Melissa Mark-Viverito News

Today, Time Warner Cable News NY1 Noticias, New York City's only 24-hour Spanish language local news network, announced it will commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Pura Política, with a special documentary with highlights from the past decade of the longest-running local Spanish language political talk show in New York City, on Friday, June 5th at 6 p.m. and 11p.m.

Metropolitan Opera singer Janinah Burnett and Joanna Marie Ford and Steven Wallace will perform the leading roles in Morningside Opera, Harlem Opera Theater and The Harlem Chamber Players concert production of VOODOO, the long-lost and historical opera by African American composer Harry Lawrence Freeman. They will be joined by Crystal Charles, James R. Hopkins III, Barry L. Robinson, Darian Worrall, a full chorus and 30-piece orchestra.  The production is directed by Melissa Crespo and conducted by Gregory Hopkins.   Last performed in NYC in 1928, VOODOO, will play two concert performances only on June 26 and 27, 2015 at 7PM at Miller Theatre at Columbia University (2960 Broadway, at the corner of Broadway and 116th street) in Manhattan. Terrance McKnight of WQXR Radio is the evening's host. Tickets are $25 advance/$30 at the door, with discount tickets available for students and seniors at $20. They can be purchased by visiting http://voodoo.brownpapertickets.com/ or by calling 800-838-3006.

NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, will join President of the New York Structural Steel Painting Contractors Association Kieran Ahern, Business Manager for the International Union of Painting and Allied Trades Local 806 District Council #9 Joe Ramaglia, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, Senior Advisor to the Mayor for Recovery, Resiliency and Infrastructure Bill Goldstein, Congresswoman Grace Meng, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, and Council Member Elizabeth Crowley to announce an in kind donation to repaint the upper portion of the Tent ofTomorrow, an historic World's Fair structure. Scroll down for photos!

On Saturday, April 25, NYC Parks and Disney hosted the 8th Annual Street Games event, a celebration of outdoor sports and classic games from the 60s and 70s, in Thomas Jefferson Park on 114th Street and First Avenue.  NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP joined Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito along with ABC News anchor Rob Nelson in welcoming this annual event.

Hispanic Federation (HF), the nation's premiere Latino nonprofit membership organization, celebrates its 25th Anniversary at a star-studded Annual Benefit Gala and welcomes more than 800 of the nation's leading public officials, community leaders, media celebrities, and corporate elites to support programs and services for the Latino community tonight, April 8.

New York's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community today celebrates the New York City Council's overwhelmingly affirmative vote to pass legislation that removes the surgical requirements for transgender people born in New York City to correct the gender markers on their birth certificates.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Media & Entertainment Commissioner Cynthia López will today present the 2014 “Made in NY” Awards, celebrating excellence in the New York City creative community and recognizing the achievements of individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the City's entertainment and digital media industries.

Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI), the nation's foremost Afro-Caribbean cultural center, will break ground today, September 16 at 10:00 AM at the former firehouse at 120 E. 125th Street which it is renovating into a cultural center for East Harlem.

Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI), the nation's foremost Afro-Caribbean cultural center, will break ground September 16 at 10:00 AM at the former firehouse at 120 E. 125th Street which it is renovating into a cultural center for East Harlem.

The Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts 60th Season to feature a plethora of Grammy Award Winners, including Bobby McFerrin and more!

As the only 501(c)6 advocacy organization for the independent theater and performing arts population of New York City, the League of Independent Theater (which supports the interests of over 50,000 artists who vote regularly*) stands with and endorse Manhattan Borough President, Scott M. Stringer for Comptroller of The City of New York, Julie Menin for Manhattan Borough President, Jimmy Van Bramer for City Council, and other pro-Arts candidates including: Jenifer Rajkumar - District 1; Ben Kallos - District 5; Ken Biberaj - District 6; Melissa Mark-Viverito - District 8; Cliff Stanton - District 11 and Rory Lancman - District 24.

'connie & jimmy' is romantic nostalgia. We romanticize the thought of taking a horse-carriage ride, as if it makes us feel connected to our ancestors, but it's actually quite the opposite. To honor them, we ought to observe the past and allow it to assist us in building a brighter future. 'connie & jimmy' now know that the horse-drawn carriage industry is inhumane, dangerous to horses and people, and unnecessary. Alternatives are available. Watch 'connie & jimmy's musical message below.

New York City Council member Melissa Mark -Viverito and bandleader/musician/composer Aurora Flores will join Clef Stage owners, Zeitlin Perez and Daniella Silverio in a ribbon cutting ceremony. Media, clients and council officials are expected at this much anticipated event. Complementary wine and passed hors d'oeuvres provided by Delicias Calenas and Lucy's Delites Catering will be served.

There's a couple of new kids on the barrio block and they're coming in like gangbusters! Clef Stage, a new music and dance school headed by Zeitlin Perez and Daniella Silverio opens its doors in the home of the Barrio Zone (Zon del Barrio) Saturday, November 17th at 3pm in the heart of Spanish Harlem - 1355 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10029 in a musical marriage of education, talent, and showcases!

Making Books Sing, the critically acclaimed family theater and arts education organization, is launching a $25,000 campaign on Kickstarter.com to bring STICKS AND STONES, an interactive drama for middle school students that focuses on bias-based bullying, to as many NYC schools as possible.

The Department of Parks & Recreation, partnering with the City Council, today announced an extension of the license terms for Parks community gardens.

Today, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe joined City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and City Council Members Melissa Mark-Viverito and Sara Gonzalez, at the citywide pool opening preview in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Children from P.S. 169 leapt into the pool with the first splash of the season. Also in attendance were synchronized swimmers The Harlem Honey Bears, and musical performers The Sunset Park Chinese Dancers. Attendees were treated to a barbecue lunch, sponsored by Western Beef and Honest Tea.