Queens Rising – A Celebration of Arts & Culture in June 2022

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Throughout June of 2022, Queens Rising will highlight dozens of performances, exhibitions, and cultural events that showcase the borough's artistic and cultural communities. In partnership with the many arts organizations, multi-purpose venues and galleries in Queens, Queens Rising has mobilized the borough’s artistic community to collaborate and promote all the incredible people who contribute to the vibrant culture and essence of Queens’ neighborhoods.

This initiative arose from an Arts Advisory Board meeting of the Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College, where leading individuals representing various Queens-based arts and culture organizations gathered to form a Planning Committee. The larger Queens artistic and cultural community were invited to join various Working Groups to help with Queens Rising’s programming, operations, marketing, and fundraising.

Participating organizations will present 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. “As the most diverse place on the planet, Queens is rich with an arts and culture community that reflects that diversity and its unmatched beauty. I’m thrilled Queens Rising will kick-off in the summertime to welcome visitors to the World’s Borough,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “Now more than ever, it’s important to showcase the resilience and creativity of our artists and cultural institutions — because even in the darkest days of the pandemic, culture never closed — as we work to rebuild our economy and come back stronger.”

Queens Rising kicks off its month-long celebration of the borough’s rich arts and cultural offerings with a special night of curated performances at the Queens Night Market on Saturday, June 4, from 5pm to midnight. Performers will include Bhangra music producer, curator, and educator DJ Rekha; FANIKE! African Dance Troupe, an African dance company based in Springfield Gardens that embraces and respects the dance, rhythm, historic and growing culture tied to African movement; Fogo Azul NYC, an all-women, trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming Brazilian Samba Reggae drum line; Gamelan Yowana Sari Balinese Art Ensemble, currently in residence at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College; La Flor De Lis, a Jackson Heights-based band that pays tribute to Latin culture and its great variety of musical expressions; and Na Pua Mai Ka Lani Nuioka from Forest Hills, a company that brings traditional and modern hula to NYC.

John Wang, founder of Queens Night Market said, “The vast majority of our pledge to charity from earlier this year is going to support Queens Rising and the amazing work they’re doing. They’re promoting Queens as a borough, as a global tourist attraction, and as a major center for arts and culture. We’re honored and privileged to be hosting the launch of Queens Rising, and really looking forward to a month of celebrating this remarkable borough with so many cultural partners.”

Queens Rising will feature artistic and cultural events throughout the month of June. A full calendar of events here: https://queensrising.nyc/calendar/

Queens Rising’s lead sponsor is Northwell Health Long Island Jewish Forest Hills. Major support is provided by the Queens Economic Development Corporation, Resorts World NYC, and the Max and Selma Kupferberg Family Foundation.

To learn more, please visit https://queensrising.nyc/

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