Join the Great Backyard Bird Count | February 16 - 19

Calling all birders! This month, you can help scientists better understand and protect birds around the world by joining the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). The event will take place February 16 through 19. Participating is easy and can be done anywhere you find birds. First, decide where you will watch the birds. It could be your backyard, but it could also be a park, a wilderness area, an apartment balcony, or a neighborhood street. Then, once you have chosen a spot, just watch birds for 15 minutes or more, at least once over the four days.

As you watch, identify all the birds you see or hear and use the best tool for sharing your bird sightings. If you are a beginning bird admirer, we recommend the Merlin Bird ID app to tell us what birds you see or hear. If you have participated in the count before, you may want to use the eBird Mobile app or enter your bird list on the eBird website (desktop/laptop). If you already contribute to Merlin or eBird, continue what you are doing! All entries over the four days count towards GBBC.

As climate change weather fluctuations influence bird movements, especially in an El Niño year, knowing where birds are seen—and not seen—is more critical than ever. In the recent past, flamingos have been sighted in Wyoming. Also, there have been first-ever sightings of a Red-flanked Bluetail in New Jersey and a Cattle Tyrant in Texas, among others. Ornithologists speculate that increasingly fierce storms may have blown the birds off course.

“Strong El Niño conditions this year could bring surprises to the 2024 Great Backyard Bird Count,” said Patrick Nadeau, President and CEO of Birds Canada. “Temperatures are likely to be warmer, which could have an effect on the timing of spring migration and influence food availability. There may be more sightings of unusual visitors wherever you’re looking for birds.”

Beyond playing an essential part in tracking the changes and impact of climate and weather, participating has personal benefits. Studies have shown that being in nature positively affects our bodies by reducing cortisol levels, muscle tension, and demands on our cardiovascular systems (lowers heart rate and blood pressure).

For more information, there is a webinar on Thursday, February 13, from 1 - 2 p.m. It is free, but you do need to register, which you can do here.

Last year, more than half a million people participated, and they reported more than 7,500 species of birds from 200+ countries. Broadway Stages encourages you to join the global effort this year. Bring a cup of coffee and a friend, and make a difference while enjoying the outdoors!

Spotlight | Gourmet Diva

Welcome to Broadway Stages’ Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues. We encourage our readers to join us in supporting these establishments and advancing local economic growth. In celebration of Black History Month, we are shining the spotlight on a few of the Black-owned businesses in the neighborhoods where we work. This week, we are featuring the Bronx-based Chef and entrepreneur Keesha O’Galdez and her business, Gourmet Diva.

Keesha O’Galdez owns Gourmet Diva Inc., a Bronx-based business that seeks to build a cultured community through Culinary Edutainment (education + entertainment). After completing her MBA at Simmons, O’Galdez worked full-time at Bank of America until she was laid off in 2009. “I was 29 years old, and that layoff lit a fire in me,” she says. “I could have gone back to a job that offered stability, perks, and a regular salary, but here was this blank slate to play with.” “I wanted to create a community brought together through the love of food, culture, and fun,” said Chef Keesha.

She completed the Chef’s training program at the Natural Gourmet Institute for Culinary Arts in New York City in 2010, focusing on organic, vegetarian, vegan, and other health-supportive diets. Since then, she worked as a personal chef and caterer for an elite clientele and has been featured on Food Network, in Mashed, Epicurious, New York Magazine, and Black Enterprise. Gourmet Diva offers cooking classes, virtual events, and personal Chef services.

Based on the idea of Culinary Edutainment (Education + Entertainment), Gourmet Diva hosts cooking classes to empower working professionals by gaining culinary confidence, learning ways to eat healthier, and becoming part of a community built around great food. She said, “I want to change the image of cooking, making it something that people enjoy doing, experiencing, and connecting with others.” If you take part in a cooking class, a chef will join you and your friends in your home kitchen in a private, one-to-one or group cooking class via Zoom. The chefs who will guide you have been featured on the Food Network and the news and have worked in top-notch restaurants.

