“From coastal resiliency and sustainable green practices to the preservation of affordable housing, world-class public art, and vibrant, year-round programming in award-winning public spaces, Battery Park City leads the way in many of the measures that makes cities livable."

Raju Mann

President & CEO
  • 06/08/18
  • Art & Culture
  • BPC People
  • Community
  • Environment
  • Governance

NEWSLETTER – JUNE 2018

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT & COO

June 6, 2018

Happy birthday to an ambitious idea that ultimately would change the fabric of New York City. Fifty years ago, Governor Nelson Rockefeller signed the Battery Park City Authority Act. He was said to be “exuberant” at the prospect of creating a neighborhood where deteriorating piers were crumbling into the Hudson River. Spearheaded by the Authority, innovative public and private partnerships over the next five decades helped extend the shoreline, construct new buildings and parks, and made Battery Park City real. But it was the “pioneers,” starting in the early 80s, who took a chance on this new place, moved in, and made Battery Park City home. Many of them still live here today.

That journey to today did not come without challenges, of course. More than once this neighborhood has been tested – navigating periods of fiscal uncertainty, rising in the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy, and weathering Hurricane Sandy. Through all of this and more, Battery Park City, buoyed by a determined and caring community, has persevered.

But our work is far from done. That’s why our mission, building upon the legislation signed fifty years ago, is not only to develop but to sustain this community. We have a responsibility to help make the vibrant neighborhood we know and love today an enduring one. So we are looking ahead, investing in resiliency, championing environmentally friendly practices, pursuing opportunities to support affordable housing, and cultivating programs that activate our spaces and connect us.

Doing so is a team effort, and BPCA is lucky to be able to rely on many people to help carry Governor Rockefeller’s idea forward still. This includes leaders like Governor Cuomo and Lt. Governor Hochul, Chairman Dennis Mehiel, our committed Board Members, our dedicated local elected officials and Community Board 1 members, as well as the Authority’s talented and passionate staff – from gardeners to accountants – that make good things happen day after day.

But most of all, thank you to all of you who live, work, study, and visit here. No matter how promising that initial idea was 50 years ago, because of you, Battery Park City has become more than any one person could ever imagine.

 

 

From our world-class parks, playgrounds, and public spaces, to our leading cultural and educational institutions, Battery Park City has been and will always be an open and welcoming place to all. So today and every day this June, from all of us here at BPCA: Happy Pride Month, Battery Park City!

 

BELOW — Council Member Margaret Chin presents BPCA with a citation commemorating BPCA’s 50th Birthday. 

Thank you, Council Member, for making the BPC Golden Jubilee so special!

 EVENTS IN BPC PARKS
Sunset Silent Disco
Saturday, June 9 

6 – 10 pm
Wagner Park
Free

Enjoy a unique evening in Wagner Park as three QuietEvents DJs silently send booming beats through your personal headphones. Jam as evening turns to night with the ultimate NYC sunset view as backdrop. Headphones are free; deposit is required. To learn more, click here.

Fiddle Celebration @ IHM
Select Thursdays in June

5 pm
Irish Hunger Memorial 

Enjoy traditional Fiddle Music from around the world at the Irish Hunger Memorial.

June 7  Tony Demarco: New York Trad Fest. To learn more, click here.
June 14 Brian Conway and Friends. To learn more, click here.
June 21 Dalarnas Spelmansforbund. To learn more, click here.

Saturday Family Workshops: 
Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky
Saturday, June 16
11 am
Rockefeller Park

April Armstrong tells folk tales from around the world featuring intriguing characters woven into an imaginative tapestry of universal themes. What happens when two greedy bears cross paths with a clever little fox? Come listen to find out! To learn more, click here.

Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 16

2 – 5 pm
Pier A Plaza

Juneteenth, or Emancipation Day, the commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, originated in Texas. Artists Autumn Ewalt and Dharmesh Patel, creators of the adjacent public art piece made of 9,000 prisms entitled Sunrise, Sunset (Revolution), share tales of celebrating in Texas. Make your own light-catcher inspired by the art. The Federation of Black Cowboys returns to BPC with their horses and share stories. Music by Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens. To learn more, click here.

