QUEENS — Jamaica families won’t have to travel to Manhattan this fall to see world-class artists at Lincoln Center.
Instead, the artists will come to their neighborhood and perform for free at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning as part of the Boro-Linc initiative, which seeks to make the arts more accessible to local families.
As part of the initiative various Lincoln Center’s resident organizations, including the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera Guild and Jazz at Lincoln Center, will present five cultural programs at JCAL.
“Access to the arts is a right, not a privilege,” said Jed Bernstein, president of Lincoln Center, in a statement, adding that the center is proud to work with JCAL on "breaking down geographic barriers to experience performing arts at its best.”
The initiative will kick off on Nov. 7 with "Shine and the Moonbeams," a funk, R&B and soul music show for kids.
It will also include a jazz concert on Dec. 12, and an event on Dec. 5, during which kids will get to explore various parts of opera, including singing, characters, costumes, music and words. They will also work on creating their own mini-opera about their neighborhood, the organizers said.
As part of the program, Lincoln Center also worked with JCAL to showcase local artists who will participate in several workshops preceding the events.
“We are truly exhilarated about this partnership with Lincoln Center which offers not only quality artistic programs in various forms, but opportunities for interactive hands-on and community participation,” said Cathy Hung, executive director of the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning.
The Boro-Linc initiative began last year with several Lincoln Center events at the Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education in The Bronx. This fall the program was expanded to Jamaica and Staten Island.
The schedule for Boro-Linc events in Jamaica this fall includes:
Saturday, Nov. 7
2 p.m. — 3 p.m. Community Artist Workshop
3 p.m. — 4 p.m. Lincoln Center Education: Shine & The Moonbeams (recommended for ages 0-7)
Saturday, Nov. 14
2 p.m. — 3 p.m. Community Artist Workshop
3 p.m. — 4 p.m. New York Philharmonic: Very Young People’s concert, Philharmonic Playground: Treble and Bass (recommended for ages 3-6 with families)
Saturday, Nov. 21
2 p.m. — 3 p.m. Community Artist Workshop
3 p.m. — 4 p.m. Chamber Music Society: Chamber Music Beginnings — Musical Moods (recommended for ages 8-10)
Saturday, Dec. 5
2 p.m. — 4 p.m. Metropolitan Opera Guild: Opera in your Neighborhood! (recommended for all ages and families)
Saturday, Dec. 12
2 p.m. — 3 p.m. Community Artist Workshop
3 p.m. — 4 p.m. Jazz at Lincoln Center: Jazz for Young People on Tour — “Let Freedom Swing” (recommended for ages 8-12)
The events will take place at the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning at 153-10 Jamaica Ave.
