Bronx Week culminates with a Ball

The 2010 celebration of Bronx Week is 12 days long and one of the highlights is the induction of famous Bronxites past and present into The Bronx Walk of Fame, which stretches south on the Grand Concourse from East 161st Street.

This year’s group of Bronx-born or bred personalities whose contributions have made a difference in various fields are the founder and chairman of Essence magazine Edward Lewis; romantic singer Jerry Vale, former Congressman and Borough President Herman Badillo, and Grammy Award whistle and flute player Joanie Madden and her musical group Cherish The Ladies.

The 13th annual induction ceremony for the Walk of Fame will occur on May 23 at 11 a.m. when plaques with the inductees’ names will be presented by Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. at Grand Concourse and East 161st Street. Their names will appear on lamp posts alongside those of other inductees, including singer Tony Orlando, actor Danny Aiello, and former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.

The Walk of Fame sports more than 80 inductees. It was founded in 1997.

On the evening before their induction, they will be honored at the Bronx Ball, held under a tent at Orchard Beach. It will include dinner, dancing, and remarks by the 2010 inductees. Tickets are needed for the Bronx Ball, but all are welcome to the induction ceremony at the Bronx County Courthouse.

Edward Lewis is one of America’s foremost African-American entrepreneurs, community leaders, political activists, and philanthropists.

Jerry Vale is considered one of the top singers of romantic music of our time. His music has been heard in various films, and he made cameo appearances as himself in the films Goodfellas and Casino.

Herman Badillo was the first Latino Bronx borough president in 1966, and in 1970 became the first Congressman of Puerto Rican decent. Joanie Madden is the youngest member ever inducted into the Irish-American Musicians Hall of Fame. Her band, Cherish the Ladies is one of the most successful Irish-American Celtic music groups.