July 15, 2015 By Jackie Strawbridge
Sunnyside Shines’ free annual street festival will bring crafts and jazz under the Sunnyside arch for two weekends in August.
The festival, called Sunnyside Summer Strolls, will take place on the first two Saturdays of August at 46th Street under the arch, across from the 46th Street 7 line station. As in previous years, family-friendly activities, jazz and dance are the focus of the Strolls.
Kicking off the festival, a kids’ art fair will run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Aug. 1, featuring free craft-making activities, a sing-along and performances from local dance groups.
Sunnyside Shines partnered with the arts coalition Re-Create QNS to bring in partners for the art fair, who are still being finalized, according to Interim Executive Director Sara Nordmann.
On Aug. 8, the annual Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Concert will run from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Named for the famous jazz musician of the ‘20s who lived on 46th Street, the Bix Beiderbecke concert brings jazz performances and a public dance floor onto the street. This year’s performers will include the Sunnyside Social Club, Sunnyside Wolverines, Street Beat Brass Band and the Sunnyside Drum Corps.
According to Nordmann, last year’s Bix Beiderbecke concert saw an audience of roughly 500, while about 800 people came to the kid’s arts and crafts event.
A rain date for either event is scheduled for Aug. 15 at 2 p.m., Nordmann said.