Swedish Midsummer Festival
Friday, June 22

5 – 8 pm
Wagner Park

Enjoy this unique celebration of the summer solstice. Learn traditional Swedish folk dances from Barnklubben Elsa Rix and join in lively dance around the Midsummer pole. Make wreaths from beautiful flowers representing those in bloom on the solstice in Sweden. Enjoy a parade, children’s games, and Swedish delicacies. Traditional music by Paul Dahlin and fiddlers from the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. Dances led by Ross Sutter, Scandinavian folklorist. Special guest in 2018, the musicians of the DalarnasFiddlers Association, perform traditional Swedish folk music from their province. To learn more, click here.

Romeo and Juliet
Wednesday – Saturday, June 27 – 30

7 pm
Rockefeller Park

New York Classical Theater brings Shakespeare’s tale of star-crossed lovers to Battery Park City. This dynamic adaptation transforms Rockefeller Park into a bitterly divided Verona, where feuding families, revenge, love and a secret marriage lead to a tragic end in this fast-paced tour de force. To learn more, click here.

Community Field Day
Wednesday, June 27 

10 am – 1 pm
Rockefeller Park

School’s out for the summer! Celebrate at Community Field Day in Rockefeller Park. Learn to Double Dutch, kick back with some ice cream, and listen to beats by the one and only DJ D-Official. Engage in classic field day games like potato-sack races, relays and tug-of-war. Don’t miss out on face painting, lawn and water games and spinning the BPC big wheel for prizes. To learn more, click here.

ONGOING PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
FTO: Get Your Game On 
Fridays, May 4 – June 15
4:00 – 7:00 pm
6 River Terrace

Join us for some friendly Friday night competition featuring board games, Ping-Pong, foosball and more. Need a place to chill? Bring your friends, play dome Wii and nom on some snacks. Grades 7-12. To learn more, click here.

Preschool Play
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, May 1 – Oct 31
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Wagner Park

Play is the cornerstone of early childhood development. Meet other toddlers, parents and caregivers for interactive play on a grassy lawn. Sing, dance, shake and hear stories too! Carefully selected play equipment and toys are provided – plus water play! To learn more, click here.

Preschool Art
Thursdays, May 3 – Oct 25
10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Rockefeller Park House

Very young artists are introduced to paper, clay, paint and everyday recyclable materials, transforming them into masterpieces of creativity and delight. Age-appropriate projects planned by an art educator/artist. Materials provided. Dress for a mess! To learn more, click here.

Wednesdays at Teardrop
Wednesdays, May 2 – Oct 31
3:30 – 5:30 pm

Teardrop Park

Explore unique Teardrop Park while enjoying energetic lawn games and creating dynamic art. Artist/educators lead individual and group creative projects using clay, collage, paint and more. Materials provided. Dress for a mess! For Ages 5+. To learn more, click here.

Sunset Singing Circle
Fridays, May 4 – June 29
7 – 8:30 pm

Wagner Park

Singer/songwriter Terre Roche leads this weekly singing program with the beautiful backdrop of the setting sun in NY Harbor. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned crooner, the singing circle is perfect for mellow melodies and healthy harmonizing. To learn more, click here.

Sunset Yoga
Wednesdays, May 2 – Sept 26
6 – 7 pm

Wagner Park

Namaste! Unwind from the day with outdoor yoga. Immerse yourself in this meditative practice surrounded by the Hudson’s peaceful aura. Strengthen the body and cultivate awareness in a relaxed environment as your instructor guides you through alignments and poses. All levels welcome. Please bring your own mat. To learn more, click here.

Art + Games
Thursdays, May 3 – Oct 25
3:30 – 5:30 pm

Rockefeller Park House

Very young artists are introduced to paper, clay, paint and everyday recyclable materials, transforming them into masterpieces of creativity and delight. Age-appropriate projects planned by an art educator/artist. Materials provided. Dress for a mess! To learn more, click here.

