free events in nyc, music events nyc, food events nyc, upcoming events in nyc, events in queens, grants for the arts, dance in queens, international express, food in queens
Header

Getting By with a Little Help from Your Friends

December 14th, 2012 | Posted by SarahS in Queens Council of Arts - (0 Comments)

The image of the struggling artist atop a lonely garret, pouring blood, sweat, and tears into an undiscovered masterpiece is certainly iconic, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be you. The Queens Council for the Arts is offering the opportunity for emerging artists to sign up for one of our Peer Leadership Circles. What exactly is that slightly corporate sounding group of proper nouns? Well, a PLC is simply a safe haven, a space for artists to develop, de-stress, and learn how best to take action with their own work and their communities.

A six-month program of small group mentoring sessions led by a trained peer facilitator, the Peer Leadership Circle is a chance for you to deepen your resolve in your own projects and expand your artistic community, meeting others who are asking the same questions and struggling with the same career challenges.

Participants learn how to strengthen their capability to create and implement a thoughtful action plan through peer sharing and reflective questioning. They also begin to understand how they, as leaders, can engage and catalyze their artistic, geographic, and cultural communities. If those sound like skills worth developing and friendships worth making, you can get involved by contacting  Zoe at zoe@queenscouncilarts.org!

, , ,

How to Write Grants for the Arts

December 10th, 2012 | Posted by kylep in Grants for the Arts | Queens Council of Arts - (0 Comments)

The Queens Council on the Arts Grant Writing Panel is taking place December 12th, the second part of the Grant Writing+ workshop helping to secure grants for the arts. One of many events in Queens hosted by the QCA, twelve attendees who have submitted their grant proposals will have them reviewed  by a mock panel of grant writing experts, offering valuable insight into how the grant review process works.

If you’re thinking about writing a grant yourself, remember to include these elements in your porposal, and be sure to attend the panel as well:

  1. Cover Letter
    Addressed to a specific person, the cover letter is the introduction to you and your proposal. This is the place to summarize the  your program and make a good first impression.
  2. Summary
    A brief explanation of what the artist is seeking, the summary needs to be specific and complete, but short enough to not repeat points made later.
  3. Need Statement
    The main argument for supporting you or your cause. This is where you convince the grantor that your work is important enough to fund and why that work will be beneficial.
  4.  Goals and Objectives
    These are the specific goals you hope to meet, and the results your work will give.
  5. Methods and Strategies
    This is how you specifically plan to meet those goals and objectives outlined above.
  6. Evaluation and Overview
    The assessment  of your proposal and the work you hope to create if your grant is accepted.

These tips can help you get started, but don’t forget to attend QCA’s Build Your Own Business Workshops for more in-depth grant writing help.

, ,

Events in Queens: Oratorio Society of Queens Holiday Concert

December 3rd, 2012 | Posted by cilliano in Queens Council of Arts - (0 Comments)

With the holiday season fast approaching, what better way to usher in the festive cheer than sampling one of the many music events in NYC? Music has always been an integral element of the festive season, from caroling neighbors to church choir recitals. This month, rekindle the spirit as the acclaimed Oratorio Society of Queens presents its Annual Holiday Concert on Sunday, December 16, featuring excerpts from Handel’s classic, Messiah.

Founded in the Spring of 1927, the Oratorio Society of Queens is the oldest performing cultural organization in the borough, with a cultural mission to share a love of classical choral music through semi-annual performances at such venues as the Queensborough Performing Arts Center and Bayside High School. With almost a century of stunning recitals under its belt, the society has thrilled many through its stellar NYC music events.

Sing along to classic Christmas carols, as well as Chanukah favorites with soloists soprano Geraldine McMillian, tenor Dory Schultz, bass-baritone Vaughn Fritts and guest artist cantor Jerry Korobow, all under the direction of maestro David Close. With such an esteemed music ensemble coming together for this one-time performance, this is sure to be one of the holiday events in Queens you do not want to miss.

