About the Riverdale Spring Festival Enjoy!

About the Riverdale Spring Festival
Today’s Riverdale Spring Festival features a Bouncy Castle,
Live Music, Original Art, Clowns, Face Painters, Glitter Tattoos, Super Mario, Handy Manny, Children’s Activities, Delicious Food, Raffles, Shopping Specials and more!
This event was the vision of the North Riverdale Merchants
Association/NRMA. The merchants joined together to plan a
festival for their Avenue, for which they enlisted the help of
Kingsbridge-Riverdale-Van Cortlandt Development Corp./
KRVC. The merchants opted to have KRVC to play a lead
organizing role in the festival, which was supported by the
businesses on North Riverdale Avenue and the broader
community.
Riverdale Avenue was a challenge to shut down for the
festival because it is a bus and emergency route. The
festival organizers are grateful for the support of Bronx
Community Board 8 members. our elected officials,
especially State Senator Klein’s office, and the 50th Police
Precinct. Their combined efforts and support allowed our
community to have this very special day!
The organizers hope to make this an annual event for the
community and to hold more festivals along the Avenue, for
which they are developing a massive beautification and
revitalization plan. The merchants also hope that this
festival and other events and initiatives will serve to
strengthen the already established and thriving North
Riverdale Merchants Association.
Enjoy!
The Riverdale Spring Festival
Promo Media Event
On Friday, May 3rd, a group of organizers, performers and sponsors
gathered in front of Addeo’s Pizza, located at 5654 Riverdale
Avenue in the Bronx, to promote the first ever Riverdale Spring
Festival. The May 3rd promotional event included a festival “sneak
preview” with music by jazz musician Phil Palombi, special stilt
walking stunts by clown, Adam Auslander and photos, hugs and
handshakes with Super Mario. Event organizers and sponsors were
also on hand, distributing postcards to promote the event under an
eye-catching green tent decorated with yellow balloons, courtesy
of sponsor Weichert, Realtors House & Home and promotional
banners.
Check out these great photos:
Photos of our Promo Event featuring Adam
Auslander on stilts; Super Mario; festival
sponsor and NRMA co President, Gary
Wartels, owner of Skyview Wines & Spirits;
festival sponsor and NRMA member
Laurence Addeo, owner of Addeo’s Pizza
and and Larry’s Lucky Lotto and Tracy
McCabe Shelton, KRVC Executive Director,
being interviewed by News 12.
The Promo Media Event, which was attended by Assemblyman
Jeffrey Dinowitz and featured in the Daily News and on News 12,
was one component of the massive promotional campaign for the
Spring Festival. The campaign also included news releases, local
ads, electronic outreach, social media, printed materials and much
more! Social Media campaign and promo photos by David Altman.
Riverdale Events
KRVC’s Riverdale Events is a new entity charged with presenting
Street Festivals, Movie Nights, Outdoor Concerts, Biz Boosters and
other vibrant cultural community and business development events
in the Riverdale area of the Bronx.
Since the fall of 2010, KRVC has produced seven festivals and three
movie nights. Check out these photos of some of KRVC’s events:
By starting Riverdale Events, KRVC will expand these activities with
Biz Boosters designed to bring special events and activities into our
local businesses to expand their customer base.
www.RiverdaleEvents.org
Festival Schedule
On the Main Stage:
12:15 p.m. - PS 81 5th Grade Chorus
1:00 p.m. - Marni Rice, Singer and Accordionist
2:00 p.m. - Phil Palombi’s Electric Jazz Trio “718”
3:00 p.m. - Moakland - Traditional Irish Music Trio
12 noon - 4 p.m.
•bouncy castle
•musical performances
•original art
•merchants will be displaying their goods
•clowns, stilt walkers, face painters, glitter tattoos,
Handy Manny and Super Mario
will be entertaining the kids
•delicious food will be available
Bouncy Castle
Right on Riverdale Avenue!
Today’s Feature Attraction is a Bouncy Castle!!
