Art Auction

Monday, October 12, to Saturday, October 24, 2026
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard

RISE supports the arts, and now artists are supporting RISE! Bid on one (or two or three . . . ) of the unique expressive works from local artists who have partnered with us over the past two decades. It is a way to spread beauty in the world. This is "Goldenrod, 2021" by Susannah Ray.

Zumba!

Monday, October 12, 11:00 am to 11:45 am
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard

Come on over to RISE for a FREE Zumba class, led by LaDeidre Smith. Enjoy an aerobic fitness workout method that involves cardio and Latin- and African-inspired dance!

Special thanks to Far Rockaway Arverne Nonprofit Coalition (F.R.A.N.C.).

Open House New York/Wellness Way

Saturday, October 17, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard

Join us for a fun-filled day of community activities, hosted by Open House New York, NYC Department of Transportation, Living City Project, Valé Ecolab, and RISE to celebrate the initiative Rockaway Wellness Way, an adaptable reuse project that established community space under and beside the elevated train trestle of the A train in Far Rockaway.

The day's events include:
9:30 a.m. Check-in for the day's activities 
Location: RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard

10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sandy Anniversary Planting
Location: Beach 44th Street & the Boardwalk

11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Reimaging the Edge: Community Brainstorm, Scavenger Hunt, Seaside Strong mural presentation
Location: Beach 60th Street A-train subway entrance off Rockaway Freeway

1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. RISE 20th Anniversary Exhibition social: enjoy refreshments, networking, music
Location: RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard

2:30 p.m to 3:30 p.m. PechaKucha at the El-Box: summary of design ideas regarding the future of Wellness Way
Location: Beach 60th Street A-train subway entrance off Rockaway Freeway

Sandy Anniversary Planting

Saturday, October 17, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Beach 44th Street & the Boardwalk

For the fourteenth anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, RISE is inviting you to help create a natural protective buffer for the Rockaway community. As we learned from the superstorm, the natural vegetation and dunes that exist off our shores shielded homes and businesses. However, many of these dunes were compromised and need to be rebuilt, restored, and replenished.

Families and people of all ages are welcome to participate in this dune restoration project. Students may receive community service hours. The event is rain or shine, so please dress accordingly. Registration is encouraged.

Fall Migration Bird Walk

Friday, October 23, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard

Join RISE for a FREE birding tour led by NYC Plover Project's knowledgeable and experienced staff. As birds make their way south for the fall migration, it is the perfect time to catch a glimpse of a wide variety of species along the shoreline. Binoculars will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Whether you are an expert birder or just starting out, all are welcome!

Rain date: Sunday, October 25, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

A Taste of Natural Healing

Monday, October 26, 10:15 am to 10:45 am
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard

Alexandra G. Taggart, certified instructor of Dragon's Way Qigong, leads a FREE thirty-minute class. Experience gentle movement based on the healing practice of this traditional Chinese exercise. Learn about your body through the lens of energy. There are so many benefits that come with doing this every day, which we will learn together!

Rockaway Honeyworks BYOB

Wednesday, October 28, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard

Bring your own jar and fill it with Rockaway Honeyworks! $2.00 per ounce of honey, made by the bees of our beloved peninsula. This initiative is part of RISE's community and youth development programs, to teach us about beekeeping, honey, and the benefits to our environment.

Come and get some of the tastiest honey in New York City!