Paul Simon to Play a Benefit Concert in LIC

Next week American musician and singer-songwriter Paul Simon (also a Queens native) will play a benefit concert in LIC. “An Evening with Paul Simon” will take place on Wednesday, April 5 from 7-9pm and is in support of LIC nonprofit Materials for the Arts. So how did Paul Simon and the MFTA get connected in the first place? QNs.com has the details:

“Artist Skip LaPlante, who created a collection of 130 wind chimes from materials found at MFTA – crushed lobster pots, license plates and utensils, showcased his work at the facility in September. Simon heard about the project and wanted to see the wind chimes for himself to use in an upcoming tour. But when Simon visited MFTA, he became intrigued with its collection of materials and programs for children, according to Harriet Taub, executive director. Simon suggested the benefit concert himself.”

Money raised by the concert ticket sales will support the Friends of Materials for the Arts in its reuse art education programming work. And because this is a fundraiser, ticket prices are $500 (the $750 front row tix are sold out). At this writing there are available 14 general admission tickets and three “sponsor an arts educator” tickets—this means “If you are unable to attend the show, but would still like to support MFTA, you can donate your ticket to a NYC Arts Educator.”

Joining Paul Simon will be musician Mark Stewart; LaPlante will play the wind chimes, the ones that originally inspired Simon to play this concert.

Tickets can be purchased here. $125 of the ticket is tax deductible. The concert will take place at the MFTA, located at 33-00 Northern Boulevard in LIC.