Mark’s Bake Shoppe Spreads Sweet Holiday Cheer in Staten Island

This holiday season Broadway Stages stopped by Mark’s Bake Shoppe in Richmondtown on Staten Island to place a few orders of their famously delicious cookies to spread holiday joy to some of our friends on the Island. If you want to experience some joy this holiday season you need to visit Mark’s Bake Shoppe. When you step into the bakey the smell of freshly baked sweets is intoxicating. This award winning bakery — voted 2019 Best Dessert by CSI Savor the Flavors, and recognized by the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation as one of 20 under 40 successful businesses in 2019 — boasts some of the most delectable sweets around.  Baked fresh daily, this acclaimed Staten Island bakery is home to a variety of cakes, pastries, breads, donuts, cookies and more! They offer a selection of gift baskets full of Mark’s fresh baked goods, and their local organic coffee is a perfect compliment to their delicious treats.  

The story about Mark’s Pastry Shoppe is just as captivating as their baked goods.  Mark’s first job at the age of 15 was in a bakery, which is where he learned the ropes about the business, and where he found his calling.  Mark attended college and worked in the City for years, all the while baking and decorating special occasion cakes. Then one day, with the support of his wife, he decided to quit his day-job to pursue his passion and opened Mark’s Bake Shoppe.  The bakery is warm, charming and inviting and the offerings are delicious. Why not stop by to enjoy the full sensory experience -— it will become a tradition, it has for us! Thanks Mark for making Staten Island so sweet! We know that our Island friends were happy to receive their holiday tray of treats! 

 

 

Camp Brooklyn Fund 2019 Community Service Award and Gala

Honoree Crystal Bobb-Semple (center)

Honoree Judge Patricia DiMango (center)

The 2019 Camp Brooklyn Fund Community Service Award Gala and Auction kicked off the fundraising campaign for summer 2020 sleep-away camp.  And what a kick-off it was! We thank our honorees, Crystal Bobb-Semple, Founder and CEO of Plato Learning, and Judge Patricia DiMango, Host of the TV show “Hot Bench” for their support in advancing the mission of Camp Brooklyn.  As a member of the board of Camp Brooklyn and a sponsor of the Award Gala, Broadway Stages thanks those who attended, made donations and won prizes.  It was a wonderful event and the funds raised benefit an amazing cause. Camp Brooklyn provides access to life-changing camp experiences for Brooklyn children from low income families, equipping children with growth and critical leadership skills, and broadening their world. It is a privilege to be a part of this organization and the positive impact made for so many of our neighbors. If you weren’t able to attend this year’s Award Gala, please consider a donation. To learn more about Camp Brooklyn or to donate click here. 

MS 126 Hosts Food Harvest Drive

Please join Broadway Stages in contributing non-perishable food items in support of the Food Harvest Drive hosted by John Ericsson MS 126. A donation of any size or amount will help others less fortunate to have a bountiful Thanksgiving.  

Donations are being collected until November 21 at the NYPD 94th Precinct located at 100 Meserole Avenue in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Thank you! 

Camp Brooklyn Community Service Award Gala and Auction

We are less than two weeks away so there is still time to get your tickets to the annual Camp Brooklyn Fund Community Service Award and Gala Auction.  

WHERE: Giando on the Water, 400 Kent Avenue, Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY

WHEN: Thursday, November 14, 2019 from 7 - 11 PM

WHY:  Camp Brooklyn Fund provides access to life-changing camp experiences for Brooklyn children from low income families, equipping children with growth and critical leadership skills and broadening their world. 

As a board member and a sponsor of this annual event, Broadway Stages encourages you to join us as we raise money for Camp Brooklyn Fund and honor those who help to support our mission and our children. This year’s honorees include Crystal Bobb-Semple, Founder and CEO Plato Learning, and Judge Patricia M. Dimango, Host of the TV show “Hot Bench,” and our special guest emcee is actor and comedian Cristina Cote.  You won’t want to miss it! Get your tickets today and help send a child to sleep away camp.  It truly makes a difference in their today and their tomorrow.  

Wildflowers Festival was Fantastic!

It was standing room only at this year’s 4th Annual Kingsland Wildflowers Festival at Broadway Stages’ facility at 520 Kingsland Avenue.  The weather came ready to play and provided an amazing end of summer day for all to enjoy the many festival activities, including the unveiling of our mural commissioned by Greenpoint Innovations.  Broadway Stages was honored that this year’s festival was an official event of Climate Week NYC and thank those who attended and came to appreciate the green rooftop, the view, and the value of this environmentally sustainable initiative that helps to enhance our ecosystem and habitat.  

A special thank you to those who helped to make this event a success.  We are forever grateful for your commitment to community, to the environment and to the arts.  On behalf of Broadway Stages and our wildflowers green rooftop, thank you!

