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Sunnyside Shines’ Summer Series to Feature Jazz and Arts & Crafts

Photo: Michael Rapp

July 15, 2014 By Michael Florio

The fifth annual street festival hosted by Sunnyside Shines kicks off later this month.

The festival, called Sunnyside Summer Strolls, will take place on 46th Street between Greenpoint Ave and Queens Blvd, and will feature the Children’s Arts & Crafts fair on July 26th and the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz concert on August 2nd.

Sunnyside Shines has teamed up with Re-Create QNS, a new coalition seeking art space in Western Queens, and several local businesses to host the children’s art fair. There will be 14 tables set up with activities consisting of face painting, water marbling, ballet, Irish step, modern dance, and performances by local musicians.

“Some of the tables will be staffed by local businesses,” said Rachel Thieme, executive director of Sunnyside Shines. For example, 4Squared Flavors, a frozen yogurt store located on Greenpoint Avenue, will have a table where children can design their own yogurt spoons.

In addition to the arts & crafts, a pop-up library (supported by the Sunnyside branch library) will take place at the new Bliss Plaza, located under the elevated 7 train at 46th Street. This will be the first programmed event at the soon-to-open Bliss Plaza.

The jazz festival is a memorial to Bix Beiderbecke, a 1920s jazz musician who lived on 46th Street. There will be four bands and lindy hop (a 1920s dance style) lessons. The street will be transformed into a dance floor, and Sunnyside Shines will hold a 1920s costume contest.

All events are free of charge.

Last year, Thieme estimated that more than 500 families attended the craft fair and more than 1,000 people were at the jazz concert, a big increase over previous years.

“We are really hoping to build off of that momentum,” she said.

Event Dates:

1) Saturday, July 26: Children’s Arts and Crafts Fair, 1pm-6pm

2) Saturday, August 2: Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Concert, 2pm-7pm