Flushing Town Hall has launched its fall season with something for everybody and for all ages.
Latin roots and Cuban rhythms (Sept. 22), Garifuna music from Belize, Honduras and Guatemala (Oct. 6), Afro-Venezuelan rhythms and dance (Oct. 21), Mexican folk dances (Dec. 3), and rhythms and dance movements from the Ivory Coast (Dec. 9) are on the schedule of the Flushing Town Hall fall lineup.
Entitled “Global Arts for a Global Community,” jazz, world music, dance, family programs, exhibitions and workshops are all part of the fall programming that began last week and extends into December.
Council Member Peter Koo with other polititians who represent Flushing and nearby neighborhoods recently helped promote the upcoming season to the media. “They say this is the Lincoln Center of Queens,” he touted,
referring to the programming held in Flushing Town Hall, the historic building on Northern Boulevard that was once the seat of government when Flushing was a village.
“Culture is a central part of life,” he said. “You can explore the world at Flushing Town Hall.”
Flushing Town Hall and Artistic Director Ellen Kodadek says, “There is always something to discover and something to inspire.”
This year’s schedule is filled with something for all ages. The season of performances presents Taiwanese folk-pop-alt rock music, Latin roots dance music with Cuban rhythms, classical music, monthly jazz jam sessions (Oct. 4, Nov. 1, Dec. 6), Garifuna melodies, rhythms and jazz, big band, Afro-Venezuelan music, jazz masters, Korean world music, and poetry, music and story. The Queens Opera Theater wraps up the season in mid-December.
In addition there will be an artist-presenter dialogue, a Moth story slam, a photography exhibit, an afternoon of poetry, music, and story, and a collage workshop,
“We also will present global arts for global kids,” Kodadek adds, referring to afternoon programs with family and children in mind.
These include, Oct. 15, one of the most kid-focused days, when families will sing and dance to rhythms in an interactive arts workshop (1 pm) followed by a performance (2:15 pm) from Latin Grammy-winning artist 123 Andres. On Oct. 29, the Hindu festival of lights Diwali will be celebrated. The Calpulli Community’s children and adults will performing Mexican folk dances on Dec. 3 and Vado Diomande & Kotchegna Dance Company from the Ivory Coast on Dec. 9 will direct an interactive rhythm and dance workshop followed by a performance, with the joyful dances of the Ivory Coast.
A historic afternoon house tour and market shepherds in the holiday season on Dec. 10 by visiting (with the help of a mini-bus) seven sites that will offer special activities and refreshments.
In addition, this is the second season of the Teen Access Program. Flushing Town Hall is opening its doors to teenagers for free. All 13-to 19-year-old boys and girls (whether a member or not) will be welcomed to attend any performance for free. This program is designed to appeal to students and help foster a greater love in the arts and culture.
For a list of Flushing Town Hall’s performance events including festivals, tours, exhibitions and dance visit www.flush
