By Naeisha Rose
Vendors, nonprofit organizations, jewelers and artists from all over the city will be at the second annual Sutphin Boulevard BID Harvest Festival next weekend.
The festival is slated to run Sept. 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Jamaica, stretching from Hillside Avenue to Jamaica Avenue on Sutphin Boulevard, according to Sutphin Blvd. BID Executive Director Glenn Greenidge
“There will be crocheters, book publishers and writers, we will have some jewelry, clothing from local people,” Greenidge said, whoa added that the festival is about building the community.
During the festivities, there will be a tribute to music legend Aretha Franklin, who died Aug. 16 after losing her battle to pancreatic cancer. Performing some of her hit songs will be R&B music group Right Direction, according to Greenidge.
“We are going to have some music selections from a music school,” added Greenidge.
While the Right Direction covers R&B music old and new, Ashley Keiko Chambers and her students from Keiko Studios — located at 212-26 Jamaica Ave. in Queens Village — will perform classical numbers.
The Raleigh Hall Gospel Group Prazim, a gospel group led by Jamaica native Raleigh Hall, will also perform.
On the turntables with some disco and socially conscious rap from the 80s to present day will be DJ Knoxx.
There will also be a space dedicated for children filled with games and rides, according to Greenidge.
“There will be a bouncy house,” said Greenidge. “There will also be a free martial arts demonstration for the public.”
Providing the lessons will be martial art experts from Sirat As-Sayf International MMA & Fitness Center — located at 135-01 Liberty Ave. in Richmond Hill.
“They do martial arts back to school specials, they teach women, they teach men and they also teach law enforcement as well,” Greenidge said.
Attendees should also come ready to eat, as there will be Jamaican, Colombian, Guatemalan, German, Italian, Brazilian and Latin food available at the festival, according to Greenidge.
Members of Hot Trotters, a part of NYC Hoopers, will present hula-hoop demonstrations to help combat cardiovascular disease will, according to Greenidge.
“This is just a flavor of the local talent,” said Greenidge.
Reach reporter Naeisha Rose by e-mail at nrose
