Kupferberg Center for the Arts is turning Queens into a summer season-long stage from June 1 to August 27, where across three borough-wide series, audiences can take part in a summer full of excitement through live music, workshops and cultural programming. Best of all, the events are free and open to public. In that case, bring your picnic blanket and dancing shoes.
Queens Rising returns for its fifth season with the theme “One Borough, Infinite Voices.” All in all, the series celebrates the multidisciplinary artists and multicultural communities that define the borough. Through performances, exhibitions and cultural events, the lineup markedly highlights the diversity that shapes Queens’ identity.
“Queens Rising” Schedule
Thursdays in June – Queens Public Library branches
Culture Pass series featuring Fiona Harvey, Rashmi, Yahir Montes, and Katha Cato.
Thursday, June 4 – Culture Lab LIC
Pride Month celebration.
Friday, June 5 – Allure Art Academy
“Down With The King” visual arts exhibition opening.
Saturday, June 6 – Queens Night Market
Food, music, and performance featuring circus arts, DJs, and live bands.
Friday, June 19 – Queens Theatre
Juneteenth multidisciplinary open stage.
Saturday, June 27 – Culture Lab LIC
Live performances and artisan market.
Tuesday, June 30 – The Wild Goose
Closing celebration.
Live at the Gantries returns to Long Island City without delay for free Tuesday evening concerts at 7 p.m. The series will take place in Gantry Plaza State Park, with its waterfront views balanced against the Manhattan skyline. There, audiences can experience the sultry sounds of jazz, soul, Latin and contemporary fusion performances by artists including AJOYO and Stephane Wrembel, as well as Insun Park & Generals.
“Live at the Gantries” Lineup
July 7 – AJOYO
July 14 – Ivan Llanes
July 21 – Insun Park & Generals
July 28 – La Cumbiamba eNeYé
Aug. 4 – Bartlett Contemporaries
Aug. 11 – Stéphane Wrembel
Meanwhile, the Queens Jazz Trail Concert Series will celebrate the borough’s jazz legacy with evening concerts in Queens parks. Inspired by the Queens Jazz Trail Map, the lineup will bring jazz back to the neighborhoods that once helped shape the genre in detail.
Throughout the series, audiences will emphatically experience styles ranging from Afro-Latin to New Orleans jazz. Featured performances include artists such as Arturo O’Farrill and Brass Queens, as well as Lucy Yeghiazaryan.
Moreover, Queens Jazz Trail concerts take place on Thursdays at 7 PM and are also free.
“Queens Jazz Trail” Lineup
July 9 – Travers Park | Itai Kriss & Telavana
July 16 – Baisley Pond Park | Vincent Herring & Steve Turre
July 23 – Forest Park Bandshell | Arturo O’Farrill
July 30 – Bowne Park | John Yao & His 17-Piece Instrument
Aug. 6 – Rockaway Beach Park | Wycliffe Gordon
Aug. 13 – Archie Spigner Park | Wallace Roney Jr.
Aug. 20 – Cunningham Park | Brass Queens
Aug. 27 – Astoria Park | Lucy Yeghiazaryan
