Summer Concert at Center at Maple Grove Cemetery!

Free Forest Park Sports & Events This Summer!

Take a look at what's going on in Forest Park this summer! All free to the public!

FREE FOREST PARK SPORTS
Sponsored by NY State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo
*All sport clinics begin the week of July 12th and run through August 20th

KARATE, ages 7 and up
Tuesdays, 3:00 to 4:30 PM
Classes are in Oak Ridge
Forest Parkway & Forest Park Drive

SKATE BOARDING, ages 7 - 14
Mondays, 10:00 AM - Noon
Forest Park Skate Park
Woodhaven Blvd. & Forest Park Drive


2010 Free Events at Forest Park!

Mondays, June 7, 14, 21, 28, July 12, 19
6:00 - 7:30 PM
DANCING UNDER THE STARS
Wallenberg Square
Sponsored by the Forest Park Trust, Inc.
Wednesday, June 23, 7:00 PM

SLEEPING BEAUTY
Puppets in the Park recreate this classic tale with marionettes.
Jackson Pond Playground
Sponsored by City Parks Foundation
Wednesday, June 30, 7:00 PM

SIMON SEZ
Dry Harbor Playground
Sponsored by CM Elizabeth Crowley
Wednesday, July 7, 7:00 PM

SLEEPING BEAUTY
Live musical performance of this classic tale performed by Plaza Theatrical.
Dry Harbor Playground
Sponsored by the Forest Park Trust, Inc.
Wednesday, July 14, 7:00 PM

ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Enjoy this wonderful tale performed live by
Pattycake Theatre.
Mary Whalen Playground
Sponsored by the Forest Park Trust, Inc.
Monday, July 19, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

DANCING UNDER THE STARS FINALE
Featuring the live band O.N.S.
Wallenberg Square
Sponsored by the Forest Park Trust, Inc.
Wednesday, July 21, 7:00 PM

ANNA JACK’S CIRCUS
World-renowned and record holding performer of amazing Hoola Hoop feats.
Sobelsohn Playground
Sponsored by the Forest Park Trust, Inc.
Sunday, July 25th, 4:00 - 5:30 PM

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Shakespeare’s popular comedy performed by
Black Henna Productions.
Wallenberg Square
Wednesday, July 28, 7:00 PM

JOHN PIZZI & COMPANY
Enjoy this entertaining family show with ventriloquism, illusions and comedy.
Dry Harbor Playground
Sponsored by the Forest Park Trust, Inc.
Wednesday, August 4, 7:30 PM

SHIRLEY ALSTON REEVES
Enjoy this Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame member and former lead singer of the hit group the Shirelles!
George Seuffert Bandshell
Sponsored by Ridgewood Savings Bank
Wednesday, August 11, 7:30 PM

MARY LAMONT BAND
Enjoy a night of country music.
George Seuffert Bandshell
Presented by NY Metro Country Music Association
Wednesday, August 18, 7:30 PM

MACBETH
Shakespeare's famous psychological thriller performed by
Hip to Hip Theatre Company.
George Seuffert Bandshell
Sunday, August 22, 7:30 PM

TAMING OF THE SHREW
Shakespeare's story of the battle of the sexes performed by Hip to Hip Theatre Company.
George Seuffert Bandshell
Wednesday, August 25, 7:30 PM

BROADWAY TRIBUTE
Enjoy your favorite show tunes from Broadways greatest
hits live!
George Seuffert Bandshell
Sponsored by Astoria Federal Savings Bank
Wednesday, September 1, 7:30 PM

LET’S HANG ON Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons Tribute
Enjoy the greatest hits of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons.
George Seuffert Bandshell
Sponsored by Maspeth Federal Savings & Loan
Monday, September 13, 3:00 - 5:30 PM

BACK TO SCHOOL
Gear up for the new school year with give-a-ways, music, games and more!
Dry Harbor Playground
Sunday, October 3, 9:00 AM

5K & FUN RUN
Participate in FREE track and field games and run in our $1 Fun Run and $14 5K race fundraiser at Victory Field. *Registration Required for 5K race.
Sponsored by Astoria Federal Savings Bank, TD Bank, and the Forest Park Runners

Summer Jazz Concert at Maple Grove Saturday the 17th!

