Contact: Karin Venegas, karin@anatgerstein.com, 347-361-7049
Sandra Tharas, sandra@anatgerstein.com, 347-361-7068
Virtual Audiences Can Enjoy A Diverse Lineup of Comedy and Music at Flushing Town Hall This April
—Crazy Talented Asians & Friends returns with a live comedy show—
— Celebrate International Jazz Day with David Ostwald’s Louis Armstrong Eternity Band live on stage—
—Visit www.flushingtownhall.org for tickets or to donate in support of the nonprofit—
(Flushing, N.Y.)—This April, Flushing Town Hall goes all out with an incredibly diverse lineup of jazz and comedy events. As New York City slowly reopens, the cultural nonprofit continues to present its programs to an all-virtual audience while livestreaming small ensembles from its stage.
Audiences can look forward to a multicultural April calendar that includes Crazy Talented Asians & Friends and the eclectic, new sounds of Moskitto Bar, plus events honoring Jazz Appreciation Month featuring David Ostwald’s Louis Armstrong Eternity Band, Flushing Town Hall’s Monthly Jazz Jam, and a new Jazz 101series with esteemed jazz researcher and educator Ben Young.
Crazy Talented Asians & Friends - Live Comedy
On Saturday, April 17, 2021, Flushing Town Hall presents the return of Crazy Talented Asians & Friends with a new comedy show, “Triumphing Over Quarantine.” Highlighting Asian American perspectives and experiences during the global pandemic, the virtual event kicks off at 8:00 PM (ET). These rising East and South Asian American comedy talents will share their struggles and triumphs over the pandemic through the lens of sketch and stand-up comedy. Flushing Town Hall will present this special, FREE event on its YouTube channel.
Mr. Otter Lee, who plays Otter Lin on Stephen Colbert Presents: Tooning Out the News, returns to host this exciting event. He will be joined by Overstep Comedy, whose Manhattan shows frequently sell out, and other talented comedians and special guests, including Jatin Chhugani, Patricia Dinglasan, Vivek Netrakanti, Becky Yamamoto, and Angel Yau.
The event will also pay a Memorial Tribute to Corky Lee, the legendary journalistic photographer who passed away due to COVID-19 in January 2021. Furthermore, the event will also feature the NYC Chinatown small business community and Patrick Mock, the manager of 46 Mott Bakery, which has been delivering meals to hospitals and the elderly since the onset of the pandemic.
Looking ahead, Crazy Talented Asians & Friends will continue in May with an evening of animated short films selected from several hundreds of submissions to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
Jazz 101 course
Esteemed jazz researcher and educator Ben Young is returning to Flushing Town Hall for a new Jazz 101 lecture series, a survey of the history of Jazz music, held weekly over eight, two-hour sessions from April 6 to May 25. The course is designed for listeners at all experience levels and presented in a lecture format, without tests, quizzes or grades, and anyone is invited to ask any questions.
Using historic Jazz recordings, Ben Young will illustrate where the music came from, how it works, and how the styles have evolved. Participants will also explore Jazz in the socio-historical context of 20th Century America. The course is centered on enjoying great music and the rich stories of those figures who shaped the music.
The series kicks off on April 6 at 7 PM ET with a course on “Introduction & Back Story,” and continues with Jazz in New Orleans (4/13/2021, 7 PM ET), The Jazz Age (4/20/2021, 7 PM ET), The Swing Era (4/27/2021, 7 PM ET), Bebop (5/4/2021, 7 PM ET), Expansion (5/11/2021, 7 PM ET), Fusions (5/18/2021, 7 PM ET) and wraps up with Jazz Today (5/25/2021, 7 PM ET). Details about each course can be found here.
Instructor Ben Young has spent 25 years doing first-person research into the history of Jazz music. On New York’s WKCR-FM, he hosted programs covering the gamut of Jazz and modern improvised music. Since 2010, he has taught courses in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Swing University program. Ben Young has produced, annotated or researched several hundred historical jazz reissues, most prominently for Triple Point Records, which he founded in 2009. He is presently director of the Jazz History Database at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and his forthcoming biography of pianist Cecil Taylor will be published in 2022.
"Remembering the Past and Celebrating the Future" with David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band
In celebration of International Jazz Day on April 30, Flushing Town Hall will livestream from its stage David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band in a performance titled "Remembering the Past and Celebrating the Future" on Friday, April 30 at 7:00 PM (ET). The ticketed show will be viewable via YouTube.
