Musica Reginae Productions organizes live shows for adults and youngsters in Queens.
MRP’s 24th season begins with a magical children’s show, Sari-Sari Storybooks with Music, in Forest Hills on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 2 pm.
Professional actors Bing Magtoto and Patrick Elizalde will present Christina Newhard’s tales about a painfully shy boy, a bullied girl, and a homesick girl in the Philippines accompanied by live music while artwork from the published books is projected on a screen. (The music is inspired by Filipino provinces and instruments.)
Admission is free, and signed Sari-Sari books will be available for purchase, thanks to Kew & Willow Books.
The rest of the season includes everything from Chamber Music to Marimba to Jazz to Baroque Classics. All events take place at The Church-in-the-Gardens.
The schedule follows. Please note that each concert ($12.71) has a corresponding free children’s event.
An Evening of Chamber Music on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 7:30 pm.
Works by Mozart and Dvorak for piano and strings followed by piano quartets by Queens-based composers Gilbert Galindo and Beata Moon.
A Baroque Celebration on Saturday, Jan. 20, at 7:30 pm.
Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” and Bach’s D Minor Concerto for keyboard and string orchestra.
Sedalia to Harlem: A Celebration of Black Culture in America on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 7:30 pm.
MRP Founder David Close returns to host a trip though Jazz, Opera, and African American Spirituals. (The professional conductor offered a similar event last year.)
Marimba Extraordinaire: Makoto Nakura at 60 on Saturday, May 4, at 7:30 pm.
Japan native Makoto Nakura arrived in NYC 30 years ago. This concert shows the marimba legend’s journey through works which he has commissioned along the way. (It’s also his birthday.)
Community Concert for Kids
Making Music with Friends on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 4 pm.
MRP Artistic Director Barbara Podgurski plays piano with Sarah Pratt Parsamian (violin), Will Hakim (viola), and Robert Burkhart (cello). Attendees learn how instruments communicate together.
The Keyboard Traveling Through Time on Saturday, Jan. 20, at 4 pm.
Youngsters see a harpsichord up close and learn how the piano was created from its earliest keyboard form during this interactive event.
Sedalia to Harlem: A Celebration of Black Culture in America on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 4 pm.
Attendees trace the tradition of Black music, art, and culture in the United States. Plus, they meet some of the artists who will perform that evening and learn about their experiences as African American musicians.
Making Music with Makoto: Marimba Magic on Saturday, May 4, at 4 pm.
Makoto Nakura, who lives in Forest Hills, shares how he makes music on the marimba with opportunities to play child-size versions of the instrument.
Editor’s note: The Church-in-the-Gardens is at 50 Ascan Ave. in an area where parking is restricted. However, organizers will give temporary parking passes to attendees.
Top image: Makoto Nakura; bottom photo: Rob MacKay