit www.bronxriverart.org.

Artists in the Marketplace at the Bronx Museum

The Artists in the Marketplace exhibit, opened on Sunday, June 1st at the Bronx Museum, from 2 pm to 6 pm, and is also called “How Soon is Now?” It is on display until August 18th. The opening was a rare opportunity to not only see the art of 36 working artists, but get a chance to meet the artists as well. Upstairs at the new north wing of the Museum, there was a party, with retro 1970s music and refreshments served. I spoke to some of the artists whose work is on display. Ms. Si Jae Byun had a piece called “Catch,” a large light blue plastic tent, with air blowing under a cloth and a sort of mattress. Ms. C.J. characterized her work as representing a waterfall that goes around a television monitor, also present. The piece represents water, motion and wind, and people can walk into the tent and experience this. For more on Ms. C.J.’s work, see www.cjaeless.com. Another artist, John Richey, is displaying a hand-drawn video animation, which is then projected onto a wall. The animation, a small man, or little boy, jumps around and swings. The work represents the changes in life between fear and stability and safety. For more on Mr. Richey’s work, see www.johnrichey.org.