This Week (and in weeks to follow) In & Around Chelsea: September 2-8, 2024

Here’s What’s Happening

This Week (and in weeks to follow) In & Around Chelsea

 MCB4 Full Board Meeting / Free Programming in Bella Abzug Park  /  West Side Commumity Fund Grant Applications / Verdi Cannabis Music & Art Programming / The 13th Precinct Community Council Street Fair / Coming Together: A Social Justice & Music Festival / West Side Town Hall / Dumpling-Making Class and Storytime / NYC Parks Hosts Free Botanical Watercolor Painting Workshops / ASLF Benefit / Ice Cream Social / The Flatiron NoMad Partnership’s 18th Annual Meeting & Reception / The Longest Table / Down to Earth Farmers Market Chelsea / Pow! Bam! Wow! Art Exhibit at Hudson Guild Gallery / 

Community Board 4’s area of coverage. | Image via CB4

 

The Full Board of Manhattan Community Board 4 (MCB4): Wednesday, September 4, 6:30pm Online via Zoom & YouTube and In-Person at Pier 57 Classrooms (25 11th Ave. at W. 15th St.) | The full membership of MCB4 convenes to, collectively, take care of business. Click here to view the agenda and draft versions of letters generated by individual committees and voted on by the Board’s full membership (approved as is, pending changes per Full Board discussion or, rarely, returned to committee for more work). A Public Hearing—this time, on the topic of District Needs and Budget Requests—lets you speak directly to the Board, as does the Public Session, during which you can opine on any topic(s) of choice.

To attend via Zoom (and register for the Public Hearing & Session), click here. There will also be a sign-up sheet at the meeting for those attending in person. To view it live via CB4’s YouTube channel, click here. (Note: MCB4 meetings can be viewed after the fact, as archived recordings on the YouTube channel.) To attend via phone, call 646-518-9805 (when prompted, the Webinar ID s 986 0945 5541). For info about all things MCB4, their website can be found by clicking here.

The Hudson Yards Hell’s Kitchen Alliance Presents, Through October, Free Programming in Bella Abzug Park (W. 34th to 35th Sts., 10th to 11th Aves.) | From fitness classes to dance to music to music, free events abound in Bella Abzug Park. They’re brought to you by the Hudson Yards Hell’s Kitchen Alliance. Free yoga classes taught by instructors from Bien Good Well are offered Mondays and Wednesdays at 6pm and Saturdays at 10:30am. To register, click here. Every other Thursday in September, Vinyl  Nights fills Bella Abzug Park with dance-demanding classics of the 70s, 80s, and beyond, as spun by veteran NYC DJs working with, yes, real vinyl records. For more info, click here. Every Tuesday in September (Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24) from 10:30am to 11:15am, Mike Messer leads an acoustic Kids Concert in the park’s Playground space. Singing and dancing from the audience is encouraged!

West Side Community Fund Grant Applications Accepted Through September 11| Founded in 2018, the West Side Community Fund (WSCF)—a consortium of companies united in their support of local initiatives that serve under-resourced residents along the west side—has put aside $100,000 to fund the winners of their latest grant cycle (deadline to apply, Sept. 11; winners announced in mid-Oct.). Eligible applicants and their proposed services must be based in Chelsea, Hudson Yards, or Hell’s Kitchen; their annual budget must be below $15 Million; and grants cannot support religious or partisan activities or promote any form of discrimination. Past WSCF-funded initiatives have included block and tenants associations, non-profits, NYCHA projects, food pantries, arts programs, and neighborhood news groups (including Chelsea Community News). For more info—and apply for that grant—click here.

CCNews file photo of Verdi Cannabis by Scott Stiffler.

The Green Room, a Live Music and Arts Series at Verdi Cannabis (158 W. 23rd St. btw. 6th & 7th Aves.)| Having opened in January, legal cannabis distributor Verdi Cannabis gets down to the business of regular event programming “We are doing this to bring the community together through music, arts, and cannabis; to make Verdi a safe, comfortable, fun place for people to come to and experience culture,” says Green Room co-curator Kenny Cunningham. The music part of the series happens every Thursday and is already booked through the end of the year. This Thursday, September 5, two musical acts are featured. From 7:30pm-8:15pm, it’s hip-hop artist AT. Then, from 8:30pm-9:30pm, Black Chevy performs. The art part of the series began on August 18 by featuring the creative output of painterQuinn Marston. This week, new art by Jelly Stay Gucci will go up. To keep up with what’s up with Verdi, click hereto visit their website.

13th Precinct sector map via the NYPD

The 13th Precinct Community Council Street Fair: Sunday, September 8 on Sixth Ave. from West 14th Street to West 23rd Street | “Look for our sponsor table and banner between 19th Street and 20th Street,” says Serge Harnett, Community Council President. The next 13 Precinct Community Council meeting is Tuesday, September 17 (meetings normally take place in the early evening on the third Tuesday of the month). Please direct any questions before the meeting via email to Detective Vincent Arlotta ( vincent.arlotta@nypd.org). These questions will be answered first. For the 13th Precinct’s web page, click here to access general info, find the next Build the Block meeting in one of the Precinct’s four Sectors (A, B, C, D), and download the latest Crime Statistics in PDF or Excel format. Note: The 13th Precinct serves a southern portion of Midtown, Manhattan. Areas of coverage: The Peter Cooper Village/Stuyvesant Town residential complex, Gramercy Park, the lower portion of Rosehill, Madison Square Park, and Union Square Park. Located at 230 E. 21st Street, the precinct’s main phone number is 212-477-7427.