Let Your Spirits Swing at the Maple Grove Summer Outdoor Concert
Imagine the sounds of a 12-piece brass and percussion band filling the warm evening air. Jazz melodies drift over the light breezes, mingling with the scent of summer flowers. Friends and neighbors gather on the green with blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the sounds of Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Woody Herman, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Glen Miller.
Maple Grove’s First Summer Outdoor Concert will be held Saturday, July 17th, 7:00pm – 9:00pm (the gates open at 6:00pm), THE CENTER at Maple Grove Cemetery (127-15 Kew Gardens Road, Kew Gardens, NY 11415).
Let your spirits swing to the music of the Lew Picardi Big Band playing America’s Classic Swing repertoire and a musical tribute honoring Vincent Youmans, Jimmy Rushing, LaVern Baker and other musical talents interred at Maple Grove.
The Lew Picardi Big Band, the gatekeeper of Swing Music, has been keeping America’s Big Band tradition alive through concerts for over 15 years. It continues to introduce the music of the great Big Bands to all generations. July 17th promises to be an evening filled with fun, memories and history.
Bring along your blanket or chair. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase. Parking on the premises.
TICKETS: Pay at the gate on July 17th: $10, $8 for seniors, $5 for members, 12 years and under FREE.
Information: (917) 881-3358 or

This weekend! Saturday, June 26--Celebration!

Summer Jazz Concert at Maple Grove!

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Carol Lacks
Phone: (917) 881-3358
E-mail: CarolLacks@aol.com



Let Your Spirits Swing at the Maple Grove Summer Outdoor Concert

Imagine the sounds of a 12-piece brass and percussion band filling the warm evening air. Jazz
melodies and sultry vocals drift over the light breezes, mingling with the scent of summer flowers. Friends and neighbors gather on the green with blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the sounds of Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Woody Herman, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Glen Miller.

Maple Grove’s First Summer Outdoor Concert on the Great Lawn will be held Saturday,
July 10th (rain date July 17th) 7:00pm – 9:00pm, THE CENTER at Maple Grove Cemetery
(127-15 Kew Gardens Road, Kew Gardens, 11415).

Let your spirits swing to the music of the Lew Picardi Big Band playing America’s Classic Swing repertoire and a musical tribute honoring Vincent Youmans, Jimmy Rushing, LaVern Baker and other musical talents interred at Maple Grove.

The Lew Picardi Big Band, the gatekeeper of Swing Music, has been keeping America’s
Big Band tradition alive through concerts for over 15 years. It continues to introduce the music of the great Big Bands to all generations. With Andrew Koslosky as MC, July 10th promises to be an evening filled with fun, memories and history.

Bring along your blanket, chairs and a flashlight. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase. Parking on the premises.

TICKETS: $10, $8 for seniors, $5 for members, 12 years and under FREE.
Pay at the gate on July 10th or Online (PayPal): www.friendsofmaplegrove.org
Information: (917) 881-3358 or friendsofmgc@aol.com

This concert produced by Super Nova Productions and Friends of Maple Grove, Inc. is made possible in part by The Queens Council on the Arts with public funding from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and a grant from the Josephine Foundation.

CELEBRATING THE PAST at Maple Grove!

June 14 Flag Day Event at Maple Grove

YOGA IN THE PARK TOMORROW!

if it rains Yoga In the Park will be held at Living Yoga at 11720
Queens blvd. Cross street 78th ave, upstairs. Contact Gillian if unsure at 631-365-4822

Kids Art in the Park this Weekend!

Kew Gardens Music Night!

Kew Gardens Rummage Sale!

Kew Gardens fights to keep post office branch open after lease expires

BY NICHOLAS HIRSHON
DAILY NEWS WRITER

Thursday, May 6th 2010, 4:00 AM

Farriella for News

Executive Chairman of the Kew Gardens Civic Association Murray Berger stands outside of the Kew Gardens Post Office located at 83-30 Austin Street. Residents are concerned that the post office may close.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/queens/2010/05/06/2010-05-06_kew_gardens_fights_to_keep_post_office_branch_open_after_lease_expires.html#ixzz0nA60JUDn

Kew Gardens group uses grant to plant flowers By Anna Gustafson Thursday, April 29, 2010 11:11 AM EDT Comment (No comments posted.)     Email To a Friend Kew Gardens resident Tony Rodriguez prepares the soil around a tree for planting. Residents will plant flowers around a number of trees in Kew Gardens May 16. Photo courtesy of Kew Gardens Improvement Association When Kew Gardens residents hit the streets to plant brightly colored flowers around numerous trees May 16, it will be one of a long line of beautification efforts launched by a tightly knit community which has worked hard for years to ensure their neighborhood remains a desirable place for people to live, members of the Kew Gardens Improvement Association said. Read the entire story HERE.

