the arts GALA BRINGS THE ARTS IN ASTORIA BY ANTHONY O’REILLY The Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC) held its seventh annual gala, honoring those who have worked to promote arts and culture in the area. This year’s honorees were Donna Finn, principal of the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, and Assemblymember Aravella Simotas. Special guests included legendary singer and artist Tony Bennett. Taryn Sacramone, APAC executive director, said the board of directors works year-round to look for people to honor at the gala. The night was capped off by Sacramone honoring Finn and Simotas, a short film on APAC’s impact on the community, and a performance of the “APAC song.” The song, and the dance that accompanied it, were originally directed APEC’s artistic director Tom Wojtunik, after the organization won the 2012 Café Cino Fellowship Award, an award that recognizes the best Off-Off Broadway production company in New York each year. Sacramone said the film and performance were an effort to help make more people aware of the work APAC does. “We’re honoring people who have worked so hard to promote the arts, but we’re also trying to educate people,” she said. THE COURIER/ Photos by Anthony O’Reilly www.queenscourier.com • april 2013 • lic courier 45
LIC042013
To see the actual publication please follow the link above