Roc-A-Natural

ROC'N WEDNESDAY! Awa Odori New York Ren (Japanese Folklore Dancers )

We are super excited to welcome Awa Odori New York Ren (Japanese Folklore Dancers) to Roc-A-Natural Cultural Foundation Inc's 3rd Annual Arts In The Park at Tappen Park, Bay Street, between Water and Canal Streets, Staten Island, NY 10304, Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 12pm to 6pm!

Awa Odori is one of Japan’s oldest and celebrated traditional folk dances, originating over 440 years ago in Tokushima, Japan. It is a lively and joyful dance tradition accompanied by traditional music and instruments, celebrating community, movement, and connection.

NY Ren is a New York–based Awa Odori group, established in 2019 dedicated to sharing Japanese culture through dance and music while building cultural exchange and community connections. Don't miss their performance which will include traditional Japanese folk dance from Tokushima, Japan, featuring graceful movement, rhythmic stepping, and joyful energy accompanied by traditional Awa Odori music.

To learn more about NY Ren, click here: https://www.instagram.com/nyrenawaodori/

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This free family fun filled day is made possible due to the Citizens NYC Grant to provide vital beauty and unity to the underserved Tappen Park as well as celebrate the diverse culture on Staten Island and enjoy the vibrant showcase of local and neighboring boroughs talent through art and music which is the key to bringing people together.

Check out this amazing lineup:

https://www.rocanatural.com/post/roc-n-wednesday-awa-odori-new-york-ren-japanese-folklore-dancers-at-the-3rd-annual-arts-in-the-pa

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Roc-A-Natural Cultural Foundation Inc is super excited to announce Wired for Life Jewelry by Ralston Munroe will be a vendor at the 3rd Annual Arts In The Park. Join us at Tappen Park on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 12 PM to 6 PM for 'banger' handcrafted jewelry such as ear cuffs, Cowre shell and beaded bracelets, earrings, rings and more! Check him out on IG here: https://www.instagram.com/ralstonmunroe?igsh=MmZoZXljOWkzNmZx

Wired for Life Jewelry by Ralston Munroe is also available for repairs by email:
[email protected].

Come shop Wired for Life Jewelry by Ralston Munroe while celebrating Staten Island’s diverse culture and the arts. The event will feature a vibrant showcase of music by DJ Thrilla, live art mural by Graffiti Writer MARK1 & TheFabulous 5, and performances by Charisa the ViolinDiva, PURE Passion Praise Dancers, Manners and Respect Band, Spoken word by Thomas Fucaloro, Libation and song with Spiritchild and more. Families can also enjoy the Kids Zone by NYC Playmobile and various art workshops.

Register for our free activities below:

- Joy Movement Yoga Fitness Workshop: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985577519812?aff=oddtdtcreator
- Art Workshops: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985577519812?aff=oddtdtcreator
- Become a Vendor: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985577519812?aff=oddtdtcreator

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"It's all about health, arts, community, and culture."

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Young Students in NYC enjoy Reading With a Ranger!

The National Parks of New York Harbor regularly hosts "Read With a Ranger" programs at elementary schools and libraries in the New York City boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island. In February, NPS representative Dorcas Meyers participated in Read Across America and World Read Aloud Day at P.S. 78 on Staten Island. In March, P.S. 57 on Staten Island invited Meyers to "Read With a Ranger" to their students. Last month, Meyers read Park Rangers and What They Do to first graders at Bay Ridge Preparatory School in Brooklyn. By emphasizing reading at an early age, NPS builds a future audience receptive to both parks and park rangers while they also continue to cultivate literacy, connection and the love of reading.

Join "Ranger D" on Monday, May 11, 2026 at NYPL-Port Richmond, 75 Bennett St, Staten Island, NY 10302 from 4:30pm to 5:30pm and Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at NYPL-Stapleton, 132 Canal Street, Staten Island, NY 10304 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm.

To schedule a "Read With a Ranger" program at an elementary school or library near you, send an email to [email protected].

Bari's Pizza Pasta Just Keeps On Giving!

Bari's Pizza Pasta, 596 Bay Street, Staten Island, NY 10304 continues to give back and support the Stapleton community through their generous donation in support of Roc-A-Natural Cultural Foundation Inc's 3rd Annual Arts In The Park at Tappen Park, Saturday, May 30, 2026 and 5th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Parade & Festival at Tappen Park, Friday, June 19, 2026!

Bari's Pizza Pasta has been serving the Stapleton community since 1972. The food is always fresh and nicely cooked. The workers always respect the customers and the deliveries are always on time. Roc-A-Natural supports Bari's Pizza Pasta because they give back to our community and the food taste great! To learn more, click here: https://www.barispizzabay.com/

To support these culturally developed and "edu-taining" events at our outdoor cultural center, Tappen Park-Stapleton, consider
Making a generous donation today through zelle at [email protected].

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What Happens When You Connect Diverse Cultures on Staten Island?... "Manners and Respect Band"

Manners and Respect Band
is Back at the 3rd Annual Arts In The Park at Tappen Park, Saturday, May 30, 2026!