Baskin Robbins 31 Cent Scoop Night is tomorrow - April 28th

Poetry Reading in Kew Gardens

THE REZ
READING
SERIES

Poetry Month 

7:30-9:30pm in the Pine Room, Church of the Resurrection,

85-09 118th Street, Kew Gardens, NY 11415 

Tuesday, April 27
 

Aaron Adler
Aaron Adler organizes community music events at a wide variety of venues throughout Kew Gardens. He may be retired, but he is tireless in promoting local musical talent.
 Liza Charlesworth
Liza Charlesworth lives in Forest Hills Gardens with her husband and twin 8-year-old sons.  Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in Plum Review, Mudfish, Cover Magazine, Southern Review and Boston Phoenix. 
Andrew Colarusso
Andrew Colarusso is a poet born into a family of correction officers. His work has been published in The Broome Street Review, A Similar But Different Quality, and West 10th.
Mandy Gor
Mandy Gor is a published poet who graduated from Rice University with a degree in Literature.  She is currently working on a book of poems that explore the dynamics between men and women within a family.
Peter Hack
Peter Hack is an IT professional, chef, guitarist and songwriter who grew up in Kew Gardens. This is the first time he’s read a poem aloud since Mr. Tener’s 7th Grade English class.
Rajiv Mohabir
Rajiv Mohabir was named a "Poet of Note" by Pudding House Press, which recently published his chapbook na bad-eye me. He is currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing at Queens College.
John Todras
John Todras had been the featured reader at many Borders Books and Barnes & Noble poetry events. His work has appeared in Haiku Headlines, New Press Literary Quarterly, and the PPA Annual Collection.
Angelo Verga
Angelo Verga is the author of six collections of poetry, and has been widely published in leading literary journals both here and abroad. 
Ellen Wright
Ellen Wright’s chapbook, In Transit, was published in 2007 by Main Street Rag.  Her poetry has recently appeared in Cimarron Review, Margie, Water-Stone Review and The Paterson Literary Review.

Q&A will be held after readings and autographed books offered for sale. Refreshments available; $5.00 donation encouraged.

For further information please telephone (718) 575-5417

Cleaning and Greening Kew Gardens!

A Blockbuster of a Day in Kew Gardens, Queens!

Residents join together to transform their block as part of Love Your (NYC) Block Campaign
On Sunday, May 16, 2010, from 9:30am-4:30pm (rain date May 20), the Kew Gardens community will unite for “The Kew Gardens Blockbuster Clean and Green Day”  and will focus their energies on both sides of Metropolitan Avenue from Audley Street to 83 Avenue.

Young and old, neighbors and business owners will work side-by-side to transform their block.  They’ll grab their brooms and dustpans, sweep away dirt and garbage to prepare for the planting of ten tree wells. Then volunteers will work in tree teams to plant red and pink begonias, peach impatiens and white petunias, a bright pattern of color that will line the block. After planting, the next step will be watering, mulching and the finale, the reading of original Root for Tree Poems, written by local children, to encourage the trees growth and instill a respect for nature. There will be opportunities for individual families to become tree stewards. They will watch the flowers that have they planted bloom and grow and will learn to nurture and maintain them through the seasons. 

May 16^th will not only be about cleaning and greening. The local businesses will welcome their neighbors and will offer special sales, discounts and giveaways. There will be live music and presentations by NYC environmental groups that will focus on recycling and how individuals can learn how to improve their own environment. For the children, face painting (flowers and trees of course!) and arts and crafts projects using recycled materials. 

