LONG ISLAND CITY — Queens residents won’t have to travel across the river this summer to see world-class artists at Lincoln Center.
Instead, the very best in music and dance, including Grammy-nominated band DEORO, will come to neighborhoods around the borough and perform for free at seven branches of Queens Library, as part of the new pilot program Lincoln Center Local.
"Queens Library is thrilled to be hosting the highest caliber music and dance from Lincoln Center Local here, where library users have free and easy access," said Thomas W. Galante, the library's president and CEO, in a statement.
The series offers hour-long programs with performances and question-and-answer sessions.
While the program will only extend to Queens this year, officials are looking to see if expansion is feasible.
“Hopefully, if it’s successful, we’ll look forward to branching out to other areas,” said Leaha Villarreal on behalf of Lincoln Center Local.
The inaugural performance of "The Resurgence of Spanish Dance" will be held at the Broadway branch in Long Island City on Saturday, July 14th at 2:30 p.m.
Queens residents can also expect a dance extravaganza with world champion dancers Hammerstep and DEORO during their joint show on Saturday, July 21 at Queens Library in Flushing, with performances at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
On Saturday, July 28, audiences will have a chance to listen to the music of George and Ira Gershwin at the Forest Hills branch. Singer Teri Dale Hansen and her pianist will perform at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Inspired by Charlie Chaplin and Vaudeville-style theater, Mario The Magician will amuse younger audience of Jackson Heights on Aug. 4 at 2:30 p.m.
Library patrons voted for the performers that they wanted to see during the spring.
Additional performances are scheduled throughout the summer, until Sept. 29. Seating is on a first-come first-served basis.
For more information, go to www.queenslibrary.org or www.aboutlincolncenter.org/lclocal.
