#InTheLoop | Enjoy Art, Live Music + Cousin Brucie in Bayside

The Bayside Historical Society promotes the past, but it has a tremendous future.

From its headquarters — a landmark property in Fort Totten called “The Castle” – the nonprofit organizes a variety of children’s activities, adult enrichment programs, art exhibitions, and live concerts.

The next event is Joseph Cornell Shadow Boxes, a lecture-and-crafting workshop led by Creative Arts therapist Betsy Lazarus on Thursday, April 13, at 7:30 pm. Activities are inspired by a world famous painter and shadow box artist who grew up on Utopia Parkway, not far from St. John’s University.

Cornell created wooden boxes filled with found objects, such as buttons, corks, and photographs, after attending the 1939-40 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Many pieces were from the World’s Fair, but others were from vintage shops, garage sales, and flea markets. He named the boxes, which he fronted with glass panels, after faraway places and famous artists.

The odd character rarely left his house and almost never left New York City, but he exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Cooper Union, and other places around the United States as well as London and Vienna posthumously.

Two days later on April 15, BHS will host an Open Sew at 1 pm ($10). Those who quilt, sew or embroider are invited, as well as those who want to learn.

Agoci, which translates from Creole as “nurturing the soul,” was founded by dancer, choreographer, teacher, and lead singer Rol’hans Innocent. This band performs original songs in English and Haitian Creole about the joy, love, and struggle of Haitian people. The rhythms mix traditional Haitian Folk with Hip-Hop, Compas, and Calypso.

The hits keep coming with Classics of the Cousin Brucie Era the following weekend. The legendary disk jockey, whose real name is Bruce Morrow, had steady, popular Golden Oldies shows on WABC and WCBS from the 1960s to the 1980s. (Though he’s almost 90 years old, he recently returned to WABC with a Saturday night show.)

The BHS tribute begins with a dance extravaganza on April 22 at 3 pm ($20 or $60 for a family of up to five people). Attendees are encouraged to wear bell bottoms, love beads, Disco dancing shoes, and even Flashdance leg warmers. Prizes will go to the families with the best outfits.

Get Into The Grove, a musical tribute to Cousin Brucie, is on April 23, starting at 3 pm ($25 adults, $10 children) with a pre-show wine-and-cheese reception ($10, adults only) beforehand.

Here’s a list of the BHS Passport concerts that follow.

The Brazilian Soirée with Diálogos Duo is on April 30 at 3 pm. The group presents the world premiere of “Soirée for Pixinguinha,” which celebrates the Brazilian master’s 125th birthday with 13 inspired tributes.

Carnival Music From the Caribbean with the Tribal Legacy Band is on May 21.

Music & Dance From Korea with The Vong Ku Pak Ensemble is on June 11.

Located at 208 Totten Ave. on the Fort Totten grounds at the borough’s northeastern tip, The Castle was called “The Officers’ Mess Hall and Club” when it was built for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1887. (Fort Totten was an active military base from 1857 until 1995.) The three-story, wood-framed, Gothic Revival mansion features an uncommon U-shaped layout with a central entrance between octagonal corner pavilions. The Castle became a New York City Landmark in 1974 and it made the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Images: BHS/Stephen Cavaseno