A&E
Newton, Rivers Coming To QPAC BY DAVID RUSSELL With some Broadway tickets costing hundreds of dollars, Queensborough Community College is offering an inexpensive alternative – and all in the comfort of Queens. Living legends such as Wayne Newton and Joan Rivers highlight the upcoming season at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center in Bayside. “Our popularity within the community has really grown in the last few years,” said Susan Agin, executive and artistic director of the Queensborough Performing Arts Center. “As a result, two things have happened; No. 1 is that the demand for these acts has gotten greater. Secondly the artists themselves have gotten to know us.” “I think as a result of our good reputation in how we treat artists and in how we respond to the needs of our community has helped make these icons available to us,” she added. “The way that we present our shows, the word has gotten out that we produce these high-caliber, world-class shows that are well-respected shows. These artists want to play and perform here.” The season kicks off Sept. 25 with “Let’s Hang On,” a tribute show to
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. On Oct. 9, iconic comedienne Joan Rivers comes to Bayside. The Emmy Award-winning Rivers will be with special guest Dick Capri, primarily known for his role in “Catskills On Broadway;” he will open the show. The following week, “Three Mo’ Tenors” appears at the QPAC, after highly successful performances on Broadway, featuring a mix of Opera, Jazz, Motown, Blues and Broadway. Jose Porcel’s “Compania Flamenca” performs Oct. 23. The show received great reviews during its coast-to-coast tour of North America in 2008. On Nov. 19, the legendary band Blood, Sweat & Tears brings their roster of jazz and rock musicians to Queensborough. Blood, Sweat & Tears has won three Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. “Forbidden Broadway” comes to Queensborough the following day. The satirical show has spoofed Broadway hits for 30 years, roasting more than 30 shows. The most popular Beatles tribute band comes to the QPAC, as “Yesterday” performs on Jan. 28. The band recreates Beatles concerts in chronological order, complete with costume changes and vin-
Restaurant Review
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Wayne Newton
tage film footage. Seven days later, a change in genre occurs as the QPAC puts on one of Verdi’s most famous operas, “Rigoletto.” The show is complete with a full orchestra and English supertitles. On Feb. 18, “Las Vegas Tribute To Motown” returns to the QPAC. The tribute features songs from The Temptations, The Supremes and The Four Tops. On March 17, “The Official Blues Brothers Revue” comes to Queensborough – the only Blues Brothers show to be officially sanctioned by original Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd and Judith Belushi Pisano, widow of original Blues Brother John Belushi. On March 25, the Moscow Festival Ballet presents “Cinderella,” based on the timeless rags-to-riches story. On April 1, the Red Star Army Chorus & Dance Ensemble performs their act. They have sold out more than 220 shows and have even performed on the White House lawn. April 15 features a show billed as “The Bronx Meets Brooklyn In Queens,” as stand-up comedy legend Robert Klein takes on long-time friend and Brooklynite Stewie Stone. Klein appeared on the first HBO comedy special in 1975. The following week Queensborough is home to Rex Reed’s “The Man That Got Away:
New JCAL Exhibit Puts Art On The Grid day through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. JCAL is located at 161-04 Jamaica Though considered rigid and hard edged, the new exhibition at the Jamaica Ave., and has been serving the community for 38 years, providCenter for Arts and ing the public with eduLearning titled “Chilcational programs, workdren of the Grid,” is turnshops, film screenings, ing this notion on its lectures, and art exhibiface. tions. It functions as a Following the opennon-profit organization ing reception on Sept. 14 that uses art and art eduin the William P. Miller Jr. cation to enrich Queens Gallery, JCAL has begun and encourage the arts to showcase the work of amongst students and 21st-Century artists Joel residents alike. Carreiro, Franklin Evans The exhibition runs and Changha Hwang; all Changha Hwang’s “Rollercoaster” through Nov 26. of whom are masters of is one of the pieces on display. For more informathe Grid technique. They transcend the usual conceptions of rigid tion, go to jcal.org/visual or call (718) forms in their works, turning instead to flu- 658-7400. Reach Intern Marlena Matute at idity with it having a relationship with our mmatute@queenstribune.com or (718) 357material world. The exhibition hours are from Tues- 7400, Ext. 124. BY MARLENA MATUTE
