MARCH 2008

Mar 1 / 12:00 noon / Children’s Storytime / Paperback Plus in Riverdale
Paperback Plus Pals Storytime – Young readers ages 3-8 are invited to join us at Paperback Plus every Saturday and Sunday when we’ll read aloud from new picture books, old favorites, and a chapter or two from a chapter book that we’ll continue ‘til it’s done. Paperback Plus is located at 3700 Riverdale Avenue (at W. 236th St.) in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. For information, call 718-796-3119 or visit Paperback Plus’ website at www.paperbacks-plus.com.

Mar 2 / 12:00 noon / Children’s Storytime / Paperback Plus in Riverdale
Paperback Plus Pals Storytime – See Mar 1 listing for details.

Mar 5 / 6:00pm / Performance & Book Signing / Longwood Art Gallery @ Hostos
Performance by the NuyoRican School Original Poetry Jazz Ensemble, a theater ensemble that presents literary works of Puerto Rican authors through performance. Featured performers are actors Luis Enrique Flores and Amauris Munoz; with Andy Gonzalez (bass), Abe Rodriguez (congas & vocals), Gene Golden (congas) Octavio Kotan (guitar), Wendy Fernandez-Rossi (vocals) and group founder, director, and recipient of the New York Foundation for the Arts’ 2003 Poetry Fellowship Americo Casiano Jr. The ensemble has performed at venues throughout the tri-state. Among them, Aaron Davis Performing Arts Center, Hostos Center Art and Culture, the Nuyorican Poets Café, and the Julia De Burgos Latino Cultural Center.
Book Signing – After the performance Mr. Casiano will be on hand to sign his new book On The Stand. Composed of more than twenty poems, On The Stand is an intimate collection is Casiano's personal odyssey from the Caribbean beaches of his native Puerto Rico to the tenements of his urban America. His discerning imagery and lyrical tone reflects the conflict, confusion, and eventual serenity of a man's voyage between the cultures of two worlds. The Longwood Art Gallery is located at Hostos Community College at 450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street in the Bronx. Transportation: IRT 4 & 5, Bx1, Bx19 to Grand Concourse and 149 Street. Click here for directions. Click here for map of the Hostos area. For information on this exhibit, call 718-518-6700. For further information on Longwood and its exhibits, call 718-518-6728 or visit www.longwoodcyber.org. For further information on the Bronx Culture Trolley, call 718-931-9500 x33. www.bronxarts.org. This is a segment of BCA's First Wednesdays Bronx Culture Trolley.

Mar 8 / 12:00 noon / Children’s Storytime / Paperback Plus in Riverdale
Paperback Plus Pals Storytime – See Mar 1 listing for details.

Mar 9 / 12:00 noon / Children’s Storytime / Paperback Plus in Riverdale
Paperback Plus Pals Storytime – See Mar 1 listing for details.

Mar 12 / 6:00-8:00pm / Free Artist Tax Workshop / Longwood Art Gallery @ Hostos
Artist Tax Workshop – This workshop is provided to give artists an understanding of the tax law as it pertains to self employed artists. After the workshop you should have an understanding of how to track your expenses and income and what you need to do to file your taxes as an artist. Hostos is located at 450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street and is easily accessible by the #2, #4, and #5 IRT Trains. Click here for additional directions. RSVP to Lisa Curran at 718-931-9500 x21 or lisa@bronxarts.org. For information on ARIVA and the services they provide, call 718-292-2983. Click here for a printable flyer.

Mar 15 / 12:00 noon / Children’s Storytime / Paperback Plus in Riverdale
Paperback Plus Pals Storytime – See Mar 1 listing for details.

Mar 16 / 12:00-4:00pm / Tour / Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum*
Guided Tours of Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum – See Mar 1 listing for details.

