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44 The Queens Courier • buzz • june 23, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com buzz Photos by Dominick Totino Photography Flushing Town Hall supporters honored at gala The Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts held its 37th Anniversary Gala on Wednesday, June 15, at the historic Flushing Town Hall, drawing more than 200 supporters of the hall’s various educational workshops and programs. The Flushing Council honored Councilman Peter Koo, President of Celestial Love Foundation Inc. Amy Mak Chan, and J.H.S. 189 music teacher Rev. Daryl G. Ware. New York 1 anchor and reporter Rocco Vertuccio emceed the event. Ellen Kodadek, executive and artistic director at Flushing Town Hall, said, “In the midst of his acceptance sonnet this week at the Tonys, Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of ‘Hamilton’ and ‘In the Heights,’ said, ‘Senseless acts of tragedy remind us that nothing here is promised, not one day.’ But at Flushing Town Hall, we have a promise for you. We have a promise that we make every day: a promise to bring people together through the arts; a promise to respect cultures and traditions; a promise to embrace all people; a promise to build a better world for our children and grandchildren. And, as Lin- Manuel Miranda directed us all, ‘to fill the world with music, love and pride.’ We promise, with your help, with your friendship and your financial support, to accomplish that — every day. That is who are, and that is what you can count on us for.” Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, City Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer and Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz delivered remarks, lauding Flushing Town Hall for bringing world-class performances appealing to all ages to the landmark venue. “I always love this place; it’s just the greatest place,” said Katz. “We all come together every year for this gala, but so much happens within these walls through the year … I consider Flushing Town Hall the gift we give to the rest of the city.” The event featured performances by students at J.H.S. 189, who this May presented a production of “Aladdin” at Flushing Town Hall, the New York Chinese Chorus, and the acrobatic and theatrical duo Acrobuffos, the recipient of a Flushing Town Hall grant providing free space to perfect their craft. Additionally, Chinese juggling Ellen Kodadek, Amy Mak Chan, Veronica Tsang, Howard Graf master Yang Xiao Di provided entertainment during the cocktail reception and dinner break. As he received his award, Ware lauded his theater students at J.H.S. 189, saying, “Certainly, I serve in a school that has some of the best students this side of Queens, and this side of the city … When I wake up in the morning to come to work, I come just ready to inspire my students, to get them to the highest level they possibly can. I do it out of love for young people. I do it out of love for the arts.” Abiding to its mission to provide “global arts for a global community,” Flushing Town Hall, a Smithsonian Affiliate and a member of New York City’s 33-member Cultural Institutions Group, brings to Queens local, national and international performances and exhibitions that are often seen in Manhattan or Brooklyn, or Europe or Asia. Honoree Amy Mak Chan and friends Howard Graf, Ellen Kodadek, New York City Councilman Peter Koo, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, New York City Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer Gabrielle M. Hamilton, Honoree Rev. Daryl Ware, Machaiah Barrett and Sherrell Jordan


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