David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band is perhaps best known for its more than two decades’ run of weekly performances at Manhattan’s Birdland and as a leading East Coast protagonist of the early Jazz music that was born in New Orleans and is now ubiquitous. Their concert "Remembering the Past and Celebrating the Future" will pay homage to Louis Armstrong, who lived in Corona, Queens, and the multitude of other great Jazz icons who made Queens their home: Chick Corea, Jimmy Heath, Clark Terry, Ella Fitzgerald, John Coltrane, Tony Bennett, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, and many others.
The live-streamed performance additionally will honor the next generation of Jazz musicians, including participants in Flushing Town Hall’s monthly Louis Armstrong Legacy Jazz Jam.
Following the performance on April 30 at 7:00 PM (ET) will be a live artist talk and Q&A moderated by Flushing Town Hall’s Jazz Producer Clyde Bullard. Audience members can submit questions at any time during the show in the Youtube Live chat. The performance will be only available to ticketed viewers. Tickets are available online for $5.00 (plus a $1 convenience fee).
Monthly Virtual Jazz Jam
Flushing Town Hall’s popular monthly Virtual Jazz Jam: Celebrating the Legacy of Louis Armstrong is supported by the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation and has been led by Astoria resident Carol Sudhalter. House band members include such illustrious musicians as Joe Vincent Tranchina, Scott Neumann and Eric Lemon, who pay tribute to the great Louis Armstrong, performing songs associated with the legendary trumpeter/vocalist every month.
Marking one year since first going online amid the pandemic, Flushing Town Hall’s wildly popular monthly jams continue to draw participants from far across the globe as well as close to home. This month’s theme celebrates both National Jazz Appreciation Month and Poetry Month on Wednesday, April 14 at 7:00 PM (ET).
Musicians interested in participating should email education@flushingtownhall.org with the suggested three- to four-minute tune they intend to play. The performance can be live or a pre-recorded audio or video (but not a professional, edited recording such as a CD or YouTube video). Musicians who previously performed are now welcome to return. Selection is on a first-come, first-served basis. Anyone is invited to listen and can simply tune in to Flushing Town Hall’s Facebook page or Zoom on Wednesday, April 14 at 7:00 PM (ET) to join the live event for free, without registration.
Moskitto Bar
In partnership with Ottawa's National Arts Centre's Fridays at the Fourth, Flushing Town Hall presents Moskitto Bar on Friday, April 23 at 7:00 PM ET.
Moskitto Bar defines the new sound that was created in the multicultural hub of Toronto with a highly original combination of Ukrainian, Balkan, Iraqi Middle Eastern, and French Celtic musical influences. The project was initiated by Tangi Ropars when he met newcomers Yura, from Ukraine, and Ahmed, from Iraq. In June 2016, during a gathering in Northern Ontario, they met every day in the woods to share and teach each other their respective melodies and rhythms. As they were playing, the rural Ontario mosquitos, were joyfully feasting on the multicultural group inspiring their eponymous name. Almost two years later, the trio connected with the notable violin player, Fethi Nadjem, freshly landed from Algeria, adding his flavor to the sound mix. More than the music and despite their diverse traditions, political and social stories, the band members share a deeper connection rooted in a mutual love and respect for each other and a common desire to spread messages of unity.
The event will be streamed on Flushing Town Hall's YouTube channel. Tickets are required to receive the live link and a reminder before the show.
FOR CALENDAR LISTINGS:
Tuesday, April 6 to May 25, weekly at 7:00 PM (ET)
Jazz 101 Lecture Series with Ben Young
Cost: $10/$7 Members for individual class; $56/$40 Members for all 8 classes
Beginning April 6, jazz researcher and educator Ben Young will teach a weekly Jazz 101 lecture. Held over eight two-hour sessions once/week, the course surveys the history of Jazz music and is designed for listeners at all experience levels. Using historic Jazz recordings, Ben Young will illustrate where the music came from, how it works, and how the styles have evolved.
Wednesday, April 14 at 7:00 PM (ET)
Louis Armstrong Legacy Virtual Jazz Jam
Free
Led by Carol Sudhalter and the FTH house band, the monthly jam invites up to 15 musicians from around the world and right here in Queens to play a tune on the month’s theme celebrating Jazz & Poetry Month. To participate, musicians should email education@flushingtownhall.org and identify their intended three- to four-minute piece. All members of the public are welcome to join the virtual audience for this event.
Saturday, April 17 at 8:00PM (ET)
Crazy Talented Asians & Friends: An Evening of Live Comedy – Triumphing Over Quarantine!
