In & Around Bayside & Whitestone

Wednesday, March 19, 2008 2:43 PM EDT

PERFORMANCES

On Saturday, March 22, 8 p.m. at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center, on the campus of Queensborough Community College, 222-05 56th Avenue in Bayside, The 3 Broadway Divas share the music of years of award-winning Broadway musicals including Phantom of the Opera, Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, Jekyll & Hyde, Sweet Charity, Gypsy, Cats, Chicago, Funny Girl, A Chorus Line, Evita, Follies and many more. Jan Horvath (the original Christine in Phantom of the Opera), Christiane Noll (original Emma in Jekyll & Hyde) and Debbie Gravitte (Tony award winner for Jerome Robbins’ “Broadway”) share the stage for the first time accompanied by live Broadway musicians. Tickets are $35, $32 and $29 and are available from the box office at 718-631-6311 or by visiting www.visitqpac.org.

On Saturday, March 29 at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 30 at 3 p.m. at Queens Theatre in the Park, located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, the Pilobolus Touring Company performs as part of the Dance Series. The group, which has a well-deserved reputation as a major American dance company of international influence is headed by Robby Barnett, artistic director. Tickets are $39, multi-show $33, senior $35, student $22. For more information or to purchase full-price tickets visit the website, www.queenstheatre.org. For senior, student or multi-show discounts, call the box office, 718-760-0064, Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m.

On Saturday, March 29, at 8 p.m. in the Queensborough Performing Arts Center, located on the campus of Queensborough Community College, 222-05 56th Avenue in Bayside, The St. Petersburg Ballet returns with their program Russian Seasons, combining vibrant enthusiasm and dazzling technique with three of the most well-known classical masterpieces. Leading dancers from across the Russias will perform exquisite choreography to “Chopiniana” by Frederic Chopin, “Scheherazade” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and the beloved “Bolero” by Maurice Ravel. Tickets are $42 or $39 and are available from the box office at 718-631-6311 or by visiting www.visitqpac.org.

On Sunday, March 30, at 3 p.m in the Foldstein Theatre at Queens College, Kupferberg Center Performances presents “Crossing the Boulevard: Strangers, Neighbors, Aliens in a new America” with Judith Sloan and Warren Lehrer. Based on their book of the same name, the performance explores the chaotic lives of immigrants and refugees who have settled in Queens. A question and answer session follows moderated by talk show host Brian Lehrer. Limited seating. Tickets are $12, available online at www.KupferbergCenterArts.org, by phone at 718-793-8080 or at the Colden Center box office at Queens College. Other free performances are at the Godwin-Ternbach Museum through June 28.

On Thursday, April 3, at 3 p.m., Saturday, April 5 at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 6 at 3 p.m. at Queens Theatre in the Park, located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, “Cookin’ in the Cookery,” the music and times of Alberta Hunter returns to the “More Theatre Series” by popular demand. Hunter faded from the scene before staging a stunning comeback at age 82. Sponsored by Con Edison. Tickets are from $32 to $18, including senior, student and multi-show discounts. For more information or to purchase full-price tickets visit the website, www.queenstheatre.org. For senior, student or multi-show discounts, call the box office, 718-760-0064, Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m.

On Friday, April 4 at 8 p.m. at Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Boulevard, Kendra Shank sings as part of the “Intimate Jazz” concert series. Music Scholar Nat Hentoff called her vocals “striking” and said “her musicianship is powerful.” She will interpret songs written by Jazz icon Abbey Lincoln, accompanied by Dean Johnson on bass; Toney Moreno, drums; Frank Kimbrough, piano; Ben Monder, guitar and Billy Drewes, saxophone. Tickets are $20, $16 for members. Call 718-463-7700, Ext. 222 or visit www.FlushingTownHall.org.

On Sunday, April 6, at 3 p.m. and at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center, located on the campus of Queensborough Community College, 222-05 56th Avenue in Bayside presents Cotton Club Swing with the Cab Calloway Orchestra and the Ink Spots. The orchestra, conducted with great showmanship by the immortal Cab Calloway’s grandson Calloway Brooks will be joined by the music icons for an evening of authentic hot Jazz and an unforgettable presentation of evergreens like “Birth of the Blues,” “Minnie the Moocher,” “It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie,” “If I Didn’t Care” and more. Tickets are $42, $39, $35 and are available from the box office at 718-631-6311 or by visiting www.visitqpac.org.

ODDS AND ENDS

On Monday, March 24, and every Monday, at 11:30 a.m. Watercolor Classes are offered at the Kew Gardens Community House, located at 80-20 Kew Gardens Road, in Suite 202. See how you can express yourself and release your artistic talents. For information, call 718-268-5960.

On Wednesday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m., the Singles Center at the Samuel Field Y of Little Neck, 58-20 Little Neck Parkway will host Wednesday Nite Rap for singles and single parents who are “40 plus.” Cara Mayrick will discuss “Secrets of Emotional Intimacy.” The fee is $7. Call 718-225-6750, Ext. 243 for more information.

On Wednesday, March 26, and every Wednesday, Watercolor Classes will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the National Art League, located at 44-21 Douglaston Parkway in Douglaston. For a fee of $20 per session, receive full demonstration and individual attention, in traditional and contemporary styles. Beginners welcome. Call 718-969-1128 for more information.

On Thursday, March 27 at 7 p.m. the Transition Center for people over 50 at the Samuel Field Y of Little Neck, 58-20 Little Neck Parkway will host a special program, “A Cup of Tea.” Explore flavors and aromas of the world’s second most popular beverage. Your palate will be guided from the subtleties of Chinese Green Teas, through the nuances of Oolong, to the earthiness of aged Ph-erh and an examination of the curative and preventative power of herbal teas. A materials fee of $10 includes a book and start-up tea kit. Call 718-225-6750, Ext. 236 for more information.