Virtual events are a new venture since the pandemic struck. These experiences are hands-on activities and icebreakers for colleagues or clients who don’t share a common workspace. These opportunities allow the remote group to bond while learning new culinary skills. Best of all, you enjoy a delicious gourmet meal at the end.

For either a party or a multi-day event, Chef Keesha will create a menu to impress and nourish your guests. Chef Keesha thrives on choosing foods to complement the emotions and activities of your event. Each menu is custom-created for your unique experience. To request any of these services, click here.

Gourmet Diva also hosts the Vibrant Cooking Community. Membership gets you access to cooking classes with Keesha and other master chefs, along with perks and discounts and a virtual community of like-minded foodies.

Broadway Stages does not make food, but we feel a kinship with those who do. As Michelin-starred chef Anne-Sophie Pic said, “Cooking is a bit like cinema. It’s the emotion that counts.” Chef Keesha has established a thriving business that brings the world joy, health, and community. Best of all, it is done by empowering the consumer with growth, knowledge, and a full belly! Check out Gourmet Diva and see for yourself. And when you do, tell them Broadway Stages sent you!

You can follow Gourmet Diva on Facebook and Instagram to stay current with their events, discounts, and news. 

"Blue Bloods" to End After 14 Seasons on CBS

"Blue Bloods" has been a staple of CBS's Friday night programming since 2010. Sadly all great things must come to an end, and the long-running show about a family of law enforcement officials will conclude with its upcoming 14th season.

The Reagans have eaten nearly 300 family dinners together and put countless criminals behind bars, and Broadway Stages has proudly been there for all of it. Next Friday, February 16 the first episode of the final season will air on CBS. The season will be split into two parts, with part one consisting of 10 episodes, and the last eight episodes airing in the fall. These 18 additional episodes will bring the show's total episode count to an impressive 293.

When we last saw the Reagans, Jamie (Will Estes) was recovering from being shot and adjusting to his new job as a field intelligence sergeant. Erin (Bridget Moynahan) decided to no longer pursue a run for district attorney, and Danny (Donnie Wahlberg) and Baez (Marisa Ramirez) were tracking down a potential copycat killer with the help of his old partner Jackie Curatola (Jennifer Esposito).

In the season premiere, titled "Loyalty," Jamie will go undercover with a deadly human trafficking ring while Danny and Baez investigate a homicide connected to Danny's old partner Darryl Reid (Malik Yoba), last seen in season six. Frank (Tom Selleck) must decide whether to publicly support Mayor Chase (Dylan Walsh) on a policy decision.

While we are sad that the show is ending, we are hoping that the final season will wrap up some series-long character arcs and answer fans' burning questions. Will Frank remain police commissioner? What will Erin do now that she is no longer running for district attorney? Is there a baby in the future for Jamie and Eddie (Vanessa Ray), or anyone else?

Before tuning in for the final season, be sure to catch up by watching previous seasons on Paramount+. Thank you to the cast and crew for all of their hard work over the last 14 years. We are so proud to have hosted the show’s filming in our studios and of the positive impact that the show has had on New York City's film and television industry and its overall economy.

"All of Us Strangers" Leads Dorian Film Awards Nominations

On Monday the nominees for the 15th annual Dorian Film Awards were announced. Voted on by the Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics, the awards are named after the title character in Oscar Wilde's 1890 novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray." The organization includes hundreds of professional journalists who cover television, film, and theater for media outlets around the world.

Andrew Haigh's fantasy romance "All of Us Strangers" earned nine nominations, including Film of the Year, LGBTQ Film of the Year, and Director of the Year. Also in the running for Film of the Year are "Barbie," "May December," "Past Lives," and "Poor Things." LBGTQ Film of the Year nominees include "Bottoms," "Passages," "Rustin," and "Saltburn."

Though she was snubbed by the Academy, "Barbie" director Greta Gerwig did earn a nod for Director of the Year at the Dorians. She will compete with Haigh, "May December" director Todd Haynes, "Oppenheimer" director Christopher Nolan, and "Past Lives" director Celine Song.