Mar 22 / 10:00am–4:00pm / Artist Tax Day / ARIVA
Artist Tax Day – ARIVA, a non-profit organization focused on financial literacy and tax preparation services, continues to demonstrate its commitment to self-employed artists in the Bronx by offering free tax preparation to artists who live in the borough. In cooperation with the Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA), ARIVA has designated Saturday, March 22, 2008 as “Artist Tax Day”. On that day, volunteers specially trained in the tax issues pertinent to artists will be available to prepare tax returns for qualified individuals. There is no charge for this service, and no appointments are necessary. Those taking part in this program need to bring with them: (1) Proof of identification and Social Security card for everyone being claimed; (2) W2 or 1099 forms for all work paid for in 2007; (3) If claiming child care expenses, documentation and child care provider tax ID number; (4) Any other tax related documentation received. If you have small business revenues and expenses related to your work as an artist, please bring all documentation, including bank and credit card statements and receipts with you when you want to have your taxes prepared. Note: Spouse must be present for joint filings. ARIVA’s tax preparation program is geared to residents with an annual income of $40,000 or less for a household. Those unable to participate on March 22nd can come to ARIVA’s Tax site during regularly scheduled tax preparation hours: Monday through Thursday, 4:00pm–7:30pm, and Saturday from 10:00am–4:00pm. ARIVA is located at 69 East 167th Street, 2nd Floor (corner of Gerard Ave) in the South Bronx and can be contacted at 718-292-2983. The nearest subway stop is the 167th St stop on the 4 train and the 167th St stop on the B/D train. Click here for printable flyer.

Mar 22 / 12:00 noon / Children’s Storytime / Paperback Plus in Riverdale
Paperback Plus Pals Storytime – See Mar 1 listing for details.

Mar 23 / 12:00 noon / Children’s Storytime / Paperback Plus in Riverdale
Paperback Plus Pals Storytime – See Mar 1 listing for details.

Mar 28 / 8:00pm / Open Mic Night / Starving Artist Cafe & Gallery*
"Take the Stage" Open Mic Night – For songwriters / poets / comics. To reserve a spot to "take the stage" or enjoy the evening from the audience side, e-mail us. For additional, please call 718-885-3779. For additional information on the gallery and its performers, visit the Starving Artists website. Starving Artist Cafe & Gallery is located at 249 City Island Avenue in the City Island section of the Bronx.

Mar 29 / 12:00 noon / Children’s Storytime / Paperback Plus in Riverdale
Paperback Plus Pals Storytime – See Mar 1 listing for details.

Mar 29 / 8:00pm / Performance & Poetry / Bronx Academy of Dance & Music (BAAD!)*
Speak Up/Sing Out – This powerful evening of poetry, performance and song closes out the 2008 BAAD!ASS Women Festival. Poet and writers Trina Porte and Alice Myerson light the evenings fuse with their words. Dancer/Performance Artists Amy Chavasse and Zari Legair throw "a log on the fire" with their brassy Ann Coulter/Condi Rice satires, then the ethereal Saheli burn the blue flame of love with their a capella song and words, followed by the Amazon and songtress Imani Uzuri . Closing night party to follow performances. This event is a segment of the BAAD! Ass Women 2008 Festival taking place at the Bronx Academy of Art & Dance at 841 Barretto Street in the Hunts Point section of the South Bronx. Click here for directions. Admission: $20. For further information, call 718-842-5223 or visit BAAD!’s website.

Mar 30 / 12:00 noon / Children’s Storytime / Paperback Plus in Riverdale
Paperback Plus Pals Storytime – See Mar 1 listing for details.

Apr 5 / 12:00 noon / Children’s Storytime / Paperback Plus in Riverdale
Paperback Plus Pals Storytime – See Mar 1 listing for details.

Apr 6 / 12:00 noon / Children’s Storytime / Paperback Plus in Riverdale
Paperback Plus Pals Storytime – See Mar 1 listing for details.

ONGOING CALENDAR ACTIVITIES

ONGOING Barnes & Noble at Bay Plaza
Barnes & Noble, located in Bay Plaza at 290 Baychester Avenue in the Co-op City section of the Bronx, offers a number of free literary activities for children and adults including book groups, children’s craft & story times, poetry nights, writers’ workshops, and special book signings and author events. Store Hours: Sun 10:00am-8:00pm; Mon-Sat 9:00am-10:00pm. All events are free and open to the public. To find out what’s happening at Barnes & Noble, please call 718-862-3945 or visit Barnes & Noble at Bay Plaza.

ONGOING Bronx River Art Center (BRAC)
Bronx River Art Center* offers a variety of classes for youth, teens, and adults including ceramics (beginning and advanced), painting, graphic design, stop animation, drawing and printmaking, drawing and painting (advanced), photography, digital filmmaking, poetry and spoken word workshops, and museum trips. BRAC is located at 1087 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx, NY 10460. For further information, call 718-589-5819, e-mail info@bronxriverart.org or visit www.bronxriverart.org.

