A concert featuring performances by Mavis Pan (L) and Mark Wade (R) will take place at Sunnyside Community Services next week (Photos via Eventbrite)
April 29, 2022 By Michael Dorgan
A free concert featuring a mix of classical music and jazz is coming to Sunnyside next week.
The event will take place at Sunnyside Community Services, located at 43-31 39th St., on May 7 at 2 p.m.
The concert will feature performances by two separate groups and is expected to last around an hour.
The first performance will see the Mavis Pan String Quartet play Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. The group is headed by Mavis Pan, a Manhattan-based conductor who is also a pianist, singer and composer.
The second act will be a jazz performance by the Mark Wade Trio, led by Long Island City bassist Mark Wade, who is also a composer. The group, which includes Tim Harrison on piano and Scott Neumann on drums, will play music from their recently released album “True Stories.”
The album features a blend of old and modern jazz tunes. It was inspired by jazz giants such as Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter and Joe Zawinul, according to Wade. He said the group will also play music that they have composed.
Wade said he is hoping for a big turnout on the day, noting that before the pandemic similar concerts at the venue attracted upwards of 100 people. He said attendees can expect an enjoyable afternoon of music.
“People will get the unique experience of hearing new music presented by active composers in the New York City musical community,” Wade said.
The concert is being organized by SCS and New Music Horizons, a non-profit music group established by Wade that promotes the work of emerging and mid-level musicians.
Wade said he is using a grant his organization received via the Queens Council of the Arts to cover the costs of the event. The QCA funds artistic and musical events throughout the borough.
The funding, Wade said, plays a vital role in promoting local musicians and enabling free public concerts to take place in Queens.
“It’s really great and it opens us up to whole new audiences that we would not otherwise reach,” Wade said. “There are some people [in Queens] who can’t make the trek into Manhattan or afford the high ticket prices at some venues.”
Monica Guzman, Director of Development at SCS, said she is excited to see the center being used for public events once again following two years of restrictions due to the pandemic.
“We are so pleased to open our doors to the community and look forward to seeing people back in the center to support our local musicians,” Guzman said.
“This concert will showcase to the community that the center is fully open and available to all residents.”
Guzman said that the center has resumed offering all of its regular programs, which include meals on wheels, home care help and care assistance counseling.
Nevertheless, Guzman said that COVID-19 still poses a threat and all attendees will be required to wear masks during the concert as a precaution.
Those looking to attend the event are asked to register in advance by clicking here.
The event will also be streamed live via the Sunnyside Community Services Facebook page.
Concert poster