Unlike many awards shows that separate categories by gender, the Dorians instead nominate 10 performers for Film Performance of the Year, and 10 performers for Supporting Film Performance of the Year. Nominees for Film Performance of the Year include Paul Giamatti for "The Holdovers" and Cillian Murphy for "Oppenheimer." Both actors have both won Golden Globes this year and are seen as the frontrunners for the Oscars. Fellow Oscar nominee Colman Domingo of "Rustin" is also in the running. Recent Golden Globe winners Lily Gladstone of "Killers of the Flower Moon" and Emma Stone of "Poor Things" will compete in this category as well. In the supporting category, Oscar favorites Robert Downey Jr., of "Oppenheimer" and Da'Vine Joy Randolph of "The Holdovers" will square off.

The Dorians include less traditional categories, like Campiest Flick with contenders "Barbie," "Bottoms," "Dicks: The Musical," "M3GAN," and "Saltburn." The organization will also hand out its "We're Wilde About You!" Rising Star Award to either Lily Gladstone, Ayo Edebiri of "Bottoms," Jacob Elordi of "Saltburn," Charles Melton of "May December," or Dominic Sessa of "The Holdovers."

Another coveted award is the GALECA LGBTQIA+ Film Trailblazer Award, which will go to either Colman Domingo, Jodie Foster, Andrew Haigh, Todd Haynes, or Andrew Scott.

Winners will be announced on Monday, Feb. 26. The full list of nominees can be found here Congrats to all nominees!

Birds and Freedom Come Together as we Celebrate Black History Month

Harriet Tubman is one of the truly great American heroes. She made 13 trips back to Maryland between 1850 and 1860 to guide people to freedom. Her knowledge of astronomy and native flora and fauna played a significant role in her efforts. She even used bird calls to help guide her charges, eventually helping some 70 people, including her parents and four brothers, escape slavery.  

At the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park in Church Creek, Maryland, Ranger Angela Crenshaw called Tubman “the ultimate outdoors woman.” “We know that she used the call of an owl to alert refugees and her freedom seekers that it was OK, or not OK, to come out of hiding and continue their journey,” Crenshaw says. “It would have been the Barred Owl, or as it is sometimes called, a ‘hoot-owl.’”

The rich baritone hooting of the Barred Owl, primarily active at night, is a characteristic sound in southern swamps, where members of a pair often will call back and forth to each other. Tubman mastered the hoot of the Barred Owl, using it as a signal throughout the Underground Railroad to let freedom seekers know she had arrived. She knew to use it at night when it would blend in with other nighttime sounds. But, those seeking liberation knew it was Tubman. And when they heard it, it was an important signal on a journey to freedom.

Former U.S. poet laureate Robert Hayden’s poem Runagate, Runagate mentions Tubman and also the owls she mimicked with such accuracy.

Hoot-owl calling in the ghosted air,

Five times calling to the hants in the air,

Shadow of a face in the scary leaves,  

Shadow of a voice in the talking leaves.

Broadway Stages encourages you to learn more about this incredible woman. You can click here for more information about Harriet Tubman and here for more about the Barred Owl (and hear the call Tubman mimicked).

Finally, if you are looking for a way to begin birding or a veteran birder, the NYC Audubon and Outdoor Afro will host a birding event at Shirley Chisholm State Park on February 11 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Explore the largest state park in New York City, home to diverse wildlife and habitats, including hawks, waterfowl, wetlands, and many tree and native grass species. The group will meet at the Penn Side Entrance of Shirley Chisholm State Park (1750 Pennsylvania Ave). The event is free but registration is encouraged.

February is American Heart Month!

February is not only Black History Month but also American Heart Month. Heart disease is a global problem – nearly 18.6 million people (about the population of New York) across the globe died of cardiovascular disease in 2019, the latest year for which worldwide statistics are calculated. That’s a 17.1% increase over the past decade. And 523.2 million cases of cardiovascular disease were reported in 2019, a 26.6% increase over 2010. But did you know that heart disease is the number one killer of Americans, and stroke is the number five killer and a leading cause of disability? And that African Americans are 30% more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites?

