2017 Season Calendar

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Exhibitions & Public Programs 2017 32-01 Vernon Boulevard at Broadway Long Island City, NY 11106 mailing address: PO Box 6259, Long Island City, NY 11106 tel: 718.956.1819 fax: 718.626.1533 email: info@socratessculpturepark.org Open daily from 9 AM until sunset Free Admission

All programs are FREE. Programs may be changed, cancelled, or added throughout the year; please consult our website and follow us for up-to-date information: socratessculpturepark.org socratessculpturepark @socratespark @socratespark


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Dear Friends,

It is with great pleasure that I share our 2017 Exhibitions & Public Programs with you. Looking ahead to our upcoming season I feel the hope that comes with creativity, community, and natural beauty. Our breadth of programs reflect Socrates Sculpture Park’s core values, which have guided us for the last 30 years: the belief in the power of creative expression; the establishment of an atmosphere of inclusion that supports the empowerment of individuals; and the importance of nature in our urban environment. The unique experience of Socrates Sculpture Park is truly amazing. Our 2017 calendar is full of exciting and beloved festivals like Summer Solstice and Halloween Harvest; longstanding programs like Outdoor Cinema and Hip to Hip Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Parks; and the return of summer series of Dance and Jazz at Socrates. You’ll discover new programs like Wildfest, the INSITU Dance Festival, and Made at Socrates—a design-make spin on our Saturday Sculpture Workshops, tailored for adults. For the first time in Socrates Sculpture Park’s 30-year history, we’ve dedicated the entire landscape to a single artist. Working in our studio throughout the spring, the Jamaican-born, New York-based artist, Nari Ward, has created entirely new artworks for an outdoor exhibition, G.O.A.T., again. The exhibition is about cultural identity, social aspirations, and populism expressed in both monumental and humble sculptural forms. Following the solo exhibition, fifteen emerging artists will be awarded fellowships, work in our outdoor studio area, and exhibit their work this fall in The Socrates Annual, which showcases a diverse group of promising artists. On behalf of the staff, artists, performers, musicians, volunteers, and 50 program partners, we extend an invitation to come and enjoy everything we offer—free. Now more than ever we must work together to preserve and strengthen our creative voice, advance public dialogue, and provide essential open space. This is our call to action, and I want to thank the extraordinary staff, as well as our board, partners, community, and ardent supporters for making Socrates a place for these ideals. I hope you’ll join us this season in the park!

John Hatfield Executive Director


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MAY Nari Ward: G.O.A.T., again (on view through September 4) Saturdays Free Yoga in the Park Sundays Free Yoga in the Park Free Tai Chi in the Park 06 Saturday Saturday Sculpture Workshop: Learning from the Past, Pt. 1 Hearts Across Queens Community Voices Mini-Festival 13 Saturday Saturday Sculpture Workshop: Learning from the Past, Pt. 2 20 Saturday Wildfest Hellgate Farm’s Urban Farming 101: Planning for Abundance 21 Sunday Made at Socrates: Sub-Irrigated Tomato Planters 27 Saturday Saturday Sculpture Workshop: Unconventional Figure Drawing 29 Monday Memorial Day Paddle in Hallets Cove (tide permitting)

9:30–10:30 AM 11 AM–12 PM 10–11 AM 11 AM–12 PM 12–3 PM 1–4 PM 12–3 PM 12–3 PM 12–3 PM 1–3 PM 12–3 PM 1–4 PM

JUNE Nari Ward: G.O.A.T., again (on view through September 4) Sculpture Studio culminating exhibition on view this month in education area Saturdays Free Yoga in the Park Sundays Free Yoga in the Park Free Tai Chi in the Park 01 Thursday Jazz at Socrates I: René McLean Quartet 03 Saturday Saturday Sculpture Workshop: G.O.A.T. Monuments Nari Ward: G.O.A.T., again Opening Celebration 04 Sunday Made at Socrates: Indigo Dyeing 10 Saturday LIC Bike Parade Hellgate Farm’s Urban Farming 101: Vermicomposting 11 Sunday Made at Socrates: Soap-making Queens Hip Hop Festival’s Park Jam Paddling in Hallets Cove (tide permitting) 17 Saturday Saturday Sculpture Workshop: Road to Freedom Paper Quilting Storytime at Socrates with Queens Bookshop Initiative Hellgate Farm’s Urban Farming 101: Living Seeds 21 Wednesday Summer Solstice Celebration Folly to Function: Circle Shade – 2πR4 Opening Celebration 24 Saturday Saturday Sculpture Workshop: Who Am I? Zine Making LIC & Astoria Love Letter with Five Boro Story Project Metropolitan Opera’s Summer Recital 25 Sunday Made at Socrates: Upcycled Bookbinding Paddling at Hallets Cove (tide permitting) Newtown Literary Issue #10 Launch Reading

