FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Karin Venegas, karin@anatgerstein.com, 347-361-7049
Sandra Tharas, sandra@anatgerstein.com, 347-361-7068
Flushing Town Hall Continues Soft Reopening to In-Person Audiences This August with Cameroonian Vocalist, Taiwanese Pianists, and Queens-based Visual Artists
Gino Sitson
— Free and low-cost virtual programming continues, too, with donations to support the cultural nonprofit encouraged at: flushingtownhall.org/donate—
(Flushing, N.Y.)—This August, Flushing Town Hall continues to welcome in-person audiences back for select events while continuing to live-stream all programs, too. Next up, Flushing Town Hall will present The Gino Sitson Trio’s innovative and energetic performance of African music , an outdoor exhibition of work by Queens-based artists, Taiwanese piano talents Ching-Yun Hu, Natasha Wu, and Yao-Wen Chang, and the final, virtual Louis Armstrong Legacy Jazz Jam.
“As we are carefully reopening our facilities for select events, we are delighted to welcome familiar and new faces to Flushing Town Hall,” says Executive and Artistic Director Ellen Kodadek. “Across the city, venues are reopening, and we are thrilled that we can bring local artists to our patrons while taking all necessary safety measures for our guests and performers to feel safe.”
Gino Sitson Trio: High Energy, Live Performance with In-Person Audiences
On Friday, August 20, 2021 at 7 PM ET, the Gino Sitson Trio delivers "Beautiful Vibration" - Colors of African Music, live from the stage at Flushing Town Hall for a hybrid in-person and virtual audience. Featuring award-winning, vocal virtuoso Gino Sitson with an exciting and energetic combination of new sounds, the ensemble intertwines percussive grooves, enchanting vocals, and lyrical melodies.
The Los Angeles Times calls Gino Sitson “an extraordinarily pliable voice in settings rich with melody, emotion and rhythm. His gift for melody and his persuasive powers for interpretation establish an instant connection for listeners (…) always fascinating.”
Originally from the Bamiléké region of Cameroon, Central Africa, Sitson’s family comes from a long line of Cameroonian musicians known as Ntontas ("players of horns''). His daring musical project combines jazz, gospel, blues and traditional African polyphonies, polyrhythms and melodies in a most innovative way. Outside of the music world, Sitson is also a UNICEF Cameroon Goodwill Ambassador, who is engaged in reaching out to street children and advocating for their well-being.
During his performance on August 20, Gino Sitson (voice, body percussion & compositions) is accompanied by Marvin Sewell (acoustic guitar & voice) and Lonnie Plaxico (double bass).
For this concert, Flushing Town Hall is offering both virtual and in-person tickets. In order to ensure the safety of audiences, performers, and staff, only 42 in-person tickets will be available in honor of Flushing Town Hall’s 42nd anniversary. Details about social distancing requirements should be reviewed online before purchasing in-person tickets. The performance will also be streamed live online, and virtual ticket holders will receive the live link and reminder before the show. Virtual tickets are available for $7/$5 members and in-person tickets (42 tickets only) must be purchased in advance for $12/$10 members at https://www.flushingtownhall.org/.
Louis Armstrong Legacy Virtual Jazz Jams
On Wednesday, August 11 at 7 PM ET, Flushing Town Hall will host the last virtual Louis Armstrong Legacy Jazz Jams before returning to in-person jams in September. The wildly popular virtual jams have attracted more than 200 musicians and 7,000 national and international viewers since Flushing Town Hall first closed its facility for Covid precautions in March 2020. This will also be the last jazz jam with a dedicated theme, which will celebrate the birthday of its inspiration, the legendary Louis Armstrong -- and other August birthdays!
Starting on September 8th, the monthly Louis Armstrong Legacy Jazz Jam will return to its pre-pandemic, in-person format for participating musicians the second Wednesday of the month, but it will continue streaming to viewers' homes for free.
Led by Carol Sudhalter and the wonderful house band featuring Joe Vincent Tranchina, Scott Neumann and Eric Lemon, the jam invites musicians, including FTH jazz jammers from Queens/Long Island, as well as newcomers from around the world, to share their music, lift our spirits and honor those whose lives were lost.
