By Merle Exit
“Kol Esperanza: A New Year Celebration” kicked off the 2018-2019 season at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center and offered a glimpse of what’s to come at the venue this fall.
The Israeli-based vocal group, which made its New York debut at QPAC, returned Sept. 23 to once again grace the stage. One week later, Lonesome Traveler — a folk music sensation with guest star Noel Paul Stookey of the Peter, Paul, and Mary fame — rocked the house, with several performers slated to follow in the weeks to come.
“This season, our diverse offerings have been carefully engineered to match the eclectic tastes, budgets and calendars of our rapidly growing audience,” said QPAC’s Executive and Artistic Director Susan Again. “Our artists hail from around the world including Cuba, Israel, Russia, India and the United Kingdom. They represent an array of genres and talent at the highest level.”
Agin noted that in addition to the scheduled shows, the venue is offering a wide range of activities this season, including after school enrichment programs, cocktail parties, exercise programs and more.
“There is no shortage of good hearted fun,” Agin said.
The fun continues in October, with three events planned throughout the month.
Ballroom With A Twist will kick off the October schedule Sunday afternoon. Starring Anna Trebunskaya and Tristan MacManus, the all-star cast of six celebrity pros from “Dancing with the Stars” includes Tony Dovolani, Chelsie Hightower, Tristan McManus, Lacey Schwimmer, Karina Smirnoff, and Anna Trebuskaya.
Dancing will range from Rhumba to Salsa to Hip Hop with each performer displaying their own special “twist” during the Oct. 7 performance. The show is slated to begin at 3 p.m.
Marilyn Maye will take the stage Oct. 14 to give audiences a taste of her show, “A Piece of Cake.” Maye, 90, is Grammy-nominated recording artist who frequently appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.”
“I had performed at QPAC about four years ago with Tommy Tune and now I will be returning with longtime accompanist Ted Firth, 17 other musicians and a great big band to party,” Maye said. “It’s always a party when I work and boy, do we need a happy party time these days.” The Great American Songbook will be the musical focus of her show.
The fun doesn’t end there.
President Donald Trump is the main subject of “The Capitol Steps: Make American Grin Again,” scheduled for Oct. 21.
The cast — which portrays the president, as well as Melania Trump, James Comey, Vladimir Putin, Elizabeth Warren and Hillary Clinton — sets out to spoof the current political landscape with song parodies and other skits that are bound to draw laughs.
QPAC is located at 222-05 56th Ave. in Bayside. For tickets, call the box office at (718) 631-6311 and for more information, visit www.qcc.cuny.edu/QPAC/index.html.
