MOMIX in the Bronx

First day of November: MOMIX performed in the Bronx for the first time in their quarter century of existence. Audience at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts were treated to a world class show by director Moses Pendleton. The dancer-illusionists combined athletic dance, riveting music, dramatic costumes, innovative props, talent and a lot of hard practice to create an entertaining, powerful, surreal experience. It was a pleasure making these photographs. I hope you enjoy them too.

Fire Guts 10+ stores in Norwood Bronx.

October 31 2009: An early Saturday morning 5 alarm fire gutted 10+ stores on the corner of East 204 street and Bainbridge ave. After receiving a phone call from a friend, I rushed to the location at about 3:30 am. The air was filled with a light drizzle and thick heavy smoke. Our brave fire fighters fought hard to bring the fire under control. Its with a sad heart I bring you these photographs as this is a big blow to my neighborhood.

Partial list of businesses effected by the fire:
1) Yasmins Barber Shop
2) Candy & Grocery
3) Plaza Rio Nilo Records
4) Dunkin' Donuts
5) ZNS Realty Corp
6) Bainbridge Fish Market
7) Neighborhood Gift & Wireless
8) European Minimarket
9) Bainbridge Bakery and pastry
10) El Diamante Poblano II Restaurant
11) Betty's Place
12) Ming Wong

We shall have FUN

On the corner of Putnam Place and Reservoir Oval East, I saw these children totally committed to enjoying themselves. I could have stood there for days making photographs, but had to leave. There is no substitute for the real thing, but here is some bottled fun, I hope you enjoy the photographs. Stay cool and have FUN!

New York Philharmonic at Van Cortlandt Park

July 16th evening, Alan Gilbert Music Director Designate of the New York Philharmonic, led the Orchestra in its performance of Mozart's Symphony No. 41, Jupiter and Mahler's Symphony No. 1. The concert ended with an encore chosen by the audience and fireworks. I hope you enjoy the photographs.

Flamenco Mesmerizes at Pregones

Earlier this month on May 9th: The Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana Company performed at the Pregones Theater, as a part of their Flamenco in the Boros tour. The Artists performed to a full house. The performance was vigorous, gripping, powerful and sensual. I hope you enjoy the photographs. It was a pleasure making them in the intimate atmosphere of Pregones. Please click on the images to see larger images and captions.

Dancers: Antonio Hidalgo, Estefania Ramirez, Rebeca Tomás , Leslie Roybal
Musicians: Joaquin Gallegos– guitarist, Raphael Brunn–guitarist, Alfonso Cid–singer
Artistic Director: Carlota Santana

Street Guitar

Lost in my thoughts, climbing down the Mosholu Parkway subway station's steps, I thought I heard live music, a guitar! As I walked north on Jerome Ave past the park benches, Young Musician Boyan Hristov was sitting playing his guitar. A game of phone tag and an email exchange later we got together. Boyan did his thing and I did mine. That evening we got a lot of curious looks. I hope you enjoy the photographs and Boyan's music.

Art at its Source.

The Bronx Council on the Arts is having the 3rd Annual Mott Haven Open Artist Studio Tour on Saturday, May 2nd 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The Bronx Culture Trolley (free) shall be making its designated stops through out the day, giving access to all the studios taking part in the open studio tour. There will be an after party 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Longwood Art Gallery.

I visited a few studios and made photographs of the Artists and their work. It was a pleasure meeting and sharing ideas with the artists. I hope you enjoy the photographs and experience the event tomorrow. Click on the image to see larger images.

Photographs 1 to 4 are of Matt Nolen and his art. 2417 3rd Ave Ste 402. Third trolley stop.

Photographs 5 to 8 are of Elizabeth H. Levine and her art.2417 3rd Ave Ste 402. Third trolley stop.

Photographs 9 to 12 are of Bruckner Gallery and the Art of Aaron Olshan and Ira Merritt. Bruckner Gallery, 1 Bruckner Blvd, Third trolley stop.

Photographs 13 to 16 are of The Bronx Museum of the Arts international Artists-in-Residence and their art. Dulce Gómez, (assemblage) Caracas, Venezuela. André Komatsu, (installation) São Paulo, Brazil. Billie Zangewa, (silk tapestry) Johannesburg, South Africa. Bronx Museum of the Arts - 1040 Grand Concourse,South Wing Basement, Classrooms 1 and 2, First trolley stop.

Photographs 17 to 21 are of DM Weil and her art.Sobro Gallery, 721 East 136 St, Fourth trolley stop.

SALSA Heaven!

Saturday April 25: Packed to capacity, people dancing in the aisles. Lehman Center for the performing arts was salsa heaven. Famous Salsa musicians Tony Vega, Lalo Rodriguez, Hector Tricoche, Luis “Perico” Ortiz, Orestes Vilato and Renzo Padilla, performed with Jimmy Delgado's Salsa Con Dulzura Orchestra. During the evening, Salsa's living legend Ismael Quintana was honored by The City Council of the City of New York, "For his extraordinary musical contributions and for fostering harmony through out the world." Later, when he sang the whole auditorium was on their feet with shouts of "Ismael we love you." Right through the evening, The audience were emotional, animated, cheering and running up to the stage. Both for the artists and the audience, this one night shall live on as a sweet treasured memory. It was a pleasure making these photographs while being jostled by a passionate audience. I do hope you enjoy them too. Click on the images to view names.

