Hispanic Heritage Month | September 15 – October 15

September 15 - October 15 marks Hispanic Heritage Month. Join Broadway Stages in honoring the values, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans during this observance that begins with the September 15 anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, followed by more independence and national celebrations across Latin America.

According to The National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers (NCHEPM), the 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month theme is "Todos Somos, Somos Uno – We Are All, We Are One;” “[their] members, Federal agency partners, Employee Resource Groups and members of the general public selected the [2023] theme through a substantive voting process.” This year’s poster was submitted by Mr. Boris A. Jiron, a management and program analyst in the Office of the Commissioner at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and a board member of the FDA-HOLA employee organization, who says, “This art submission for the 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month poster represents the unity and integration of Hispanic culture embracing each other as one.” Read more about the poster in the NCHEPM press release here. See the full poster here.

NYC area residents can find ways to celebrate Hispanic heritage at the New York Public Library during their celebration of Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month with reading recommendations in Spanish and English, free events for all ages, research resources, and more.

Learn more about the history of Hispanic Heritage Month and find helpful resources and educational materials on the National Hispanic Heritage Month website.

NYC Women's Fund for Media, Music and Theatre Accepting Applications

The NYC Women's Fund for Media, Music, and Theatre, administered by the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) in partnership with the City of New York Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), addresses the underrepresentation of women in the entertainment industry by providing grants to support the creation of content that reflects the voices and perspectives of all who identify as women. This year, $1.8 million will be awarded in the fifth cycle of giving, bringing the total of Women's Fund grants to $9.3 million. In the first four cycles, 343 women received $7.5 million in funds.

This cycle, grants will be awarded in eight categories: Fiction Feature, Fiction Short, Fiction Webisode/Webseries, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short, Documentary Webisodes/Webseries, Music, and Theatre Production.

To be eligible, projects need to have completed principal photography by November 1 (the application due date) and must be made by, for, or about those who identify as women. Projects are also eligible if they feature a prominent woman perspective, a woman-identified director, producer, writer/songwriter, engineer, and/or woman-identified protagonist or lead musical role.

Applications are now open and can be submitted through NYFA's website. All applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on November 1. Recipients will be notified of their selection in March of 2024, and funded projects must be completed by March 31, 2025.

If you are interested in applying, you may want to attend a virtual information session to help you build a stronger application. For information on these sessions, check out NYFA's website and YouTube page.

We love supporting women-led cultural arts projects and are so appreciative of this fund and all the amazing women artists who benefit from it.  We encourage you to take a look at the 2023 grant recipients and to support NYFA if you are able.

NYC Climate Week

Climate Week NYC brings together international leaders from business, government, and civil society to showcase global climate action. It is the largest number of Climate Week events that take place worldwide throughout the year.

Climate Week NYC is a celebration of so much of what Broadways Stages puts into practice. This year’s event will be held from September 17-24, and the theme — We Can. We Will. — reflects determination, focus, a hopeful promise, and a call to action to do it together.

Climate Week NYC is the largest annual climate event of its kind, bringing together some 400 events and activities across the City of New York – in person, hybrid, and online. Climate Week NYC is hosted by Climate Group, an international non-profit aiming to drive climate action fast. Climate Group hosts the official program during the week that brings together the most senior international figures from business, government, civil society, and the climate sector. The event takes place annually and is in coordination between the United Nations and the City of New York.

Each year, business leaders, political change makers, local decision-makers, and civil society representatives of all ages and backgrounds from all over the world gather to drive the transition, speed up progress, and champion change that is already happening.