Plus Take Fun Photos with Handy Manny at Cora Hardware and also get a tattoo!
Take Fun Photos with Super Mario at Addeo’s Pizza!
North of the Bouncy Castle
Entertainment
"Dazzling fingerpicked renditions of contemporary,
jazz & pop tunes...Steve's a fine entertainer as well,
and his shows are always a special event."- Acoustic
Beat
Steve Oates is a solo instrumental guitarist who has
played in such places as The United Nations, The
Plaza Hotel, The Tavern on the Green, The Cunard
QE2, The Boat House in Central Park, The
Metropolitan Club and the historic NY Waterfront
Barge Museum (Restored Lehigh Valley Barge #79).
Steve Oates
He has performed locally at the Riverdale Y Sunday Market, the Elisa
Contemporary Art Gallery, The Woodlawn Holiday Festival, The Riverdale
Holiday Festival, Riverfest and the An Beal Bocht cafe. He is now very happy to
add the first, ever Riverdale Spring Festival to that list!
Enjoy Steve’s music when you
venture north of the Bouncy Castle to Cora Hardware,
Vacuum World, Verizon, State
Farm Insurance , Magnum Comics
and Medina Fitness!
Main Stage Entertainment
Marni Rice is a Chanteuse-Accordionist &
Theatre Artist from New York City. She'll be
performing solo today, playing vintage French
Chansons and original compositions in French
& English from her two EP's - “Songs for a
Small Chamber” and “Marni Rice & Le Garage
Cabaret.” She has performed nationally and
internationally as a solo artist at Theatre
Festivals worldwide featuring her original text
and music performance works. As a Chanteuse-Accordionist in
New York, Marnie has appeared at The Lincoln Center Chamber
Music series, Symphony Space, Joe’s Pub, The Bowery
Ballroom, The Bottom Line, The Bowery Electric, in private
events, restaurants, cafes and community gardens. Her diverse
musical projects include; 'Marni Rice & Le Garage Cabaret'
featuring original songs in French & English, and 'Marni Rice &
The Chanson Chamber Salon' featuring European popular and
cabaret songs. Since 2006 she has served as back round vocalist
and accordionist for 'Mad Juana' in the US and Europe.
For more information please visit: www.dejouxmusique.com
Main Stage Entertainment (cont.)
Phil Palombi's "718" jazz trio
Grammy award winning bassist Phil Palombi is "one of the
most sought after young bass players", according to Steely
Dan tenor saxophonist and renowned jazz musician Walt
Weiskopf. Since moving to New York City in 1997, bassist
Phil Palombi is slowly but surely moving through the ranks
of the New York Jazz elite. His resume now includes
recordings and/or performances with Michael Brecker, Billy
Hart, Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman, Etta Jones, Maynard Ferguson, Chris Potter, Rich Perry, Curtis Stigers, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Lew Tabackin, Chucho
Valdes, Mark Turner, and The Village Vanguard Orchestra to name a few. In
addition to performing, Phil also has a passion for teaching that includes
presentations at the International Society of Bassists convention in 2005,
2007, and 2009, numerous master classes at colleges around the world
(most notably Eastman School of Music), and four articles written for Double
Bassist Magazine. www.philpalombi.com
Keyboards will be played by Matthew Fries who has
been making waves in the jazz world as both a soloist
and accompanist. The winner of the Great American
Jazz Piano Competition, his debut album, “Song for Today” (TCB Music) was named a 2001 critics pick by
Jazziz Magazine, and his continuing work with his collaborative trio, TRI-FI, “takes on the Jazz Trio challenge and
delivers a ‘knock out’ punch” (Jazz Review). As a sideman his work has been
described as “the best jazz accompaniment I’ve seen in a cabaret
years” (The New York Times), and “the crispest rhythm section
imaginable” (The London Times). www.matthewfries.com
Eric Halvorson has collaborated with such jazz artists as
Dave Liebman, Dave Stryker, Joe Locke, Bruce Barth,
James Moody, R n' B legend Ben E. King, and blues icon
Pinetop Perkins to name a few. He has toured internationally with vocalist Ute Lemper. Festival appearances
include the Montreal Jazz Festival, Norwich Music Festival (UK), Silda Jazz (Norway), Radio Classica (Chile), Cork
Jazz Festival (Ireland), Festival de Jazz (Colombia),
Bayreuther Jazz Festival (Germany), Kaunas Jazz Festival
(Lithuania) and the Iowa City Jazz Festival. He has performed at New York
City's top venues including Lincoln Center, Town Hall and jazz venues Iridium, Blue Note, Smoke and Birdland to name a few. www.EricHalvorson.com
Main Stage Entertainment (cont.)
