FALL IN O WITH NY

February brings hot chocolate and cold temperatures along with lots to celebrate including Black History Month, Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day. Oh, and The Big Game and The Big Movie Awards.

Celebrate Black History Month by eating at a Black-owned restaurant, shopping at a Black-owned store, and visiting the many exhibitions and events throughout February.

For Valentine’s Day, skip the expensive dinner and roses and name a roach for your beloved at the Bronx Zoo. Discover a new band at one of the many small music venues, see the colorful orchids at the NYBG Orchid Show, or take a magical night walk along the illuminated paths of Astra Lumina at the Queens Botanical Gardens.

The coldest month of the year encourages in-door activities, but that’s no reason to stay at home. There are plenty of places to watch the Big Game or awards shows with a more festive atmosphere than your living room.

Bronx ONGOING Name-a-Roach

Bronx Zoo’s popular alternative to a gushy Valentine’s gift. Name a roach for your Valentine, because roaches are forever.

$15 for a printable digital certificate bronxzoo.com/roach

THU,FEB1 African and African American Studies Black History Month Lecture

Renowned poet, novelist, filmmaker, and professor, Merle Collins, will discuss Louise Little, UNIA activist and mother of eight, including Malcolm X.

6 – 7:30 PM

Fordham University

441 East Fordham Rd fordham.edu

SAT, FEB 10

Classic Book Discussion:

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Read and discuss this 1969 autobiography describing Maya Angelou’s early years. 11 AM

Westchester Square Library

2521 Glebe Ave nypl.org

SUN, FEB 11 Black History Month: Herbal Brews, Hues and Maya Angelou

Enjoy a heartwarming cup of tea along with poetry by Maya Angelou, and create your own written or visual masterpiece.

1 – 2:30 PM

Crotona Nature Center

Crotona Park nycgovparks.org

WED,FEB14 Teen Craft Hour

Celebrate Black History Month by creating fun and engaging crafts. All supplies provided, just bring your imagination and willingness to try new things.

3:30 PM

Wakefield Library 4100 Lowerre Pl nypl.org

SAT, FEB 17

Black History Month YA Movie Day: The Color Purple (1985)

Enjoy a special screening of the original, 1985, version of The Color Purple (PG-13) in celebration of Black History Month starring Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover and Oprah Winfrey.

1–3PM

West Farms Library

2085 Honeywell Ave nypl.org

SAT, FEB 17 – SUN, APR 21 The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion

Strike a pose in the fashion-inspired celebration of orchids featuring bold new designs of New York’s rising stars of the stitch. On Wednesdays, Grounds Admission is free to NYC residents all day.

Adults: $35

Students/Seniors: $31 Children (2 – 12 years): $15 10 AM – 5 PM, Tues – Sun New York Botanical Garden Enid A. Haupt Conservatory nybg.org

SUN, FEB 18 Black History Month: Science Fiction Storytelling Hike

Celebrate Black History Month with NYC Parks! Explore the connection between the natural world and science fiction with this storytelling hike and fire-side chat.

5 – 6:30 PM

Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx nycgovparks.org

WED,FEB21 Genius Hour

Join Miss Steffey for explorations of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics! Genius Hour includes a LEGO™ warm up, read aloud, and