A unique series of shows that bring together musical traditions from around the world is coming back to Flushing.
Flushing Town Hall will host its Global Mashup Series on select Friday nights from April 20 through June 15. In each show, two groups of artists who specialize in vastly different styles of music will play individually and then come together for a unique “mashup” performance. Each concert will also be prefaced by an hour-long interactive dance lesson.
The concept first came together in 2013, according to executive and artistic director Ellen Kodadek, who encouraged attendees to bring their dancing shoes.
“We were talking internally about Queens, about New York City, and its incredible diversity,” she said. “This format just evolved out of that.”
Jonathan Goldman from Spanglish Fly, a Latin Boogaloo band, will participate in two of the five shows slated for this spring/summer. It will be the group’s first time participating in the series.
“As musicians, we’re excited about being able to go on stage and play not only in our own idiom, but also in another language, so to speak, with other great musicians,” he said.
Latin Boogaloo, which Goldman described as soul music grafted onto Latin music, will be “instantly familiar and foreign at the same time” to attendees at the show.
The musical style will be melded with Afrobeat by group Chop and Quench on April 20 and Balkan wedding music by Raya Brass Band on June 1.
Goldman expects each performance to feel like “one giant party.”
“We try to pick pairings that would be really unusual,” Kodadek said. “It somehow always works and is something special every single time … As a spectator, there’s these moments of hopefulness, because you’re really seeing two groups of people try to navigate communication. It’s a microcosm for the world.”
Future concerts include Egypt meets Haiti, Mexico meets Guinea and Texas meets Peru. Tickets start at $10; teens with ID can attend for free.
Flushing Town Hall is located at 137-35 Northern Blvd. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit their website.
