News From The Queens Tourism Council
Elvis impersonators, African drummers, hip-hop sensation J. Cole, piano virtuosos, classical quartets and roots musicians are coming to Queens.
And keeping with the melodic theme, the Museum of the Moving Image launches a series dedicated to showing major films with singing and dancing extravaganzas this week, starting with All That Jazz and The Sound of Music. It sounds so good!
Here’s the rundown.
– Friday, Jan. 24, Alex Blake Quartet, 8 p.m. Blake is a modern bass virtuoso recognized for his mastery of the classical upright bass and the electric bass. From classical fingering and guitar-like strumming of intricate melodic patterns to resounding slapping and vibrant staccatos, he produces a full range of harmonies and rhythms. $15. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., www.flushingtownhall.org.
– Friday, Jan. 24, All That Jazz, 7 p.m. The Museum of the Moving Image (MMI) presents the See It Big: Musicals series featuring films with singing and dancing extravaganzas. All That Jazz is director Bob Fosse’s dazzling, partly autobiographical, partly fantastical musical, largely filmed in Astoria. The star is a boozy, pill-addled choreographer negotiating a love life and a career. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, www.movingimage.us.
– Saturday, Jan. 25, Chamber Classics with a Modern Spin, 7:30 p.m. Musica Reginae Productions presents PUBLIQuartet, a hot string quartet, with a program featuring works by Haydn, Ligeti, David Soldier, Howie Kenty and Jessie Montgomery. At least one of the living composers is expected to attend the concert and reception. $12 to $22/free for children under 13. The Church-in-the-Gardens, 50 Ascan Ave., Forest Hills, www.musicareginae.org.
– Saturday, Jan. 25, Akoko Nante Ensemble, 3 p.m. This Queens-based, Pan-African percussion and vocal ensemble presents music harvested from the palaces of Ghana, the groves of Haiti and the seaside shanties of Cuba. Free. Queens Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica, www.queenslibrary.org.
– Saturday, Jan. 25, Natural Facials, 10:30 a.m. With soothing music and scented candles creating a relaxing atmosphere, children combine natural products such as cucumbers, honey, mint, crushed almonds and egg whites to cleanse and soften their skin. Must preregister at 1-718-229-4000. Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston, www.alleypond.org.
– Saturday, Jan. 25, Blue Suede Birthday: The Elvis Bash, 8 p.m. Master performers Scot Bruce and Mike Albert deliver an Elvis experience with superb reverence and a purity that will give you chills. Bruce opens performing his renditions of the early hits, and then Albert takes over the look of the later years with dazzling jump suits. $40. Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside, www.visitqpac.org.
– Saturday, Jan. 25, The Sound of Music, 2 p.m. The Museum of the Moving Image presents the See It Big: Musicals series featuring films with singing and dancing extravaganzas. The Sound of Music is an adaptation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway show that bursts with unforgettable songs and glorious CinemaScope images shot on location in Salzburg, Austria. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, www.movingimage.us.
– Saturday, Jan. 25, D.B. Rielly, 10 p.m. Award-winning Roots musician D.B. Rielly performs a wide-ranging collection of Americana music, spanning several genres including Roots, Zydeco, Blues and Alt-Country. He promises his listeners an “instantaneous cure for all afflictions.” Free. Daly’s Pub, 31-86 31st St., Astoria/LIC.
– Saturday, Jan. 25, A Tribute to Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and Sammy Davis Jr., 3 p.m. Thom Mitchell serenades with classics such as “The Lady Is a Tramp” and “Mack the Knife.” Free. Jackson Heights Library, 35-51 81th St., www.queenslibrary.org.
– Sunday, Jan. 26, Winter Dance Party, 2:30 p.m. The Latin American Cultural Center of Queens warms up winter with a variety of Latin American rhythms interpreted by musician Francisco Cantilo. Free. El Paraiso Tropical, 102-11 42nd Ave., Corona, 1-718-261-7664.
– Sunday, Jan. 26, Love Me Tonight, 3:30 p.m; Gigi, 6 p.m. The Museum of the Moving Image presents the See It Big: Musicals series featuring films with singing and dancing extravaganzas. Love Me Tonight stars Maurice Chevalier as a jovial tailor who tries to collect on a bill from a count and falls in love with a princess. In Gigi, the CinemaScope frame is crammed with exquisite detail in this musical about a young girl’s coming-of-age in wealthy turn-of-the-century Paris. This film won nine Oscars, including Best Picture, Director, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design, Song and Score. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, www.movingimage.us.
– Monday, Jan. 27, J. Cole, 9:30 p.m. J. Cole, the Grammy nominated hip-hop sensation headlines this VH1 Super Bowl Blitz concert hosted by Nick Cannon and Stacy Keibler. $37.50. Colden Auditorium at Kupferberg Center, vicinity of Kissena Boulevard and Horace Harding Expressway, Flushing, www.kupferbergcenter.org.
– Tuesday, Jan. 28, Tuesday Morning Music Club of Douglaston, 11 a.m. Pianist Hannah Wang plays two compositions by M. Ravel and two compositions by C. Debussy. Expect a guest artist and post-concert sandwich lunch. Douglaston Community Church, 39-15, Douglaston Pkwy., 1-516-466-4034.
– Wednesday, Jan. 29, Queens College Choral Society Auditions, 6 p.m. Experience the joy of choral singing and perform in Felix Mendelssohn’s Elijah on May 17. The society welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds. Auditions consist of basic singing skills, and no preparation is necessary. Queens College Music Building, Room 246, Reeves Avenue, Flushing, www.qcchoralsociety.org or James John at 1-718-997-3818.
“It’s In Queens” column is produced by the Queens Tourism Council with the hope that readers will enjoy the borough’s attractions.