Moakland is a traditional Irish group comprised of people from
both sides of the Atlantic. Three expressive musicians make up
Moakland... Shane O Sullivan, Donie Ryan and Matt Mancuso.
Shane O Sullivan has a variable
background in percussion and
guitar. The same variety applies to
his playing styles, having
performed and recorded with
artists like John Doyle (Joan Baez,
Tim O'Brien), Dirk Powell (Cold
Mountain), Cillian Vallely (Lunasa)... to name a few.
Matt Mancuso, having graced the Lord of the
Dance stage, continues to be a most valued
player for artists like Cathie Ryan and Grada.
Donie Ryan, being one of New York's
most intricate banjo players, is well
known for his talents in the New York
songwriter's circle, having played with
artists like Michael Brunnock and Mr.
North. Together they created Moakland
and continue to present a smooth flavor
of Irish music.
Main Stage Entertainment (cont.)
The PS 81 Fifth Grade Chorus will be performing:
California Dreaming
So Long Farewell
The Performers Include:
Riagain Wiley
Helen Vassallo
Maya Bliffeld
Lara Palombi
Iris Burgering
Rose Worrall
Hunter Ward
Justin Hill
Julie Vargas
Emily Chen
Madison Warrell
Main Stage Entertainment (cont.)
Today’s Main Stage Performances were
produced by Linda Manning who is an awardwinning playwright and performer. Most recently, Linda's new play, Bite The Apple, was
produced as part of the August 2012 New York
International Fringe Festival. In the spring of
2011 she received a BRIO Award from The
Bronx Council on the Arts for her screenplay
Learning to Drive. Her play GUY recently had a workshop reading at
The Drawing Board and was a semi-finalist at the Eugene O’Neill
Theater Center National Playwrights Conference. Her play DO
SOMETHING WITH YOURSELF! The Life of Charlotte Brontë was published by Smith and Kraus and has been performed throughout the
country. She co-founded The Invisible Theatre in New York City, and
has performed in numerous productions regionally and in New York.
She received a B.A. in Theatre from the University of Colorado, and
a M.A. in Theatre from Trinity Rep Conservatory in Providence,
Rhode Island. www.LindaSManning.com. Linda has been a resident
of Riverdale for fourteen years and has been actively involved in the
community through volunteer work at her children's schools and
other community events. Linda co-founded the Riverdale Festival of
the Arts, and is now working with KRVC to produce community
events in the Bronx. In the spring of 2010 Linda began producing
and hosting a regular jazz series in Riverdale.
www.LindasJazzNights.com.
Original Art
Today’s Festival also features original art exhibits from
Elisa Contemporary Art & the Riverdale Art Association
Elisa Contemporary Art presents Cut, Rolled and
Burnt, at our Riverdale Gallery. The new exhibit
running through August 11 explores four
contemporary artists who are taking paper to
extremes. Featuring the work of Hawaii Carbon
Smoke artist, Wayne Zebzda; Comic-book
construction artist, Don Morris; California Paper Collage artist , Michael Buscemi;
as well as Connecticut Rolled Paper Constructionist, Amy Genser.
