July 18, 2017 By Nathaly Pesantez
An international music festival is coming to Sunnyside Gardens Park (48-21 39th Avenue) this weekend, with three live musical acts, food trucks, family activities and beer.
Queens United International Party, as the event is called, will take place on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., rain or shine.
The festival will start with music from the Brooklyn Raga Massive, an Indian classical musician collective representing “raga” inspired music, and will feature internationally renowned Indian mandolin player Snehasish Mozumder.
At 6 p.m., the Akoko Nante Ensemble, a five-person percussion and vocal group based in Queens, will play Pan African music.
Radio Jarocho, a band playing jarocho music from Veracruz, Mexico, will top off the night of performances, with a show at 7:30 p.m.
Rob Weisberg, a DJ for the Transpacific Sound Paradise segment of the Jersey City based independent community radio station WFMU, will play mixes between sets.
There will be plenty to eat and drink at the event, with Indonesian, Mexican, and Halal food available. There will also be craft beer and wine.
The event has taken two months to plan and was conceived by writer Adam DeGraff, who has lived in Sunnyside for four years.
“There are so many cultures in Queens,” DeGraff said about his thought process in creating the event. “I thought of something that was about diversity and inclusivity and welcoming everybody.”
“Seeing everybody dance and get into the spirit of the music is what I’m most looking forward to,” DeGraff said.
There is no admission fee. However, a $5 donation is suggested.
More information on the event can be found on the Sunnyside Gardens Park site or on the Facebook event page.
