Free Jackson Heights Concert Pays Homage To Immigrants, 7 Train

JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS — A Jackson Heights-based music ensemble has put together a series of free, live performances in Diversity Plaza to ring in the first day of summer on June 21.

Local music ensemble Percussia collaborated with the non-profit Make Music New York to present a lineup of musical and spoken-word pieces that pay homage to Jackson Heights' immigrant population and the nearby 7 train.

The lineup is as follows:

• Composer Quentin Chiappetta will premiere his piece "Junction Blvd.," part of his multiphase project "International Express" that pays tribute to the 7 train.
• Mexican-American composer Carlo Nicolau will present "Immigrant Dream," inspired by the harp sounds and marimba music of Chiapas and Veracruz.
• "From New York with ," by Wang Jie pays homage to the MTA by using the sounds of a R-142A subway car starting up.
• Actor and writer Victoria DeVaney will perform a spoken word monologue about the MTA, called "View from the Cheap Seats."

The free performance in Jackson Heights' newly-renovated Diversity Plaza is part of Make Music New York's 13th annual summer festival, which includes more than a thousand free concerts in public spaces throughout New York City. The festival takes place on the first day of summer each year.

The performance in Diversity Plaza takes place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 21.

Visit makemusicny.org to learn more.