Many Black Americans and other underserved groups experience disparities in access to high-quality cardiovascular healthcare. According to a 2019 cardiovascular disease study, it has “become increasingly clear that neighborhood, place of residence, and geography matter; and that community and neighborhood factors have a role in the disparities seen in cardiovascular outcomes.”

This year, the American Heart Association’s campaign focuses on raising awareness about how 1 in 3 women are diagnosed with heart disease annually. Furthermore, African American women are nearly 50% more likely to have high blood pressure as compared to non-Hispanic white women. The main risk factors for heart disease are diabetes, obesity and overweight, hypertension, high cholesterol, and cigarette smoking.

But there is good news: heart disease is usually preventable when people adopt a healthy lifestyle. Maintaining a healthy weight is at the top of the list of ways to avoid heart disease. The best ways to do that are by adopting a healthy diet and being physically active. These not only ease the burden on your heart but also positively impact your blood sugar and cholesterol, two other factors affecting your heart health. 

A heart-healthy diet includes eating more fresh fruits and vegetables and lowering salt intake. As for physical activity, the general recommendation is to get at least 150 minutes (about two and a half hours) of moderate-intensity physical activity a week. While you are modifying your behavior for the better, it is advised that you don’t smoke and limit your alcohol intake. 

Broadway Stages wants this to be a year of healing and growth for all of us. So please, get regular checkups, stay active, and keep heart disease at bay! There is too much in the City to miss out on!

Spotlight | African Queen Boutique

Welcome to Broadway Stages’ Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues. We encourage our readers to join us in supporting these establishments and advancing local economic growth. In celebration of Black History Month, we are shining the spotlight on a few of the Black-owned businesses in the neighborhoods where we work. We are starting the series in Little Haiti, Brooklyn, with African Queen Boutique!

In 2018, Nigerian-born entrepreneur Modupe Akinbolaji opened African Queen Boutique on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn. Her goal was simple. She wanted to bring African culture to light through clothing using different pieces, fabrics, colors, and art forms. 

As you may have guessed, the boutique focuses on providing African-inspired fashion. But the mission of the shop stresses that the culture is for everyone. Their clothing is a ready-to-wear, vibrant print line inspired by African fashion. The pieces reflect not only the beauty of Africa but also the essence of its culture and origin. All the items are high quality and made to cater to all with love and boldness for the most confident and beautiful individual who wears them.

One look at the inventory, and you are struck by the traditional Ankara prints. Ankara fabrics, also known as African wax prints, are vibrant and colorful textiles that originated in Indonesia but have become a staple in African fashion. One of the most unique aspects of Ankara fabrics is their versatility. The colorful and eye-catching designs can be dressed up or down, making them a versatile addition to any wardrobe. In addition to clothing, Ankara fabrics can also be used to create stunning accessories. Many people use these fabrics to make purses, scarves, and headwraps, adding a pop of color and pattern to any outfit. Ankara fabrics can also add a vibrant touch to home decor. These fabrics are often used to make throw pillows, curtains, and even furniture upholstery, bringing a sense of warmth and joy to any space.

African Queen Boutique offers premade items such as dresses, skirts, and tops. But they also have accessories such as handbags, headwraps, and jewelry. They even have selected home decor items. Best of all, if you find an Ankara print you love, the shop has a tailor on-premises to customize something just for you.  

The shop is conveniently open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Moreover, you can check out some of the inventory and keep aware of promotions on Instagram and Facebook. 

Just a couple of years after Akinbolaji opened her shop, the COVID-19 pandemic and corresponding lockdown hit. While 48% of small businesses in NYC are owned by immigrants, these businesses were disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Thankfully, Akinbolaji’s African clothing boutique survived thanks to federal PPP loans and a loan from the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s Social Justice Fund, which was designed to help businesses owned by people of color. But as many small business owners know, the road to recovery is a long journey.