Climate Week NYC is presenting a complete program of 400 events and activities in New York City this year. For those unable to attend in person, we’ll stream key sessions throughout the week. Wholly digital events will also be included in Climate Week NYC’s Events program. Recent speakers include Prince Charles, Tim Cook, Jacinda Adern, the Hon. Chris Bowen, Kristalina Georgieva, Kathy Hochul, and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

New York City might not be the first place people think of as a hub for progress on climate change, but the movement is strong. And one look at the green rooftops at Broadway Stages and you can see first hand that we take environmental sustainability seriously! With over 100,000 square feet of green roof infrastructure through Brooklyn including 50,000 square feet of solar electric facilities, a 24,000+ square foot green roof and community engagement center garden (Kingsland Wildflowers), 30,000 of adjacent green garden meadows, and a 6000 square foot organic rooftop farm (Eagle Street Rooftop Farm), Broadway Stages is proving that we can live and work harmoniously with nature even in the middle of an industrial business zone, and we encourage others to join the green roof movement to help heal our earth. Together… We Can. We will.

Spotlight | MOME Career Development Opportunities

While the members of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA seek a fair and equitable resolution to the current strikes, we anticipate the demand for qualified production staff will grow when the actors and writers return.  The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) offer a number of educational opportunities for those looking to expand their skills or those who want to enter the exciting and rewarding film and television industry. 

Creative industries account for more than 500,000 local jobs and have an annual economic impact of $150 billion in New York City. And while negotiations continue regarding the ongoing strikes, we remain optimistic that the writers and actors will return soon, more equitably and fairly compensated.  Once the strikes are resolved, we expect there will be a increased demand for well trained, and skilled production staff.

MOME supports and strengthens New York City’s creative economy and makes it accessible to all. One way it does so is through robust career development programs.

●         Made in NY Production Assistant Training Program was developed with Brooklyn Workforce Innovations. This program provides individuals from diverse communities with training for entry-level positions in film production and access to employers in New York City’s production industry.

●         Made in NY Post Production Training is a free, five-week program that trains participants to use industry-standard software, preparing them for work in New York’s many post facilities. MOME partners with the NYC Department of Small Business Services and Brooklyn Workforce Innovations to deliver the program at no cost to participants.

●        Made in NY Animation Project offers NYC youth, ages 12-24, the opportunity to engage in storytelling, gain technical skills in 3D computer animation, and qualify for paid internships in the lab and the field. Classes are taught at NeON℠ Centers and schools by The Animation Project.

●         Made in NY Career Panels Series presents a variety of free programs exploring multiple topics within the media and entertainment industry. Programs focus on film, television, theater, and digital media. They also support career development, networking, training, and recruitment goals.  Sign up here to find out about free events and programs.

Broadway Stages is invested in the City of New York, and committed to meet the growing demands of the film and television industry. We know there are many more stories to be told and creative individuals ready to share their talents.  We hope you will consider a career in the film and television industry and encourage you to also take a look at the Broadway Stages Industry Resource Guide (IRG). The guide provides resources including industry-focused job posting sites; general recruiting sites; education and training programs; state, city, and borough industry information.  Everything you need in one place to expand your skills or learn new ones!

We look forward to welcoming back our writers, actors and the entire production team!  Hoping to see you all soon! 

Bookstores and Public Libraries | It’s Time to Read!

Everyone from the New York Times to famous bookclubs, and your next-door neighbor has a suggestion for what you should be reading. But Broadway Stages wants to answer the question: Where should you find your next book? We know of some great places you can check out across the city. 

Much to our delight, since the pandemic there has been a revival of small independent bookstores that have successfully opened their doors to meet the demand from people of all backgrounds and walks of life.  One of the things that makes our city great is the amazing diversity that exists and serves to enrich our lives.  Different cultures, ethnicities, and languages all come together in the delicious melting pot that is NYC. And with it comes a vast opportunity to get lost in, learn about, and be inspired by a multitude of stories told to us with words written on a page.

Over the years we have focused on the importance of reading, and the critical role played by our public libraries [the New York Public Library which is the largest public library system in the nation,] and bookstores.  There is nothing like the serenity of a library, its like a sanctuary filled  with shelves and shelves of knowledge and journeys to be taken.  From fiction and non-fiction, and romance to whodunit thrillers, history and self-help, there is literally something for everyone. And the same goes for our beloved bookstores that provide culture and economic vitality to our communities, each with a little something different, but all offering the same amazing opportunity to get lost in story. 

