Queens Rising: A celebration of arts and culture officially launches second year

The Queens Rising Calendar, Marketing Initiative and Launch Events all began on Thursday to show off the best of what Queens has to offer in June.

According to the group, Queens Rising, there are over 50 arts and cultural events in Queens this weekend alone.

A month-long, multi-disciplinary arts celebration created to highlight the borough’s culture and creative diversity, Queens Rising brings together the many arts organizations, multi-purpose venues and galleries in Queens to promote and highlight performances, exhibitions, and cultural events, showcasing the borough’s artistic and cultural communities.

Queens Rising said it will promote more than 300 events in June, partnering with over 100 presenting organizations. For more information, please visit https://queensrising.nyc/.

The opening day celebrated Queens visual artists, with the exhibition “Queens Seen: What Artists are Creating in the World’s Borough” with an opening reception at Culture Lab LIC on June 1, from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., with the exhibition on view through July 2.

Over the weekend, Queens Rising honored the performing arts with a night of performances at the Queens Night Market, featuring Traditional Korean Music and Dance, Irish Folk Music, Afro-Latin Jazz, Brazilian Samba, as well as Rock and Roll and Soul Music.

Queens Rising said it is “dedicated to uplifting people and communities from all walks of life, from Juneteenth programming like diving into the food cultures of the African Diaspora with Hue Williams and Black history education, to Pride parades and comedy shows.”

Other multicultural events include the Queens International Children’s Festival, a concert by Jazz legend Antionette Montague, the Queensboro Dance Festival, and the Rockaway Street Market. A full calendar of events can be accessed here:  https://queensrising.nyc/calendar/.

Queens Rising will promote the borough and its partners events through a wide-reaching advertising campaign through its media sponsors, Schneps Media, Pix 11, 93.1 Amor, El Diario, The Korea Times, Mommy Poppins, and Queens Latino.

Other advertising channels include social media, Queens Patch, the Queens Gazette, The World Journal, and the New York Daily News.

“Queens Rising has mobilized the borough to collaborate and create an opportunity to highlight and promote all the incredible people who contribute to the vibrant culture and essence of Queens neighborhoods,” the group said.

“Participating presenting organizations will feature work that highlights the immense variety of traditions and cultural expressions that make Queens one of the most diverse regions in the world, a borough whose resiliency and strength will overcome any present—or future—challenges,” it added.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. speaks at the candlelight vigil for Haitian earthquake victims. Photo by Gabriele Holtermann, file

“There’s no place like Queens when it comes to arts and culture. I’m so glad Queens Rising has returned for the second year in a row, so that we can all welcome visitors to our borough by showing them just how rich and varied our cultural experiences are,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr., whose father hails from Jamaica.

“We hope you come and enjoy the many fun activities we have in store for you — bring your friends and family — and have a vibrant summer in The World’s Borough,” he added.