Broadway Stages admires the work ethic and determination it takes to open a small business and to persist through hard times. We encourage you to check out African Queen Boutique and support Akinbolaji because, as a Nigerian proverb says, “Seeing is better than hearing!” And when you stop by, tell them Broadway Stages sent you!

February is Black History Month!

Join us throughout February as we celebrate Black History Month and the achievements of African Americans. In this post, we kick off the observance by highlighting African American artists, New York City and, recommend local events where you can celebrate the accomplishments of African American artists.

This year’s Black History Month theme is “African Americans and the Arts.” And few places are as well suited to celebrate this theme as New York City. While the City may not have birthed all the talented artists associated with it, it has given them a home. Since the earlier part of the 19th century, African Americans have had a significant presence in New York City. Early Black communities were created after the state’s final abolition of slavery in 1827. The metropolis quickly became home to one of the most sizable populations of emancipated African Americans.

From 1816, when William Henry Brown opened the first resident all-Black theater company in America, through the Bronx Block parties of DJ Kool Herc of the 1970s, where Hip Hop was born, New York City has been an incubator of artistic expression for African Americans.

Only New York City could have hosted the Harlem Renaissance and its artists like Jacob Lawrence and Augusta Savage, writers like Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes, and musicians like Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday. This led the way for people like photographer Gordon Parks, painter Jean-Michel Basquiat, and rappers such as the Wu-Tang Clan and Jay-Z. Drawn from their ancestors’ ancient rites of passage and the shared hopes of liberty, Black artists continue fusing creative expressions’ rhythmic cadence with the pulsating beats of progress.

Broadway Stages urges you to look deep into the people who have led the way through their work, while appreciating those leading the way into the future with their crafts. Looking for a way to celebrate Black History Month? Why not explore the life and work of Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes at the New York City Public Library’s exhibit “The Ways of Langston Hughes: Griff Davis and Black Artists in the Making” at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. 

Later this month (Feb. 25) at the Met,The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism “will feature 160 works of paintings, sculptures, photography, film, and ephemera exploring how Black artists portrayed everyday modern life in the new Black cities that took shape in the 1920s–40s.

And visit the Brooklyn Children’s Museum to look forward with “The Black Future Festival” from Feb. 18 to 25. This weeklong celebration of the African Diaspora and Black History Month will feature workshops, dance performances, storytelling, and more.

All our lives are richer for African Americans' contributions to the arts and society. Broadway Stages is proud that its studios have been home to talented Black American performers and we look forward to hosting many more. Whatever you do to recognize and celebrate Black History Month this year, give thanks to those who have gone before, who have led the way, and to those still to come on this journey into the arts!

"The Color Purple" Leads NAACP Image Awards Nominations

This year marks the 55th annual NAACP Image Awards, and we are so excited that multiple productions filmed at Broadway Stages are in the running. Presented by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the annual event honors outstanding representations and achievements of people of color in motion pictures, television, music, literature, podcasts, and social media. The show will air on BET and CBS on March 16, while non-televised categories will be livestreamed from March 11 to 14 on the awards website.

In the motion picture categories, "The Color Purple" is the clear frontrunner with 16 nominations, as well as nods for three of its stars (Halle Bailey, Fantasia Barrino, and Colman Domingo) for the night's highest honor – Entertainer of the Year.

Other films with strong showings include "They Cloned Tyrone" with nine nominations; "Rustin" with eight; and "American Fiction," "A Thousand and One," and "Creed III" with seven.

"The Color Purple" and "American Fiction" both performed well at this year's Black Reel Awards, with the latter winning Outstanding Film, Outstanding Director for newcomer Cord Jefferson, and Outstanding Lead Performance for Jeffrey Wright. "American Fiction" is also up for five Oscars, including Best Picture. "The Color Purple" won the other top awards – Outstanding Supporting Performance for Danielle Brooks (who earned the film's only Oscar nomination), Outstanding Breakthrough Performance for Barrino, and Outstanding Ensemble.

