By Juan Soto
The Performing Arts Center at Queensborough Community College is raising the curtains, and just in time for Valentine’s day.
The spring program for this year will start with the performance of “Songs for Eva Perón” by internationally acclaimed Tango Buenos Aires dance company.
The dance based on one of Argentina’s most significant women figures will dazzle audiences Feb. 12 at 8 p.m.
Next up will be James Van Praagh: An Evening of Spirit. He will share his insights on how he views life and death March 21 at 8 p.m. His spiritual messages earned him guest appearances on TV programs like “Oprah,” “Nightline,” “Dr. Phil” and “The View.”
Dance will be back at the Bayside stage March 29.
It’s the day to honor tradition because the Russian National Ballet will make its visit to QPAC. Their dancers will perform the timeless fairy tale “Sleeping Beauty” at 3 p.m.
The new cultural program also includes a sold-out Lunch Time Theatre, which will take place in Great neck at a local restaurant.
According to Queensborough Community College, April 12 at 3 p.m. musical genres will be the theme of “Kenny Brawner ISRay Charles.” Brawner, from the Harlem-based Brawner Brothers Band, will perform Ray Charles’ iconic songs with his 12-piece orchestra and three vocalists. Audiences will listen to “I Got a Woman,” “What I’d Say” and “Georgia on My Mind,” among other classics.
There will be also a moment for gospel, blues, country and jazz at the hands of the The Doo Wop Project from Broadway personalities April 19 at 3 p.m. Audiences will enjoy the sounds of Smokey Robinson and The Temptations, among others.
The school also scheduled The American Jewish Symphony to play songs featuring guest artist Mike Burstyn, one of the world’s most popular Jewish entertainers. The symphony will be played April 26 at 3 p.m.
Drama will also be on stage at the campus.
Chazz Palminteri will perform May 3 a one-man version of “A Bronx Tale,” a movie with actor Robert de Niro.
Palminteri has won an Outer Critics Circle award for acting and writing the play. He also wrote the screenplay version of “A Bronx Tale” and played Sonny in the movie.
The grand finale of the season will be dedicated to comedy. Peter Story, who stars in the one-man theatrical adaptation of the book “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus,” will hold a special show that will also serve as a fund-raiser. The performance, scheduled for May 9 at 8 p.m., is expected to draw big laughs as he examines hilarious twists and turns of dating and marriage appearing in John Gray’s book.
Reach reporter Juan Soto by e-mail at jsoto@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4564.
