Cornell Campus at West Side HQ
The CornellNYC Tech campus slated for Roosevelt Island has found itself one heck of an incubator. Earlier this week, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Google CEO Larry Page and Cornell President David Skorton announced that Google will be lending, free of charge, 22,000 square feet of their Chelsea headquarters to the fledgling tech school for the next five and a half years, with the option to expand to 58,000 square feet as it grows.
The first classes at the school are set to begin this fall, and the first phase of the construction of the permanent campus on Roosevelt Island is scheduled to be completed in 2017. The Google placement can’t be a bad move for the new tech school, which is sure to attract a slew of students hoping to land jobs with their beneficent officemates, and Google will gain from its proximity to the next crop of tech geniuses. In the words of Council Member Jessica Lappin, it’s “a match made in heaven,” and all the similarly warm, fuzzy things that elected officials had to say about the move.

Choreographers Show Their Stuff
Next Saturday, 11 fledgling choreographers will put their best dance moves onstage for the Young Choreographer’s Festival. The performance highlights the work of choreographers between the ages of 18 and 25 in the genres of ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, street jazz and tap. There will be a talkback panel featuring festival choreographers from 2010 through the present selection. June 2, 8 p.m., Peter Jay Sharp Theater at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at symphonyspace.org.

Upper West Jazz Fest
Fans of jazz can get their fill of one of the greats this summer on the Upper West Side. The Smoke Jazz and Supper Club-Lounge, at 2751 Broadway, is holding its monthlong Miles Davis Festival, beginning May 25 and running through June 30.
Alumni from Davis’ band will play alongside top-notch trumpeters, with different ensembles paying tribute to his music each night. On Monday, June 4 at 6:30 p.m., an original play written by the club’s co-owner, Frank Christopher, and inspired by Davis, Beyond Blue Light, will premiere, with a three-course dinner included in the ticket price.
The festival kicks off this weekend with a celebration of Davis’ birthday, which would have been his 86th, with Jeremy Pelt on trumpet, George Cables on piano, Buster Williams on bass and Louis Hayes on drums. For more information, visit smokejazz.com.

“I might just add that I do give a damn,” Espaillat said, “and I would look forward to working with Obama, and I certainly hope he will endorse me.”

At his own recent press conference to receive the backing of current Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., Rangel said he didn’t “give a damn” if he got Obama’s backing in the congressional race, though Rangel’s campaign later walked the statement back.

Espaillat was on hand at City Hall today to receive the endorsement of former Bronx borough president/White House director of the Office of Urban Affairs Adolfo Carrion, which was first reported this morning by City & State.

Carrion, for his part, said he does not believe Obama will get involved in a Democratic primary, simply because it’s a race between two Democrats. He also praised Rangel’s record in Congress, and did not take the bait when asked about Rangel’s ethics violations.

Meanwhile, Espaillat was put in an awkward situation during the press conference, when he was asked about a scandal several years ago involving Carrion getting free work on his Bronx house. In response, Espaillat said that he was entirely unaware of the well-publicized incident, which resulted in a $10,000 city fine.

“No, I’m not concerned about that, and I don’t think there is such things going on,” Espaillat said. “If you have information you can share with me, perhaps, you can give that to me after the press conference. Any other questions?”

Carrion declined to speak about his own political plans, which have included rumored interest in a run for comptroller, and even as a Republican candidate for mayor in 2013.

To read more from City & State click here.

Simcha Felder

2013 Mayoral Race

New York’s Republican County Chairmen Dan Isaacs, Phil Ragusa, Craig Eaton and Jay Savino discussed their plans to court Republican mayoral candidates with Errol Louis on NY1.

Adolfo Carrion, former Bronx Borough president, is telling friends he’s thinking of running for mayor and will decide by the fall of this year. 

Congressional Races

Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer endorsed State Sen. Adriano Espaillat for Congress yesterday. 

Anti-incumbent Super PAC the Campaign for Primary Accountability is planning to help Adriano Espaillat against Rangel.

Current bronx Borough president Ruben Diaz, Jr., will endorse Charlie Rangel later this week.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg says it’s too early for him to endorse either Sen. Espaillat or Rep. Rangel.

Bloomberg’s distance from the Rangel race is similar to President Barack Obama’s. The president hasn’t waded into the race yet either.

State Senate

Simcha Felder raised roughly $200,000 last week in his run for the new “Super-Jewish” State Senate district.

To read more from City & State click here.