People + Parks

“I usually look forward to Summer Stage in Central Park.  However, attending a CityParks Concert in Red Hook was such a different experience.  People come from all over to see the concerts in Central Park, and even Prospect Park.  But in Redhook Park it seemed much smaller, tighter and truly the local community.  It was as if everyone just stepped out of their homes and into the music. They all seemed so familiar with each other.  I was there early, the only little dot in the center of the park, as the stage was being set and I watched as the people arrived.  All were neighbors.”

–Tamaris, from Sunset Park

There’s nothing like cute dogs discovering new things in the summer time.  Schmitty the Real New Yorkie chats up some young tennis players from the CityParks Tennis program in Central Park this week.  Take a look!

“Wow” is probably the best word to describe the throwback up in the county of Queens.  The Persuasions were simply amazing, unlike anything I had ever seen.  Entirely a cappella, they epitomized the true essence of raw musical talent.  In an era plagued with artificial sounding “music,” the Persuasions were a breath of fresh air.  They created truly soulful ballads laden with melodic harmony.

The audience consisted almost entirely of what I presumed to be local residents, many of whom were well into their fifties and sixties.  For the people who grew up on this music, I can only imagine the nostalgia they must have felt for the days when soul and doo-wop filled the airwaves.

While I was not familiar with many of their songs, I did recognize their covers of classics including “Up on the Roof”, “Under the Boardwalk, both by the Drifters, as well as “Chain Gang” by one of soul’s most revered singers, Sam Cooke.  Out of all of their songs however, the one that moved me the most was about a mother whose son had just come back from Vietnam addicted to drugs.

– Text by Daniel Keltz, Contributing Writer & Sophomore at Temple University.

Naughty by Nature killed it last year in Queensbridge, so I was eager to make the trek into Staten Island from Brooklyn to see them again.  The opener, an emcee by the name of Final Outlaw proved a powerful presence as he spun lyrical tales of his impoverished childhood.  A true emcee, Final Outlaw was a well worthy opener for the legendary Naughty by Nature.

As Treach and Vin Rock took to the stage, the nearly filled up park erupted with applause.  They broke into their classics which included O.P.P., Uptown Anthem and Everythings Gonna Be Alright.  In addition to playing their most well known songs, they dug deep into the crates for some old school classics even before their time to see if the audience was up on their old school hip-hop.

The only downside to this concert was the intense and persistent police presence.  In addition to being searched before entering the premise, the police had set up a gate nearly thirty feet from the stage preventing people from moving up to the front.  This was unlike most of the other concerts where one could walk around freely without feeling like a criminal.  Aside from these unpleasantries however, the audience appeared thoroughly satisfied with the performance.

– Text by Daniel Keltz, Contributing Writer & Sophomore at Temple University.

Learning Gardens is a program of CityParks Education, serving over 2,850 community members, children, and teachers through school, out-of-school and summer programs. The environmental education idea is simple: build a communal garden, combine it with a series of wonderful lessons, and then invite community members to work on their gardens and cultivate valuable benefits. Below are some essays from this year’s Learning Garden interns.

This summer I worked with City Parks Foundation’s Learning Gardens. There were some hard times, but I really enjoyed this job because I got to meet new people. I taught kids and adults of all ages. I really noticed that the kids were into it and that they really were learning in a fun way. When it was my time to teach what I had learned, I was nervous, anxious and even a little scared. After a little the words just came up naturally and I felt confident. The second time I taught, I just let the words flow and I felt confident and I think did a good job. Later that day I led half of a group and my sister Carmen led the other half. At the end of the day, we brought our groups together and we all planted in the garden. I really can say that day was a long, interesting and wonderful.

In my opinion, the Learning Gardens are a wonderful way of being in touch with nature and of learning about it. The people there are open to people of all ages. I hope that in the future more people would go and help us create even better and more beautiful gardens. This is the only place we have to live in so we need to do everything possible to keep it safe and healthy for us to live in. The garden is a wonderful place to be, you are in an outdoor environment planting and learning in a good safe way. It reminds me a lot of when I lived in Puerto Rico because I helped my mom in our garden. I would like to thank everybody from City Parks Foundation for having this great program and for teaching me more than I already know.

— By Brandon Ortiz.

Working in the Learning Gardens has given me good ideas and made me come out and express my feelings towards life and plants. I have done a lot of exercise while working in the garden. When I first started working, I thought it would be difficult, but after I got use to it, it was a very fun job. You learn something new every day during the garden, even the smallest detail about a bug or how a plant can multiply and make more of itself. Working with kids was very interesting. Especially the different age groups really showed me who I worked better with. In my opinion, working with younger kids is better because they are flexible when it comes to work. They love to plant and play with the worms and chase butterflies around. Some of the older kids around the ages 12-14 think they are too cool for planting. Soon, I found out they loved to plant. Even though when the days were hot, they hung in and had fun. After their experience during the Learning Gardens, they will carry it along and show their kids when they get older.

– By Shakir Saul

The Learning Gardens is a great experience for children and adults of all ages. The children really enjoyed being outdoors and learning in different ways. In our program we teach the children by interacting with them and letting them interact with nature itself. In my personal experience I have seen how much the kids like to learn by simple movements, playing, and singing. I personally think we really reached the children because of our hands-on activities. Kids love to learn while they play with us, and we love it too. We had so much fun with the kids at the garden. We teach the kids, play with them while they learn and even act silly with them. Sometimes the children really enjoy this and that’s why I go out there every day even in a heat wave or rain. We try our best and it’s always satisfying to see a smile on a child’s face. It feels like it’s all worth the while.

