62 THE QUEENS COURIER • BUZZ • JUNE 1, 2017 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM buzz Nine Queens parks and public spaces will be home to colorful pianos this June BY SUZANNE MONTEVERDI smonteverdi@qns.com / @smont76 Th e borough’s streets will soon be alive with the sound of colorful music. Nonprofi t arts organization Sing for Hope will install eight uniquely designed pianos in high-traffi c areas throughout Queens on June 5. Aft er their time on the city’s sidewalks, the organization will transport the instruments — 60 total citywide Photo courtesy of Sing For Hope Free yoga sessions to return to Astoria Park this summer BY EMILY DAVENPORT edavenport@qns.com / @QNS Astoria Park is always a great place to relax, and this summer, you can also get your moment of zen. City View Pharmacy’s Community Wellness Program is launching its sixth annual “Free Summer Yoga in Astoria Park” program in the coming weeks. Th e free yoga program will meet each Wednesday from June 7 to Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. at Astoria Park, in the grassy area between the RFK (Triborough) Bridge and the pool. Th e classes are taught by professional yoga instructors from the Yoga Agora of Astoria studio. Aft er six years in practice, the program continues to draw new and returning participants. or investment other than their and all you need to get started is “For me, the best aspect of this program time,” said Angie Xidias, general manager a large towel and the comfortable pants is that it gives anyone the opportunity to of City View Pharmacy and self-proclaimed and shirt you already own. Th en you try yoga for free and without any commitment yoga beginner. “Everyone is welcome, follow the instructor’s lead. I hope our Neighbors who haven’t tried yoga but are curious about it will come out to the park and give it a try. It’s very important for our well-being to take some time out of our very hectic lives and fi nd a way to get some downtime in for yourself. Yoga is known to promote overall health and wellness, so that’s why we are bringing this experience to our community.” All are welcome at the yoga sessions, no matter what your skill level is. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat or a large towel with them. All participants are asked to sign up for a class beforehand by either visiting www.cityviewpharmacy.com, calling 718-545-2550 or in person at City View Pharmacy, located at 23-07 Astoria Blvd. in Astoria. Classes will cancel due to inclement weather; keep an eye on the City View Pharmacy Facebook page for updates. Photo: Shutterstock — to local public schools to enrich student music and arts education. Each of the vibrant pianos are part of the organization’s sixth annual Sing for Hope Pianos initiative were designed by local artists, musicians, comedians and Broadway casts, including superstar Kate McKinnon, international recording artist Roberta Flack, acclaimed visual artist Billy the Artist and Broadway casts from “Aladdin,” “Beautiful,” “Cats,” “Chicago,” “Th e Lion King” and more. Th e following Queens spaces will feature a piano on June 5 through 25: Long Island City — Hunter’s Point South Park, Borden Avenue and Center Boulevard; designed by Nick Stavrides Astoria —Paul Raimonda Park, 20th Avenue between 47th and 48th Streets; designed by Jieun Yang Astoria — Kaufman Astoria Studios, 34-12 36th St.; designed by Sesame Street Forest Hills — Yellowstone Park, 68th Avenue and Yellowstone Boulevard; designed by Sashalynillo Th e Rockaways — Rockaway Beach: Boardwalk at 86th, 86-01 Shore Front Pkwy.; designed by Joseph Meloy The Rockaways — Sorrentino Recreation Center, 18-48 Cornaga Ave.; designed by Th e Foundation for Art & Healing Flushing — Flushing Town Hall, 137- 35 Northern Blvd.; designed by Gilly Gil- Lugo Jamaica — Roy Wilkins Recreation Center, 177-01 Baisley Blvd.; designed by Tracy Crane Glen Oaks — Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy.; designed by Anne Bae To learn more about each piano and its artist, visit www.singforhope.org/pianos. Th e Sing for Hope Pianos initiative is the country’s largest annual public arts project, reaching an estimated 2 million New Yorkers annually across the fi ve boroughs. Since it was founded in 2006, Sing for Hope has partnered with over 250 nonprofi t organizations, involved over 3,500 artists in community volunteerism and placed 338 artist-created Sing for Hope Pianos throughout NYC’s parks and public spaces for everyone to play. An artist volunteer works on a Sing For Hope piano.
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