NORTHEAST QUEENS NEWS BRIEFS

Community Blood Drive

Glen Oaks – The Glen Oaks Volunteer Ambulance Corps (VAC) is holding an EMS week blood drive open to the public from May 15 to 21. The VAC will be hosting a community blood drive for the New York Blood Center.

The drive will be held at 257-02 Union Turnpike on Tuesday, May 17, from 2:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Healthy people of all blood types and ethnicities are encouraged to donate. Call 718-347-1637 for more information and to schedule an appointment.

Casting Call

Bayside – Theatre by the Bay is calling on interested performers to audition for their production of Irving Berlin’s “Annie Get Your Gun.”

The audition will take place on Tuesday, June 14, at 7:30 p.m. and on Thursday, June 16, at 7:30 p.m. at the Bay Terrace Jewish Center at 13-00 209th Street.

Available are acting, singing, dancing and chorus parts for the performance. Rehearsals will start in August and the performances are scheduled for November.

Men, women, children and teenagers are sought. For additional information, contact 718-428-6363.

Opening Ceremony for Talent Contest

Flushing – Chinese television station NYTV8 will kick off its annual talent competition with a free opening event at Sky View Center on Saturday, May 21, at 12 p.m.

Previous grand prize winners will take to the stage, showcasing a variety of musical and dance talents.

The competition takes place over three rounds, open to contestants with one or more talents in singing, dancing, martial arts, magic, comic skills and more. The competition will span the boroughs, with the first auditions held at the Sky View mall on July 9.

The center is located at 40-24 College Point Boulevard. For additional information, visit www.shopskyviewcenter.com or www.nytv8.com/nytc-2011/.

St. Mary’s Hospital Grand Marshall

Elmont – A child from St. Mary’s Hospital was chosen to be a Grand Marshall to help lead the Walk for St. Mary’s Kids and Family Fun Day on Sunday, May 22, at Belmont Park.

The annual Walk for St. Mary’s Kids brings together staff, patients, friends and family to raise funds and awareness to provide care for patients.

Walkers will unite at Belmont Park for a day of free family activities like games, face painting, arts and crafts and live entertainment. Also there will be Jilli Dog, the world’s only poker-playing dog.

To sponsor or participate in the walk, register at www.events.stmaryskids.org or call 718-281-8817.