9:30–10:30 AM 11 AM –12 PM 10–11 AM 11 AM –12 PM 6:30–8 PM 12–3 PM 3–7 PM 1–3 PM 11 AM –3 PM 12–3PM 1–3 PM 1–4 PM 1–4 PM 12–3 PM 12–2 PM 12–3 PM 5 PM–Dusk 5–8 PM 12–3 PM 1–4 PM 7–8:30 PM 1–3 PM 1–4 PM 4–6 PM


JULY Nari Ward: G.O.A.T., again (on view through September 4) Wednesdays Outdoor Cinema 7 PM Saturdays Free Yoga in the Park 9:30–10:30 AM 11 AM–12 PM Sundays Free Yoga in the Park 10–11 AM Free Tai Chi in the Park 11 AM–12 PM 01 Saturday Saturday Sculpture Workshop: Upstander Love Letters 12–3 PM 06 Thursday Jazz at Socrates II: Firey String Sistas! 6:30–8 PM 08 Saturday Saturday Sculpture Workshop: Creature Colony 12–3 PM INSITU Dance Festival, Day 1 12–7 PM 09 Sunday Made at Socrates: Silkscreening 1–3 PM INSITU Dance Festival, Day 2 12–7 PM Paddling in Hallets Cove (tide permitting) 1–4 PM 15 Saturday City of Water Day 11 AM–3 PM Storytime at Socrates with Queens Bookshop Initiative 12–2 PM 16 Sunday Made at Socrates: Essential Oils for Summer 1–3 PM 22 Saturday Saturday Sculpture Workshop: Masks for MVMT 12–3 PM 29 Saturday Saturday Sculpture Workshop: Kite Making 101 12–3 PM Young Dancemakers Company 12–3:30 PM Corona Youth Music Project 4:30–6 PM MVMTMVMT: An Evening of Performance 6:30–8:30 PM AUGUST Nari Ward: G.O.A.T., again (on view through September 4) Wednesdays Outdoor Cinema 7PM Saturdays Free Yoga in the Park 9:30–10:30 AM 11 AM –12 PM Sundays Free Yoga in the Park 10–11 AM Free Tai Chi in the Park 11 AM–12 PM 03 Thursday Jazz at Socrates III: “Hot Lips” Joey Morant 6:30–8 PM (Jazz for Kids pre-show at 5:30 PM) 05 Saturday Saturday Sculpture Workshop: Constellation Poetry 12–3 PM Dance at Socrates 4–5:30 PM 06 Sunday Made at Socrates: Plastic Bag Couture 1–3 PM Hip to Hip Theatre Company: Henry IV, Part 1 4:30–6:30 PM (Kids & The Classics pre-show at 4 PM) 12 Saturday Saturday Sculpture Workshop: SPAT! POW! Tie-Dyeing Super Heroes 12–3 PM Dance at Socrates 4–5:30 PM 13 Sunday Made at Socrates: Stamped Metal Customizing 1–3 PM Paddling in Hallets Cove (tide permitting) 1–4 PM Hip to Hip Theatre Company: Measure for Measure 4:30–6:30 PM (Kids & The Classics pre-show at 4 PM) 19 Saturday Saturday Sculpture Workshop: Whatever Floats Your Boat 12–3 PM Storytime at Socrates with Queens Bookshop Initiative 12–2 PM Dance at Socrates 4–5:30 PM 20 Sunday Made at Socrates: Candle-making 1–3 PM 26 Saturday Saturday Sculpture Workshop: Geological Pets 12–3 PM Paddling in Hallets Cove (tide permitting) 1–4 PM 27 Sunday Paddling in Hallets Cove (tide permitting) 1–4 PM


SEPTEMBER Nari Ward: G.O.A.T., again (on view through September 4) Saturdays Free Yoga in the Park 9:30–10:30 AM 11 AM–12 PM Free Capoeira in the Park 1–2 PM Sundays Free Yoga in the Park 10–11 AM Free Tai Chi in the Park 11 AM–12 PM 02 Saturday Saturday Sculpture Workshop: Faces of Astoria 12–3 PM Circus Amok! Performance 3–4 PM 09 Saturday Saturday Sculpture Workshop: Clay Sculpture 12–3 PM 10 Sunday Made at Socrates: Terrariums 1–3 PM 16 Saturday Saturday Sculpture Workshop: Meadow Mazes 12–3 PM Storytime at Socrates with Queens Bookshop Initiative 12–2 PM 17 Sunday Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Nueva York’s Festival del Huapango 3–7 PM 23 Saturday Saturday Sculpture Workshop: End of Summer Jam 12–3 PM OCTOBER The Socrates Annual (on view through March 2018)

Saturdays Free Capoeira in the Park (through October 7) 1–2 PM 01 Sunday The Socrates Annual Opening Celebration 3–6 PM 14 Saturday Queens Food Day 11 AM–3 PM SkowheganPerforms 1–5 PM 28 Saturday Halloween Harvest Festival with Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de NY 11 AM–3 PM


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Nari Ward: G.O.A.T., again On view April 29 – Sept 4, 2017 Opening Celebration Saturday, June 3 3 –7 PM

Image: Nari Ward, G.O.A.T.s, 2017 (detail) Courtesy the artist; Socrates Sculpture Park; Lehmann Maupin, New York and Hong Kong; and Galleria Continua, San Gimignano / Beijing / Les Moulins / Habana.