We have developed a short list of locations you to visit. We hope you will join us in supporting our independent bookstores and public libraries. Plan a visit and enjoy the journey. When you get there, be sure to tell them that Broadway Stages send you.

BROOKLYN

●        McNally Jackson Books

●        Adanne Bookstore

●        Archestratus

●        Books Are Magic

●        Action City Comics

Brooklyn Public Library

●        60 Branches

MANHATTAN

●        Yu and Me Books [they have temporarily close due to a fire - but you can help!]

●        Drama Book Shop

●        The Mysterious Bookshop

●        Pillow Cat Books

New York Public Library in Manhattan

●        40 branches

QUEENS

●        Astoria Bookshop

●        Mil Mundos Bookstore

Queens Public Library

●        66 branches

STATEN ISLAND

●        Everything Goes Book Café

●        The Little Boho Bookshop

New York Public Library (on Staten Island)

●        14 Branches

Local Economy Hit by WGA and SAG-AFTRA Strikes

The concurrent Hollywood writer and actor strikes have already delayed countless productions, putting the future of scripted television series in peril. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) represents around 11,000 screenwriters who have been on strike since May 2. The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) represents 160,000+ actors, many of whom began picketing on July 14. As these strikes continue with no end in sight, television and film production companies have shut down, leaving soundstages empty, industry support businesses hurting (many have had to close shop), the local economy limping, and the fall television schedule up in the air. The strikes are also pushing back the release dates of many films.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the trade association that represents more than 350 American television and film production companies, has met just a few times with the WGA since the strike began more than 100 days ago. The meetings have not resulted in any progress in ending the labor stoppages, as the WGA seeks answers on issues related to pay raises, benefits, residuals from streaming platforms, and artificial intelligence replacing writers. SAG-AFTRA has similar concerns, with actors fearing that artificial intelligence could be used to replicate their likeness without compensation.

Late-night talk shows were the first to feel the effects, and the fall television schedule will be next. Without new episodes of scripted television, networks will be filling the void with reality shows and reruns. Popular series like ABC's "Abbot Elementary" will air reruns, as the writers have not begun work on the third season. CBS will be airing reruns of many shows filmed at Broadway Stages, including "Blue Bloods," "FBI," "FBI: Most Wanted," and "The Equalizer." CBS will also delay the premieres of two new shows that were scheduled to debut this fall – a reboot of "Matlock" starring Kathy Bates and a spinoff of "The Good Wife" and "The Good Fight" called "Elsbeth," which was filmed at Broadway Stages facilities. "Law & Order" fans will have to wait a bit longer for season 23, as NBC will not have new episodes of the original program or any of its spinoffs to air this fall. Both "Law & Order" and "Law & Order: Organized Crime" are part of the Broadway Stages family.

Showtime's "Billions," another longtime production filmed at Broadway Stages, faced strike-related production delays while filming its seventh and final season, however the series returned to Showtime earlier this month and will continue to air new episodes before wrapping up in October.

The Paramount+ hit "Evil," which also calls Broadway Stages home, was in the middle of filming its fourth season when the production stopped amid strike-related disruptions.

Many films will also face delays, including the three planned "Avatar" sequels and multiple films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Some of Hollywood's highest paid actors and actresses have raised more than $15 million to provide financial assistance to actors on strike.

We are optimistic that the writers, cast, and crew of so many wonderful productions will return to our stages soon, fairly considered and compensated. We are all ready to welcome their talents to the big and small screen! And with that comes the much needed economic investment that is generated by the film and television industry. Continue to follow Broadway Stages for updates on the strikes, and check out a photo gallery of picketers, including the writers of "The Good Wife."

