Photo Flash: Ben Vereen Joins BP Markowitz at LIGHTEN UP BROOKLYN

Today, July 19, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz welcomed Tony-winning and Emmy-nominated entertainer Ben Vereen (performing at 54 Below, July 10-21), the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to a day of events at Borough Hall as part of the 2012 "Lighten Up Brooklyn" campaign, an anti-obesity and healthy lifestyle initiative launched by BP Markowitz eleven years ago. Check out photos of the pair participating in the day's events below!

Participants included the Mark Morris Dance Center, Body Sculpt of New York, BOOTCAMP Aerobics by Gwen Ro, Shape Up NYC, the Dodge YMCA, Sessions by Sara, and Raizes do Brasil Capoeira Brooklyn.

For more information on Lighten Up Brooklyn, visit www.brooklyn-usa.org.

Photos credit: Kathryn Kirk

Dr. Lesly Kernisant, CEO, Preferred Health Partners; Deputy Borough President Sandra Chapman; Ben Vereen; BP Markowitz; George Hulse, vice president of External Affairs, Healthfirst; Brooklyn Parks Commissioner Kevin Jeffrey

BP Markowitz leads Brooklynites on power walk from Borough Hall

Getting into shape at Brooklyn Borough Hall Plaza

Ben Vereen addresses Lighten Up Brooklyn event