Free
Flushing Town Hall is proud to present Crazy Talented Asians & Friends’ live showcase of Asian American comedians. With the global COVID pandemic in its 2nd year, this program shares the experience of triumphing over quarantine through powerful storytelling in sketch, stand up, and other forms of comedy. The event will be streamed live on Flushing Town Hall's YouTube channel. RSVP required.
Friday, April 23 at 7:00 PM (ET)
Moskitto Bar
Cost: $5 (plus a $1 convenience fee)
Flushing Town Hall co-streams the live performance of Moskitto Bar, an eclectic ensemble combining a beautiful mix of Ukrainian, Balkan, Iraqi Middle-Eastern and French Celtic music. The event will be streamed on Flushing Town Hall's YouTube channel. Tickets are required to receive the live link.
Friday, April 30 at 7:00 PM (ET)
David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band: "Remembering the Past and Celebrating the Future
Cost: $5 (plus a $1 convenience fee)
A livestreamed concert from the theatre at Flushing Town Hall on International Jazz Day performed by David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band in honor of the historic legacy of Jazz in Queens and celebrating new generations of Jazz musicians followed by a live Q&A with the musicians.
NEW WEBSITE
Flushing Town Hall is excited to announce the launch of its redesigned website: https://www.flushingtownhall.org. The new site improves access to online events, educational programming, artist services, and rental availabilities. It also features a brand new PRESS ROOM with the latest press releases and news coverage. As always, it remains a great source for information about the history and mission of the organization, as well as important contact and community engagement information.
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Most of Flushing Town Hall’s FTH At Home! virtual programming is presented for free to the general public but donations in any amount are appreciated to support the artists and the nonprofit cultural organization as they continue to provide programming and entertainment across New York and the world.
Flushing Town Hall’s facilities are temporarily closed to the public in accordance with COVID-19 safety regulations. Current programs are being presented virtually.
About Flushing Town Hall
Flushing Town Hall (FTH), a Smithsonian affiliate, presents multi-disciplinary global arts that engage and educate the global communities of Queens and New York City, in order to foster mutual appreciation. As advocates of arts equity since 1979, we support local, immigrant, national, and international artists, developing partnerships and collaborations that enhance our efforts. As a member of New York City’s Cultural Institutions Group (CIG), we serve to restore, manage and program the historic 1862 landmark on behalf of the City of New York. FTH celebrates the history of Queens as the home of Jazz, by presenting the finest in Jazz performance. We are committed to arts education and hands-on learning, for the arts-curious, arts enthusiasts, and professional artists. We serve one of the most diverse communities in the world and strive to uphold the legacy of inclusiveness that has defined our community since the Flushing Remonstrance of 1657.
Land Acknowledgement:
Flushing Town Hall acknowledges that we are on the traditional land of the Matinecock People, one of the original tribes of New York, and the first people of Flushing, Queens. The Matinecock continue to live and work on this land to this day. Flushing Town Hall honors their elders who have stewarded this land throughout generations.
COVID-19:
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, while our venue remains temporarily closed in accordance with social distancing guidelines, we are proudly presenting performances, exhibitions, panel discussions, and educational activities online through our virtual initiatives, FTH at Home! and Global Arts for Global Kids.
Although we cannot list every donor, Flushing Town Hall is grateful for all gifts received and wishes to thank everyone for their ongoing generosity
Special thanks to the Howard Gilman Foundation, Flushing Town Hall was able to purchase equipment needed to live stream and record from its theatre.
Louis Armstrong Legacy Virtual Jazz Jam is supported in part by a grant from The Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation.
Crazy Talented Asians & Friends: An Evening of Live Comedy – Triumphing Over Quarantine! is sponsored by a generous anonymous donor. Flushing Town Hall thanks the sponsor and the numerous community volunteers and viewers for your strong support.