Elisa Contemporary Art exhibits can also be viewed at the following Tri-State
locations:
Designer Showhouse of Westchester at 2 Cooper Road, Scarsdale thru June 9th
Makai, at Vintology, 10 Palmer Avenue, Scarsdale NY through June 30
Re-Imagining Past Possession, Works of Recycled Materials at transFORM Gallery,
20 Jones Street, New Rochelle through June 1
Featured Festival artists include: The Iceberg series from Bronx
Photographer, John Conn; Lego painting by Mississippi artist
Allan Innman, Abstracted landscapes by Canadian artist, Marie
Danielle Leblanc and Carbon Smoke drawings by Hawaii artist
Wayne Zebzda.
Elisa Contemporary Art is located at 5622 Mosholu Avenue, Riverdale NY. Gallery
hours: Fri/Sat. 10-6pm and by appt. www.ElisaContemporaryArt.com
The Riverdale Art Association was created in 1999 by a group of
artists for the purpose of exhibiting, selling their work and sharing
information about art in all its forms. We have had exhibitions in
Apple Bank, Sterling Glen at Forest Hills, The Riverdale
Neighborhood House, The Elizabeth Seton Library of the College of
Mount Saint Vincent, Manhattan College, the Riverdale & Midtown Atrias, The
Riverdale YM/YWHA, the Bronx Borough President’s Office, Cabrini Nursing
Home, Billy’s Gallery, the Ginger Grill Restaurant, the Yonkers Public Library, and
the Riverdale Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture.
Children’s Activities
Adam Auslander, Street Performer,
Actor and Filmmaker, trained with
the Ringling Bros Clown College
and toured with their Red Unit on
Gunther Gebel-Williams’ farewell
tour. Since then his career highlights include performing at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, annually
with the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade, the world
renowned Halifax Buskers Festival, and the Big Apple
Circus Clown Care Unit. His TV and film credits include Late Show with
David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien,The Rosie O'Donnell
Show, Saturday Night Live, Law &
Order Criminal Intent and The
Hoax. In the theater, he has been
directed by David Shiner in Pomp
Duck and Circumstance and Mark
Ruffalo in Naked and Hate Free.
His award winning film 'The Thin
Blue Sign' can be seen on YouTube.
[email protected]
Dawn Jones is an actress who entertains
at parties, street fairs and special events
for kids, adults, etc. Dawn is a clown,
face painter, stilt walker, balloon animal
maker, etc. Dawn is a graduate of
Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey
Circus Clown College and Northwestern University's
theatre program. She is a veteran
performer and has been entertaining at parties since 2000.
Send in the Clowns!
Children’s Activities (cont.)
Kidville is coming to Riverdale! Opening
June 1st, our facility offers a wide array
of creative classes, from music & dance,
gym, art, enrichment and more for babies, toddlers, and kids up to six years old. Whether hopping across the
Tumbl Trak in our state-of-the-art children's gym or rocking out to our
music class, Rockin' Railroad, there's never a shortage of learning through
play at Kidville!
Kidville also offers a host of amazing birthday party themes, summer
programs, boutique and much MORE!
We are located in the heart of Riverdale at 555 W. 235th Street. For
more information, go to www.kidville.com/riverdale or call us at 347-8922268.
Create your own visor! Protect your kids from the summer heat in style.
Children can design their very own visors using colored markers and lots
of fun stickers at the Kidville Exhibit at today’s festival!
Hair Spray Painting at the Touch of Sun Exhibit! Kids of
all ages LOVE this!!
Kidaroo is an indoor play and enrichment center
inspired by the children of Riverdale. At Kidaroo,
children ages 0-10, will hop into an enriched
environment, which benefits their intellectual,
physical, emotional and social development. We strive to provide our
community with age appropriate classes and play opportunities. 3603
Fieldston Road, Bronx, NY 10463. www.kidaroonyc.com Scribble Art
Workshop provides after-school art classes, life drawing sessions, museum trips, toddler classes and family workshops. We believe that all
people can enjoy and experience the arts. The arts a la scribble includes
beautiful materials and teachers that create and maintain the space to
find and nurture your innate creativity. Programs take place at in Riverdale at Kidaroo. For more information, visit
www.scribbleartworkshop.com. The Kidaroo
exhibit will also feature Preschool of Rock!
