Bronx Week 2012 annual parade and walk of fame induction

Bronx Week 2012 annual parade and walk of fame induction

Bronx Week 2012’s grand finale, with the key events including the 41st Annual Bronx Week Parade and Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony, is set for this weekend.

The induction of rap artist Fat Joe, musician and educator Valerie Capers, model and actor Tyson Beckford, and cinematographer Sol Negin to the Bronx Walk of Fame will take place with the unveiling of street signs by Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. in a ceremony on the steps of the Bronx County Courthouse at 11 a.m. Sunday.

It follows Friday night’s gala black-tie Bronx Ball at Orchard Beach, where the borough’s movers and shakers will boogy the night away with the honorees while raising funds for the Bronx Tourism Council.

Sunday’s ceremony will be followed by the 41st annual Bronx Week Parade from noon to 5 p.m., with marching bands, community groups, schools, sports teams and civic groups passing a reviewing stand at Moshlou Parkway East at Van Cortlandt Avenue. The parade will coincides with a grand finale concert at Mosholu Parkway and Bainbridge Avenue that will feature performances by hip-hop legend Doug E. Fresh, salsa stars Los Hermanos Morenos and many more.

“We 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,” said Diaz.

Two of the many highlights of Bronx Week’s 2012’s 120 event, ten-day celebration of Bronx life were the 2nd Annual Bronx Film Festival and the First Annual Bronx Solar Economic Development Conference at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at 1891 McGraw Avenue in Parkchester, both on Saturday, May 12.

“We want to make sure that the Bronx is not overlooked with whatever solar opportunities and jobs that can be created,” said Yolanda Rodriguez, the solar conference’s organizer for Center for Sustainable Energy at Lehman College. “

The film festival was important to local filmmaker Alberto Suarez of Parkchester, whose films “Quicksand” and “Winner Take All” were screened, because it provides a venue for connecting with local audiences who Suarez said are part of his “roots.”

“Having a film festival in the Bronx is a blessing,” Suarez said. “It helps people see that the artists are here and we are not going to and move on if we are successful. It also gives us a venue to show our films, which is very important because we want to establish a platform for our work to reach larger audiences.

For a complete listing of Bronx Week 2012 events, times and sponsors, visit www.ilovethebronx.com.