Discovering The Bronx.

As a Bronx native, I'm well aware of the connotations associated with my neighborhood, mainly those that delve into the poverty and gang-ridden history of the borough.
As a NYC native, I've often sought culture in other parts of the city, neglecting the richness in my backyard for the more popular cultures seen in the Manhattan and Brooklyn.
The Bronx as a whole is a borough full of culture and vibrancy and it's high time more natives saw and appreciated it.
I've personally come to realize that in alienating myself from the culture in my backyard, I am alienating myself from the one of the biggest benefits of living in this wonderful city.
Since then, I've taken it upon myself to venture through my neighborhood and find the hidden(or not so hidden) gems and explore all they have to offer.
In order to do so, I began to seek out events within the Bronx that signified the strength and diversity of the Bronx community.
My first stop was the Bronx Museum of Arts, a quaint museum that I often rode past on the bus, wondering what lay within its walls.

The current exhibits at the museum are: 

SPOTLIGHT: JOHN AHEARN AND RIGOBERTO TORRES

BRONX FOCUS: PAINTINGS BY VALERI LARKO

MARTINE FOUGERON: THE SOUTH BRONX TRADES

MICHELLE STUART, THEATRE OF MEMORY: PHOTOGRAPHIC WORKS

Some highlights for me where some pieces from the Teen Council exhibit on alienation as well as, the paintings by Valeri Larko.

I fell in love with the "Bronx Focus" exhibit. It was mesmerizing to view and experience these amazing replications by Valeri Larko. 

In order to create these masterpieces, Valeri camps out on the street or in her car painting these sites day after day, The amount of dedication and passion it takes to do that really spoke to me and my penchant for a strong and committed work ethic. My iPhone pictures do not...I repeat, DO NOT, do it justice. A small FYI, admission to the Bronx Museum of Arts is free, free, free! If you're around 165th and the Grand Concourse in the Bronx, please take a trip inside and make sure you go to the gift shop for lovely organic soaps and teas, hot sauce and coffee blends made by local Bronxites.

Continuing my excursion into the Bronx, that following evening, I ventured to the Summer Salsa Saturday's at the Target Community Garden sponsored by NYRP and the Bronx Museum of the Arts.The Target Community Garden was like finding Narnia in the middle of absolute nowhere, adorned with flowers and fully equipped with two performances stages, a beautiful community garden and a small section for cooking and grilling. The Salsa Saturdays is a lovely program that brings the community together for a free salsa class taught by the Lorenz Dance Studio along with live music and performances. For a little taste, take a peek at the video below.

Venturing into my borough and seeking the culture and diversity that can be found within turned out even better than I expected. I got rained on, walked up the steepest hill in the Bronx (I'm assuming, haha), danced till my feet hurt and most important, I felt the unity and diversity in such a vibrant and overlooked place.

I'm so looking forward to more & more Bronx adventures this year and I will be documenting every single thing to share with y'all.
Stay tuned!

Wishing you all the love, joy and happiness straight from the Bronx.

Rachel.