Socrates Sculpture Park is pleased to present Nari Ward: G.O.A.T., again, a solo exhibition of Nari Ward featuring a constellation of six newly commissioned outdoor artworks made on-site at Socrates. Nari Ward: G.O.A.T., again, spans Socrates Sculpture Park’s five-acre landscape as the Park’s first presentation of a single artist in its 30-year history. Ward, who transforms discarded or familiar materials into formal innovations that address society’s most urgent questions, underscores the Park’s mission of integrating contemporary art into daily life and as a space for cultural exchange and transformation. For the exhibition Ward has recast tropes of outdoor structures – the monument, the playground, lawn ornaments, architectural barriers, and the advertising sign – into surreal and playful creations. Nari Ward: G.O.A.T., again examines how hubris creates misplaced expectations in American culture. This exhibition also brings new insight into the artist’s exploration of identity, social progress, the urban environment, and a sense of belonging. G.O.A.T. is an acronym for Greatest of All Time, a phrase commonly used in American sports, made famous by Muhammad Ali, and in hip-hop, most notably, as the title of Queens native LL Cool J’s best-selling album. The exhibition title alludes to the African-American experience and political theater—common themes in Ward’s work. The figure of the goat features prominently in Ward’s articulation of social dynamics, conjuring the animal’s attributes and symbolic connotations, from an ambitious climber of great heights to a social outcast. In Nari Ward: G.O.A.T., again, a herd of cast goats traverses the park, both in groups and as solitary individuals, manifesting the show’s title. The appropriation of the word goat, turning an insult into a moniker for excellence, demonstrates the power of wordplay. Scapegoat, a forty-foot long hobby toy, further develops the goat metaphor and highlights another strand of the show: the satirization of virility, masculinity, and monument. The visual anchor of the show is Apollo/Poll, a towering sign that reads ‘APOLLO,’ the letters ‘A’ and ‘O’ blinking on and off to spell out ‘POLL.’ The size and font of the glowing red LED letters refer to that of the iconic neon beacon hanging over Harlem’s Apollo Theater, a renowned venue for African American musicians and entertainers. ‘Poll’ suggests not only the Apollo’s well-known amateur night in which the audience decides the winner, but also the United States election process. Ward imagines the sign as a reflection on the enterprise and art of self-promotion, performance, originality, and the meaning of consensus. Nari Ward: G.O.A.T., again is organized by Socrates Sculpture Park and curated by Jess Wilcox, Director of Exhibitions. The exhibition is made possible with generous support from the Lambent Foundation, Henry Luce Foundation, and the Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation; with additional support provided by Lehmann Maupin, New York and Hong Kong; Galleria Continua, San Gimignano / Beijing / Les Moulins / Habana; Roberta & Steven Denning; and Spacetime, C.C. The exhibition is also supported, in part, by public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.


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FOLLY TO FUNCTION CIRCLE SHADE-2πR4 Opening Wednesday, June 21 5– 8 PM

Image: Eva Jensen Design, Circle Shade- 2πR4, 2017 (rendering)

Presented in Partnership with The Architectural League of New York The winning proposal for the 2017 Folly to Function design/build competition is Circle Shade - 2πR4, a portable and demountable shading structure, designed by Long Island City-based firm Eva Jensen Design, in collaboration with Laufs Engineering Design. Responding to the 2017 competition’s challenge to create four portable, deployable canopy structures for flexible use throughout the highly active environment of Socrates Sculpture Park, Jensen conceived a minimal and clean design that emphasizes simplicity, transparency, and versatility, inspired by a fundamental shape: the circle. Circle Shade-2πR4 consists of three main components—a circular canopy, aluminum support poles, and concrete drum counter weights. The circular canopy is connected to the poles with custom designed high strength structural 3D-printed joint nodes, engineered as rigid connections, with the ability to customize for variable pitches to the canopy. Elegantly simple, each canopy tilts while the structures can rotate in position to one another, exuding a playful character that complements the spirit of the Park. Circle Shade - 2πR4 offers a transparent, unobstructed view of the Park and its vistas and may be arranged in compelling clusters to host dynamic events. Its cylindrical counter weights may be used as step stools, display surfaces, or additional seating. The design also includes Socrates Sculpture Park’s iconic eyebeam logo and celebrates it as form. Jensen’s proposal was selected from submissions from around the world and reviewed by a jury of six esteemed architects, engineers, and artists, comprising Tatiana Bilbao (Tatiana Bilbao ESTUDIO), Eric Bunge (nARCHITECTS), Mary Miss (Artist, City as Living Laboratory), Craig Schwitter (BuroHappold Engineering), Hayes Slade (Slade Architecture), and John Hatfield (Executive Director of Socrates Sculpture Park). We thank our steadfast collaborator, The Architectural League of New York, and their project team, Rosalie Genevro, Anne Rieselbach, Jordan Hruska, and Matthew Ragazzo. Special thanks goes to fabrication collaborators and sponsors Truth Concrete, for their custom architectural concrete work, and Phorm, Inc, for their custom architectural CNC milling and mold design.


