Apr 4, 2016 3 min read Arts & Culture

Neither Cold Or Wind Stopped Celebration Of Avenue C’s Anticipated New Plaza

Shinbone Alley Stilt Band. Photo by Anney Fresh — Shinbone Alley Stilt Band. (Photo: Anney Fresh)

The wind was so strong it knocked the police barricades over, but it didn’t stop neighbors yesterday from celebrating what promises to be a beautiful new plaza at Avenue C and McDonald Avenue.

Yesterday’s “one day plaza event” was a preview of the activities that can happen at the space once it’s resurfaced and finished.

The plan is that the plaza will eventually have protective boulders, moveable furniture and umbrellas, and a floor mural — hopefully later this year.

The Shinbone Alley Stilt Band, with tall puppets made by Jill Reinier’s PS 230 class, got Sunday’s party started, walking from the Avenue C Plaza to Kensington Plaza and back.

It was a busy afternoon of music, dancing and cheery speeches by some of the people who are helping to make the plaza possible — Councilmember Brad Lander, State Assemblyman Jim Brennan, Mamnunal Haq, one of Kensington’s reps to Community Board 12, and two Kensington Stewards, Diana Sanzone and Jole Carliner.

Councilman Brad Lander and Annie Ferdous, the BIPA director. — Councilman Brad Lander and Annie Ferdous, the director of the Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA). (Photo: Jole Carliner)

There was also a dance performance by the Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts, and kids got to read and draw at the Uni Pop-Up Library.

Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA). — Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts. (Photo: Jole Carliner)

In the late afternoon, Taseen Ferdous ran a vigorous Bangla dance fitness class, which warmed everyone up for Ritmosis’s Afro-Cuban Latin dance party. Following Taseen’s lead, women (mainly) got up and danced.

We’re looking forward to more days at the Avenue C Plaza like this one…

2 ritmosis 1 — Ritmosis, an Afro-Cuban Latin Band, closed out the afternoon with a dance party. (Photo: Jole Carliner)

dancing Taseen Ferdous 1 — Taseen Ferdous, who ran a Bangla Fitness class, dancing with Ritmosis’ vocalist, Pedro Dametch. (Photo: Jole Carliner)

The Feringhees’ electric violinist, Safeer Islam “Lemons.” (Photo: Jole Carliner)

Sitting at the Avenue C cafe tables on a cold, windy Sunday afternoon. (Photo: Jole Carliner)

People were watching from windows and the roof. — Others were watching from windows and the roof. (Photo: Jole Carliner)

The Famous Accordion Orchestra setting up. Moni Rul, the sound man from Event Solution, on right. (Photo: Jole Carliner)

Meanwhile, the kids at the Uni Pop-Up library kept on reading and drawing. (Photo: Jole Carliner)