The Empire State Building will shine for the Bronx during Bronx Week 2011.
In an announcement in the rotunda of the Bronx County Courthouse on Monday, May 9, Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said that on Saturday, May 14, the Empire State Building will light up in the colors of the Bronx flag to honor the 40th anniversary of Bronx Week.
“On May 14, when New Yorkers look up they will see the unmistakable sign that Bronx Week is here,” Diaz said. “The Empire State Building will help us to invite Bronxites, New Yorkers and visitors from all over the world to join us in the Bronx for our annual celebration of what makes the Bronx a great place to live: our people, places, history and culture.”
The celebration of some of the best of the borough will take place from Thursday, May 12 through Sunday, May 22.
During the kick-off, Diaz also announced the names of the celebrities who will be inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame on the Grand Concourse for 2011.
Being enshrined are actor and screenplay writer Chazz Palminteri; Irene Cara, a Grammy Award and Golden Globe winner best known for her performance of the hit songs “Flashdance: What a Feeling” and “Fame;” Joy Bryant, from the NBC television sitcom Parenthood and a former fashion model, and Charles Latibeaudiere, co-executive producer of the celebrity news show TMZ.
“Bronx Week gets bigger and better every year and has something exciting for everyone,” Diaz said. “There is no better place to be from May 12 through May 22 than right here in the Bronx. I look forward to seeing you all here!”
Some of the highlights of this year’s Bronx Week include an urban farms tour, a film festival, a centenarian celebration, a celebration of the Arthur Avenue Retail Market, and a hip hop block party.
There will also be Bronx Week staples such as the Bronx Trolley, which this year is dedicated to the 420th birthday of Anne Hutchinson, the DiVa Spa that draws awareness to domestic abuse prevention, the Fair @ the Square in Westchester Square on Saturday, May 14 from noon to 6 p.m., and the annual bankers breakfast.
The main sponsor for all of the events taking place during Bronx Week 2011 is Montefiore Medical Center, which has been the main sponsor for the past three years.
“As the largest employer in the Bronx, Montefiore has a deep and abiding commitment to our community,” stated Dr. Steven Safyer, president and CEO of Montefiore. “That’s why we’re delighted to be a principal sponsor of Bronx Week again this year.”
Particularly gratifying is that events like a Health Fair and the Urban Farms Tour will promote healthier living and fight obesity, Safyer stated. The Yankees will be featuring Bronx Week 2011 on its JumboTron, Diaz said.
“The New York Yankees are proud supporters of Bronx Week and are honored to partner with the Office of the Bronx Borough President to showcase the rich resources of our great borough,” said Brian Smith of the Yankees.
For a complete listing of Bronx Week 2011 events and sponsors, visit www.ilovethebronx.com.