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THE SOCRATES ANNUAL October 1, 2017 – March 11, 2018 Opening Sunday, October 1 3 – 6 PM

Each year Socrates presents an exhibition of artworks made by artists awarded the Park’s Emerging Artist Fellowship. Conceived for the landscape and produced on-site in our outdoor studio over the course of the summer, the artworks respond to the Park’s unique spatial and social environment. Fifteen artist fellows are selected annually from an open call process with no specific thematic parameters – the only criteria is exceptional work. The points of departure for each artist project featured in the 2017 exhibition vary, including a failed Presidential amusement park, 18th century Chippendale and Queen Anne style furniture motifs, mobile home landscape and architecture, and New York City’s urban soccer leagues, among others. Yet, as artists are always reflective of and responsive to their surrounding historical, economic, political, and social climate, certain nodes of interest emerge from this show. Among these are structures and hierarchies of power, alternative perspectives within the act of looking, and uncovering of hidden histories. The 2017 artist fellows join the ranks of over 250 artists who have received grants for producing work at Socrates since the Park’s inaugural grant in 1995 and the formalization of the Emerging Artist Fellowship in 2000. We are grateful for the participation and insight of our 2017 Curatorial Advisors, Eugenie Tsai, the Barbara and John Vogelstein Curator of Contemporary Art, Brooklyn Museum, and Melissa Levin, Vice President, Cultural Programs, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, and thank them for thoughtfully reviewing this year’s proposals. 2017 Artists: Joe Bochynski Paul Branca Tanda Francis Devra Freelander Doreen Garner Gordon Hall Tali Keren and Alex Strada Valerie Piraino Sreshta Rit Premnath Ronny Quevedo Amy Ritter Moeinedin Shashaei David B. Smith Laura Swanson Xu Wang

Image: Moeinedin Shashaei, Interlocutor, 2015-ongoing


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Wildfest Saturday, May 20 12–3 PM

Wake up your inner explorer with a new mini-festival celebrating outdoor adventure, native folklore, and a richer relationship with the natural world! Join us for a variety of earthy art and awareness activities from Trees New York, SacredWaters, and Tommaso Lana, as well as compass work and orienteering with wilderness guide Sam Combs. Earth Living Skills will pop up on-site to share primitive skills and exercises such as flint-knapping and cordage, camouflage, and bowdrill making. In addition, local organizations will share their upcoming outdoor programming, and attendees can enjoy a Native American cultural presentation from the First Nations People of the Americas with Tecumseh Ceaser Matinecock, and Wampanoag Pokanoket and Chief Reggie Herb Dancer Ceaser of the Matinecock tribe Turkey Clan, with hoop dancer Donna Kolm and the Red Storm Drum and Dance Troupe.

Nari Ward: G.O.A.T., again Opening Celebration Saturday, June 3 3 – 7 PM

Celebrate our first ever solo exhibition with a very special opening event! Take a tour of Nari Ward’s new artworks in G.O.A.T., again with our Director of Exhibitions, sample tasty local Jamaican food, and create your own G.O.A.T.themed works of art in a workshop provided in collaboration with Brooklyn-based non-profit papermaking studio, Dieu Donné. Make your way to the stage to choose the G.O.A.T.s of the evening at our “Socrates Variety Hour” featuring music, spoken word, and other eclectic acts, kicked off with a performance curated by Cumbe Center for African and Diaspora Dance.

LIC Bike Parade Saturday, June 10 11 AM–3 PM Parade leaves at 2 PM

Presented in partnership with Bike New York, Recycle-A-Bicycle, and Transportation Alternatives Join us for our annual LIC Bike Parade, a visual spectacle of decorated bicycles promoting solidarity in community activism, healthy living, and cycling safety for NYC riders of all ages. Join partners like Bike New York, Recycle-A-Bicycle, and Transportation Alternatives, as well as Socrates artists and Free Style Arts Association for wild bike decorating workshops and parade float-making, bike repairs, giveaways, and resource sharing. The parade will leave the main gate of Socrates at 2PM, travel southbound along Vernon Boulevard, and culminate at Queensbridge Park. Adults, teens, kids, and families are all welcome to bring your wheels and ride with us!

