54 THE QUEENS COURIER • BUZZ • SEPTEMBER 5, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
buzz
Flushing teen sings at 2019 US Open
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
cmohamed@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
A Flushing teen had the honor of singing
Photo by Mike Lawrence/USTA
Representing Flushing, Kelly Lukito, 13, performs
“America the Beautiful” at the 2019 US
Open.
“America Th e Beautiful” at the 2019
U.S. Open on Aug. 28, prior to the evening
session on Arthur Ashe Stadium
at the Billie Jean King National Tennis
Center.
Representing Flushing, Kelly Lukito, 13,
is one of 12 vocalists (ages 14 and under)
selected by the USTA to perform patriotic
songs during the night sessions of
the 2019 U.S. Open and at Arthur Ashe
Kids’ Day. Th e lineup for this year’s talent
features kids throughout the tri-state
area, as well as from California, Indiana,
Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.
Anthem singer Kelly Lukito at the 2019
U.S. Open. (Photo by Darren Carroll/
USTA)
Lukito, an off -Broadway performer, did
her fi rst musical in the fourth grade, she
says. She played the role of Flounder in
“Th e Little Mermaid.”
“I’ve been singing all of my life. I do a lot
of plays, musicals, short fi lms,” Lukito said
during a pre-show interview. “I am really
excited … it’s just wild and crazy. I never
thought I would be here doing this.”
Lukito submitted her performance
via a nationwide online audition for the
13th anniversary U.S. Open Anthem
Auditions. Th e audition process began
earlier this summer with close to 350 contestants
vying for a coveted spot.
A select number of contestants from the
online audition were invited to participate
in an in-person callback, where they performed
in front of a panel of judges from
the music and entertainment industries.
“My advice to others is to just be yourself
because a lot of people have diff erent
voices and you never really know what
anyone is looking for,” Lukito said. “Don’t
be afraid and go for anything because you
would be surprised at the results.”
Past U.S. Open anthem winners
and performers include Frenie Acoba
(“Matilda” on Broadway), Angelica Hale
(“America’s Got Talent” season 12), and
Brennley Brown (“Th e Voice” season 12).
Th ese children will join the group of
music industry leaders who have performed
at the event, including Kelly
Clarkson, Lenny Kravitz, Ariana Grande,
Rihanna, Phil Collins, Fitz and the
Tantrums, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Diana
Ross, Art Garfunkel, Aretha Franklin and
Tony Bennett, to name a few. Headlining
this year’s Opening Night Ceremony will
be Tony, Grammy and Emmy Awardwinning
vocalist, actor and Atlantic
Records recording artist Ben Platt of
Broadway’s “Dear Evan Hansen.”
Photo courtesy of the Bayside Historical Society
Bayside Historical Society’s annual Totten Trot returns in October
BY EMILY DAVENPORT
out to the Little Bay Path to the Th rogs
overall male and female winners in the
win raffl es from local vendors. All runners
edavenport@qns.com
Neck Bridge before rounding back to the
5K, with $100 for fi rst place, $75 for
@QNS
park.
second place and $50 for third place.
Th e day will start with registration at
First, second and third place trophies
Mark your calendars and grab your
7:30 a.m. with the 5K race kicking off
and medals will be awarded to the male
running shoes — the 18th annual Totten
at 9 a.m. At 10 a.m., the Kids’ Fun Run
and female winners of the following
Trot in Bayside is returning for a day of
will begin. Children 12 and under will
age groups: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29,
running, fun and prizes next month.
be grouped by age and do short distance
30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and 80
On Oct. 27, the Bayside Historical
sprints. All kids are encouraged to wear
and over.
Society will present their annual Totten
their Halloween costume and will earn a
Awards will be given out at in the ballroom
Trot 5K Foot Race & Kids’ Fun Run
“cookie medal” for participating.
of “Th e Castle” during a breakfast
through Fort Totten Park. Rain or shine,
Just like in years past, cash prizes and
reception following the races. Participants
runners will go through the historic park,
trophies will be available to top three
can enjoy live music and have a chance to
will receive a free goodie bag full
of gift s and coupons from sponsors of
the 5K.
All proceeds from the event will go to
support the Bayside Historical Society’s
programming.
To register for the trot, visit events.elitefeats.
com/october-2019-totten-trot-5kbayside.
Registration costs $30 from now
until Oct. 12, $35 until Oct. 26 and $40 on
race day. Th e fi rst 150 sign-ups are guaranteed
a free T-shirt.
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