“It seems so fitting to be celebrating the legacy of Louis Armstrong, and his and other August birthdays this month at our last jam in the virtual world. I am excited to discover what legendary artists, past or present, our performers will choose to pay tribute to in our final virtual jam,” says Flushing Town Hall’s jazz band leader Carol Sudhalter. “We thank all who have stuck with us - audience and performers alike - who have dared to go with the change. We look forward to our in-person return in September!”
Musicians interested in participating in the virtual jams should email education@flushingtownhall.org with the suggested three- to four-minute tune they intend to play in line with this month’s theme. 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 performed in 2020 are now welcome to return. Each month, up to five returning musicians and up to 15 new musicians can participate. Selection is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Partnership Events
An Evening With Taiwanese Piano Stars," featuring Ching-Yun Hu and new talents Natasha Wu and Yao-Wen Chang
On August 14 at 7 PM ET, Flushing Town Hall is partnering with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) to livestream “An Evening With Taiwanese Piano Stars," featuring Ching-Yun Hu and new talents Natasha Wu and Yao-Wen Chang” on Flushing Town Hall’s YouTube Channel.
Hailed by The Philadelphia Inquirer as a “first class talent… superb pianist” and by International Piano (London) for “praises follow her around the world,” Taiwanese-American pianist Ching-Yun Hu is a unique presence in the international concert scene. She is the winner of the Arthur Rubinstein and Concert Artists Guild Competitions, and since her debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, she has continued to perform internationally at major concert venues across the world. Her albums with Naxos, ArchiMusic, and BMop Sound have received critical acclaims and won the prestigious Golden Melody Award for “Best Classical Album of the Year.” Pianist Magazine has called her latest Rachmaninoff album as an “essential listening for Rachmaninoff admirers.” Renowned also as a presenter, curator, educator and a passionate classical music promoter, she is the founder and artistic director of renowned Philadelphia Young Pianists’ Academy (PYPA) and serves on the piano faculty at Temple University in Philadelphia.
In this concert, Ching-Yun Hu is joined by two rising Taiwanese piano stars, Natasha Wu and Yao-Wen Chang, in a program of piano classics by Schubert, Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff and Taiwan's own Tyzen Hsiao.
Co-presented by The Taipei Cultural Center in New York (TCC), Yun International Music Foundation (YIMF), and Flushing Town Hall, the concert is part of TCC in New York's 30th Anniversary program.
Out Front 24/7 Exhibition
Curated by the Southeast Queens Artists Alliance, Out Front 24/7 is a public exhibition of original artworks printed on weatherproof banners for display on public-facing fences that will travel to select Queens cultural institutions and be on display at Flushing Town Hall’s fence on Northern Boulevard from August 18 to September 3. When the exhibition opens on August 18, Flushing Town Hall will host an in-person walkthrough led by participating artists at the fence, on the sidewalk and in the garden at Flushing Town Hall from 3:30 - 4:30 PM ET. This event is free, but RSVP is required.
Following the exhibition at Flushing Town Hall, the works will then be installed at King Manor Museum from September 7 to 18.
The exhibit will present works by ten Queens artists selected for their works’ response to the theme: reflections on life during this pandemic. It engages people on the street with visual messages about people's experiences of the COVID -19 pandemic. Beautiful and contemplative, the banners will capture the public’s attention and slow the pace by provoking thought, inspiring discussion, and inviting responses to the works on display - a viable way to rebuild community after months in quarantine.
“Out Front 24/7” provides an in-person opportunity for safe art viewing that has been missing for many in Queens.
Support Flushing Town Hall this season!
Flushing Town Hall recently launched its new membership program, Flushing Town Hall’s Circle of Friends, with memberships starting at gifts of $50 or more. With the loss of nearly all earned income, Flushing Town Hall is in dire need of support and is currently raising funds under its Lemon-AID the Arts Campaign. 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.
For Calendar Listings
WEDNESDAY, August 11, 7:00 PM (ET)
Virtual Jazz Jam: Celebrating Louis Armstrong’s and other August birthdays. “What we play is life” - Louis Armstrong.