Ball Field Hours Spring 2018

Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday and Thursday: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm

EVENTS AT BROOKFIELD PLACE
Of Granite & Glass
June 15 – June 17

Friday, June 15 at 7:00 pm
Saturday, June 17 at 7:00 pm
Sunday, June 17 at 5:00 pm

Brookfield Place Mall

In a special performance for the 2018 River to River Festival, Of Granite and Glass is part of choreographer Catherine Galasso’s 10-part series, Of Iron and Diamonds, based on Boccaccio’s 14th century Decameron.

Free to attend. For more information click here.

# Picture of Pride
Monday – Sunday
June 18 – June 24

8 AM – 10 pm
Brookfield Place Mall – Waterfront Terrace

The #PictureofPride celebration takes over the outdoor lounge at Brookfield Place providing the perfect backdrop to snap a photo inside the larger-than-life #PictureofPride frames. For every post on social media that tags @BrookfieldPLNY and #PictureofPride, $1 will be donated to the Hetrick-Martin Institute, up to $25,000.

Free to attend. For more information click here.

GrowNYC EVENTS
The Oculus Green Market
Tuesdays, June 5 – October 30

7 am – 7 pm
185 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007 – Main Level C2 

GrowNYC is excited to announce the Greenmarket at Oculus Plaza is returning for a second season on Tuesday, June 5th! We will be open on Tuesdays, June 5th – October 30th  from 7am – 7pm. Featuring Local foods from those delicious Jersey tomatoes to Vermont Cheeses and handcrafted Potato Vodka, we are your community Greenmarket where you can chat with your neighbors and local farmers and shop for top quality produce. Stop by the Market Information Tent to sample the Cooking Demo every afternoon and to find out how to get bonuses when you visit the Greenmarket.
For more information click here.

EVENTS IN THE MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE
Shores of Light
Thursday, June 14
7 pm
36 Battery Pl

Thousands of Jewish survivors landed in Southern Italy after WWII, on their way to Israel. Amazed by the welcome they received from the local population, they found joy and healing while they awaited the ships that would run the British blockade. Weaving rare historical footage with unique testimonies, the film captures rays of light after great darkness. Stay for a post-screening discussion with director Yael Katzir.

Free to attend. Advanced registration recommended.

(2015, 56 mins., DVD, Italian and Hebrew)
For more information click here.

Young Friends Sunset Soirée
Thursday, June 21
7 pm – 10 pm
36 Battery Pl

Join the Young Friends of the Museum for a beautiful summer evening and enjoy breathtaking views of New York Harbor.
Savor summer wines, beer and delicious hors d’oeuvres. Explore the Museum’s latest special exhibition with exclusive after-hours access.

$40 Members | $55 Non-Members | $130 Three Ticket Bundle

All proceeds benefit Museum programs. For more information click here.

EVENTS AT POETS HOUSE
Emerging Poets Fellowship Reading
Tuesday, June 7
7 pm
10 River Terrace,  Elizabeth Kray Hall

Travel to the future of poetry: 2018 Emerging Poets Fellows read new work crafted during mentorship by their workshop leader, poet Aracelis Girmay. The 2018 Poets House Fellows are Moncho Alvarado, Sébastien Bernard, Trace DePass, Joël Diaz, Haydil Henriquez, Thiahera Nurse, Sarah Passino, Jasmine Reid, Sokunthary Svay, and Cindy Tran. The Emerging Poets Fellowship, now in its seventh year, assists poets by providing writing instruction, mentorship, funding, and access to Poets House’s world-class poetry resources.

Free to attend. For more information click here.

Literary Partners Program:
The 2018 Firecracker Awards Ceremony

Thursday, June 7
6 pm – 8 pm
10 River Terrace

A celebration of independently published and self-published literature! The Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP) honors winning books in Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, and Poetry, and winning literary magazines in General Excellence and Best Debut. Please mark your calendars and join us in toasting these sparkling contributions to American letters.

Free to attend. For more information click here.

