Friday, May 02, 2008

Palacete Los Moreau


Palacete Los Moreau
Originally uploaded by Hector Melendez.


Reading Corner

South by South Bronx, a novel by
Bronx native Abraham Rodriguez


"When Puerto Rican ladies' man Alex awakes one morning to find a mysterious woman in his bed, he assumes he's suffered another embarrassing blackout. He soon learns, however, that Ava is no one-night stand--in fact, he's never met her before. As her story begins to unfold, and her reason for appearing in his bed emerges, it is not just Alex's life that she risks, nor her own, but the entire character of the South Bronx . . ."

Abraham Rodriguez was born and raised in the South Bronx. His first book, The Boy without a Flag, was a 1993 New York Times Notable Book of the Year. His novel Spidertown won a 1995 American Book Award and was optioned by Columbia Pictures. His next novel, The Buddha Book, was published by Picador in 2001. He currently lives in Berlin, Germany.

Rodriguez is back in New York City promoting his newest book.

You can meet the author at 6 p.m. tonight at Cemi Underground in East Harlem. Free admission. Go to www.cemiunderground.com for more information.

Rodriguez will return home to the South Bronx next week as part of the Bronx Culture Trolley activities. He will be reading from his book at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Longwood Art Gallery at Hostos Community College. Free. Visit www.bronxarts.org for more information.

The book, published by Akashic Books, is also available online. Go to http://www.akashicbooks.com/sxsb.htm. Akashic Books is a Brooklyn-based independent company dedicated to publishing urban literary fiction and political nonfiction by authors who are either ignored by the mainstream, or who have no interest in working within the ever-consolidating ranks of the major corporate publishers.

Rodriguez can't be ignored.

"A street poet like Bob Dylan, Abraham Rodriguez has woven a lyrically inventive and sophisticated noir, worthy of the people he champions. Full of unforgettable one liners, South by South Bronx manages to film a neighborhood filled with beauty, danger, and magic. One fearless, hell of a literary mystery novel." --Ernesto Quinonez, author of Bodega Dreams

Rodriguez has gotten some rave reviews for his writings. Check out Akashic's site.

Here's a link to an article about Rodriguez that appeared in the New York Daily News:
http://www.nydailynews.com/latino/2008/04/30/2008-04-30_author_abraham_rodriguez_delves_into_bar.html

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Bronx PR Parade Celebrates 20th Year



The Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade is this month and there is a lineup of activities leading up to the big day. This is the 20th anniversary of the Bronx parade, which will be celebrated on May 18 along the Grand Concourse.
On May 9, the Crowning for Miss Puerto Rico will be held at 7 p.m. at Hostos Community College on E. 149th Street on the Grand Concourse. This event is open to the public. Entrance is $10.
There will also be a festival on May 10 at White Plains Road between Lafayette and Story Avenues, starting at 12:30 p.m.
The parade’s route is between 176th street and 167th streets. Ceremonies will begin at 11:30 a.m. and the parade kicks off at 1 p.m.
For more information, visit www.bronxprparade.com or call (646) 401-4787.

(photo by Milagros Gonzalez aka bajounpalmar)

Here's footage from the PRSUN TV archives of last year’s Bronx parade.


-- Clarisel Gonzalez, producer

Show me the way!!!


Show me the way!!!
Originally uploaded by ΡπΙρΣπ.

Community calendar

Centro de Estudios Puertorriquenos
Hunter College
Presents

between the air, the bark, and the green...where all things go...

An exhibition by
David Antonio Cruz


itneverwaswhatyouthoughtitcouldbe,lovingmewasnevermeanttobesoeasy
Oil canvas, 2007
David Antonio Cruz

On view until Friday, June 27

Reception tonight from 6-8 p.m.

Gallery hours
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.

www.centropr.org