This local Staten Island trio band featuring Double Jeremy on bass, Jah Jah Beats on drums, and I-AM-I on guitar, will be expressing themselves with an infusion of Reggae and Rap music while helping us "Celebrate, Connect, Conserve-One Love,​ Our Parks" at Roc-A-Natural Cultural Foundation Inc's 3rd Annual Arts In The Park at Tappen Park, Bay Street, between Water and Canal Streets, Staten Island, NY 10304.

The purpose of this free community event is to celebrate the diverse culture on Staten Island and highlight the vibrant showcase of music, dance, theater, spoken word, and art workshops that enhance the illumination of our local artists and overall "outdoor cultural center", Tappen Park.

Enjoy music by DJ Thrilla, Joy Movement Yoga Fitness Workshop, live art murals, art workshops with Friends of Mahoney Playground "Making Your Mark Stone Painting", Diana Daniels, "Becoming An Artist" and "Mask Making" with , live performances by Charisa theViolinDiva, Manners and Respect Band, Drumming Jam, Open Mic, Kids Zone by NYC Playmobile, and more!

Register for free Joy Movement Yoga Fitness workshop here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985577519812?aff=oddtdtcreator

Register for free art workshops here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985577519812?aff=oddtdtcreator

Register to become a Vendor here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985577519812?aff=oddtdtcreator

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ROC'N WEDNESDAY! Breathe, Stretch and Grow Through Joy Movement Yoga Fitness Workshop

Roc-A-Natural Cultural Foundation Inc is super excited to invite you to Breathe, Stretch and Grow Through Joy Movement Yoga Fitness Workshop with Joy Hines at the Arts In The Park at Tappen Park, Bay Street (between Water and Canal Streets), Staten Island, NY 10304, Saturday, May 30, 2026!

Joy Hines is a Certified Yoga Instructor and Wellness Coach who encourage all to find joy in the small moments every day as we breathe, stretch and grow at her free 45 minute yoga session from 12:30pm to 1:15pm. This session is for all ages and it is highly recommended to wear comfortable, breathable clothing that allows for movement.

Note: If you have a mat, you can bring, but not required; towel and bottled water is suggested.

To learn more or book Yoga With Joy at your next event, visit her IG: or email her at [email protected].

Register for free here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985577519812?aff=oddtdtcreator

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Express yourself at Roc-A-Natural Cultural Foundation Inc's 3rd Annual Arts In The Park at Tappen Park, Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 12pm to 6pm.

Calling all artists, singers, dancers, poets, performers to help us with this year's theme: "Celebrate,Connect, Conserve-One Love,​ Our Parks."

Enjoy music by DJ Thrilla, live art murals, art workshops with Diana Daniels, Mask Making Workshops with , live performances, Open Mic, Kids Zone by NYC Playmobile, and more!

Register to become a Vendor here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985577519812?aff=oddtdtcreator

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Black History #365! Don't pause in February!

Thank you SILive for featuring The Western Pulse Ensemble and sharing the contributions of the Black Cowboys and Cowgirls when slavery was abolished in 1865.
https://www.silive.com/entertainment/2026/02/history-of-black-cowboys-and-cowgirls-comes-alive-through-staten-island-dance-group.html

Stay tapped in and edu-tained!

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History of Black cowboys and cowgirls comes alive through Staten Island dance group “The group is widely known for blending education with entertainment in a way that leaves audiences inspired and engaged."

Roc-A-Natural Cultural Foundation Inc is super excited to welcome Urrutia's Western Wear and Traveling Store, Harrisburg, PA as a Vendor at the 3rd Annual Freedom Ball Fundraiser!

Don Urrutia, Sr. is the owner and member of Harrisburg Riders and The Federation of Black Cowboys will have on hand for your purchasing Authentic Western Hats, Caps, Belts, Ponchos, and more!
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Have you purchased your tickets yet?

Ticket Information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/3rd-annual-freedom-ball-fundraiser-tickets-1758810121419?aff=oddtdtcreator

Reservations: Table Top 10 ($1200.00/$120.00 per person)

General Admission: $140.00 per person.

Event Highlights:

- Western Inspired Dress Theme
- Three-course meal
- Open bar
- Dancing and DJ music
- Live Performance by The Western Pulse Ensemble and Ayeodele Maakheru and Another Country Band
- Raffles and more

Your generous dollars play a crucial role in support of the 5th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Parade & Festival at Tappen Park on Friday, June 19, 2026 to commemorate and educate attendees of when the news of liberation for people of African descent came to Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865.

About Roc-A-Natural Cultural Foundation Inc: The foundation has a rich history of community engagement, annual Kwanzaa Programs, Beautification of Tappen Park, Arts In The Park, Historical Juneteenth Re-enactment, the inaugural Juneteenth Freedom Parade & Festival, Fall Freedom Festival, etc.

Roc-A-Natural Cultural Foundation's Vision: Connecting NYC neighboring boroughs through these "edu-taining" events while fostering a shared appreciation of the diverse cultures on Staten Island's Northshore.

Further information or inquiries, contact Dorcas at [email protected] or 917-406-7736.

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