You're Invited To Roosevelt Island Pride Month Safe Space Art Exhibit Opening Reception Celebration At RIVAA Gallery Saturday June 1 And RIOC Pride Flag Raising Ceremony Monday June 3

The Roosevelt Island RIVAA Gallery invites you to the Saturday June 1 Safe Space Art Exhibit opening reception.

According to RIVAA Gallery:

You're invited to the Safe Space Art Exhibit: Celebrating Our LGBTQ+ Community at RIVAA Gallery from May 30 to June 16. Join us for the group art show and for a series of special events honoring diversity, creativity, and the vibrant spirit of our LGBTQ+ community.

Explore a vibrant collection of artworks that celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, their stories, and their journey. From powerful portraits to stunning abstracts, every piece is a testament to love, acceptance, and pride.

Events:

Opening Reception: Saturday, June 1, 5:00 - 8:00 PM at RIVAA Gallery

Classical Music Concert: Sunday, June 2, 3:00 - 4:30 PM at RIVAA Gallery

RIOC Pride Flag Raising: Monday, June 3, 11:00 AM at the traffic circle in front of Blackwell House

Dance Performance + Poetry: Sunday, June 9, 3:00 - 4:30 PM at RIVAA Gallery

Closing Reception: Sunday, June 16, 5:00 - 8:00 PM at RIVAA Gallery

Location: RIVAA Gallery, 527 Main St, Roosevelt Island, NY

We look forward to celebrating with you!

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) adds:

Dear Roosevelt Island Community:

To mark Pride Month, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation will once again host its second annual Pride Flag Raising Ceremony this coming Monday, June 3rd at 11AM in front of Blackwell House (500 Main Street). The RIOC leadership team will be joined by members of the Roosevelt Island LGBTQIA+ community to raise the Pride flag in celebration of island inclusivity, tolerance and love.

This special event is free and open to all members of the community.

We hope to see you there!

-RIOC Communications

Here's how Pride Month was celebrated last year at RIVAA Gallery

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and at the RIOC Pride Flag Ceremony.

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Thom Heyer reported about last year's Roosevelt Island Pride Flag raising:

Sometimes it's the unscripted moments that are the most unexpected and the most meaningful! That's what it was like on Friday 6/16/23 when RIOC had its PRIDE flag raising and Proclamation of June as PRIDE Month on Roosevelt Island.

The usual niceties and honors were generously bestowed by RIOC President Shelton Haynes. Penny Gold and I were even invited to say a few words because of our efforts in creating an upcoming PRIDE exhibit at RIVAA this year.

It seems we had unintentionally become the LGBTQ+ Reps on Roosevelt Island! And then the REAL moment happened...

RIOC Public Safety Department (PSD) Inspector Suarez came up to the podium to say a few words. She has been an officer at PSD for 30 years and is now among their highest ranking officers. She told us that when she first started at PSD, there were two other gay women there besides herself. All three acknowledged one another, but remained somewhat distanced from one another, lest the merest "taint" of being Gay be whispered around work. She remained closeted at work for ten years.

Then one day her boss took her aside privately and said that she should feel free to live her life openly because "he had her back".

As she told her story, tears filled her eyes and there wasn't a dry eye in the crowd! Inspector Suarez is married to a wonderful wife of 22 years. She is a mother and a grandmother..... She was also that unexpected gift to our LGBTQ+ community and the entire Roosevelt Island community that day! Here's to you, Inspector Suarez--CHEERS!

Eileen Fisher Free Renew, Reuse And Rewear Women's Clothing Giveaway At Roosevelt Island Carter Burden Older Adult Center Saturday June 1 - Over 75 Thousand Eileen Fischer Garments Were Donated To Non Profits And Given Away Last Year

The Carter Burden Network Roosevelt Island Older Adult Center (546 Main Street) is hosting their semi-annual Renew, Reuse and Rewear Clothing Giveaway of Eileen Fisher women's clothing on Saturday June 1. According to the Carter Burden Network Roosevelt Island Older Adult Center:

Join us for the semi-annual Eileen Fisher clothing giveaway and have a chance to get your favorite clothing item for free.

Here's more on the Eileen Fischer Renew Program. In 2023, over 75 thousand Eileen Fischer garments were donated to non profit organizations to be given away.

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Sponsored Post - Summer 2024 Is Almost Here, Your Kids Will Shine At Advantage Day Camps, Perfect For All Ages At The Roosevelt Island Racquet Club - Enroll Today For A Summer Fun Of Tennis, Robotics, STEAM Programs, Chess, Sports, Swimming, Nature & More

SUMMER 2024 is almost here! 

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More info on the Advantage Day Camp at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club.

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The Fire Is Still Burning, An Evening Of Songs And Stories By Matt Katz Friday May 31 At Roosevelt Island's Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance - Get Your Tickets Now To Benefit MST&DA Scholarship Fund

The Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance (MST&DA) is presenting:

The Fire Is Still Burning: An Evening Of Songs And Stories 

by Roosevelt Island resident Matt Katz on Friday May 31 at the Howe Theatre (548 Main Street)

According to MST&DA:

Matt loves a good song: folk, rock, blues, you name it. Some are by poets, like Paul Simon or Cat Stevens, who know how to make a point or paint an image. Some are by satirists, like Tom Lehrer, who know how to skewer the self-important. And some are just there for the beauty of it. All the songs tell a story and Matt will be with us to deliver that story. Come join Matt for an evening of music, stories, and celebration.

