TheBronxRocks.com

THE BRONX CULTURE TROLLEY TOUR - The South Bronx
NEXT EVENT - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3rd!

Get ready to hop aboard once again on the Bronx Trolley! The Bronx Rocks has covered this event every couple of months or so (here, here, here, here, and here) and the evening never disappoints. Below are some very-belated photos from last November’s event:

From LDR Studios (Halloween-themed Visions of Horror):

 From Longwood Art Gallery - Hostos (Photography Exhibit)

From The Bronx Blue Bedroom Project (Pre-Holiday Art Sale):

New on the Trolley Tour this time was the work of Linda Cunningham. Sadly, the photos just did not capture the wonderful quality of Linda’s live/work space and her body of work on disply. Next time!)

Since The Bronx Rocks focuses mostly on all the wonderful progress this borough has made in the last few decades (and in defense, I say that the Bronx has had enough bad publicity and frightening images published to last a lifetime!), many readers and friends often ask if there is any raw, urban grit still left in the Bronx. I have to chuckle and say….um….yes…yes, there is. Just a few snapshots I took while walking around some ‘off the beaten path’ areas of the South Bronx yesterday….

The following photos were taken over the past two weekend visits to the New York Botanical Garden - Bronx, NY.

 The outstanding Kiku Exhibit

Ok, so I know I’ve been quite remiss in updating The Bronx Rocks of late. Here’s why…I’ve been spending time networking, spreading information and going to rallies protesting the current situation in Iran in the aftermath of the recent elections there.  If you value human rights, free speech, the right to assemble and the right to protest your government without fear of being beaten, illegally detained, tortured to death and executed on bogus charges, PLEASE get involved in any way you can!

If you are on Facebook and want more information - give me an add (Simone Davis) or email me: SimoneDavis@live.com
Back to Bronx updates and photos soon!

REVOLUTION! - Mott Haven
Save the Date: Saturday, February 21st - Bruckner Bar & Grill

It’s that time again! Revolution! is again ready to RUMBLE!!! And for those who haven’t seen my previous posts (here and here), Revolution! is one of THE hottest live-music dance party scenes taking place in the Bronx! Every month the Bruckner Bar & Grill rocks with great indie music and this month it’s time for The Dirty Dirty and Paperdoll (with Adam Underground and Cindy Kim spinning the usual “80s, new wave, indie, rock n roll, 90s, punk, electro all night long”!) Check out some past photos courtesy of Richard Scott and RambunctiousPhotos.com:

The First Wednesday of every month The Bronx Trolley rolls through the South Bronx and it is one of the best things happening in this borough.  First of all - it’s FREE! Secondly, it’s a way for otherwise nervous New Yorkers to enjoy the art hotspots of the South Bronx in a totally safe and fun environment.  Manhattanites are always super surprised at what’s going on. Believe it or not, there are even a few Bronxites out there who are still skittish about this nabe - until they take this tour! And lastly, if you like your art fresh, raw, and totally UNhomogenized, then this is the place for you! So, give it a try one of these days and see for yourself! (Click here, here and here for more photos from a tour in the Fall.  And scroll down for more posts on my favorite stop this time around: The Anti SoBro Art Show at LDR Studio Gallery.)

Longwood Gallery - Hostos College:

Haven Arts:
(Photos from a past Haven Arts show) 

 The night finishes at The Bruckner Bar & Grill:

And Karaoke!

The Anti SoBro Art Show - LDR Studio Gallery, Mott Haven  (On the Bronx Trolley Tour)

 

Mother Earth - by Annalisa Ladicicco

Van Cortlandt House Musuem - Van Cortlandt Park

Nestled in the beautiful expanse of Van Cortlandt Park, this 1748 historic home is a must for history and architecture buffs as well as anyone fond of antiques and the decorative arts.  To book a $5 tour, just call ahead to make sure one of the volunteer guides are available.  My friend and I showed up today sans reservations but were lucky that the wonderful David Kappes was around! Thanks David!  I can’t wait to return for the Decemeber Christmas Evening Candlelight Tour!!! (Check out their website for a list of upcoming events.) Afterwards, you can cross the street to grab some great Mexican food at Santa Fe Grill (I had a fantastic shrimp enchilada platter for $6.50) or a meal at the more upscale Jake’s Steakhouse.

It’s that time again! Time for another Save the Date for this month’s Revolution! party in Mott Haven at the Bruckner Bar & Grill.  (See past party photos here)  

Check out these great photos from last month’s party where Kissy Kamikaze, William Control (NSFW) and others performed, courtesy of Richard Scott:

THE GALLERY LOUNGE - Mott Haven, South Bronx

(Great staff at The Gallery Lounge)

I wrote about a great time a friend and I had last week when we hopped aboard the Bronx Trolley. During our many stops (here, here and here) in the South Bronx, we popped into the The Gallery Lounge (see my post here on The Boogiedowner).  It was great to finally check this place out, meet the very friendly staff and eat some great sushi. Check out there website for a funky and fabulous slideshow.

Borgatti’s

The Bronx’s Little Italy is such a short bus ride from my home in Parkchester that I can’t believe I didn’t take advantage of it the first year and a half I was here.  It was only doing research for TheBronxRocks, that I finally figured out where it is (in between Parkchester and The Bronx Botanical Gardens, which I have been visiting regularly since I moved to this borough).  I posted about two fabulous restaurants early on here. But now I have to rave about the other shops one can enjoy during a stroll down Arthur Avenue.  I coaxed my friend Isabelle to join me last weekend and being Swiss-Moroccan and having spent her early years in both Paris and Switzerland, I knew she would appreciate this little enclave.  Reminiscent of the fromageries, boulangeries, chacuteries of the streets of Paris and other European villages, many of the shops of Little Italy specialize in their own…well, specialities – meat, cheese, bread, pasta, seafood and so forth.  Our favorite (and something neither of us had seen before) was Calabria Pork Store where the ceiling is literally filled to the brim with hanging salamis and sausages! After lunch at Tino’s Delicattessen and capucinnos at a bakery close, by we shop-hopped all the way down Arthur Ave for supplies to have an evening picnic-style dinner. French baquette, camembert, grapes, figs, olives, sundried tomatoes and a bottle of wine? Heaven!

Calabria Pork Store

A Little Taste Of Cuba