By Merle Exit
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz has partnered up with various organizations to provide talent for performances at various locations, kicking off with the “Only in Queens Summer Festival Sunday” at Flushing Meadows Corona Park near the Unisphere.
The festival commemorates the anniversary of the 1939 and 1964 World’s Fairs.
“Music, food, and fun in the park are what New York summers are made of, and we’re proud to bring it all together this June,” Katz said.
In the outdoor area directly behind the Queens Museum, the Queen’s Cartoonists, Radio Jarocho, Kumbakin, FJ Music, Zikrayat and other artists will take the stage from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
“The Queens Cartoonists are dedicated to playing music from old cartoons,” said Greg Hammontree, who plays trumpet with the band. Hammontree says that their audience ranges from nostalgic adults to little kids.
Then, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Summerstage takes over as Ft. Mack Wilds, Kid ’n Play and Ginuwine perform.
But the music continues throughout the summer at venues across the borough.
Yoel Sharabi, a master of modern Israeli and Chassidic melodies, will be singing and playing the recorder with his band at MacDonald Park in Forest Hills June 28 at 6 p.m. Sharabi performed “Hatikvah,” the Israeli National Anthem, and “The Star Spangled Banner” at the former Shea Stadium for National Jewish Heritage Day back in 2007.
Nostalgia reigns in July and August, as the Alive N’ Kicken Cover Band takes their “’60s to Today” concert to two venues. On July 10, at 6 p.m. catch them in Rockaway Beach, at Beach 94th Street and Shore Front Parkway. A July 24 stint puts them at Fort Totten, Totten Avenue at Cross Island Parkway in Bayside with a 5 p.m. show.
The Metropolitan Opera continues its summer series with an enchanting evening at Socrates Sculpture Park July 11. Featured are pianist Dan Saunders with opera stars soprano Michelle Bradley, tenor Kang Wang and baritone Yunpeng Wang.
Motown with the Moonlighters takes the stage Sunday, July 31, at 5 p.m. at O’Donohue Park, Seagirt Boulevard and Beach 17th Street in Far Rockaway.
Having appeared at Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden, the Devotions share their “Sunday Kind of Love” on Aug. 7, at 5 p.m., at McNeil Park, Poppenhusen Avenue and 119th Street in College Point.
Sunday Gospel comes to Springfield Park July 17 at 5 p.m. as James Dale performs and a summer of music would not be complete without a concert from the Queens Symphony Orchestra, which is being presented Wednesday, July 27, 7 p.m., at St. John’s University.