Summer Solstice Celebration Wednesday, June 21 5 PM – Dusk

Celebrate the longest and most light-filled day of the year at Socrates! Enjoy art-making workshops with Socrates artists and The Noguchi Museum, participate in spontaneous oracle readings with artist Priscilla Stadler, get your face painted by Agostino Arts, bounce the sun with Tommaso Lana, and take a tour of the stars with LaGuardia Community College’s telescope. Check out the Socrates stage for a b-boy breakdancing cypher curated by Muta NYC, and an exciting showcase of Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba rhythms and dance from Bombazo Dance Co, led by Milteri Tucker Concepcion. Afterwards, gather around the hill as sunset nears for our traditional Solstice ritual cultivating inner light,

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community, and reverence performed by Urban Shaman Mama Donna. At this year’s Summer Solstice Celebration, we’ll also be unveiling Circle Shade - 2πR4, four shading structures designed by Long Island City-based firm Eva Jensen Design, and the winning project for the 2017 Folly to Function competition. LIC & Astoria Love Letter with Five Boro Story Project Saturday, June 24 1– 4 PM

Do you love your neighborhood? Join Five Boro Story Project for LIC & Astoria Love Letter, a fun afternoon in the Park and a chance to meet neighbors, hear true stories about life in the neighborhood from long-time residents, and enjoy performances of poetry and music inspired by Astoria and Long Island City. Share your own stories, write a love note to your neighborhood, and leave your mark on the Park with participatory art-making activities reflecting the local landscape.

City of Water Day Saturday, July 15 11 AM – 3 PM

Presented in partnership with Waterfront Alliance Socrates is proud to participate in Waterfront Alliance’s citywide festival, City of Water Day, dedicated to fostering awareness, appreciation, and stewardship of our NYC waterfronts and waterways. Join Socrates artists and Art House Astoria Conservatory for Music and Art for aquatic art and costume-making, create a giant Magic Waterfalls sculpture with Free Style Arts Association, learn local waterfront history with Greater Astoria Historical Society, and enjoy a special river-themed Bangla dance and music performance from the Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA). Don’t forget to stop by the Hallets Cove Beach to join City Parks Foundation’s Coastal Classroom crew for waterfront ecology and exploration. Bring your cameras and sketchpads because the Manhattan Kayak Circumnavigation will also bring hundreds of kayakers ashore at Socrates as a stop on their incredible East River journey!

Queens Food Day Saturday, October 14 11 AM – 3 PM

Presented in partnership with Queens Action Council (QuAC) and City Harvest In honor of World Food Day, Socrates Sculpture Park, Queens Action Council (QuAC), and City Harvest are hosting a fun, interactive, delicious, and educational day of learning, cooking, eating, advocacy, and wellness. Explore and become a part of the landscape of food justice in Northwest Queens with a variety of community organizations sharing knowledge and resources on nutrition education, food affordability and accessibility, urban farming, planting and gardening, sustainability, and healthy living. Participating partners include GrowNYC, NYC Compost Project at Big Reuse, Allergic to Salad, Smiling Hogshead Ranch, Queens Dinner Club, and Spice Tree Organics. Join us for activities, conversations, cooking demos, community building, performances like Lauren Hale Biniaris’ dance work-in-process “Hungry,” which explores the complicated world of food politics, and more! Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture will also be activating the Park with site-specific performance from 1– 5 PM. (see Performance)


Halloween Harvest Festival Saturday, October 28 11 AM – 3 PM

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Presented in partnership with Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Nueva York The Socrates season always goes out with a BANG with our Halloween Harvest Festival! This year’s theme is Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead with vibrant performance and music presented by Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Nueva York, which has been sharing Mexican heritage and culture with the NYC community for more than 30 years. Join us for spooky costume- and art-making with Socrates artists, fantastical face-painting with Agostino Arts, and add your mementos and relics to ancestral altars set up throughout the landscape. Urban Shaman Mama Donna will be offering harvest animal blessings for your pets, and if your pooch is in costume you can participate in a Socrates tradition – our annual Canine Costume Contest with fun prizes and local judges, including Château le Woof! Todos están bienvenidos a participar en este festival inspirado por el Dia de los Muertos, una celebración Mexicana que honora los muertos.


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Jazz at Socrates First Thursdays June 1, July 6, August 3 6:30 – 8 PM

Presented in partnership with The Jazz Foundation of America Socrates and The Jazz Foundation present a fun and dynamic series of jazz in the Park. The monthly concerts take place each First Thursday on our summer events stage near the East River, feature local food vendors, and culminate on August 3, Louis Armstrong’s 116th birthday. Co-presented by the Jazz Foundation of America’s Gig Fund program, with support from the New York State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Thursday June 1 René McLean Quintet René McLean is a world renowned saxophonist, composer, band leader, educator and producer. He has performed and recorded with the crème de la crème of Black Musical tradition—Jackie McLean, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Tito Puente, Horace Silver, Babatunde Olatunji, Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Abbey Lincoln, Dexter Gordon, Yusef Lateef—and is on the faculty of the Jackie McLean Institute at The Hartt School, University of Hartford.