CCSO Hero's Community Giveaway 2023 | Helping our Neighbors

The recent Hero's Community Giveaway held by the Community Center Services Organization Corporation (CCSO) in cooperation with the 83rd NYPD Precinct and the United States Marine Corp was a big success. A beacon of hope and support for the Queens Community District 4 that includes Elmnurst and Corona, this event not only provided essential resources, but also demonstrated how compassion and teamwork can create a positive impact. 

With the unwavering dedication of Executive Director, Evelyn Heilbron, CCSO is able to help uplift those facing challenging circumstances. And with the help of local businesses and a committed NY State Senator, CCSO has been able to expand their reach.

Earlier this year, Broadway Stages responded to a request by New York State Senator Jessica Ramos and provided CCSO with a 12-month, no-cost lease, offering CCSO a transitional brick-and-mortar facility that has allowed the organization to expand their outreach as they look toward acquiring a permanent home. In addition, a local restauranteur, John Bedoya, who owns Latino Bites, has also provided support to help ensure CCSO can continue their much needed outreach efforts.  

"The CCSO represents the best of what our community can accomplish when we come together to help those in need. At Broadway Stages, we are always looking for ways to give back to our community and foster equitable growth. We are proud to support this initiative and are humbled by the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors," said Gina Argento, president and CEO of Broadway Stages.

"It is our hope that this effort inspires others to join us in the fight against food insecurity. We believe that creating a better world starts with investing in our local communities, and we are committed to doing our part to make a positive impact. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient future for all," said Tony Argento, founder of Broadway Stages.

We invite you to join us in supporting CCOS and helping the fight against food insecurity.  Take a look at the photos below that include the family and staff of our President and CEO. This display of hands-on commitment underscores the dedication of Broadway Stages and their actionable dedication to investing in the well-being of our local community.

NYC Audubon’s 2023 Fall Roost Fundraising Gala | October 23

Broadway Stages is committed to supporting environmental sustainability in the boroughs where we operate and throughout the city. A local organization that shares this core value is the New York City Audubon, a nonprofit that has worked to protect wild birds and habitat in the wetlands, forests, and grasslands across the City’s five boroughs for more than 40 years. Our own Gina Argento (Broadway Stages’ president and CEO) is proud to be part of NYC Audubon’s leadership team as a member of the board of directors. This week, we highlight the NYC Audubon’s upcoming 2023 Fall Roost gala.

Broadway Stages is proud to support the NYC Audubon’s upcoming 2023 Fall Roost fundraising gala that will celebrate environmentalist and documentary filmmaker Jeffrey Kimball for his contributions to the organization and bird conservation and 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge for its commitment to sustainable practices and partnership with NYC Audubon to drastically reduce bird collisions.

The event will take place on Monday, October 23, at 6 p.m., at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge.

Consider attending this special event to join others in supporting NYC Audubon's mission to protect wild birds and their habitat across the City’s five boroughs, improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers. For ticket and sponsorship details, see NYC Audubon’s 2023 Fall Roost page.

Spotlight | Datz Deli in Queens

Welcome to Broadway Stages’ Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues that provide goods and services to our community. This week, we travel to Queens and home of the mouthwatering Oxtail DatMacPatty created by the family owned and operated Datz Deli. 

Queens, New York, is a great place to be if you have a great idea, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a lot of dedication. It was true forty years ago when Broadway Stages got its start and it remains true today, as proven by 31-year-old Joshua Dat. He said of his home and workplace, “It’s so diverse, so many amazing people, so many amazing stories, and it’s where I grew up too.”

When he started Datz Deli on Hollis Ave in Queens last December, Dat said, “My father inspired me to start. We didn’t have an easy life growing up. I wasn’t born into money, so saving and staying disciplined helped a lot. Also, keeping my eyes on the prize, knowing that missing out and not wasting my money would one day allow my family and me to get everything we want in life.” He thought, “I wanted to be different. I wanted to give people something new to try.”

