Music and arts festival for city hospitals

The five-borough music and arts festival STAT! For New York City Hospitals will make its way to Queens on Sunday, December 12.
The festival, which is being sponsored by The Queens Courier, was created to raise money for New York City’s public hospitals. In Queens, the public hospitals are Elmhurst Hospital Center and Queens Hospital Center.
“New York City’s public hospital system is one of the largest and best in the world. But just like other city agencies, our hospitals are facing tough economic challenges,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “A growing population and rising medical costs, coupled with an uncertain future in state and federal funding, has left us looking for creative ways to find efficiencies and generate revenue – and STAT! is helping us do that.”
Bloomberg said that funds raised during STAT! will be used to purchase equipment. He also said that the festival is a way for New Yorkers to give back during the holiday season.
“I hope New Yorkers across the five boroughs will come out to enjoy the performances and join me in supporting our city’s hospitals,” Bloomberg said.
New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) President Alan D. Aviles also noted the importance of supporting this festival.
“New Yorkers need our public hospitals, and at HHC, we’re working in many ways to keep quality healthcare accessible for everyone,” he said. “STAT! will help raise funds for medical equipment that our patients need and that our facilities may be challenged to provide as resources become scarce. All told, STAT! is a musical and artistic tribute to New York City’s public hospitals and facilities at a time when it is most needed.”
The festival, which kicked off on December 5, will hold “Kids for Kids – A Celebration of Young Genius” at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, which is located at 35-12 35th Avenue in Long Island City, from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 12.
The holiday-themed variety show will feature tap dancing legend Omar Edwards, who will be joined by his daughter Ebony. Also taking part in the event will be R&B singer Sheena Lee, Kids of Broadway and Impact Repertory Theater, among others.
Ticket prices start at $15 for children and $20 for adults.
“I have tapped all over the world and all over the world we need to help and heal each other,” Edwards said. “STAT! gives me the opportunity to use my art to bring awareness and healing energy to New York’s hospitals, officials and most of all – the people of New York, New York, my home town.”
Additional upcoming performances include:
-“The Pulse of Salsa – A Sizzling Night of Latin Groove” at the Lehman College Performing Arts Center in the Bronx at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 9.
-“World Beat – A Global Music Extravaganza” at the Brooklyn Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 10.
-“Music of the Heart – An Evening of Seasonal Music, Song & Spirit” at the Mother Zion AME Church in Manhattan at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 10.
For more information on STAT! For New York City Hospitals or to purchase tickets, visit www.stathhc.org or call 646-458-2815.