Thursday July 6 Firey String Sistas! Founded by cellist Nioka Workman, the engaging and inspiring Firey String Sistas! are a refreshing alternative to the standard jazz band. This stellar all-female ensemble is comprised of violin, cello, bass, piano, and drums. Their performances incorporate world music, women’s culture, string improvisation, and a deep connection to jazz history, as evidenced on their recent CD “That’s What She Said,” which All About Jazz calls “simultaneously accessible and sophisticated, poignant and erudite.”

Queens Hip Hop Festival’s Park Jam Sunday, June 11 1– 4 PM

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Thursday August 3 “Hot Lips” Joey Morant A Tribute to Louis Armstrong Come early! Jazz for Kids pre-show activity at 5:30 PM with Art House Astoria Conservatory for Music and Art One of the most exciting and dynamic trumpeters on the scene, Joey Morant returns for an encore edition of his thrilling Armstrong tribute at Jazz at Socrates 2016. A native of Charleston, South Carolina, Morant works in settings from duets to big bands and orchestras, including the Harlem Blues & Jazz Band. He has performed with jazz, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll greats, including Paul McCartney, Ray Charles, Lionel Hampton, and James Brown. He electrifies audiences with his dazzling horn technique, skillful scat singing, and humorous asides.

The organizers of the Queens Hip Hop Festival are hosting an early summer Park Jam at Socrates! The mission of the organization is to celebrate hip hop music and culture created in the World’s Borough, and the afternoon will include music from Queens turntablist legend DJ Rob Swift, live dancers, educational activities for families, and food from lo-


cal vendors. The event is sponsored by Stem Digital Group, The Hip Hop Advocacy Center, and Queen of Astoria. For more info, visit queenshiphopfestival.com The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series Saturday, June 24 7– 8:30 PM

Produced annually in association with SummerStage and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, The Met’s Summer Recital Series returns to Socrates for its sixth season, featuring three talented young Met singers performing arias and duets from a variety of operas.

Newtown Literary Issue #10 Launch Reading Sunday, June 25 4 – 6 PM

Join the staff and contributors of the Queens journal, Newtown Literary, as they celebrate their fifth anniversary with readings from their landmark tenth issue. Since 2012, Newtown Literary has published the work of Queens writers and poets, several of whom will read their work. Newtown Literary will also be hosting a roving workshop and reading at Socrates on July 16, 1– 3 PM.

INSITU Dance Festival Saturday, July 8 & Sunday, July 9 12 – 7 PM

INSITU is a unique two-day site-specific dance festival taking place at Socrates and three other Long Island City waterfront parks. Through free public outdoor dance performances and community workshops, INSITU encourages residents and audiences to discover their neighborhood and strengthen the relationship to their community. Twenty dance companies will present original dance work created in response to a specific site, setting up a chain of performances that lead the audience up and down the LIC waterfront, from Socrates to Hunters Point South. For more information, visit: insitudancefestival.com

Young Dancemakers Company Saturday, July 29 12 – 12:45 PM Dancing the Art 2– 3:30 PM Stage Performance

Young Dancemakers Company returns to Socrates with a concert of original choreography by NYC teens who have been touring their work throughout the city. The expressive choreography, including an excerpt of work by world-renowned choreographer José Limón, contains vital themes that are relevant, mindful, witty, and fun, accompanied with live and recorded music. Preceding the concert, dancers will also rove the landscape for “Dancing the Art,” creating movement studies based on sculptures in the Nari Ward exhibition. The ensemble is directed by Alice Teirstein, with Music Director William Catanzaro.

Corona Youth Music Project Saturday, July 29 4:30 – 6 PM

Join Corona Youth Music Project (CYMP or Núcleo Corona) for their debut concert at Socrates! Started in 2010, CYMP is a tuition-free music education program that promotes social inclusion in NYC. It follows the philosophy of El Sistema, a movement of social action through music that started in Venezuela in 1975: every child has the right to excel as a member of a musical ensemble. The project emphasizes four basic values: striving for artistic excellence is a tool to learn discipline and commitment; work in a safe and joyful environment engages deeper learning; music has to be accessible without any discrimination, and; participating in large ensembles such as symphony orchestras and choirs enables a stronger sense of community, pride and solidarity.


MVMTMVMT: An Evening of Performance Saturday, July 29 6:30 – 8:30 PM

Hip to Hip Theatre Company presents Shakespeare in the Parks

Interdisciplinary artist Brandon Perdomo will host performers from NYC during a night of contemporary theater, dance, and music. The performance is also a culmination of his earlier workshops at Socrates: ‘Masks for MVMT’ Saturday Sculpture Workshop on July 22 and Living-Sculpture Garden pop-up installations on July 24 (12– 2 PM) and July 26 (7– 9 PM). Perdomo’s performative work has manifested as a modern presentation of dance and theater incorporating music, multi-media presentation, and practice from Ankoku Butoh.‎ From the taverns of London to the palaces of Vienna, Shakespeare invites us into the personal trials and triumphs of the common people and their all-too-human leaders. Hip to Hip’s 11th season of “Free Shakespeare in the Parks” features madcap capers and epic battles, mistaken identity, and unexpected marriages, and a vibrant cast of unforgettable characters, including the iconic Falstaff.