Free
Flushing Town Hall’s free Virtual Jazz Jam: Celebrating the Legacy of Louis Armstrong invites musicians and jazz aficionados to participate or simply listen during its monthly jam session. In August, musicians will choose tunes that celebrate Louis Armstrong’s and other August birthdays. To participate, email education@flushingtownhall.org and identify the three- to four-minute tune intended to play. To watch live, for free tune in to Facebook or Zoom.
SATURDAY August 14, 7:00 PM (ET)
An Evening With Taiwanese Piano Stars," featuring Ching-Yun Hu and new talents Natasha Wu and Yao-Wen Chang
Free with RSVP
Flushing Town Hall is partnering with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) to stream “An Evening With Taiwanese Piano Stars," featuring Chin-Yun Hu and new talents Natasha Wu and Yao-Wen Chang” live on Flushing Town Hall’s YouTube Channel.
Hailed by Philadelphia Inquirer as a "first class talent, superb pianist" and claimed by London's International Piano Magazine that "praises follow her around the world", Ching-Yun Hu, a Taiwanese American concert pianist who is the winner of the 12th Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Competition and known worldwide for her dazzling stage presence and artistry, is joined by two rising Taiwanese piano stars, Natasha Wu and Yao-Wen Chang, in this virtual presentation of piano classics by Schubert, Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff and Taiwan's own Tyzen Hsiao.
Co-presented by The Taipei Cultural Center in New York (TCC), Yun International Music Foundation (YIMF), and Flushing Town Hall, the concert is part of TCC in New York's 30th Anniversary program.
WEDNESDAY, August 18, 2021 - FRIDAY, September 3, 2021
Out Front 24/7 Exhibition
In-person exhibition walkthrough led by participating artists
On Wednesday, August 18 from 3:30 - 4:30 pm.
Free, RSVP required.
Out Front 24/7 is a curated public exhibition of original artworks printed on weatherproof banners for display on public-facing fences that will travel to select Queens cultural institutions, and be on display at Flushing Town Hall’s fence on Northern Boulevard from August 18 to September 3, 2021. On August 18 from 3:30 - 4:30 pm, there will be an in-person exhibition walkthrough led by participating artists. RSVP is required.
FRIDAY, August 20, 7:00 PM (ET)
"Beautiful Vibration" - Colors of African Music w/ Gino Sitson Trio
Virtual Tickets: $7/$5 Members
In-Person Tickets (42 tickets only): $12/$10 Members
Flushing Town Hall presents an in-person, live concert "Beautiful Vibration" - Colors of African Music featuring award-winning vocal virtuoso Gino Sitson. Originally from the Bamiléké region of Cameroon, Central Africa, Gino Sitson’s daring musical project combines jazz, gospel, blues and traditional African polyphonies, polyrhythms and melodies in a most innovative way. Join this exciting and energetic combination of new sounds, where percussive grooves and enchanting vocals are intertwined with lyrical melodies.
Thank you to our generous community of donors for providing Flushing Town Hall a foundation of strength and endurance. We are grateful beyond measure for the elected officials, donors and members, foundations, corporations, volunteers, and all patrons who have supported us for over 40 years, in the best and the worst of times. Flushing Town Hall is grateful for all gifts received and wishes to thank everyone for their ongoing generosity.
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, Council Members Costa Constantinides, Daniel Dromm, Barry Grodenchik, Peter Koo, Karen Koslowitz, Paul A. Vallone, Jimmy Van Bramer; Howard Gilman Foundation, Booth Ferris Foundation, The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation.