ONGOING Bronx Museum of the Arts' Art Classes
The Bronx Museum of the Arts* offers art classes, from 12 years of age to adults. Classes offered: Web Design (Dreamweaver and Photoshop); Fine Cut Pro (editing video); Draw It, Design It, Rock It! (fashion design); Urban Tales: Comic Culture Extreme (independent cartooning and comic book writing); Animation (using computers), Music Video (audio production); and Mixed Media (includes drawing, painting, sculpture and printmaking). For additional information and to register, call Charlotte Gapp at 718-681-6000 x133 or e-mail cgapp@bronxmuseum.org. Educator Workshops for Teachers & Teaching Artists are also available. For information, call Petra Riviere at 718-681-6000 x132 or e-mail priviere@bronxmuseum.org.

ONGOING The Bronx YMCA
The Bronx YMCA* offers a number of children's programs and activities that include arts & crafts, music, sports, photography, reading, social skills, computer skills, and more. Click here for more information on the Bronx YMCA's programs and activities or call 718-792-9736. The Bronx YMCA is located at 2 Castle Hill Avenue.

ONGOING Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center
Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center* provides affordable rates and dynamic instructors in the performing arts for students from ages 3 to adult in a friendly family atmosphere. Mind-Builders is located in the Northeast Bronx at 3415 Olinville Avenue (Near Gunhill Road & White Plains Road). For further information, call 718-652-6256, e-mail mindbuilders@hotmail.com, or visit www.mind-builders.org.

ONGOING New York Public Library
The New York Public Library offers a variety of free events, exhibitions, tours and classes for children, adults, and young adults at its many branch locations. Activities include books & poetry, computer classes, exhibitions, film, lectures, music, picture book hours, special programs, story hours, theater, video, and workshops. Click here to find out about the New York Public Library's free offerings at a branch near you.

ONGOING ACTIVITIES
BCA events have red titles

ONGOING Barnes & Noble at Bay Plaza
Barnes & Noble, located in Bay Plaza at 290 Baychester Avenue in the Co-op City section of the Bronx, offers a number of free literary activities for children and adults including book groups, children’s craft & story times, poetry nights, writers’ workshops, and special book signings and author events. Store Hours: Sun 10:00am-8:00pm; Mon-Sat 9:00am-10:00pm. All events are free and open to the public. To find out what’s happening at Barnes & Noble, please call 718-862-3945 or visit Barnes & Noble at Bay Plaza.

ONGOING Bronx River Art Center (BRAC)
Bronx River Art Center* offers a variety of classes for youth, teens, and adults including ceramics (beginning and advanced), painting, graphic design, stop animation, drawing and printmaking, drawing and painting (advanced), photography, digital filmmaking, poetry and spoken word workshops, and museum trips. BRAC is located at 1087 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx, NY 10460. For further information, call 718-589-5819, e-mail info@bronxriverart.org or visit www.bronxriverart.org.

ONGOING Bronx Museum of the Arts' Art Classes
The Bronx Museum of the Arts* offers art classes, from 12 years of age to adults. Classes offered: Web Design (Dreamweaver and Photoshop); Fine Cut Pro (editing video); Draw It, Design It, Rock It! (fashion design); Urban Tales: Comic Culture Extreme (independent cartooning and comic book writing); Animation (using computers), Music Video (audio production); and Mixed Media (includes drawing, painting, sculpture and printmaking). For additional information and to register, call Charlotte Gapp at 718-681-6000 x133 or e-mail cgapp@bronxmuseum.org. Educator Workshops for Teachers & Teaching Artists are also available. For information, call Petra Riviere at 718-681-6000 x132 or e-mail priviere@bronxmuseum.org.

ONGOING The Bronx YMCA
The Bronx YMCA* offers a numbe r of children's programs and activities that include arts & crafts, music, sports, photography, reading, social skills, computer skills, and more. Click here for more information on the Bronx YMCA's programs and activities or call 718-792-9736. The Bronx YMCA is located at 2 Castle Hill Avenue.

ONGOING New York Public Library
The New York Public Library offers a variety of free events, exhibitions, tours and classes for children, adults, and young adults at its many branch locations. Activities include books & poetry, computer classes, exhibitions, film, lectures, music, picture book hours, special programs, story hours, theater, video, and workshops. Visit www.nypl.org/events/branchevents.cfm to find out about the New York Public Library's free offerings at a branch near you.

Back to Bronx Writer's Center

*These organizations accept BCA's Bronx Cultural Card. An additional number of Bronx dining and business establishments also accept the Cultural Card. For a list of those who accept the card and the discounts they offer, please visit www.bronxarts.org/gp_bcc_participants.asp.