Henry IV, Part 1: The Prince and the Rebel Sunday, August 6 *Kids & The Classics: 4 PM Performance: 5– 6:30 PM Prince Hal is caught between two worlds: in the tavern, he carouses with a wild bunch, led by the scoundrel Falstaff—but at court, the King presses him to shoulder his responsibilities as heir to the throne. Meanwhile, the rebellious Hotspur threatens to destroy the kingdom. Shakespeare’s action-packed coming-of-age story asks “What makes a good leader?”

Measure for Measure Sunday, August 13 *Kids & The Classics: 4 PM Performance: 5– 6:30 PM Shakespeare’s dark comedy examines the corrupting nature of power. When the Duke of Vienna deputizes Angelo to clean up a city out of control, the puritanical Angelo revives ancient laws regarding sex and marriage. When he sentences the young gentleman Claudio to death, Claudio’s sister Isabella pleads his case... and discovers that Angelo is not as virtuous as he seems. * Kids & the Classics is the companion piece to Hip to Hip’s program of “Free Shakespeare in the Parks.” This free interactive workshop is offered before every performance, and is designed for children ages 4 to 12. It gives children a chance to interact with the text by previewing the characters and situations, and creating links between the text and their own lives through theatre games and close reading of text. Dance at Socrates Saturdays, August 5, 12, 19 4 – 5:30 PM

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Presented in partnership with Norte Maar Norte Maar’s Dance at Socrates returns for its 5th season bringing choreographers and their companies to a main stage set on the East River waterfront. Internationally


recognized for its large-scale sculpture and multi-media installations, Socrates partners with Norte Maar, renowned for their cross-disciplinary collaborative projects, to present this choreographic residency in the Park dedicated to the creation and presentation of dance. “Because dance is, in many ways human sculpture in motion, it’s very much at home in Socrates Sculpture Park.”—The New York Times Circus Amok! Performance Saturday, September 2 3–4 PM

Circus Amok returns to city parks and green spaces presenting their 22nd celebratory spectacle. Using a blend of traditional circus skills, post-modern dance and improvisational techniques, Circus Amok provides free public art addressing issues of social justice to audiences of all ages.

Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Nueva York presents Festival del Huapango Sunday, September 17 3– 7 PM

Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Nueva York’s mission is to stimulate public interest in Mexican culture by encouraging the art of traditional Mexican folkloric dance. Ahead of their collaboration with Socrates on the Día de los Muertos themed Halloween Harvest Festival on October 28, BFMNY will present the debut of their Festival del Huapango. The Huapango is one of the most beautiful expressions of Mexico, 100% mestizo culture with qualities worthy of the world’s most elaborated traditional music. The Huapango Festival is Mexico’s second most important music, song, and dance event after the Guelaguetza.

SkowheganPerforms Saturday, October 14 1– 5 PM

Presented in partnership with Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture SkowheganPerforms, now in its seventh season, invites Skowhegan alumni to activate the entire Park with an afternoon of performance and art. The site-specific works are interspersed throughout the landscape and public artworks, and are inspired by Socrates’ unique outdoor waterfront setting and The Socrates Annual.


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Outdoor Cinema Wednesdays, July 5–August 23 Pre-screening performances 7 PM Films begin at sundown

Presented in partnership with Film Forum Socrates Sculpture Park and Film Forum, in collaboration with Rooftop Films, present this exciting and culturally eclectic annual international film festival. Every Wednesday evening the international film is complemented by live performance and local food representing each week’s featured country of origin, making for a diverse array of films, food, and music. This series invites moviegoers to picnic on the grass, experience musical and dance performances, and watch exceptional international films on an outdoor screen. Please note: this evening film series is intended for an adult audience and is not appropriate for children. July 5 Timbuktu Mauritania/France Directed by Abderrahmane Sissako; 2014, 97 mins. Programmed by Film Forum. July 12 Easy Money Sweden Directed by Daniel Espinosa; 2010, 124 mins. Programmed by Film Forum. July 19 TBA Programmed by Rooftop Films. July 26 Chevalier Greece Directed by Athina Rachel Tsangari; 2016, 99 mins. Programmed by Film Forum. August 2 TBA Programmed by Rooftop Films. August 9 The Silence Before Bach Spain Directed by Pere Portabella; 2007, 102 mins. Programmed by Film Forum. August 16 Romance & Cigarettes USA Directed by John Turturro; 2005, 115 mins. Programmed by Film Forum. August 23 Bad Hair (Pelo Malo) Venezuela/Peru/ Argentina/Germany Directed by Mariana Rondón; 2013, 93 mins. Programmed by Film Forum. Outdoor Cinema 2017 is supported by NYC Ferry and Sundance Now.

