Amina Claudine Myers, María Fernanda González

—  The concert will feature American jazz artist Amina Claudine Myers and Venezuelan bandola llanera performing artist María Fernanda González. —

Flushing Town Hall’s most popular series, Common Ground: Mini-Global Mashups, continues with its “Jazz Piano Meets Venezuela” concert on September 18th at 1 PM EST. 

The monthly concert series presents musicians from different countries and musical backgrounds together on stage for a “mashup” collaboration, playing together for the first time. September’s mashup will feature American jazz artist Amina Claudine Myers and Venezuelan bandola llanera performing artist María Fernanda González.

Amina Claudine Myers is a multi-faceted artist, composer, and educator who performs original works of jazz, blues, gospel, spirituals, and improvisations for the pipe organ. In 2010, Myers was commissioned by the Chicago Jazz Institute to compose and direct a composition for a 17-piece jazz orchestra in celebration of the late Miss Mary Lou Williams’ 100th birthday. Myers has received multiple grants and awards from institutions that include the National Endowment for the Arts, Meet The Composer, and The New York Foundation for the Arts. Myers was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame in 2010.

María Fernanda González (Mafer Bandola) is a bandola llanera player, educator, self-taught composer, and journalist from Barquisimeto, Venezuela. She is one of the only women worldwide performing the bandola professionally as a solo artist. She has competed in and won competitions at the renowned Joropo Festival in Colombia. She is also an innovator in her craft, experimenting with genres, sounds, and cross-cultural collaboration in her compositions. In 2016, she became the first woman to play the electric version of the bandola. González is also a founding member of LADAMA, a band composed of four women from four countries.

Flushing Town Hall’s Mini-Global Mashups series has been curated by acclaimed trumpeter and composer Frank London of The Klezmatics, who himself performed in Flushing Town Hall’s original, large-scale Global Mashups series.

“Audiences can look forward to enjoying amazing performers whose music is tied to their traditions but simultaneously modernized and fused with other musical elements that expand their borders,” says Frank London.

“Presenting these Mini-Global Mashups each month is one of the highlights of what we do at Flushing Town Hall,” says Flushing Town Hall Executive & Artistic Director Ellen Kodadek. “I cannot wait for our audience to hear the musical talents of the legendary Amina Claudine Meyers and María Fernanda González.”

The September 18th performance will be followed by a Q+A conversation between the artists and the audience.

In-person tickets are $12 for Flushing Town Hall members and $15 for non-members. Those who are unable to attend in person can view the livestream for free at https://www.youtube.com/flushingtownhall/live. Donations are encouraged. 

For the Mini-Global Mashup series’ full schedule and to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.flushingtownhall.org/mini-global-mashups or call (718) 463-7700 x222.

For the venue’s full schedule of 2022 Fall  events, visit: https://www.flushingtownhall.org/events

The Mini-Global Mashup concert series is made possible thanks to funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Center For Cultural Vibrancy.

COVID Policy: 

Although as of March 7, 2022, New York City has relaxed its COVID policies for indoor arts and entertainment events, Flushing Town Hall will maintain its prior policy for the safety of its audiences, artists, and staff. This policy will remain in effect until further notice: Flushing Town Hall requires all visitors, performers, and staff to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 with matching identification. Additionally, masks will be required at all times. For more details on Flushing Town Hall’s Covid-safety measures and vaccine requirements, please visit: https://www.flushingtownhall.org/covid-safety.

Support Global Arts with a Gift Today!

All gifts of $50 or more give you exclusive Flushing Town Hall Circle of Friends membership benefits including a Smithsonian membership, ticket discounts, and more! Donations in any amount are appreciated to support the artists and the nonprofit cultural organization as they continue to provide programming and entertainment across New York and the world.

https://www.flushingtownhall.org/circle-of-friends

Flushing Town Hall is a not for profit organization and receives major support in 2022 from the National Endowment for the Arts; New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature; New York State Assembly Member Ron Kim; The City of New York, Mayor Eric Adams; New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Commissioner Laurie Cumbo; Queens Borough President Donovan Richards; The New York City Council, Speaker Adrienne E. Adams and New York City Council Members Sandra Ung, Tiffany Caban, Shekar Krishnan, Linda Lee, Vickie Paladino, Lynn Schulman, and Jessica Won; Howard Gilman Foundation, Booth Ferris Foundation, Guru Krupa Foundation, Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation.

To view current donor lists, please visit www.flushingtownhall.org/donor-listings

About Flushing Town Hall

Flushing Town Hall (FTH), a Smithsonian affiliate, presents multi-disciplinary global arts that engage and educate the global communities of Queens and New York City in order to foster mutual appreciation. As advocates of arts equity since 1979, we support local, immigrant, national, and international artists, developing partnerships and collaborations that enhance our efforts. As a member of New York City’s Cultural Institutions Group (CIG), we serve to restore, manage and program the historic 1862 landmark on behalf of the City of New York. FTH celebrates the history of Queens as the home of Jazz, by presenting the finest in Jazz performance. We are committed to arts education and hands-on learning, for the arts-curious, arts enthusiasts, and professional artists. We serve one of the most diverse communities in the world and strive to uphold the legacy of inclusiveness that has defined our community since the Flushing Remonstrance of 1657.

Flushing Town Hall is a proud member of the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG), a collective of 34 nonprofit museums, performing arts centers, historical societies, zoos, and botanical gardens across all five boroughs with a distinct private-public partnership with the City of New York and a commitment to serving all New Yorkers.

Land Acknowledgement:

Flushing Town Hall acknowledges that we are on the traditional land of the Matinecock People, one of the original tribes of New York, and the first people of Flushing, Queens. The Matinecock continue to live and work on this land to this day. Flushing Town Hall honors their elders who have stewarded this land throughout generations.