The Kew Gardens Blockbuster Clean and Green Day will be a unique and successful hit!
The event will be part of the Love Your (NYC) Block Campaign, a partnership between NYC Service and Citizens Committee for NYC. The campaign provides each group with a $500 grant to cover project costs as well as direct links to services provided by City Agencies, including the Department of Transportation, Sanitation and Parks and Recreation. The Kew Gardens Improvement Association, Inc. was one of sixty neighborhood groups that were selected to take part in the campaign. The city agencies working with these groups are providing support services such as: graffiti removal, cleaning vacant lots, repairing damaged or missing street signage and street lights, ticketing illegal dumping and replacing worn-out or missing litter baskets.

Mark Sunday May 16^th on your calendar and be prepared to roll up your sleeves, get down in the dirt with your friends and neighbors and enjoy the pleasure of your efforts everyday that you walk “on the street where you live!” For more information or volunteer on May 16^th, please contact: kgblockbusters@gmail.com or call (917) 881-3358.

Yoga in the Park - 2010 Season

Hi All. Now that Spring is REALLY upon us it is time to get back to Yoga in the Park! We still don't have funding sponsors so it looks like it will be on donation basis. It will be every Saturday morning at 10am starting on the 1st of May at the same location - behind the baseball diamond at Sobelsohn Park in Forest Park (between Union Tpk and Park Lane which is at the most northeast section of Forest Park.) Rain days will be at Living Yoga :)

If anyone knows any local businesses that would like to sponsor anything from $50 - $100 we already have several sponsors that are willing to contribute the same so let me know. 


(Thanks to Peter Bragino for the above image!) 


KJ

The new film "Coming Up Roses" starring Bernadette Peters is to be shot in Kew Gardens Monday, March 29th. 

"NO PARKING 3am till 11pm" signs have been posted along portions of Austin Street and of Lefferts Boulevard. 

Miss Peters, no doubt, is familiar with Kew Gardens, having been brought up in Ozone Park. 

 

The Playbill write-up on Google reads as follows:

 

Two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters, who will be seen in several of the upcoming benefit concerts celebrating Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday, will play a musical comedy performer in a new film that begins shooting the week of March 1 in Queens, NY. Belladonna Productions - producer of "Transamerica," which received two 2006 Academy Award nominations - is producing the new film, which seems to pay homage to Peters' last Tony-nominated and Grammy-winning Broadway outing, the Sam Mendes revival of Gypsy. In fact, the title of the film is "Coming Up Roses," most of the title of one of the songs from Gypsy's classic Stephen Sondheim-Jule Styne score. "[I play] a [former] musical comedy performer [who had done] summer stock and second national tours," Peters told Playbill.com. "She has two daughters - one is 15, and the other one is 21. The 15-year-old adores her, and the 21-year-old couldn't wait to get away from her; she got married and moves away." Peters said with a laugh, "It's sort of a bleak story, but they sing pieces of songs to make themselves feel better." Lisa Albright is directing the film, which also features Tony nominee Peter Friedman (Ragtime). Peters was last on Broadway in the acclaimed revival of Gypsy, for which she received a 2003 Tony Award nomination for her performance as Rose in the Sam Mendes-directed production. She won her two Tonys for her performances in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Song & Dance and Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun, and she has also starred on Broadway in Mack & Mabel, On the Town, Sunday in the Park with George, The Goodbye Girl and the original production of Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods. Peters' latest live recording, "Sondheim, Etc., Etc.-Bernadette Peters Live at Carnegie Hall (The Rest of It)," is available on the Angel Records label. Masterworks Broadway has also released a "Legends of Broadway" CD celebrating her theatrical career. Peters' screen credits are numerous. She is also the co-founder (with Mary Tyler Moore) of the pet adoption charity Broadway Barks and the author of the best-selling "Broadway Barks" and the forthcoming "Stella Is a Star." --------mhberger for KGCA

From the Kew Gardens Civic Association:

We are pleased to bring to your attention four upcoming events in Kew Gardens:

    +  March 27 (reminder): Concert sponsored by Friends of Maple Grove; call 917-881-3358 for details.

    +  April 1: Aaron Adler's Kew Gardens Musicians

    +  April 7: KG Community Center trip to the NY Botanical Garden 

    +  April 9: Start of Diana Shaman's new Photography Class at the KG Community Center

        For details, read on.---mhberger, for KGCA

============================================================================

    Aaron Adler announces that the next free Kew Gardens Musicians show will be at Austin's Ale House, 82-72 Austin Street, on Thursday, April 1st, beginning at 7:30 pm.