And people have not just tried it. They love it! Customers line up around the corner for the now-famous Oxtail DatMacPatty. This sandwich features a delicious Caribbean-style beef patty with flavors inspired by Dat’s father’s native Guyana. Partnered with the beef patty is an island favorite, shredded oxtail meat. And instead of the traditional slice of American cheese, Datz Deli heaps a scoop of everyone’s favorite comfort food (extra cheesy) mac and cheese on top. All of this is placed on warm sweet coco bread. It’s a slightly sweet bread that’s firm on the outside but soft on the inside. WOW!! We’re ready to place an order right now!

But the menu doesn’t end there. Datz Deli has Chicken, Beef, and Goat Curry versions of the DatMacPatty and a Jerk Chicken version too. And if you aren’t in the mood for a sandwich, you can get large or small orders of Curries or Jerk chicken. And, when asked, Joshua Dat suggests his favorite, “Corned beef with white rice and spinach, for sure,” We recommend you add an order of fried plantains to whatever you order too. If you have a sweet tooth, you may want to save a little room for an order of Fried Oreos with a caramel and/or chocolate drizzle.

Datz Deli has become a sensation quickly because the food is so fantastic. But Dat’s wisdom in using social media doesn’t hurt his cause at all, either. Since opening in December 2022, the deli has garnered over 55,000 followers on Instagram and countless TikTok views. This chef’s hustle is not limited to the kitchen!

And hustle, he does! Alongside his parents, siblings, uncle, nephew, and a few close friends, Datz Deli is open 7 days a week, Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 10 pm, and on Sunday from 9 am to 8 pm. Feel free to call ahead to place an order (929-356-3400).  And don’t forget to tell them Broadway Stages sent you!

NCA 2023 Urban Heat Island Effect Fellowship

Broadway Stages is proud to support the Newtown Creek Alliance (NCA) in their mission to restore, reveal, and revitalize Newtown Creek. We are excited that for the second year, NCA hosted a team of fellows to research the Urban Heat Island Effect (UHI) around Newtown Creek. Made possible by a three-year New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Community Impact Grant, the program is open to individuals 18-25 years old, ideally who have an experience with increased urban heat, an interest in or relationship to Newtown Creek and the surrounding community, and have not completed a bachelor’s degree. 

UHI Effect Fellows [From left to right]: Edsel Peralta, Alexis Czajkowski, Darius Korin, Sophia Zhao, and Mohamed Nassar

The 2023 fellows’ study focused on the effects of UHI on the Industrial Business Zone in Maspeth, Queens, which is one of the largest in NYC. Hear their presentations on YouTube. And you can find links to their individual presentations on the NCA website: Sophia Zhao (Understanding Capacity for Green Infrastructure); Alexis Czajkowski and Mohamed Nassar (What Opportunities for Green Infrastructure Exist in Maspeth IBZ?); Darius Korin (The Urban Heat Island and Soil Degradation); Edsel Peralta (Examining Green Infrastructure Connectivity in the Maspeth IBZ). On the website, you can also learn more about the Urban Heat Island Effect and its implications.

Congratulations to this year’s fellows for their important work that contributes to strengthening environmental sustainability and improving life in and around Newtown Creek. Read our post about the 2022 NCA UHI fellows who studied Long Island City and Sunnyside.

NOoSPHERE Arts 2023 Residency Award | Faith XLVII

Like an engine of perpetual motion, our partner NOoSPHERE Arts never rests - always creating and promoting the talents of artists from around the world! Broadway Stages is proud to congratulate the winner of this year’s NOoSPHERE Arts’ Residency Award @MothershipNYC: Faith XLVII, a multidisciplinary street artist from South Africa!

On Thursday, August 24, our Kingsland Wildflowers’ partner NOoSPHERE Arts will present the winner of this year’s NOoSPHERE Arts’ Residency Award @ MothershipNYC at Last Frontier NYC.  This year’s awardee is Faith XLVII (or Faith47), a multidisciplinary street artist from South Africa.

