FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com JUNE 5, 2014 • The Queens Courier 31 Mindfulness “Retrospectiva” in Astoria A perfect theatrical union between classical music and flamenco has been achieved in Astoria. The American Bolero Dance Company combines the two genres with passion, power and elegance. Entitled “Retrospectiva,” this collaboration can be seen at the Tony Bennett Concert Hall at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts. The highly anticipated event surpasses all expectations. For almost two hours, the audience feasts on a musical banquet led by world-renowned performers. Gabriela Granados is the very heart and soul of this stunning celebration. She offers the beauty and angst of flamenco with mesmerizing skill. Reaffirming her well-earned reputation, Granados dominates the performance with unmistakable passion. Her presentation of the haunting poem “Los Heraldos Negros” with classical guitarist Tali Roth is breathtaking. Her seductive precision with celebrated dancer Juan Siddi in the second act is equally riveting. The concert’s intensity is further enhanced by the power and professionalism of baritone Peter Castaldi, flamenco guitarist José Valle “Chuscales” and flamenco singer José Cortés. Always impeccable, their presentations are sometimes subdued but always crisp and clear. Ultimately, they all reach an emotional crescendo that is both unique and wonderful. Colorful costumes (Dusseck, Cruzado, Enriquez, de Toreros Justo, Flamenco Vive, Menkes) and choreography by Granados and Adriana Jacinto are challenged by Juan Siddi’s dancing solos. Siddi, in a dazzling outfit befitting the finest matador, hammers his feet across the floor and raises his arms triumphantly. Meanwhile, shouts of “Olé and Alé, Juanito!” echo from the stage and audience. The concert’s classical component is represented by the Cassatt String Quartet and pianist William Hobbs. Their violins breathe musical fire into an already fierce performance. Although all are outstanding, violinist Muneko Otani displays the most intense interpretation. She zealously pounds the violin’s strings as she musically urges the dancers forward. Brava! Musical arrangements and direction bear the unmistakable mark of Scott Jackson Wiley. His leadership at Brooklyn’s Regina Opera, Long Island’s South Shore Symphony and elsewhere is a welcome addition to the program. Gabriela Granados’ “Tablao Flamenco” has also provided the many variations of flamenco to Queens for many years. Clearly, this form of musical expression continues to touch audiences of every age. For information on this and future productions, surf to www.ambolero.com or call 718-392-8888. As always, save me a seat on the aisle. A VIEW FROM THE CLIFF BY CLIFF KASDEN Queens students create art to tackle issues of abuse and teen pregnancy BY ERIC JANKIEWICZ [email protected]/@ericjankiewicz Middle school students from Queens are taking a trip down New York City’s art circuit. Walter Reed School in Maspeth and Robert E. Peary School in Glendale teamed up with a nonprofit art program to help students create an art exhibit that turns cafeteria benches into canvases with pictures of butterflies, the grim reaper and the words, “Be yourself. Stay above the influence” on them. Students at Walter Reed presented their picture collage to an audience in Union Square on May 20 and on June 10 they will hold an exhibition at Juniper Park Valley. Students from Robert E. Peary School in Glendale will unveil their exhibit at the Evergreen Park on the same day. The exhibits are meant to help students address problems in their communities that are important to them. These issues include substance abuse, teen pregnancy and dropping out of school and each table features pictures created by students from both schools. “The students are the ones that brought these issues up,” said Jenny Castillo, an art teacher at the Walter Reed school. “These are issues they deal with on a daily basis.” The school worked with LeAp, a nonprofit organization that holds programs to educate students through art in New York City, to help the students create the art. The art exhibits are part of LeAp’s larger citywide project to empower students in 10 schools on topics and issues that students come up with, according to LeAp’s Art Program Director Alexandra Leff. “The idea is that students talk about these things around lunch time,” Leff said, explaining why cafeteria benches were chosen as the canvas. “It’s their moment to have a voice and talk about what’s important to them in a larger public space.” Castillo explained that many of the students involved in the art project are emotionally disturbed because of personal problems and are enrolled in Special Education classes. “They live in neighborhoods where they’re around these problems all the time,” she said. The cafeteria benches will be on display for the whole summer and afterwards they will go on display in each school. Photo Courtesy of LeAp BY ISABELLA TAXILAGA In my class we practice something called “Mindful Minutes.” Being mindful is a calm and relaxing thing. It makes you feel peaceful and even joyful. You can take a few minutes to yourself to have mindful breathing, listening or seeing. Mostly you do it with your eyes closed, but it can all be relaxing and help to make you focus. Here are some steps to help you get started: -First you find a comfortable place and sit nice and tall (for the whole time). Please keep your eyes closed and bring your hand mindfully to your anchor spot. -An anchor spot can be your stomach, your heart or your nose or any place that you can feel your breathing. -Now, please take mindful breaths for one whole minute while keeping your hand on your anchor spot. -Hear all the sounds around you and keep your eyes closed. -Take a moment to know your feelings. “Mindful Minutes” are great to do because you can do it anywhere you are. When you are finished with it you feel ready to work and to do a great job. If you are feeling sad or angry or worried this kind of breathing can help you, too. Just remember that if you are walking and you want to do Mindful Minutes, keep your eyes open! Thank you Mrs. Lupoli for teaching me all about being mindful. Isabella was the grand prize winner of The Be Kind People Project’s national student writing contest. BIOGRAPHY: My name is Isabella Taxilaga and I am in the first grade at P.S. 122 in Astoria. My favorite things to do are reading, writing and drawing. I love to write poems, songs and stories about my family and what I feel. I really love doing this job and I’m very happy and proud to write for everybody. Anyone can write as much as they want and become really good — I did that, too. Writing makes me really happy, I hope it makes you feel wonderful, too! Gabriela Granados Photo by Alexandros Giannakis
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