26th Annual Poets House Showcase
Thursday, June 28 – Saturday, August 18
All Day
10 River Terrace – Elizabeth Kray Hall

The only event of its kind, the Showcase is a free exhibit featuring over 3,000 books of poetry published by over 700 presses over the previous 18 months. Discover a panoramic view of nationwide poetry activity. The exhibition will be accompanied by readings throughout the summer.

Free and open to the public.

EVENTS AT THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Drama Workshop
Thursday, June 7
4 pm
175 North End Ave

Join the story with props and costumes! Play games that teach you how to act by thinking on your feet! No acting experience necessary 🙂 This program is for school-age children. Sorry, no toddlers. Limited to the first 25 children and their caregivers.

Best for ages 5-12 years old.

Free to attend. For more information click here.

Crafternoon: Father’s Day Card 
Wednesday, June 13
4 pm
175 North End Ave

Happy Father’s Day! Join us to make a Father’s Day card. First come, first served. All materials will be provided. For children ages 3 and older.

Free to attend. For more information click here.

EVENTS AT THE SKYSCRAPER MUSEUM 
Millennium: Lower Manhattan in the 1990s
Thursday – Sunday through June 24
12 pm – 6 pm
39 Battery Place


Multimedia exhibition, running from November 8, 2017 through April 2018, vividly recaptures this strange and formative time in the history of New York’s historic commercial hub, through a striking combination of architectural drawings and models, archival and contemporary photographs, original posters, maps, sketches, renderings, and other documents of the era. MILLENNIUM revisits this recent history of lower Manhattan in the years just before Downtown’s identity was cataclysmically recast as Ground Zero, and a new era truly began.

Admission:
$5 for ages 12 and up
$2.50 for students and seniors
Free for children under 12

For more information click here.

Sidewalk Art
Saturday, June 9
10:30 am – 11:45 am
39 Battery Place

Help us create a colorful and creative city skyline using sidewalk chalk. Draw blueprints for buildings familiar to you, such as your home or school, then draw your masterpiece outside the museum. Together, we will create a unique, technicolor city on the the sidewalk. For ages 4 and older. Registration is requested by Friday at 5 PM. To sign up for the Family Program newsletter, or for more information and to RSVP, email education@skyscraper.org or call 212-945-6324.
$5 per child. Members are free.

For information click here.

Fran Leadon Book Talk
June 12
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
39 Battery Place

Architect and scholar Fran Leadon offers an eye-opening history of Broadway, Manhattan’s most famous street. Once a cow path in the seventeenth-century Dutch colony, “Brede Wegh” transformed across time and space into the Great White Way. Leadon shows us, mile by mile, from Bowling Green to Marble Hill, how small taverns and farmland gradually grew into department stores, theaters, hotels, apartments, and skyscrapers to become one of America’s most vibrant, complex, and storied thoroughfares.

Fran Leadon is an architect and professor at the City College of New York. In addition to Broadway, he is the co-author of the AIA Guide to New York City (fifth edition).
Reservations are required, and priority is given to Members and Corporate Member firms and their employees. All guests MUST RSVP to programs@skyscraper.org to assure admittance to the event.

For more information click here.

UP! UP! UP! SKYSCRAPER
Saturday
June 23
10:30 – 11:45 am
39 Battery Place

Young learners will be introduced to the basics of skyscraper construction through a group reading of Anastasia Suen’s picture book Up! Up!Up!. After the story, young architects will design their own skyscrapers. Maybe one day their designs will make it to the construction site!
For all ages. RSVP required.
Registration is requested by Friday at 5 PM. To sign up for the Family Program newsletter, or for more information and to RSVP, email education@skyscraper.org or call 212-945-6324.
$5 per child. Members are free.

For information click here.

Shakespeare Downtown: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Thursday, June 14 – Sunday, June 24
6:30 – 8:30 pm

1 Bowling Green, New York, NY, 10004 – Castle Clinton National Monument

Directed by Geoffrey Home. Enjoy a Shakespeare’s performance! There will be no intermission.

Free, but tickets necessary. For more information click here.

 

 

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