Children’s Activities (cont.)
Play fun, interactive Math Games! The Math games will
include: Kakuro (Sudoku's cousin) * Tangrams *
Math War Multiplication * Guess How Many *
Equate: The Equation Thinking Game. Kids and Adults -Get
ready to learn and have a great time!
Plant spring flowers to take home with the Riverdale
Nursery School! Riverdale Nursery School and Family
Center (RNSFC) offers an inclusive, diverse and
developmentally appropriate educational environment
for young children ages 12 months to 6 years. www.RNSFC.org
You can never have enough face painting at a festival! Face
Painting at Chase Bank and also on the Avenue with
Susan! Susan McBrien (Soozy the
Clown) is a professional actress and
entertainer. She has appeared in
numerous films and television
shows, as well as Off-Broadway.
She recently completed shooting her first horror
film ("Old 37"), where her character met a grisly demise in a face-on car
crash -- with gruesome special-effects makeup! She also works as a
"Simulated Patient" with medical students to help improve their patient
skills. A devoted aunt, Susan LOVES working with children and is very
happy to be back at the Riverdale Spring Festival.
Pottery Painting with Create-a-Craft of Woodlawn!
Kids can choose from several
different pieces of pottery and
paints to create their very own
masterpiece!
More Exhibits & Merchant Specials!
Grape Crush Wine Making, Wine Tasting and More at
your favorite neighborhood liquor store!
Selling homemade salsas, Marinades & pico de
gallo. Yum!!
Pick up a brochure and a small toy and
candy for the kids.
Brown’s
Jewelers
Jewelry cleaning and shopping specials!
Massages and Popcorn with one of your favorite
Realtors!
Riverdale Smiles—Exhibit will feature info about products and
services and Tattoos and Coloring Books for Kids.
Balloons and face painting!! Don’t miss this exhibit,
which will also feature information about NRMA
member Halstead Property.
Vacuum World will feature a raffle drawing for a FREE
Hoover Vacuum Cleaner ($70 Value!!) and hourly
shopping specials.
10% Discounts on purchases of $10 or more plus take a
photo with Handy Manny and get a fun tattoo!
Cupcake Decorating!
Exercise Demonstrations.
Plus check out all the other great restaurants, shops,
salons and more up and down the Avenue!
About the Lead Festival Organizer
Tracy McCabe Shelton, Executive Director,
Kingsbridge-Riverdale-Van Cortlandt Development
Corporation/KRVC, played the lead role in producing
today’s festival. Serving her community has always been
Tracy’s passion. In April 2010, Tracy took over as KRVC’s
Executive Director with extensive experience in the public interest and strong
community ties and involvement. In her three year tenure at KRVC, the fiscal
sponsor of Riverdale Events, she has developed an ambitious and extensive
program of activities, initiatives and events for the organization and our
community. Prior to becoming Executive Director of KRVC, for nearly two decades, Tracy worked for the New York Public Interest Research Group/NYPIRG as
a Consumer Attorney. Tracy moved to Riverdale in 2002 with her family. Tracy
served as co-President of the Parents Association of PS 24 for four years (20052009) and is currently serving as the Auction co-Chair for the Bronx High School
of Science for the second year in a row. Tracy was also recently nominated to
once again serve as co-President of the PS 24 Parents Association for the 20132014 school year.
Please Support Our Sponsors!
Lots of businesses on the block and many
off-the-block businesses sponsored or supported
today’s festival. Please check out their ads on the
pages that follow and their stores
and exhibits at the festival today.
Eat, Shop, Bank, Play LOCAL!
Enjoy all our local businesses have to offer today,
this spring and summer and all year long.
A Strong Business Community = A Strong Community