In the television and streaming categories, ABC's "Abbott Elementary" leads the race with nine nominations, followed by Netflix's "Survival of the Thickest" with eight. We are so proud that Amazon Prime's "Harlem" and MGM+'s "Godfather of Harlem," both filmed at Broadway Stages facilities, are each up for four awards. Additionally, "Harlem" showrunner Tracy Oliver co-wrote the comedic slasher "The Blackening," which is up for Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture.

"Harlem" will face some tough competition for Outstanding Comedy Series, and lead actress Meagan Good will vie for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series. Her co-stars Tyler Lepley and Shoniqua Shandai each earned nominations in the supporting categories. Good is also nominated in the category Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series, or Dramatic Special for her performance in the Lifetime made-for-television movie "Buying Back My Daughter."

"Godfather of Harlem" star Forest Whitaker will compete for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, while his co-star Giancarlo Esposito hopes to win Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Director Carl Seaton earned a nomination for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series, and the Season 3 Original Series Soundtrack, featuring tunes by Swizz Beatz and Avery Chambliss, is up for Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album.

Additionally, we are ecstatic that Queen Latifah earned a nod for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for her starring role on CBS's "The Equalizer," also filmed at our facilities.

The full list of nominees can be found here. Congrats to all nominees! Find out who wins on Saturday, March 16.

Paley Center Celebrates Black History Month | Two Mind’s, One Movement Exhibit | New York Premiere of National Geographic’s “Genius: MLK/X”

Kick off Black History Month with the Paley Center for Media’s exhibit: Two Minds, One Movement! The showcase will celebrate the incredible lives and accomplishments of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. The Paley Center will also serve as host of the New York premiere of National Geographic’s docudrama series, “Genius: MLK/X.”On Thursday, February 1, the Paley Center will host the New York premiere of National Geographic’s “Genius: MLK/X.” The latest installment of National Geographic’s Emmy-winning Genius franchise, “Genius: MLK/X,” focuses on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X and how their dueling philosophies helped usher America through the Civil Rights movement. The docudrama series brings their wives, often portrayed as peripheral figures, to the forefront and shows them as formidable equals of the movement. Check out the film trailer below.  

The February 1st event will include a reception for all attendees at 5:30 pm, with the docudrama screening at 6:30 pm. After the screening, there will be a discussion with actors Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.), Aaron Pierre (“Malcolm X”), Weruche Opia (“Coretta Scott King”), and Jayme Lawson (“Betty Shabazz”), and showrunners Raphael Jackson Jr. and Damione Macedon.

This is a complimentary event for Paley Partner Members. For information on becoming a member, click HERE. Space is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. So, RSVP today. Note that there is a two-ticket limit per Paley Member. 

The public will be able to view the film along with a curated selection of documentaries and interviews celebrating the incredible lives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X as part of the Paley Museum exhibit Two Minds, One Movement. The exhibit will also include posters, signs, newspapers, and personal items that marked the paths of these influential leaders along with activities that aim to educate and inspire or test your knowledge. 

The Two Minds, One Movement exhibit will be open to the public from February 1 to March 3, 2024 (Wednesdays to Sundays, 12:00 to 6:00 pm). To purchase exhibit tickets, click HERE.

Don’t forget to check back as Broadway Stages celebrates the long history of African American experiences and achievements throughout February!

Spotlight | Radio Bakery

Welcome to Broadway Stages’ Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues. We encourage our readers to join us in supporting these establishments and advancing local economic growth.

There is a new kid on the block in Greenpoint, and people are taking notice! Last year, Kelly Mencin and Howard Kalachnikoff, Rafiq Salim, Stephen Maharam, and Ben Howell opened Radio Bakery in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. And from day one, people have lined up for their delicious creations! 

These partners are the same people behind Rolo’s in Ridgewood, Queens. And while they all have a hand in the business, Kelly is the driving force at Radio Bakery. Her leadership and creativity come from an inner passion. “I want to make what I want to eat and what tears at my heartstrings, and hopefully will tear at other people’s heartstrings as well,” she said.

