via Eventbrite
Aug 23, 2024 By Shane O’Brien
A three-ring circus is coming to Culture Lab LIC next month as part of the art gallery’s annual gala fundraiser.
“The Grand Carnaval,” which is scheduled to take place between 7 and 10 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12, will bring a night of 1930s circus flair to Culture Lab, located at 5-25 46th Ave.
The event will feature live music, DJ performances, and a number of circus acts, including fire dancers and Fall Fest aerialists. A number of emerging artists with residencies at Culture Lab in 2024 will also hold performance art exhibitions during the event.
House of Chow – an Asian hip-hop group with a performing artist residency at Culture Lab – will perform a sneak peek of their show “The Woman in Red, The Child in Blue”, which is set to take place at Culture Lab from Nov. 21-24.
Edjo Wheeler, Executive Director of Culture Lab, said preparations for the upcoming gala have been in the works since last year’s nautical-themed gala.
“It takes a tremendous amount of planning, but we’ve been talking about this theme since the end of the last Gala last October,” Wheeler said. “We are very performance-heavy at our gala, so you have to coordinate all the talent.
Photo courtesy of House of Chow/Culture Lab.
“All of the staff here are very dedicated to making this work. We’re not just throwing a fundraiser; we’re throwing a themed party for the people supporting us.”
Wheeler promised that the upcoming event will be “exciting,” adding that aerialists will serve guests champagne “from the ceiling” during the upcoming gala.
The event will also feature food and drinks from a local food vendor, Wheeler said.
Culture Lab will also honor three local groups at the upcoming gala as part of its annual awards, including its Community Impact, Outstanding Creative Contribution and Helping Hands awards.
Aerial performers with Fall Fest perform at Culture Lab. Courtesy of Fall Fest/Culture Lab
IndieSpace, which provides equity-focused funding to individual artists, theater companies and indie venues throughout New York City, has received the 2024 Community Impact award in honor of the organization’s efforts to disrupt ongoing displacement and demand social and economic equity.
Karesia Batan and Queensboro Dance Festival will receive the Outstanding Creative Contribution award at the upcoming gala. Wheeler said the organization does “so much” for the local community, adding that it boasts very close ties to Culture Lab.
“Karesia Batan and Queensboro Dance Festival do so much for the community,” Wheeler said. “She’s had so many performances here that we really consider her to be a partner in our creative outlet.”
The Helping Hands award, which Wheeler described as the “non-artistic” annual award, will be awarded to the Remix Market LIC management team at the upcoming gala. The company supports local non-profits by donating creative furniture and goods to make spaces more vibrant and usable.
“They’re just really wonderful community partners and perform a really valuable service,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler said the annual gala is an integral part of Culture Lab’s fundraising, while it also gives local businesses an opportunity to support a non-profit that plays an active and important role in the local community.
“The annual gala is a major portion of our annual fundraising,” Wheeler said. “It is where we get to hear directly from the community and get support from them in ticket sales. It’s also an opportunity for local businesses to give back to what Culture Lab ultimately offers this community.”
To purchase tickets for the upcoming gala fundraiser or to make a donation to Culture Lab, click here.
Culture Lab is open four days a week, from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and from 2 to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
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