“LIC & Astoria Love Letter” is an afternoon of storytelling, music, art and Queens Love in beautiful Socrates Sculpture Park. Meet neighbors, hear true life stories about growing up in these neighborhoods from long-time residents, and enjoy performances of music inspired by Astoria and Long Island City. Share your own stories and more in our open mic, write a love note to your neighborhood, and leave your mark on the park with participatory art-making activities reflecting the local landscape.
Featuring stories and music from:
* Louie “KR.ONE” Gasparro – native Astoria artist, musician, author, actor, producer and legendary graffiti writer from NYC’s golden era of subway graffiti.
* Jim Hawkins – storyteller who combines the rich traditions of Irish storytelling with his memorable experiences of growing up in Astoria.
* Gary Lucero – social worker and LIC native who captures his ever-changing neighborhood and evolving city through stories and photography.
* Yvette Ramirez – arts administrator, oral historian and aspiring archivist born & raised in Astoria whose work explores the meaning of “home”, diaspora and memory.
* Roxanne Shante – legendary hip hop artist from Queensbridge and first female rapper to have Platinum singles and Gold albums.
These intergenerational performers will share their love for their neighborhoods with engaging tales about their experiences growing up in Astoria and Long Island City, and discuss the changes and challenges that they and other residents face.
FREE EVENT