Lexi Bella - Mural Artist 

Danielle Mastrion - Mural Artist

Lisa Bloodgood - Newtown Creek Alliance

Stephen Donofrio - Greenpoint Innovations

Willis Elkins - Newtown Creek Alliance

Sol Kjøk - NOoSPHERE Arts 

Marni Majorelle - Alive Structures

Tomoko Tarantino(Chico Mitsui)-Hello Face Painting

Konstancja Maleszynska - Event Planner / Coordinator

   Monica Holowacz-Broadway Stages

It’s Happening - Fourth Annual Kingsland Wildflowers Festival

An official event of Climate Week NYC,  the fourth annual Kingsland Wildflowers Festival is the place to be this Saturday, September 21.  We have a line-up of exciting events, activities and performances including rooftop tours, aerial and dance presentations, REPOPULATIONS Art Exhibit, a mural unveiling, kids workshops, a bouncy castle, live music, food and drinks. What more could you ask for?  

Be sure to take a look at the photo gallery below to see the making of the mural painted at 520 Kingsland Avenue by artists Danielle Mastrion and Lexi Bella. Commissioned by  Greenpoint Innovations, the mural commemorates the launch of Greenpoint Earth, an initiative to illustrate how cities can restore ecosystems and combat climate change through nature based solutions, like Kingsland Wildflowers at Broadway Stages.  The mural will be unveiled to the public during the Festival at 3 pm.

Please plan to join us as we celebrate our community, our environment, and the arts - all born right here in Greenpoint!

Greenpoint Y Block Party and Open House | September 14

Be sure to head over to the Greenpoint YMCA at 99 Meserole Avenue on Saturday, September 14 for their Back to School Block Party and Open House . Family friendly activities are planned and adult classes are free for you to try. Join Broadway Stages and others as we support our local YMCA!

Arthur Kill Prison┃ Associated Press YouTube Segment

One of the hottest filming locations is in our own backyard and was the recent focus of a YouTube segment by the Associated Press. The former Arthur Kill Correctional Facility at Staten Island Stages has been the backdrop for popular shows and films like “Orange is the New Black,” “Daredevil,” and “Oceans 8,” due to its authentic penitentiary look and feel. Check out the AP YouTube segment and see for yourself what it looks like inside the prison.

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The 69-acre Arthur Kill campus, located in the Charleston section of Staten Island, was acquired in 2017.  Plans are underway for upgrades and construction of additional sound stages. We’re excited to see the full potential of this facility and to realize the economic growth it will bring to Staten Island.   

National Night Out - A Heartfelt Family Affair for Broadway Stages

Oh what a night!   On Tuesday, August 6 police departments around the nation came together with their community to celebrate the 25th annual National Night Out. Since 1984 this tradition has helped to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie, and that’s exactly what happened in Greenpoint last night!  NYPD’s 94th precinct and community council hosted the celebration that Broadway Stages has proudly sponsored for almost a decade.  Around 400 neighbors enjoyed food, family friendly activities, games and community fellowship. Hear what Broadway Stages’ President and CEO, Gina Argento, had to say about the event and all who came out to help.  

“Thank you to everyone for all your hard work. This was truly a family affair for Broadway Stages. From our dedicated and talented staff, to our amazing vendor @WilsonCatering, even out-of-town family. And to my beloved brother and founder of Broadway Stages, Tony — thank you for your inspiration, your drive and dedication to our community, our family and our business; we are indebted to you for your vision, your compassion, and devotion. And of course to our community for whom we work so hard to support, our elected officials for their time and continued advocacy, and last but not least, the 94th precinct and community council — for your service, protection and community support, thank you!”  

You won’t want to miss National Night out 2020 so mark your calendars now for Tuesday, August 4!  See you again next year.

National Night Out - August 6

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, August 6th and plan to join us in celebrating National Night Out with the 94th precinct on Lorimer Street between Meserole and Calyer from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. A good time is guaranteed with food, fun and music!

National Night Out is an annual opportunity for community members and law enforcement across the nation to get to know each other in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. The event helps strengthen community relationships and foster safer neighborhoods. Broadway Stages is proud to one again be a sponsor of National Night out and honored to support our local NYPD and community.  For details about the events at each precinct please check out the NYPD page. Learn more about National Night Out here.

Resource for New York's Aspiring Young Filmmakers: MediaMKRS – Reel Works

Broadway Stages is committed to meeting the growing needs of the film and television industry. We are always on the lookout for resources that provide ways for individuals to learn more about the industry and build relevant skills that can translate into jobs. We are excited to get the word out about the MediaMKRS - Reel Works program that creates pathways for careers in media and entertainment for young New Yorkers. Young filmmakers can connect with educators, industry and government leaders to receive training and obtain credentials through in-school or after-school programs. The comprehensive program covers: camera, editing, leadership, marketing, production, sound, storytelling, and workforce skills. Check out what the program has to offer at https://mediamkrs.credly.com/enterprise.

"Orange Is the New Black" Returns in One Week!

Only one week until Piper, Crazy Eyes, Taystee, and the rest of your favorite inmates return to Netflix for their final season! How will Piper and Sophia fare on the outside? What will happen to Blanca? How will Copeland celebrate winning the fantasy inmate league? Find out on Friday, July 26.

Broadway Stages is proud to offer an actual former prison as the stand-in for Litchfield Correctional Institution. And we continue to work to expand the campus and bring economic growth to Staten Island. Most recently, our Staten Island facility has provided an authentic prison setting for television shows like "Orange Is the New Black" and movies like "Ocean's 8."

Watch the trailer for the final season here, and don't forget to tune in on Friday, July 26.