Sept. 23-29, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13
With a slew of European-style cafes popping up around Astoria, it’s comforting to know some places hold back on pretension and kick up the quality instead. Cronin and Phelan’s fits the mold of the blue collar Astorian’s favorite joint – the spot in existence since Godknows-when, with the bartenders as worn as the furniture and food as comforting as your mother’s. Its biggest flaw rests in its dungeonlike facade, which only seems uglier with every shiny, trendy new Euro-style joint that opens around it. But if you manage to get past the confusing triangulated entry, you’ll find a pristine pub seemingly transplanted from Ireland. Wood abounds, with brass in key spots, the stock collection of beer on tap and walls covered in flat-panel televisions, should you be there to watch a game. But for now, head on back to the outdoor patio, with the summer’s wane still keeping the temperature bearable. Should you be looking for a delicate,
gourmet gastronomic experience, well, don’t bother. Once you order an entree, you’ve committed yourself to an enormous rib-sticking meal packed with some sort of meat, an obscenely delicious side and a pint. I heard good things about the shepherd’s pie, but I was wary. It’s the sort of peasant meal that’s as easy to screw up as it is to enjoy. Fortunately, Cronin and Phelan’s avoids any trap. Just meat, diced veggies and a thick slab of mashed potatoes crisped at the top. Humility embodied in a giant portion. Of course, with the burgers or wings you can’t go wrong. The honey-barbecue wings are beyond divine, and make the pint more refreshing than intoxicating. The menu includes something fairly exotic, even for Queens – bangers and mash. This concoction from the British Isles has been the bane of many a foodie. By nature, the meal is ugly, the sauce weird and the potatoes unwelcoming. I’ve been told you have to be drunk or a complete glutton to actually enjoy it. And to be fair, the massively sized portion at Phelan’s greets you like some culinary Frankenstein, daring you to finish it all. But the obligatory cringe at the first bite? It wasn’t there. The flavors meshed to form a funky but welcoming party on the palate. I almost wished it was a bitter, rainy winter’s night to do the meal – and Cronin and Phelan’s – full justice. –Joseph Orovic
Joan Rivers
Ira Without George.” Reed hosts a tribute to the life of Ira Gershwin, the older brother of George. Reed’s narration follows Ira through his life, as an all-star cast performs more than 25 numbers. “Mr. Las Vegas” performs April 29. It is a rare New York appearance for Wayne Newton, who has done more than 25,000 concerts in Las Vegas. Instead of performing at Madison Square Garden or the Beacon Theater, Newton stars at the QPAC. On May 6, Mal Z. Lawrence performs with The Four Preps. Lawrence co-starred in “Catskills on Broadway,” and The Four Preps took in eight gold singles and three gold albums over three decades. The following week, on Mothers’ Day, “Spencer’s Theatre Of Illusion” comes to the QPAC, in a rare magic show. Kevin and Cindy Spencer were named International Magicians of the Year, for their ability to combine drama, comedy, romance and suspense along with illusions. Throughout the year, Queensborough will also put on some sing-a-longs, which are very popular. These shows have the words to the songs on the screen during the show allowing the audience to participate. The first is “Annie,” on Dec. 3. “Dreamgirls” follows Feb. 11 and “West Side Story” is scheduled for March 31. “The hits keep on coming and we will continue to bring in world-class artists,” Agin added. “In doing so we’re showing the community our commitment to them. We will stop at nothing to make sure shows we have here are of the highest caliber because our community is worth it.” To learn more about what’s happening at QPAC, or to buy tickets, call (718) 631-631 or go to qcc.cuny.edu/qpac.