Happening This Week, in “This Week In & Around Chelsea”

NYC Pride March / W. 22nd St. Pride Pop-Up / DOT Presents W. 22nd St. Plan to CB4 / Tribeca Film Festival Online / Free Classes at Pier 57 / Affordable Housing Application  / CSA Food Share / 

The NYC Pride March 2023: Noon to ? on Sunday, June 25 | Not even the Village Halloween Parade can best this annual event in terms of scope, style, and delicious visual spectacle. Two-time Tony Winner Billy Porter (he/him) and British asexual activist Yasmin Benoit (she/her) are among the Grand Marsalls–and over 75 percent of marching groups (of which there are many) are non-profit organizations. And talk about a big tent: Marchers represent everything and everyone under the sun, from political, progressive, and LGBTQ+ (aka human rights) organizations to corporate contingents to faith-based groups to muscled, beaded, bedazzled dancers from your favorite gay bar, fabulously floating by (literally, on a float). This year’s route begins at 25th Street and Fifth Ave. From there, according to event organizers, “Marchers will proceed south on 5th Avenue before heading west on 8th Street. After crossing over 6th Avenue, the March will continue on Christopher Street passing the Stonewall National Monument. It will then turn north on 7th Avenue, passing the New York City AIDS Memorial, before dispersing in Chelsea at 16th Street and 7th Avenue.” The dispersal area covers W. 16th to 19th Sts., from Seventh to Eighth Aves. Whether participants beat feet to a watering hole or home–or just spend some time milling about in the general vacinity–the influx of marchers means it will be a lively day (and night) in West Chelsea. For more info on the NYC Pride March 2023, click here.

The West 22nd Open/Shared Street Committee’s Pride Pop-Up: Saturday, June 24, 2pm-7pm on West 22nd Street between Seventh & Eighth Aves. | See the below flyer for details.

NOTE: The below event took place on Wed., June 21. CCNews will be covering the matter at a point in the near future.

The NYC Department of Transportation Presents on West 22nd Street Safety Improvements–And Other Matters Considered by CB4: An In-Person and Online Hybrid Committee Meeting on Wednesday, June 21 at 6:30pm | The Transportation Planning Committee (TPC) of Manhattan Community Board 4 (CB4) is the place to see, hear, and speak about planned changes to the block of West 22nd Street, between Seventh and Eighth Ave. In a recent email, Pamela Wolff (representing the Chelsea West 200 Block Association) wrote, “The intention of the Shared Street plan is to provide increased pedestrian space and traffic calming to our community. This is different from the Open Streets program of the COVID years. That plan closed the street using moveable barriers that limited access. This plan, developed in response to a survey conducted among West 22nd Street residents and a subsequent community workshop, primarily uses planters and roadbed paint to reconfigure the streetscape, and will use some curb space currently available for parking.” That’s not the only Agenda Item of note: CB4’s TPC Committee will also discuss and then vote on the matter of recommendations for bicyclist [rules] enforcement and pedestrian safety. There will also be a discussion/vote on a proposed rule by DSNY (NYC’s Sanitation Department) that would impact how food-related businesses use sidewalk-based recepticles. To attend the meeting via Zoom, click here. If you would like to attend in person (424 W. 33rd St.), email CB4 Community Associate Janine Pretente-Yusuf at jpretente@cb.nyc.gov by 4pm, Tues., June 20.

The 2023 Tribeca Film Festival Online: Through July 2 | Tribeca at Home brings the Tribeca Film Festival, well, home, through July 2 with offerings available on platforms including Roku and Apple TV.

Free Classes at Pier 57  | “Ever give someone a birthday card, graduation card, or condolence card and wished you had made it yourself, and that something could spring to life upon opening said card? Well sometimes wishes do come true.” Talk about a narrative hook! If this class is as tongue-in-cheek fun to take as its descriptive text is to read—and we’ve every reason to believe that’s the case—then Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful lifelong practice of people making cards that spring to life upon opening. What’s more, the class (which its creator whimsically insists is actually an “Academy”) is free of charge and no advance sign-up is necessary. Chelsea’s own Gustavo is your instructor, and those instructions “pop” out at you Wednesdays, 6pm, in Pier 57’s Seahorse Classroom. For more info, click here.

Elsewhere on the schedule of free weekly instructional events, Gustavo is your guide once again, when school’s in for the Finger Puppet class—Tuesdays, 4-5pm at Pier 57’s ROOM. Puppetry enthusiasts and absolute beginners alike can learn how to craft an original creation from the raw material of poster board cylinders, air drying clay, and pure imagination. It’s appropriate for, the instructor tells us, “ages 4 to 104.” Sorry 1-,2-, and 3-year-olds—go find your fun some other place! Okay, sorry. Quit crying. You guys are babies! Speaking of which, instructor Rachel has something special for babies and toddlers: Her Musikgarten classes (ages 0 to 3 years) happen Tuesdays at 10:15am and 11:15am, offering “a chance for families to learn to connect with children in a musical setting.” Finally, on Thursdays at 6pm, Rachel’s Ukulele class is just for adults—ironic, because by the end of this one-hour class, you’ll feel like a kid again. Designed for any level of experience but with distinct notes of instruction for first-timers, Rachel makes sure that by hour’s end, everybody will be able to contribute good-sounding stuff to the group jam session. Best of all, no uke required! There will be some on hand for those who have yet to make the plunge and purchase one of the quirky little instruments. All of these classes run through July and are the brainchildren of Smartworks, an instructional business founded and staffed by married couple Gustavo and Rachel. For more info on all sorts of Pier 57 classes, click here. For all things Smartworks, click here.

Affordable Housing Application Deadline: June 26 | Affordable housing units await at 606 West 30th Street (30th & 11th Apartments).Apply Online Today! If you prefer a paper application to be mailed to you, please send a self-addressed envelope (with your full name and address) to: 30th and 11th Lottery / c/o Settlement Housing Fund, Inc. / 247 W. 37th Street, 19th Fl. / New York, NY 10018. The application deadline is Monday, June 26. Do not submit more than one application per household. To view the announcement, click here.