Ibrahim Gonzalez and his quintet in El Barrio

Last Thursday April 16th, Norwood resident Ibrahim Gonzalez and his quintet preformed at FB Lounge in the heart of ‘El Barrio. Poet Sandra Maria Esteves read her poetry to the soft beat of Latin Jazz twice during the evening. The audience and musicians were so immersed, that it was Friday when we left with satisfied smiles and music in our hearts. It was an experience making photographs of the musicians, while standing amongst them. At one point my lens fogged over from trumpet blasts. I enjoyed making these photographs, I hope you enjoy them too.

Jay Rodríguez - Sax & Flute
Edy Martínez - Piano
Ray Martínez - Bass
Alex García - Drums
Freddy González - Trombone
Ibrahim González - Congas

Sunday at the Bronx Zoo

Fire on Bainbridge

April 13: Early this morning there was a fire in a bakery at the corner of Bainbridge Ave and 204 street. When I got there around 10:00 am the fire had been put out and the fire department was busy clearing up.

MMCC Baseball league opening weekend.

April 4th, the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center Baseball & Softball League season opening day parade took place on a cold, damp, grey and blustery Saturday morning. In contrast to the weather, the participants were bright, charged up and overflowing with enthusiasm. Bob Altman with his megaphone energy made sure that even the weather could not rain on their parade. The parade started at 3450 Dekalb Ave and ended at Clinton High School's baseball field via Gunhill road and Jerome Ave. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz walked with the children and their families. Council member Oliver Koppell arrived at the baseball field just as the parade got there.
In contrast to Saturday, a Bright Sunday afternoon at the Indian field witnessed the last baseball game for the weekend. The game was between 11 to 12 year old boys. Cardinals lost to the Pirates 16-1

As always I enjoyed making the photographs. I hope you enjoy them too.

The Big Read in the Bronx.

Wednesday April 1, 2009, evening: The Bronx Council On the Arts hosted Read it aloud, Pass it Along. A Public Reading of To Kill a Mockingbird, At the Longwood Art Gallery, Hostos Community College. The 2nd image in the slide show has Maria Romano of BCA looking on as Mr. Ron Kavanaugh reads at the Longwood Gallery.

Later that evening at the Pregones Theater the INSPIRIT Dance Company performed a response to To Kill a Mockingbird. The INSPIRIT Dance Company shall be performing again at the Bronx Library Center on Saturday April 4 at 5:30pm.
As always, I hope you enjoyed the images as much as I did making them.

Seventh Annual Mexican Folk Festival

Sunday March 29: The Seventh Annual Mexican Folk Festival took place in the gymnasium of Our Lady of Refuge, on 196th street.

The venue was filled to capacity with an enthusiastic multi-generation audience.

I enjoyed making these photographs I hope you enjoy them too.

Ballet casts a spell on audience at Lehman Center.

Sunday March 22 2009: The Russian National Ballet Theater performed Cinderella to a full house at the Lehman Center For The Performing Arts.
It was Poetry in motion, graceful ballerinas and ballerinos created a memorable evening. It was like watching a painting come to life.
I hope you enjoy the photographs as much as I did making them.
Would love to hear your comments.

Hoops at Madison Square Garden

Before Saturday March 21 2009, I had been to Penn station innumerable times, but never to Madison Square Garden. Imagine my Surprise, when my editor asked, if I could cover a basketball game at the GARDEN! First time at MSG, on the court with a camera and a media pass.

Saturday Afternoon, March 21 2009, Madison Square Garden: John F. Kennedy high school of the Bronx lost to Abraham Lincoln High School Brooklyn, 56-78. Lincoln played an excellent game to win their fourth consecutive PSAL Class AA city championship.

During the Award ceremony Jeffrey Short of Kennedy high school was awarded for academic achievement.

I hope you enjoy the photos.
Click on the images to see larger images

Chinese Acrobats Awe Audiance at Lehman Center

Sunday March 8: The National Acrobats Of China preformed to a packed house at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts.
The acrobats had the audience mesmerized, on the edge of their seats and breaking out into spontaneous applause. The show was truly world class. I hope you enjoy the photographs as much I did making them. To view larger images click on the image.

A time lapse movie of the snow last night.
Shots taken every 10 minutes.

Pointer Sisters and Kool & The Gang at the Lehman Center of Performing Arts

Saturday Feb 14th evening: Lehman Center of Performing Arts celebrated Valentine's day with a jam packed concert, featuring the Pointer Sisters and Kool & The Gang. Both groups had the audience excited and dancing in the aisles. Please click on the image to view larger images and captions.

Urban Funk at the Lehman Center of Performing Arts

February 07, Saturday evening: Lehman center of performing arts hosted a breathtaking performance of a uniquely American urban art form. Breakdancing, Locking-Popping, Electric Boogaloo, Power Tumbling, DJ-ing and Bucket Drumming. The energy of the young artists electrified the audience and left them wanting MORE! To view larger image click on the image

Jan 17, Saturday evening, Lehman Center for the Performing Arts hosted an exciting concert, featuring two GRAMMY® Award-winning Latin jazz greats – GATO BARBIERI and PONCHO SANCHEZ. The first 6 photographs are of GATO BARBIERI'S and his Latin jazz band. The next 7 are of PONCHO SANCHEZ and his Band. To see larger images click on the image.

Neons on a cold night

Images shot with frozen fingers on January 14th, during a walk down Bainbridge ave and East 204 street. To see larger images click on the slide show.

Some do pick up

Jan 10 2009 morning just before the snow