FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Following a successful Summer, Astoria Music & Arts continues their programming in Fall 2009
QUEENS, NEW YORK, September 24, 2009–Astoria Music & Arts (AM&A) is thrilled to announce the next phase of their 2009 event programming, including a brand new music series called “Sounds of the Scene” at Shillelagh and The Quays in Astoria, a Zombie Stomp Social on Halloween, and a fall festival at beautiful Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City.
Astoria Music & Arts recently launched the
“Sounds of the Scene” music performance series at
Shillelagh (47-22 30th Ave) and
The Quays (45-02 30th Ave) in Astoria. Indie/alternative band Stone Robot and edgy songstress Doris Cellar kicked off the series at Shillelagh, and AM&A will continue to host Sounds of the Scene
on Friday and Saturday nights at these standout venues. The Quays has been a particularly important staple in the growth of the local scene, with bartender Gerald Donnelly playing in legendary Queens band Lancaster County Prison, Little Creatures’ Jimmy Artache running the open mic on Thursdays, and Shane McGowan of The Pogues popping in for some drinks whenever he’s in New York City. In addition, The Quays is home to another AM&A series, the Monday night music showcase
“Manic Mondays at The Quays.” Shillelagh is also aiming to become a haven for local music in Astoria: the venue offers drink specials on show nights and is ready to rock with a brand new sound system.
Both venues are easily accessible and located on the very same avenue in Astoria, and will also be presenting a
wild holiday weekend for local ghosts and ghouls! There will be two shows: one on
October 30th at
The Quays, and a second at
Shillelagh, which will be hosting the return of the
Zombie Stomp Social on
Halloween night, October 31st, complete with a costume contest!
But even before the Halloween shows, AM&A is bringing a special celebration to
Long Island City. Astoria Music & Arts has been invited by LIC’s
Gantry Plaza State Park to help them celebrate the fall season with a
music and arts festival on Saturday, October 17th, 2009. AM&A and Gantry Plaza State Park will present a day of music, arts, and activities featuring music by several of Astoria's own. Gantry Plaza State Park is not only a beautiful location with unparalleled views of the Manhattan skyline from the LIC shore, but it has also become a burgeoning spot for emerging musicians and artists to perform, as evidenced by the past two years of free Summer music on Tuesday evenings as part of Live at the Gantries, presented by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation; Queens Council on the Arts; and Queens Theatre in the Park.
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ABOUT ASTORIA MUSIC & ARTS:
Astoria Music & Arts (AM&A) is committed to preserving the continually thriving music and arts community surrounding the Astoria/Long Island City area. Their mission is to build a bridge between local music, performing, and visual artists, and the locations in which they can showcase their talent. Since 2008, AM&A has quickly made a name for themselves with the production of unique local events like the “Cornucopia of Consciousness” at Hell Gate Social; the 3-venue, one night “Rock n’ Crawl” along 30th Ave. in Astoria; the massive music and arts extravaganza “AMandA in Wonderland” at Astoria performance/art space, Wonderland Collective; the two sets of ambitious 5-day “Rock n’ Crawl”s bookending Summer 2009 (“A Rock Odyssey” and “Drop It Like It’s Hot”); and of course, the past two years of AM&A’s keystone event, “Astoria Music Now!”, packing Astoria Park with hours and hours of live music and art, all for free. AM&A has been featured in LIC’s Ins&Outs Magazine as well as the magazine’s local music mini-documentary, “Live Local, Rock Local” (found in the archives of www.insandoutstv.com). Most recently, their Second Annual “Astoria Music Now!” festival garnered significant local media attention, including a special feature article in the New York Daily News. Astoria Music & Arts is supported and run on a volunteer basis with funding from generous local organizations such as City Parks Foundation and various local businesses.