    In addition to the excellent regular musicians, Jessica Valiente, flutist, of Los Mas Valientes, will be making a rare appearance in Kew Gardens.  Aaron tells us that she lived in KG for many years, moving to New Jersey a little while ago, and that her music is "sensational."

================================================================================

KEW GARDENS COMMUNITY CENTER

   Invites you to view and enjoy

The 2010

ORCHID SHOW

“CUBA IN FLOWER”

 at the

                    New York Botanical Garden

---------------------------------------- 

 Wednesday, April 7

-------------------------------------- 

Cost: $25 – includes:

v   Transportation

v   Admission to the Garden & Show

v   Guided tour with docent

v  Meet at KGCC at 9:00 am for coffee/tea and snack

   Sign up by March 31  

KEW GARDENS COMMUNITY CENTER/Queens Community House

Funded by the Queens Borough President

80-02 Kew Gardens Road, Suite 202, Kew Gardens, NY 11415

718/268-5960

========================================================================== 

 

KEW GARDENS COMMUNITY CENTER:

                        NEW!  NEW!  NEW!

BEGINNER’S

PHOTOGRAPHY

CLASS

Led By

DIANE SHAMAN

An 8-week course, to be held on

FRIDAYS, 1:00 – 2:00 pm

>>  FIRST CLASS STARTS FRIDAY, APRIL 9TH  <<

Space is limited to 10; register in office.

Must have a camera (digital preferred); a home computer helpful.

 KEW GARDENS COMMUNITY CENTER: 718-268-5960  

                    Funded by the Queens Borough President

                    80-02 Kew Gardens Road, Suite 202, Kew Gardens, NY 1141

Creating a Tree-Stewarding Community - The "How-To's" How do we take care of our community's trees? How do you find a community group to join? How do you create one? How do you keep it going? Join our distinguished panel of community leaders as we discuss how they got started, where they focus their attention, what obstacles they've encountered, how they've achieved their goals and how they envision their future. Moderated by Steven Boyce, President of Friends of Greenwich Street and creator of its "Tribeca Street Trees" project. Panelists: Susan Norton Allen of Carnegie Hill Neighbors, Andrew Simons of the Gowanus Canal Conservancy, Annette Williams of Sustainable South Bronx and Christie Van Kehrberg of Green Shores NYC and Lisa Pillarella of Protectors of Pine Oak Woods, Staten Island. If you are a member of a community group active in stewarding street trees, please feel free to bring brochures about your group. Join Trees New York for a panel discussion with leaders of successful community street tree groups. Date: Thursday, March 25th Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Location: The Arsenal in Central Park 830 Fifth Avenue at 64th Street RSVP  Light Refreshments will be served

Concert to Celebrate 130th Birthday!

A concert to celebrate a 130th Birthday? Yes! You are invited to a classical concert on March 27th to honor the life of Rosina Lhevinne (1880-1976); a gifted pianist, "teacher in the truest sense," wife, mother and world renowned performer who is interred at Maple Grove.  If a teacher is defined by the success of her students then Rosina was very very accomplished! Her most famous students at the Juilliard School include Van Cliburn, John Williams, James Levine, Misha Dichter and John Browning. They will not be at her birthday celebration but you will enjoy the talents of three gifted classical musicians who will be playing her favorite Chopin. Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Stenhammar and Bartok pieces in the Celebration Room at the beautiful Center at Maple Grove (127-15 Kew Gardens Road, Kew Gardens)
Every "party" has refreshments and this one will begin with a wine and cheese reception at 7:00pm (Birthday Cake for dessert of course!). The concert will commence at 7:30pm. 
On March 27th, we will also be celebrating Chopin's 200th Birthday Anniversary, joy, talent, our lovely guests, beautiful beautiful music and the loving "spirit" of Rosina Lhevinne. It will be a night to remember!

Sponsored by Friends of Maple Grove, Inc.
Tickets: $25, Seniors- $20, Members of the Friends of Maple Grove- $15
Checks can be made payable to Friends of Maple Grove and mailed to 127-15 Kew Gardens Road, Kew Gardens, NY 11415. For further information and to purchase online tickets please visit the Friends of Maple Grove website at www.friendsofmaplegrove.org ;

Email: friendsofmgc@aol.com, (917) 881-3358