February 7, 2023
Warm Up from the Cold with the Latest Hot Movies in New Roc’s Regal Cinemas
If you’re looking for a fun night on the town, look no further than Regal Cinemas in Downtown. This destination Multi-plex movie theater in the heart of New Roc City has plenty of screens (and warm, buttery popcorn!) to catch all of the latest movies.
Regal’s New Rochelle Downtown location has been considered one of its strongest-performing ones in the region and, accordingly, remains unaffected by the chain’s recently announced theater closings.
The next big movie to hit the screen? That will be the action/comedy/sci-fi film Ant-Man, which arrives on February 17.
And the Oscars are just one month away! Come see the movies today that everyone will be buzzing about for awards this time next year.
Black Heritage Month Brings Music, Dance, Art and History to Sites in Downtown
Did you know that New Rochelle was home to one of the country’s first pre-Revolutionary War communities of free Black people?
February is Black History Month. Join us at some of the wonderful events planned in recognition and celebration, and learn more about our City’s history and the myriad contributions and experiences of Black residents.
In the Lumen Winter Gallery of the New Rochelle Public Library, for example, the New Rochelle Council on the Arts (NRCA) is presenting an original exhibit, “Tracing Our Roots: New Rochelle’s Black History” from Sunday, February 5, through Saturday, March 4. It will be open during regular library hours.
Many of the cultural activities throughout the month at the New Rochelle Public Library and elsewhere are being made possible by support from the Friends of the New Rochelle Public Library and the New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District.
There are also a number of performances planned, from Dance to Jazz and Big Band, as well as Film Screenings and Book Readings. Most of the performances are free, with convenient scheduling so you can have a great dinner at one of our Downtown eateries afterward.
Some upcoming highlights for your calendar:
- Harlem Blues and Jazz Band on Friday, February 10at 7:00 pm in the Ossie Davis Theater. Registration is requested at bit.ly/HarlemBlues_02_2023
- The History of the George Washington Carver Garden Club of Westchester (Virtual) on Thursday, February 16, at 6:30 pm with NRPL Archivist David Rose presenting from the NRPL’s archives and records. Registration required at bit.ly/GWCarverGarden_02_2023
- Bokandeye African Dance performance in the Ossie Davis Theater on Saturday, February 25 at 3:30 pm. Registration requested at bit.ly/BkndyPerf_02_2023
Around the Downtown some merchants are also featuring special exhibits of our local Black artists. For example,R Café Coffee and Tea Boutique at 302 Huguenot St is featuring the art of Val Daughtrey this month. Nearby, the artwork of owner Alvin Clayton-Fernandes is always up at Alvin and Friends Restaurant at 14 Memorial Highway.
Ossie Davis Play to be Staged Again on Broadway
Look for a Broadway revival in late summer 2023 of the 1961 comedy Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp through the Cotton Patch by New Rochelle Downtown’s Walk of Fame honoree Ossie Davis.
Davis, our Downtown Theater’s namesake, starred in the original Broadway production with his wife Ruby Dee, another New Rochelle Walk of Fame honoree and for whom Library Green Park is named.
This revival has big names attached, including director Kenny Leon and star Leslie Odom Jr. According to recent reports, Odom gave his daughter the middle name of Ruby in honor of Ruby Dee. Click here for the Variety announcement.
The original play was adapted into a movie Gone are the Days! and then into a musical Purlie. Worth a look as you might just find some information on these versions in the NRPL’s collection.
From Roots to Routes: It is Easy to Come Downtown and Get Around
There’s good news as work begins to transform the North Avenue Bridge over Route 95. Traffic is moving! Simply head over to Lockwood Avenue then Memorial Highway to expedite your entry into our Downtown neighborhood.
It’s a perfect time to come Downtown. Our streets are open and construction-related delays and detours have slowed during Winter.
There are plenty of parking options. In addition to street parking, look for valet and municipal lot options, including Clinton Place’s new indoor parking lot on Church St.
The City and LAZ parking have replaced many of the meter faces recently so if you need a tutorial on how the parking meters work, come meet with City and reps from LAZ parking on Thursday February 9 between 12pm and 2pm at the Library to learn how to use the meters and the ParkMobile app on your phone. Click here for that session information. Additional information about metered parking in New Rochelle is posted here.
Welcome Party for Our Newest Residents
About 100 people gathered to welcome and be welcomed recently for a fun meet-and-greet here in Downtown. With lovely music by Alvin and Friends DJ Ollie Clayton-Fernandes, food by Modern, and drinks by Noma Social, some of our newest Downtown residents literally got a taste of New Ro Downtownin this fun, social event. Co-sponsored by the NRPL Foundation, NRBID, NRCA, NR Fund for Excellence, NRPL, and others, the attendees were treated to a great evening and thoughtful gift baskets and swag to take back to their new homes. What a great way to welcome our new neighbors!
Plan Your Presidents Day Week Vacays Right Here
Many folks have a three-day weekend coming up as we observe Presidents Day on Monday, February 20th. If you’re thinking of a get-away that weekend, look no further than right here in New Rochelle.
Check into one of our Downtown Hotels – the Radisson and the – Residence Inn by Marriott and leave the usual stress of the day far behind.
For the younger ones,We Rock The Spectrum New Rochelle at 660 Main Street will be having special President’s Day Camp and a three-day camp programming for the vacation week.
The NRPL is planning plenty of free vacation programs made possible with support from the Friends of the New Rochelle Public Library and the New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District. Here are some of the ones coming up during the week of February 21:
- Baby Fingers: Stories, Songs & Signs on Tuesday, February 21, (11:30 am -12:00 pm) will teach children up to five-years-old sign language and the ABCs using storybooks.
- Zev Haber, a familiar face from this past summer’s Party in the Park Pretzelstein performance, on Tuesday, February 21, (2:00 – 2:30 pm) will be back to sing and dance with children ages three- to nine-years-old.
- A Walk in the Woods: Puppet Show onWednesday, February 22, (10:30 am -11:00 am)will present a full troupe of woodland puppets performing for young children ages two- to five-years-old.
- Snow Biz! presented by Sandbox Theatre troupe on Wednesday, February 22 (2:00 pm – 2:45 pm) will feature a fun musical revue for grade schoolers.
- Robert the Guitar Guy! onThursday, February 23, (10:30 am -11:00 am) is a movement and music performance for children ages two- to five-years-old.
- Greenburgh Nature Center on Thursday, February 23, (2:00 pm – 3:00 pm) invites children ages three- to nine-years-old and their parent(s) or guardian(s) to an educational “meet and greet” with some interesting animals.
- Make-Your-Own Snow Globe event on Friday, February 24, (10:30 am – 11:30 am) is for all aspiring artists ages four- to 12-years-old.
Score a Touchdown with Your Catering Plans for the “Big Game” Right Here in Downtown
The Big Game is coming up this weekend and our restaurants have great catering menus for the perfect party at home!
There also will be plenty of watch-parties – and drink specials – throughout Downtown for those who would rather go out and watch…and leave the clean-up to someone else.
Valentine’s Day is coming up right after as well, and our dining spots (and merchants, too!) look forward to welcoming you for a LOVE-ly time!
Whatever your plans are as we celebrate all the wonderful things that February is known for, we hope that you will include our Downtown merchants and restaurants.
They would LOVE to see you!
Karel
Karel Littman,
Executive Director
New Rochelle Business Improvement District (NRBID)
newrochelledowntownbid@gmail.com
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