Coming Together: A Social Justice & Music Festival on Saturday, September 14, 10am-4pm at West 30th Street (btw. 7th & 8th Aves.) | Presented by indefatigable social justice advocacy org. Midtown South Community Council and co-sponsored by like-minded coalitions, this event celebrates the commitment to an equitable New York City as well as to resilience and respect for the community. The Festival is a “Call to Action” to foster a sustainable society through better health, housing, and equitable development; to “reclaim our city from those who prioritize profit over people”; and to examine the causes of growing inequalities. Musician Steve Marshall, who has lived on the block since 1975, will organize vaunted, veteran top musicians Arno Hecht (sax — The Rolling Stones), Charlie Roth (Keyboards — Ozzie Ozbourne), Tony Machine (Drums — Buster Poindexter), and Richard Michaels (Elephant’s Memory/ owner of Rogue Music Store!) and additional artists/bands TBA. Click here for more info.

West Side Town Hall: Sunday, September 15, 1-4pm at the American Museum of Natural History (enter on West 77th Street) | New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal invites you to this opportunity to get your questions answered on topics including E-bike safety, good cause eviction, and how to address the surge in antisemetic incidents. RSVP by calling 212-633-8052 or do so online by clicking here.

Dumpling-Making Class and Storytime: Sunday, September 15, 10am-11:30am atMarket 57’s PLATFORMinside Pier 57 (25 11th Ave. at W. 15th St.) | Celebrated children’s book author and illustrator Melissa Iwai and Google food educator Chef Marian Laraia lead a reading and hands-on cooking class at PLATFORM, a kitchen and educational space featuring culinary arts programming and events by the James Beard Foundation. Children will have the chance to create and taste their own dumplings inspired by recipes from around the world. Iwai will also read two of her books, Dumplings For Lili and Pizza Day, which participants will be able to purchase and have signed. Tickets are available for children ages 4-12 for $25here.

Children’s book author and illustrator Melissa Iwai reads from this appropriately titled book, at Sept. 15’s dumpling-making & storytime event. / Image courtesy of Pier 57.

NYC Parks Hosts Free Botanical Watercolor Painting Workshops / Friday, September 13, 20, & 27 from 6pm to 8pm at Chelsea Recreation Center (430 W. 25th St. btw. 9th & 10th Aves.) | Join NYC Parks in learning the fundamentals of watercolor painting with instructor Janelle Chandler. Equally appropriate for families, friends, and solo skill-seekers, these workshops will challenge and inspire participants to render, in watercolor form, botanicals & flowers (Sept. 13); fruits & vegetables (Sept. 20); and fall foliage (Sept. 27). The series is free and (limited) supplies will be provided. Please RSVP by emailing Kimberly.Donovan@parks.nyc.gov . Also see the below flyer for information (and inspiration!).

File photo from 2023’s ASLF benefit courtesy of Chelsea Market.

The Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund (ASLF) Third Annual Benefit: Thursday, September 19, 6pm-10pm at Chelsea Market (437 W. 15th St.) | ASLF came to be in 2021 after the sudden passing of the much-loved Anne Saxelby, founder of Cheesemongers in NYC. ASLF provides monthlong immersive apprenticeships for students to live on sustainable farms—returning home with new knowledge and skills alongside inspiration to create “positive change in their communities and beyond.” For the ASLF’s Sept. 19 benefit, Chelsea Market will be transformed by over 130 of Anne’s favorite chefs, artisans, and mixologists preparing sustainable dishes and cocktails from their own individual kiosks. Featured areas include a “Salumeria” with Cesare Casella, Tempesta Artisans, and Smoking Goose; a “Sweet Retreat” headed up by acclaimed pastry chef Caroline Schiff; and a Pasta Tour located at La Devozione. Tickets and a list of participating chefs available at ASLF BENEFIT TICKETS, starting at $150 for general admission or $75 for kids under 12. The evening will also include a silent auction and raffle featuring exclusive chef experiences cooking in your home (bidding is taking place now, online). To preview the event, click here to view our mouthwatering photo roundup of last year’s benefit.

Ice Cream Social: Saturday, September 21, 12:30pm-2:30pm at Clement Clarke Moore Park (10th Ave. & W. 22nd St.) | The 400 and 500 West Block Associations invite you to what’s happily become an annual event, whose getting-to-know-you purpose is helped along by the sweet, sweet taste of free ice cream!

