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.