Most of the space at Radio Bakery is used for bakery production. But there is limited seating inside, including seats at the counter. And when it’s not raining, they set up a few tables on the sidewalk for people to take in the pleasant, leafy neighborhood. Because the word about their food is out, you can expect lines. But the well-practiced team runs this efficiently and keeps things moving. “We are all overwhelmed by how great it’s been. I’m just so happy. This is what I live for, just baking and baking and making as much as I can and getting it out to people.”

But the real star of the show is the food, of course. Mencin takes pride in putting a twist on traditional favorites. Their chocolate croissants have chocolate in the dough, on the inside, and on top. Also, instead of almond croissants, you’ll find twice-baked pistachio ones and buttery ‘nduja croissants with a pleasant hint of heat.

“We’re calling ourselves a New York-style bakery because New York has a bit of everything,” she says. Italian breads and maritozzi, French viennoiserie, and sandwiches that riff on classics from places like New Orleans, Midtown street carts, the Grecian islands, and your corner bodega.

The menu also includes cheesy bear claws, scallion sesame twists, lunch sandwiches like a spicy muffuletta or roasted cauliflower version, and focaccia. One customer even said, “I nearly cried when I ate the focaccia.” You can check out the menu online here or feast your eyes on their Instagram page.

Radio Bakery is open every day from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or until they are sold out. “I made like 600-plus pastries on opening day, and we sold out by 9:30 am,” said Mencin.

Broadway Stages welcomes all new businesses, but we especially love those dedicated to putting out a quality product with excellent service. As Ari from Brooklyn said, “Radio Bakery in Greenpoint is a true neighborhood gem. Their baked goods are always fresh, flavorful, and crafted with care. The welcoming vibe and friendly staff make every visit a joy. A must-visit for anyone in the area craving delicious bakery treats.” Stop by soon to try it out for yourself. And when you do, be sure to tell them Broadway Stages sent you!

“Oppenheimer” and “ Poor Things” Lead Oscars and BAFTA Nominations

On Tuesday, actors Jack Quaid ("The Boys") and Zazie Beetz ("Joker") announced the nominations for the 96th Academy Awards. Unsurprisingly, Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" earned the most nominations with 13. Only three films in history have ever earned more – "All About Eve" (1950), "Titanic," (1997), and "La La Land" (2016), which each garnered 14 nods. Two of those films went on to win Best Picture.

"Poor Things" also fared well with 11 nominations, followed by "Killers of the Flower Moon" with ten, and "Barbie" with eight. While "Barbie" earning multiple nominations is no surprise, fans of the film were caught off guard that the two women most responsible for its success did not get nominated in their respective categories – director Greta Gerwig and actress Margot Robbie. Supporting actors America Ferrera and Ryan Gosling each earned a nomination for their performances.

Other films that will compete for Best Picture include "Maestro," which earned seven nominations; "American Fiction," "Anatomy of a Fall," "The Holdovers," and "The Zone of Interest," which will each compete for five awards; and "Past Lives," which is up for two.

Jimmy Kimmel will once again host the awards ceremony, which will be held on Sunday, March 10, at 7 p.m. ET and televised live on ABC. See the full list of nominees here.

Before the Oscar winners are crowned, several other major awards shows will offer hints at what's to come, including the 77th annual British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Film Awards. "Oppenheimer" and "Poor Things" are also leading that race, with 13 and 11 nominations respectively.

"Killers of the Flower Moon" and "The Zone of Interest" are right behind with nine nods, while "Anatomy of a Fall," "The Holdovers," and "Maestro" earned seven. The critically acclaimed British film "All of Us Strangers" surprisingly failed to earn a single Oscar nomination, but it will compete for six BAFTA awards. "Saltburn," another well-received British film, was also shut out at the Oscars but earned five BAFTA nominations. "Barbie" will compete for five awards, including Leading Actress for Robbie, but not including Best Picture or Director.

Actor David Tennant ("Doctor Who") will host the ceremony on Sunday, February 18. The full list of nominees can be found here. Congrats to all nominees!