Selected by a committee of arts professionals spanning multiple continents, Faith XLVII will discuss her residency project: PRIMA MATERIA / LEVESCERE.  Faith 47’s Levescere series explores the relationship of words and phrases within physical environments.

Mass Appeal magazine called her work “A rare incantation of both the earthly and the transcendent.” The art blog Booooooom said, “Transformative work... concerned with the valuation and transformation of things that have been lost or overlooked.” And the website Supersonic Art commented, “Deeply profound visions existing as physical aesthetic gifts for other viewers.” 

A self-taught artist, born Liberty Du in Cape Town, South Africa, her journey into art began on the streets in 1997. As a young graffiti writer, she took on the name Faith XLVII. Today, she is known as one of the world’s most prominent female street artists.

Since 2006, she has developed a multidisciplinary artistic practice. Her work often speaks to issues of injustice, poverty, inequality, and female empowerment. Her evolution from street artist to multidisciplinary artist has created a fluid yet solid bridge into the contemporary art world. This explorative approach has led her to develop a broad range of artwork. Ranging from immersive new media installations and hand-sewn wall tapestries to sculptural bronze works investigating hierarchies of power, paintings, and various explorations into printmaking.

The thread of Faith XLVII’s practice can be traced from abandoned structures and landmark 20-story buildings to museums and galleries all the way through to intimate site-specific installations.

The 2023 awardee’s residency project will be revealed at Mothership’s Artist Salon at Last Frontier NYC, 520 Kingsland Avenue, Greenpoint on Thursday, August 24, from 7pm until late as part of the following line-up:

● Artist talk by Faith 47 (South Africa)

● Clown provocateur Anna Thomson (Australia) on the roofs

● A second live painting performance by Michel Platnic (France/Israel) and his team of local painters

● Solo act by singing cellist and visual artist Syngja (Canada) against a backdrop of animations.

There is no cover charge but do bring some cash to make it rain on our talent — tipping the artist is part of the fun! Also, delicious herbal concoctions by Crystal Drip Elixirs will be on hand!

Be sure to attend what promises to be a night to remember. Nobody puts on a party and a show like our friends at NOoSPHERE Arts! And Faith XLVII is not an artist to be missed. Don’t forget to tell them that Broadway Stages sent you!

Spotlight | L’imprimerie in Bushwick

Welcome to Broadway Stages’ Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues that provide goods and services to our community. This week we visit L’imprimerie French bakery and cafe in Bushwick.!

In Bushwick you can immerse yourself in the intoxicating aroma of freshly baked breads and pastries at L’imprimerie French Bakery and Cafe by Monsieur Gus. At this local gem, items are made in small batches that, whenever possible, use local and organic ingredients, including honey from bees on their roof top!

Named in honor of the location’s previous longtime use as a print shop, L’imprimerie offers a variety of breads, from baguettes and poivre parmesan to kalamata olives sourdough bread, and more. And then there are the pastries…lots of delicious choices can be found at L’imprimerie, including the popular croissant pur beurre, plus cheddar croissants (options include jalapeño cheddar and ham and cheese!), sausage rolls, and more. The menu continues to satisfy your palate with quiches, cookies and cake, and iced and bottled drinks. You can also do a little shopping for “Cheese stuff,” including salted churned butter and brie, pantry items including Andrew's Bushwick Honey, and branded merchandise. Vegan options are available. Preview the menu for details.

Head to Bushwick to experience L’imprimerie in person. You can also place online orders for pick-up/walk-ins. Note that L’imprimerie does not deliver and is not on delivery platforms. L'imprimerie is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day and is located at 1524 Myrtle Avenue in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Tel. 929-295-6464; email them at ILOVEBREAD@LIMPRIMERIE.NYC. And don’t forget to tell them that  Broadway Stages sen you! 

Get to know L’imprimerie’s owner Gus Reckel in this video by Joel Wolfram titled, “From Banker to Baker: Monsieur Gus” and in this interview on Common. And be sure to follow L’imprimerie on Instagram.