The Flatiron NoMad Partnership’s 18th Annual Meeting & Reception: Monday, September 30, 4:30pm at the Simons Foundation (160 Fifth Ave., south side of 21st St., 2nd floor; photo ID required at the door) | The Business Improvement District (BID) covering the Flatiron area as well as the nabe “North of Madison Square Park” (aka NoMad) encourages community members to attend this annual gathering that dives into the data points and trends of the neighborhood, reflects on the organization’s work over the last year, and sets the stage for things to come by holding a Board of Directors election. After taking care of all that business, things get personal—as in, social, via a reception immediately following the Annual Meeting. On-site check-in begins at 4pm. The meeting starts at 4:30pm. Admission is free, and all are welcome to attend (but with capacity limited, best to reserve your place right now). As for how to register, the Partnership notes, “BID property owners, commercial tenants, businesses, and residents who wish to vote at the meeting are asked to RSVP by Friday, September 20 (to see if you fall within the Partnership’s area of coverage, click here to access a map). Those who do not own real property, rent commercial office space, or own/rent a residence within the Flatiron & NoMad district are asked to click here and register as a non-voting member/guest.

The Longest Table: Sunday, October 6, 12pm-2pm on West 21st Street (btw. 9th & 10th Aves.) | Seen two years ago for the first time, the concept for The Longest Table grew out of the pandemic era’s yearn to connect with people in a setting other than Zoom. Its premise was simple: Fill a crosstown block with one very long table populated by friends and strangers brought together by the simple acts of breaking bread and sharing stories. Attendance was robust, and the response was over-the-moon positive. Last year, the event returned and proved its good mood mojo was no mere fluke. Now comes word from organizers that The Longest Table will be back on October 6–and if history repeats, we may well be looking at an annual event with real legs (lots and lots of them… because, you know, a table has legs, and that table is looooooong). So get in on the ground floor while there still is one: Claim your place at the table, or be one of the well-treated volunteers who help make the whole thing happen. For details, click here to visit The Longest Table website–and to view Chelsea Community News’ coverage of the event in years past, click here and click here.

Down to Earth Farmers Market Chelsea: Satudays, 9am-2pm | Seasonal, local food by vendors you can rely on for the basics and trust when it comes to embracing new cuisine and ingredients is the great strength of this weekly Market that pops up Saturdays, 9am-2pm, on West 23rd Street Off of Ninth Ave. A tip worth taking: Click here to sign up for their newsletter, and every week you’ll get a preview of what’s so special about the next Market.  Also a source of food for thought in advance of each Saturday’s Market: A visit to its online presecce (click here to do so). A new addition for 2024: Textile Recycling! Bring your linens, old clothes, shoes, torn, stained, or new to recycle (look for the green bin). Also Note: Food Benefit Programs are welcome. Go to the Manager’s Tent to use your SNAP EBT card and get tokens to spend with the vendors. Matching Health Bucks are available ($2 for every $2 withdrawn, up to $10). FMNP vouchers can be used June-November. For a full explanation of benefits, visit this link. NYC residents who have questions about the FMNP program can dial 311.

Pow! Bam! Wow!  — An Exhibit On View Through October 2 at Hudson Guild Gallery (441 W. 26th St. btw. 9th & 10th Aves.) | Contemporary comic strip art is the subject matter for this exhibit curated by Danny Simmons and featuring the work of Eric Battle, N. Steven Harris, Shawn Martinbrough, Raphael Tiberino, and Vincent Zurzolo. The weekly viewing hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10am-6pm and Saturday, 12pm-3pm.  / Artist Talk on October 1 at 4pm; Admission is Free.  See the below flyer for more info.


—END—

ChelseaCommunityNews.com (CCNews) is an independent, single-owner online newspaper providing news, arts, events, and opinion content to Manhattan’s Chelsea community and its adjacent areas (Flatiron/NoMad and Meatpacking Districts, Hudson Yards, Hell’s Kitchen, Broadway/Times Square, and the Penn Station area).  Our editorial content is made possible by advertising revenue, grants, quarterly pledges of support, and voluntary reader donations (click here for our GoFundMe campaign). To join our subscriber list, click here to receive ENewsletters containing links to recently published content–as well as an occasional “Sponsored Content” email featuring an advertiser’s exclusive message. 

ChelseaCommunityNews.com is a member of the New York Press Association (NYPA) and the Empire State Local News Coalition. Our content is collected for placement in the United States Library of Congress’ LGBTQ+ Studies Web Archive. (“We consider your website to be an important part of  the historical record,” read a July 26, 2019 email.) Our freelance reporters have been recognized by NYPA’s annual Better Newspaper Contest, with Honorable Mention wins for Environmental Reporting (2021) and Best News or Feature Series  (2023). CCNews is a three-time winner in the Coverage of the Arts category (First Place and Honorable Mention, 2022 and Third Place, 2023).

PLEASE SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM: HELP CHELSEA COMMUNITY NEWS THRIVE BY FREQUENTLY  VISITING THIS WEBSITE TO READ OUR ARTICLES AND CLICK ON THE ADVERTISEMENTS.

Questions? Comments? Want to Place an Advertisement or Make a Donation? Email Founder/Editor Scott Stiffler at scott@chelseacommunitynews.com.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login