First Friday May 2025 Art, Music, Poetry & Dancing
Friday, May 2
6:00 – 8:00 PM
For All Ages
Free! Optional RSVP
On the first Friday of the month, The Bronx Museum throws a free after-hours party that is fun for all ages!
On May 2nd, you are invited to…
• Experience the interactive exhibition, Working Knowledge: Shared Imaginings, New Futures
• Enjoy spoken-word from a talented line-up of poets: JRose, Fanta Ballo, Jamal, and Poetic Boy D
• Soak in the impeccable vibes and beats by DJ Ultra Violet
• Stay refreshed with complimentary soft drinks and snacks
You are welcome to drop in for this event, but if you are planning on coming, please consider letting us know in advance with a free RSVP.
Image: Ari Melenciano, Comseage film still, 2025, Courtesy of the artist
Talent
JRose
Jasmine Rosario, a force in the poetic realm, graces stages as JRose. She's an illustrious Spoken Word Artist hailing from the borough of Queens, NY. She not only paints the tapestry of words with her mesmerizing performances but also wears many crowns as the visionary CEO of The Rose Garden Events and the mastermind Executive Producer of The JRose Experience Talk Show...
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Jamal
Jamal is a rising poetic force out of Westchester, NY, known for weaving cosmic reflections on love, lineage, and the human experience. In just his first year on the scene, Jamal has already made waves, earning spots in the prestigious Nuyorican Poets Café 2024 Grand Slam, The New Jeru Grand Slam, and racking up wins at multiple slams and spoken word competitions across the region. Beyond the mic, he’s the visionary behind TheModernPoetNYC, a vibrant platform spotlighting the voices of fellow poets and pushing the culture forward with intention, artistry, and heart.
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Poetic Boy D
Poetic Boy D is a multi-talented artist with four hip-hop albums under his belt, available on all streaming platforms. His presence extends beyond the stage through his hosting of the Harlem Bomb Shelter, a popular monthly open mic event where the city's most vibrant voices come together. For fans of his work, Poetic Boy D offers exclusive merch through "Poets Are People Too" and his self-published book, *Thoughts from April*, available on his website at Poeticboyd.com. His artistry is a celebration of both the craft of poetry and the heart of hip-hop, making him a notable figure in both worlds.
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Fanta Ballo
Fanta Ballo is a poet, artist, and activist from Harlem, New York, who has worked as a teaching artist in over 150 schools, reaching more than 10,000 students. Her workshops blend poetry, storytelling, and activism to help young people find their voice and speak their truth.
Fanta has performed at venues like The Apollo, Barclays Center, and the Kennedy Center, and has shared stages with artists including Idina Menzel, Joy Harjo, and Mahogany L. Browne. She’s been featured on The Tamron Hall Show, performed for UNICEF and the NYC Mayor’s Office, and received the first-ever Wonder Grant from the Shawn Foundation to publish her debut poetry collection, 'For All The Things I Never Got To Say.'
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