Flushing Town Hall greatly appreciates the supporters of our current campaign, Lemon-AID the Arts. If you are able and willing to help, please click here to learn more and donate today. Special thanks to our donors with gifts of $100 and above: Arline Abdalian, Alberta Alexandre, Karen Argueta, Maria Arias, Henry Assael, Bob Band, Christopher Banks, Barbara Banks Schwam, Beverly Bartow, Geraldine Benfante, Viviana M. Benitez, Carl Bennett, Denise Boudiette, Seth Bornstein, Larue Brathwaite, Anne Bresnahan, Carolee Brooks-Hildenbrandt, Jeanette Brown, Claire Bullard, Christopher Caltieri, Jenna Capeci, Calvin Chan, Dongshin Chang, Christopher Chen, Annika Cheng, Cecilia Cheng, Amy Chin, Wanda Chin, Ginger Chinn, Alexander Choi, David Creed, Jacob Eichenbaum, David Fesser, Ellen Fisher-Turk, Karen Fitzgerald, Paul Foster, Toni Foy, Emma Frankel, Andrew Garson, Gitler Family Fund, Anat Gerstein, Carl Gold, Loren Golden, Howard Graf (Graf & Lewent Architects), Constance Hammen, Heather Harrison, Alan Heilbron, Susan Hennessy, Loren Golden, Geraldene Hornsby-Gray, Rhenaye Hornsby, Timothy Hosking, Ming-I Huang, Raymond Jasen, Carmen Jimenez, Minja Kang, Andrew Karp, Amir Kassam, Adrienne Kivelson, Bob Kodadek, Ellen Kodadek, Saul Kupferberg, Carol Leaf, Stephanie Lee, Anne Lewent, Judith Lewent and Mark Shapiro, Steve Lewent, James Liao, Jeri Lim, Meiling Liu, Stephanie Long, Martha Ma, Frank Macchio, Rob Mackay, Sandra Mann, Pamela Marquez, Steve Marston, William McClure, Brenda McCoy, 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, Hope Pordy, Qi Shu Fang Peking Opera Association, Richard Quatrano, Alfred and Diane Rankins, Dottye Ricks, Mira Rubens, Teresa Salles, Jeffrey Schneider, Roslyn Schwersenz, Anthony Scotto, Gustavo Segredo, Tina Seligman, Dominique Sellers, Alice Sharp, Thomas Simmons, Stephen Sincovich, Judi Silvano, Mike Sperendi and Jan Schneider, Douglas Stalnaker, Sheila Sweeney, Jean Tatge, Marsha Toma, Veronica Tsang, WAC Lighting, Tai-nin Wang, Jill Ward, Daryl Ware, Jay Wegman, David and Elsie Werber, Constance Wingate, Robert and Karla Wishnick, Edwina and Eldwin Wong, Lucy Wong, Jennie Woo, Jon Yanofsky, Mimi Yeung.
Support for our programs is also provided by 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, Kuang-Yu Fong/Chinese Theatre Works, Howard Graf and Kathy Donovan, Guru Krupa Foundation, Investors Foundation, Raymond D. Jasen, the Jim Henson Foundation, Ellen Kodadek, Nelson Lee/Flushing Bank, Anne Lewent, James S. Liao, Emily Lin/Lin & Loveall Foundation, Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Frank Macchio, Materials for the Arts, William McClure/Queens College, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, Northwell Health, TeHsing Niu, Carlos Ortiz, Queens Art Education Center/Arthur Liu, RuDance/Asian American Dance Sport Corp., Helen Shieh, Richard Siu, Curtis Smith, Michael Tang, Veronica Tsang, Tai and Tony Wang/Glow Foundation, Anna Wu, Minwen Yang, Hank Yeh, Sandy Yeh, Shane Yeh, and Angela Qi Zhang.
Flushing Town Hall greatly appreciates the sponsors of the 2021 Lunar New Year Chinese Temple Bazaar: Tai Wang and Glow Foundation (Title Sponsor), Amy Mak Chan, The Andy Li Team at Compass, Healthfirst, MetroPlusHealth, The Parc Hotel, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr., Shandong Association, Shanghai Commercial Bank, and President of Flushing Town Hall Veronica Tsang. A special thank you to Flushing Town Hall’s Chinese Cultural Committee for their ongoing support.
With special thanks to the Howard Gilman Foundation, Flushing Town Hall was able to purchase equipment needed to live-stream and record from its theater.
Louis Armstrong Legacy Virtual Jazz Jam is supported in part by a grant from The Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Inc.
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.
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.
For more information:
www.flushingtownhall.org
(718) 463-7700 x222
137-35 Northern Blvd. Flushing, NY 11354