Two Queens natives came together at one of New York City’s most iconic restaurants this April to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month through the power of music and inclusion.
Ellen’s Stardust Diner, the famed retro-themed eatery in Manhattan’s Theater District known for its singing waitstaff, hosted a special performance by American Idol contestant and neurodivergent musician Shane Dan Turner—who grew up in Far Rockaway and began his music career busking in the subway stations of Queens.
Turner, a self-taught singer-songwriter with more than 50 original songs and nearly 600 covers memorized, was honored during the event with an honorary “Mr. Subway” poster. The tribute drew a direct connection between his early musical roots in the MTA system and the diner’s own subway-themed legacy.
The moment also symbolized a homecoming of sorts, as Ellen Hart, the diner’s owner, grew up in Jamaica in Queens. Hart launched her entertainment career in 1959 after being crowned Miss Subway, making Turner’s recognition all the more meaningful. Turner now resides on Long Island.
During the event, Turner performed moving renditions of Bob Dylan’s “Girl from the North Country” and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” earning applause from a crowd of New Yorkers and tourists alike.
Joining the celebration was NYC-based nonprofit Luv Michael, which provides job training and employment for individuals with autism in the culinary arts. The organization’s employee, Christian Cardiello, also performed.
Throughout April, the diner is offering a special menu item—the Empower Shake made with Luv Michael granola—with 20% of proceeds going to support the nonprofit’s mission.
Opened in 1987, Ellen’s Stardust Diner was the first 1950s-themed restaurant in New York City and has since become a cultural landmark. The diner’s waitstaff, made up of aspiring Broadway performers, famously sing for patrons while serving classic comfort food. Over the years, the restaurant has appeared in films and television, including New Year’s Eve and American Idol, where a former employee, Devyn Rush, became a contestant.