Special guest appearance by Sherie Helstien.

The Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance has offered music, theatre and dance training along with performance opportunities for all ages for over 35 years in the Roosevelt Island community. Our Mission - MSTDA nourishes creativity by providing high quality music, theatrical and dance training as well as performing opportunities to everyone in our diverse community. We offer every person, child or adult, the opportunity to participate in the arts without discrimination due to race, color, national origin, sex including gender and orientation, cultural background, socio-economic status, age, ability, or disability. With a robust scholarship program no one is turned away for financial reasons.

Tickets are $10, children $5 (benefitting the MSTDA Scholarship Fund). 

Click here

to purchase tickets.

An Act Of Kindness At Roosevelt Island Subway Platform Saves An Anniversary Theatre Celebration For Local Couple - Appreciative Resident Says Thank You To Irene

Good people are all around us and Roosevelt Island resident Stephen Quandt wishes to say thank you for one resident's act of kindness. According to Mr Quandt:

On our recent anniversary (May 18) my husband Thom and I were on our way to Merrily We Roll Along. We were sitting on a subway bench waiting for the F train and I had taken my glasses off to read something on my phone.

As the train pulled in I realized my glasses had disappeared!! Total panic as I search my pockets, under the bench, and Thom, holding the subway door yelling "You have them somewhere GET ON THE TRAIN!" We get on, I get off, I get back on, doors close and then as the train starts pulling out a woman ON THE PLATFORM is holding them for me to see. 30 Minutes to curtain. Thom says she will turn them into the booth and says I should watch the show without glasses! Instead I get off at the next stop, blind, wait 10 minutes for a train, arriving back at our starting point, 15 (?) minutes to curtain. I went to the other side of the track, and walked to the bench. Maybe she left them for me. Nothing. I start walking to the station booth to see if she turned them in, resigned to missing the start of the show, maybe even Act 1, and that's if I even find them.

Then I see a blurry woman walking towards me. She's holding my glasses. I said to her, "Oh my God, you waited for me." And she smiled and nodded. I explained what the evening was all about, asked her name (Irene), gave her a business card and asked her to text me. Then she left. She was clearly an island resident.

After another agonizing wait (5+ minutes to curtain) I got on the next train. An eternity later I walked into the theater, 5 minutes after curtain time and sat down (aisle seats) next to my dear, loving husband of 11 years married, 31 together while the overture was finishing up. I haven't heard from Irene. Irene, I hope you’re reading this. THANK YOU!

ps- The show was great!

Let's celebrate Good People with Great Big Sea.

On Memorial Day, We Honor Men And Woman Of US Military Who Died Protecting Our Freedoms And Serving Our Country - Taps From West Point, Wreath Laying At Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier, Observance At Arlington National Ceremony And History Of Memorial Day

Please take some time today on Memorial Day to honor the men and women of the United States Military who died while serving our country as well as their families.

According to History.com:

Memorial Day, which falls on the last Monday of May, commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the American military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer...

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves...

Since America's founding, our service members have laid down their lives for an idea unlike any other: the idea of the United States.

Today, as generations of heroes lie in eternal peace, we live by the light of liberty they kept burning.

May God bless them, always. pic.twitter.com/A3d4fnVaTG

— President Biden (@POTUS) May 27, 2024

President Biden joins the Memorial Day wreath laying ceremony today at the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier

and the observance at Arlington National Cemetary.

Memorial Day was observed in NYC today too.

We commemorate the Upper East Siders, Yorkville residents, and Roosevelt Islanders who have lost their lives defending our country. #memorialday pic.twitter.com/mUsFtpHb0n

— Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright (@SeawrightForNY) May 27, 2024

Sponsored Post - Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech Café Closed Monday May 27 For Memorial Day, Check Out The Weekly Menu For Hot Korean Chicken Specialty Sandwich Of The Week, Breakfast, Lunch, Salad Bar, Coffee, Smoothies, Wifi For Your Laptop & Much More - How Are We Doing? Send Your Feedback By Email Too

The Cafè at Cornell Tech is closed Monday, May 27 for Memorial Day and will reopen Tuesday May 28.

Check out the May 28 weekly menu at the Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech Café.

We want to hear from you. Feel free to email us with any questions or concerns. Thank you for taking the time to let us know how we are doing. Any feedback can be emailed to thecafe-fbservices@tech.cornell.edu

The Cornell Tech Café is a great spot on Roosevelt Island   

for breakfast, Daily Hot Lunch Meals,  

Specialty & Grab and Go Sandwiches, Make Your Own Salads, Flatbread and Neapolitan Pizza, Salads, Soup, Coffee, Smoothies,

 beer, wine,

Sushi Thursday

and more.

Bring your laptop if you wish. The Cafe has very good wi-fi connection  

and very relaxing outdoor patios.

The Cafe is open Monday (except Memorial Day) thru Friday 8am to 7 pm. Saturday and Sundays 11am to 5pm.

More info at the Cornell Tech Café website and Instagram Page.

See you soon at the Cornell Tech Café.