Via Flickr
May 24, 2016 By Michael Florio
The Queens Council on the Arts will celebrate its 50th anniversary, and look ahead to the next 50 years, with a dance party this week.
The organization, which seeks to enhance the Queens’ art scene, will celebrate its anniversary May 26th at LIC Landing, located at 52-10 Center Blvd., from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
DJ Rampage Global, a Los Angeles based artist, will play music by only Queens rappers, according to Hoong Yee Lee Krakauer, Executive Director of the QCA.
“All the big name rappers and musicians who came out of Queens will be celebrated,” she said.
Musicians including Nona Hendryx and Will Calhoun will perform songs all by Queens musicians.
“We will have a mix of live and DJ music,” Krakauer said. “But the theme is Queens musicians.”
Krakauer said the organization wants to take its anniversary as an opportunity to celebrate both the past and future of Queens art.
“We want to celebrate all the art that has come out of Queens the past 50 years,” she added. “But we are also celebrating the art that will come in the next 50 years.”
Those in attendance will receive food provided by COFFEED, as well as beer from Rockaway Brewery.
There will also be a photo booth and raffles with Queens experiences as prizes. These include a kayak trip provided by LIC Community Boathouse, a free ukulele and lesson at the Uke Hut on 36th Avenue, a free night stay at The Paper Factory, a basket from Kaufman Astoria Studios and certificates to local restaurants.
Tickets to attend are $75. VIP tickets cost $125. Krakauer is expecting between 100 and 150 people to attend.
The Queens Council on the Arts has worked out of Astoria since 2013, but is in gear to relocate to Hunters Point. The organization hopes to open its new space at 5-11 47th Avenue, in the Maximilian luxury apartment building, in early-to-mid 2018. Timing will be dependent on funding and construction, Krakauer said.