Sunday, December 16 at 4 p.m.
Queensborough Performing Arts Center at Queensborough Community College
222-05 56th Avenue, Bayside, New York

, ,

Winter Solstice Celebration & Holiday Marketplace

December 3rd, 2012 | Posted by franciscas in Queens Council of Arts - (0 Comments)

Mark this down in your calendar for free events in NYC in the month of December: Queens Botanical Garden will be hosting a free event that will be the perfect daytime activity for both kids and adults alike.  The celebration takes place on December 16th, beginning at 11 a.m. and finishing up at 4:30 p.m.

This is also a great time to check out the Queens Botanical Garden if you have not yet had the chance. It is lush with history–founded in 1939–and consists of 39 acres of various types of gardens.

Here is the schedule of events:

  • 1) 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.:  Children’s crafts, vendors, refreshments, and QBG store sale.
  • 2) 11 a.m. -11:45 a.m.:  Garden tour and bird walk.
  • 3) 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.:  Musical performance by Festival Brass from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College
  • 4) 2 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.:  Native American Winter Tales by storyteller Bobby Gonzalez.
  • 5) 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.:  Winter Wonderland Concert featuring members of the Classical Singers Career Development Club.

The event will also be a great time to get some of your holiday shopping out of the way while your kids partake in the festivities. Everyone can enjoy the various performances at what promises to be one of the most entertaining NYC music events this holiday month.

, ,

Big Band Weekend

November 2nd, 2012 | Posted by DolanM in Queens Council of Arts - (0 Comments)

When the week has passed, you most likely will have been cooped up in your house and at work for a very long time. If you work all week, and are exhausted when you get home, you may not have the time to get out and find activities during the week. So, you will most likely be looking for something to do this weekend.

If you are looking for free events in Queens this weekend, look no farther than The Astoria Big Band’s performance at the Steinway Reformed Church on Ditmars Blvd in Astoria this Saturday at 3 pm.

The Astoria Big Band is a 16 piece outfit formed in 1986. Their purpose is to bring the joy of music to the people of Queens, including residents of all ages, backgrounds and ethnicity. This weekend they will be performing well loved standards along with new arrangements by band members. Guess what else? There will be a special guest too! Look for Vito Di Modugno, a bassist and organist and DJ and arranger from Italy.

So, this weekend, if you are looking for free events in Queens, you have found what you need. Shake off that work week and get dancing to the horns and upright bass. This is going to be a fun afternoon full of music and energy.

BYOB, Responsibly with Grant Writing

October 24th, 2012 | Posted by KinL in Queens Council of Arts - (0 Comments)

Google

For every one of us who wished we owned our own cafe, or book store, or billiards hall, check out the next installment of free events in Queens, the Build Your Own Business (BYOB) workshop. On November 7th and 28th, 6-8PM, the Greater Astoria Historical Society hosts Grant Writing Plus+ with grant writing consultant Melissa Sandor and a mock panel to review your progress.xx

But what is a grant, and how can it help your business? A grant is a sum of money awarded by an institution, usually the government or a university, to forward or fund a project. Generally speaking, a grant is given to academics, non-profit organizations and other socially beneficial entities. For example, one might write a grant proposal for the US National Science Foundation, or to Columbia University to build an antimatter reactor, or even to Nasa.

For a small business, the US government has all kinds of loans or grants that help the little guy survive in an ocean of Leviathans. Often, Federal or State government will ask for a return on their investment, but as your business grows, so will your ability to negotiate with those entities. For more information on what kinds of grants are available, visit the Small Business Administration Website.

Free events in NYC are usually cultural or for recreation, but this city is full of people who want to succeed. Sign up, visit both events, and submit a draft proposal before Nov.16 to have the panel review your work!

, , ,

Friends With Benefits Membership Program

October 16th, 2012 | Posted by DolanM in Queens Council of Arts - (0 Comments)

No, this is not a post about a mistake you made in your early twenties. Rather, this is about joining a powerful artist and local community and getting access to free events in Queens. That is correct: Queens Council on the Arts has a membership program again! Going by the name Friends With Benefits, it grants free access to every professional development workshop through QCA, provides invitations to special networking opportunities and events, and so many more perks.

How much is an annual membership? It is only $25. You probably spend more at the bar each week!