– By Carmen Ortiz

The elements showed mercy last night, saving the torrential downpour until after the epic battle between DJ Premier and DJ Scratch. Hosted by a mellow Danny Castro of Lyricist Lounge, these legendary DJs broke out some Sugar Hill Gang, James Brown, Michael Jackson and KRS-One, to name a few, and showed off with some ill scratching skills that made the crowd go crazy.

Next up, check out Naughty By Nature TONIGHT in Staten Island, and The Persuasions at Rochdale Park on Thursday, August 20. Both shows start at 7PM.

– Text by Jessica Glazer.

If you’re heading out to Mahoney Playground in Staten Island tonight at 7PM to see the legendary Naughty By Nature – not to mention opening act Final Outlaw – here are some directions:

Subway: Take the #1/9 train to South Ferry; or the #4/5 train to Bowling Green; or the N/R  train to Whitehall Street. Then take the Staten Island Ferry across. It is free, runs every 15 or 20 minutes during rush hour, and takes 25 minutes. Then take the S42 bus to Crescent Avenue and walk West towards Beechwood Ave.

Send in your pictures and quotes from the concert to blog@cityparksfoundation.org!

City Parks Foundation is excited to announce the winner of the summer’s MC Contest: Final Outlaw!

To listen to the winning submission, click here.

Final Outlaw is an American born recording artist raised mostly in New York City. During his childhood he spent some time moving around the east coast due to poverty/personal issues, but now resides in Queens, NY. Exploring street life as a teen, he discovered the joys of freestylin’ and battling among friends throughout Washington Heights, Harlem and Dyckman in Manhattan.

“He goes in, rapping and speaking on life with the kind of passion and conviction that can only come from the spirit of someone who’s actually lived what he writes.” ~ Loud.com

He is popularly known as a promising and young unsigned Hip Hop artist. He’s a rapidly rising phenomenon, quickly becoming one of the most respected artists on the underground/independent scene. He is renowned for his versatile and shockingly personal performance style. Many of his supporters consider him a pioneer in the resurrection and evolution of the Hip Hop culture.

Recently, he has been performing at venues around the city such as S.o.B’s, Joe’s Pub, The Bowery Poetry Club, Nuyorican Poetry Café, and, before closing, The Knitting Factory and CBGB Lounge, and, to name a few.

His promo single “Hip Hop 4ever” (Hip Hop Forever) is also earning notoriety and respect, winning him an award for “strongest song” at NYC’s longest running Hip Hop open mic (EOdub) and climbing to number 1 on Goldmic.com.

Currently he is recording a new project titled “Unstoppable Love” set for this summer. FinaL OutlaW has collaborated with KRS One recently for the new “Stop the Violence” fundraiser album, which is yet to be released.

Come support Final OutlaW, who will be opening for the iconic Naughty By Nature tomorrow Wednesday, August 19 at 7PM at Mahoney Playground in Staten Island.

I was on my way to St. Mary’s Park in the Bronx last weekend, a bit tired and with an ice coffee in hand, ready for the performance Dancing in the Streets: Hip Hop Generation Next Generation Next. The heat was sweltering as I trudged down St. Mary’s Street, but as I came around the corner I was suddenly refreshed by the sight of dancers warming up before the show. I couldn’t take my eyes off them, with their bold movements despite the heat.

In the hour before the show started, instructor Brandon “Peace” Albright lead the crowd in a dance lesson, hopping around, trying out new moves and keeping the energy high. Kids from the audience got up on stage to dance with the performers, getting the rest of us excited for the performance!

Hip Hop Generation Next hosted by Rokafella opened up the show. The first performers were Le Soul Afrique, who fused east-coast hip-hop with Afrobeat-inspired world grooves. Then the two Korean sisters of Misnomer(S) broke out a unique mix of hip hop MCing and a violin hooked up to an amp. It was like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Following Generation Next was Adesola Osakalumi & Friends, who threw down some incredible breakdancing moves – without losing their hats! Plus, there was a Michael Jackson impersonator, who honored the King of Pop with his Moon Walk.

The next hour of dance was devoted to Illstyle & Peace Productions, a multicultural, mixed-gender dance company whose work focuses on the movement and spirit of old school hip-hop with a variety of performance disciplines. The constant funky moves, house music and Hip Hop beats from the DJ brought people to their feet to dance along. Not to mention their distinctive style: white masks, black & white striped knee-high socks, and rolled-up sleeves and pant legs.

At the end, all artists got up on stage to dance together and celebrate free dance programs in NYC.

Don’t miss the last CityParks Dance summer weekend in Von King Park, Brooklyn on Saturday, August 22 with nathantrice/RITUALS dance company, and DanceWave Kids Company; and Cecilia Marta Dance Co. and Raise Him Up Praise Dance Ministry on August 23. Free Master Classes start at 4PM and shows starts at 5PM.

– Text by Johanna Langhof

Last Thursday, August 13 JOE packed the Marcus Garvey Park band shell with people of all ages dancing and singing the night through. All over the park there were local vendors selling fresh lemonade, food and magnets of Michael Jackson — not to mention bright, flashing plastic glasses, jewelry and even baby pacifiers! Before the show started, Metro PCS hosted games and gave away purple t-shirts as a crowd gathered around some young break dancers showing off their moves.

As a surprise, soul crooner Chico DeBarge opened up for Joe to much excitement. He set the tone and brought the energy in the park to a fever pitch before Joe smoothed it over with his vocals and extremely clean white pants. Seriously, what detergent does he use?

City Parks Foundation is not done with Marcus Garvey Park just yet: Check out the Hezekiah Walker and Melinda Watts gospel CityParks Concert on August 20 at 7PM.  Also, be sure to come on out to day-one of the two-day Charlie Parker Jazz Festival on Saturday August 25 at starting 3PM.

All performances are free. For a full schedule of summer events in YOUR local park, visit CityParksFoundation.org.

– Text by Johanna Langhof  & Jessica Glazer