Flushing Town Hall greatly appreciates the supporters of our current campaign, Step Up for Flushing Town Hall, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are able and willing to help, please click here to learn more and donate today. Special thanks to our Step Up Campaign donors with gifts of $100 and above: Karen Argueta, Maria Arias, Henry Assael, Christopher Banks, Barbara Banks Schwam, Beverly Bartow, Geraldine Benfante, Carol Bennett, Seth Bornstein, Larue Brathwaite, Anne Bresnahan, Claire Bullard, Jenna Capeci, Calvin Chan, Dongshin Chang, Christopher Chen, Cecilia Cheng, Amy Chin, Wanda Chin, David Creed, Jacob Eichenbaum, David Fesser, Ellen Fisher-Turk, Karen Fitzgerald, Paul Foster, Emma Frankel, Andrew Garson, Howard Graf (Graf & Lewent Architects), Anat Gerstein, Heather Harrison, Alan Heilbron, Susan Hennessy, Carolee Hildenbrandt, Rhenaye Hornsby, Timothy Hosking, Ming-I Huang, Raymond Jasen, Carmen Jimenez, Andrew Karp, Amir Kassam, Adrienne Kivelson, Bob Kodadek, Saul Kupferberg, Carol Leaf, Stephanie Lee, Anne Lewent, Judith Lewent, Steve Lewent, James Liao, Jeri Lim, Meiling Liu, Stephanie Long, Martha Ma, Frank Macchio, Rob Mackay, Sandra Mann, Pamela Marquez, Steve Marston, William McClure, Steven Mecca, Cynthia Merkle, Chi Mo, Lee Nash, Sandra Nash, Rochelle Nechin, Albert Niu, TeHsing Niu, The Ong Family Foundation, Jessica Peña, Kimberly Phelan, Mary and Oscar Pollock, Ryan Powers, Qi Shu Fang Peking Opera Association, Richard Quatrano, Mira Rubens, Teresa Salles, Jeffrey Schneider, Roslyn Schwersenz, Tina Seligman, Dominique Sellers, Alice Sharp, Thomas Simmons, Mike Sperendi & Jan Schneider, Sheila Sweeney, Jean Tatge, Marsha Toma, Veronica Tsang, WAC Lighting, Tai-nin Wang, Jill Ward, Daryl Ware, David and Elsie Werber, Robert and Karla Wishnick, Edwina and Eldwin Wong, Lucy Wong, Jon Yanofsky, Mimi Yeung.
Flushing Town Hall is a not for profit organization which receives major support from the National Endowment for the Arts; New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature; New York State Assembly Member Ron Kim; The City of New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio; New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Commissioner Gonzalo Casals; Queens Borough President Donovan Richards; The New York City Council, Speaker Corey Johnson, and Council Members Costa Constantinides, Daniel Dromm, Barry Grodenchik, Peter Koo, Karen Koslowitz, Paul A. Vallone, and Jimmy Van Bramer; and the Howard Gilman Foundation, the Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, and the Booth Ferris Foundation.
Support for our programs is also provided by Acrobuffos/Seth Bloom & Christina Gelsone, Angela An, Robin Bell-Stevens, Viviana M. Benitez, Dongjiang Bi, Cathay Bank, Douglass Chan, Amy Mak Chan, Calvin W. Chan, Sharon Chen, Ginger Chinn, Dr. Hsing-Lih Chou/New York Institute of Culture and the Arts, Con Edison, Crossings TV, Exploring the Metropolis, Kuang-Yu Fong/Chinese Theatre Works, Barbara Garii, Matthew Goldner, Howard Graf & Kathy Donovan, Guru Krupa Foundation, Lily Han, Heather Harrison, Belinda Pilin Hsu, Alice & Steve Huang, Hung Pin Hung, Investors Foundation, Raymond D. Jasen, the Jim Henson Foundation, Ellen Kodadek, the Laura B. Vogler Foundation, Nelson Lee/Flushing Bank, Janet T. Leow, Anne Lewent, James S. Liao, Emily Lin/Lin & Loveall Foundation, Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Frank Macchio, Materials for the Arts, William McClure/Queens College, Mets Foundation, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, Jassy Z. Min, New York Chinese Chorus, Northwell Health, TeHsing Niu, Carlos Ortiz, Queens Art Education Center/Arthur Liu, Richard Quantaro, Queens Courier, Resorts World, Camillo Reyes, RuDance/Asian American Dance Sport Corp., Dominique Sellers, Helen Shieh, Richard Siu, Curtis Smith, Mike Sperendi & Jan Schneider, Taipei Cultural Center in New York, Michael Tang, Veronica Tsang, Tai & Tony Wang/Glow Foundation, Jay Wegman, Constance Wingate, Lucy Wong, Anna Wu, Minwen Yang, Hank Yeh, Sandy Yeh, Shane Yeh, and Angela Qi Zhang.
We have done our best to recognize donations correctly, but should your recognition be incorrect, please contact Jessica Peña, Director of Development, at jpena@flushingtownhall.org.
For more information:
www.flushingtownhall.org
(718) 463-7700 x222
137-35 Northern Blvd. Flushing, NY 11354