So, let’s do some math. How  much does one professional development workshop from QCA cost?  $10. So, you can learn how to kick it with Kickstarter,  learn grant writing, understand Google Adwords, learn about web branding and so much more, for just a fraction of the cost. If you are serious about getting your work out there, this is a no-brainer.

So, what else do you get as a Friend with Benefits member?

• Free admission to panel reviews by industry leaders for the year

• Submission of your exhibition, reading, performance or screening to QCA’s website, calendar and social media platforms

• Reduced admission to select Queens performances

• Invitations to artist gatherings,  mixers and special events**

So, if you are looking for free events in Queens, this will help get the ball rolling. Become a Friend with Benefits!

 

, ,

Seniors Partnering with Artists Citywide: Call for Applicants!

October 11th, 2012 | Posted by DolanM in Queens Council of Arts - (0 Comments)

Each year, New York City sponsors upwards of 50 artists with a $1,500 stipend, an additional $500 in capital for supplies, and work space in senior centers across the five boroughs. It’s one of the most innovative grants for the arts in the city. The residencies are offered in order to spark connections between artists and seniors. Sponsored artists will create projects that interact with local seniors and have a public display component.

The details can work out in a variety of ways. For the interactivity part, an artist might provide classes to seniors or organize a series of cultural events. For the public display, this might mean readings of work, exhibitions, panels or open houses.

The goal here is two-fold: 1) to improve the quality of life of our community’s aging members, and 2) to offer meaningful and compensated opportunities for our community’s artists. This initiative does this in a novel way, offering competitive residency rates and a unique and organic cultural experience for seniors.

This culminates in free events in Queens, too, open to the public, which is great not just for artists and the elderly, but everyone.

Applications are due by October 31st. Artists must be at least 18 years old and residents of New York. They must have an interest in working with seniors, they cannot apply on behalf of an organization, they cannot be full-time students at a degree-granting institution, and may in fact apply even if they received a SPARC residency last year.

Free Music Report: Summer Sundays at Travers Park in Jackson Heights Were Great!

September 25th, 2012 | Posted by DolanM in Queens Council of Arts | Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Throughout the summer at Travers Park, community members of Queens enjoyed free music events in NYC. Everything from classic rock to Asian drums and Latin jazz graced the parks over the summer months, so there was something to please all at these free events in Queens. It all happened at the Play Street outside Travers Park, located right there on 78th Street between 34th Ave and Northern Boulevard.

On the 19th of August, for example, there were some great things happening.

First, there was a presentation of “Bessie’s Big Shot,” a puppet show, brought to the parks by The Swedish Cottage Marionettes. It was great for kids and families alike.

At 5pm, a mix of classical, rock and broadway arrived in the form of AC Haley, a singer who accompanies herself on electric base. After that,  Bethany Wild, a vibrant crooner of traditional American standards made her self known. Then the impressive stylings of a renowned harmonica virtuoso, Jai-Yi He, impressed everyone who stuck around.

Frankly, when it comes to free events in queens, or any music events in NYC for that matter, you can’t be what’s happening in Jackson Heights. The fall will probably be just as good as the summer!

,

Past QCA Professional Development Workshops

September 20th, 2012 | Posted by DolanM in Queens Council of Arts - (0 Comments)

Last week, we took a look at the upcoming professional development workshop about Kickstarter, scheduled for October 17 this fall. Queens Council on the Arts always offers a rich and diverse programming calendar for professional development workshops, so if Kickstarter isn’t up your alley, certainly something will be. Though the workshops for the rest of the year have not yet been officially unveiled, do consider the wide array of last year’s events in Queens.

There was an event on Grant Writing, another about Google AdWords, two about creating web branding and identity, yet another about creating connections at the local level, one about varied marketing tools and how to use them, a mock panel review for grants, the business of film making, Queens in Love With Literature, the Cultural Data Project and the Queens Arts Connection.

If you attended every professional development instead of other events in Queens last year, you would have walked away knowing how to use Kickstarter, with a strong base on how to foster internet identities, an emboldened ability to find and win funding, a an enormous amount of methods for making connections between people and instutitions, a plethora of data about trends in art communities, initial training in how to earn money on the internet and how to promote ideas via the web, and exposure to new literature as well.

This year will no doubt be just as amazing.

Internet Marketing Tips by Ajax Union