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Fitness & Wellness Classes Saturdays/Sundays May 6 – September 4

Classes are free and designed for all experience levels. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and, for yoga, bring a mat or a towel. Yoga Saturdays, 9:30 –10:30 AM & 11 AM –12 PM Sundays, 10 –11 AM Saturday Yoga classes are led by Monique Schubert, who offers Kripalu Yoga, a system of Hatha Yoga that combines physical poses, breathing techniques, relaxation, and meditation. Sunday Yoga classes are led by Yojaida Estrella, who offers a Vinyasa-style class in which participants flow through a series of connected yoga poses with an awareness of the breath. All students are encouraged to expand their personal yoga practice in this very special waterfront environment of nature and art. Tai Chi Sundays, 11 AM –12 PM Led by certified instructors from the Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA, these classes offer the opportunity to learn Taoist Tai Chi, improve one’s health, relax, and exercise in an outdoor setting among changing exhibitions of contemporary sculpture. Capoeira for Beginners Saturdays, September 2 – October 7, 1– 2 PM Led by certified instructor Camaleao from Capoeira Nago Queens, this six-part series will introduce participants to the basic fundamentals of the Brazilian martial art of capoeira. This introduction will offer guidance with balance, flexibility, and agility while also providing a brief history of capoeira traditions. Acima do espirito de competicao, ha neles um sentido de beleza—um artista e um atleta, um jogador e um poeta.

Kayaking and Canoeing Socrates Sculpture Park Beach at Hallets Cove Select Saturdays/Sundays 1– 4 PM June 11, June 25, July 9, August 13, August 26, August 27 Memorial Day Paddle Monday, May 29

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In partnership with LIC Community Boathouse LIC Community Boathouse offers free kayaking and canoeing in Hallets Cove (weather permitting). People of all ages are welcome to participate or volunteer. No prior boating experience is required and participants may sign up on a first come, first serve basis. Minors (under 18 yrs.) must have a parent or guardian present and sign a release waiver. Well-behaved dogs are also welcome to accompany their owners! LICCB has life jackets available for your four-legged family members. Participants are encouraged to call 631.542.2628 or visit licboathouse.org two hours prior to a scheduled paddle for updates and cancellations, especially during inclement weather.


The NYC Compost Project hosted by Big Reuse

Socrates is continuing its longtime partnership with the NYC Compost Project hosted by Big Reuse to bring the community ongoing opportunities in composting and education, street tree care, and environmental stewardship, as well as upcycled materials available at their nearby retail outlet.

Hall Gate Farm’s Urban Farming 101 Saturdays, May 20, June 10 & 17 12 – 3 PM

Hellgate Farm is an organic, urban farm located in Astoria operated by a team of beekeepers, builders, farmers, local restaurant owners, green-thumbed property owners, CSA members, and many other passionate community members who want to see food grown locally and organically in NYC. Visit them in the Park for these fun and educational drop-in workshops and info sessions this season. May 20 Planning for Abundance with Anna Poaster The key to a successful gardening season is a plan that is realistic for your space and appropriate for your climate zone. Come with your garden dreams and questions for advice on step-by-step planning. Whether your space is a terrace or a farm, whether your goal is mint for a mojito or stocking a root cellar, this drop-in workshop will give you the tools to start your urban gardening season off right. June 10 Vermicomposting with Jennifer Plewka Learn about Vermicomposting, Mother Nature’s ultimate recycling system. Red Wiggler worms process large quantities of food waste indoors, turning it into an extremely rich form of compost to feed back to the Earth, or your houseplants. Join us for a hands-on Wormshop at Socrates Sculpture Park! June 17 Living Seeds with Rachel Mukon Seeds grow into the foods that sustain our lives, but what does a seed need to germinate and thrive? Join us to explore a variety of seeds, learn what they need to grow, and make a living seed necklace to observe germination! Local food vendors, restaurants, and farm partners like Hellgate Farm pop-up in Socrates throughout the season and at special events to offer their locally sourced fare and products to park-goers.


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Adult Programs Writing from Art: An Ekphrastic Tour of Socrates with Newtown Literary Sunday, July 16 1–3 PM

Join the editors and staff of the Queens literary journal, Newtown Literary, as they tour the Park and write in response to the art. Prompts will be provided and contributors from the journal will read their work throughout the tour. Participants will also have a chance to share the writing they wrote in response to the prompts at each stop. Meet at the main gate to start the tour!

Made at Socrates Select Sundays, May through September 1–3 PM

Celebrating Socrates as an ever-evolving space of making, adults (18 years & up) are invited to participate in our new workshop series, Made at Socrates. A variety of local partners will teach artsy yet practical skills for sustainable and unique projects you can create yourself! Workshops are taught in Sticks, the Park’s outdoor education area. Space is limited and pre-registration is required via socratessculpturepark.org/madeatsocrates.

ay 21 Sub-Irrigated Tomato Planters with M Hellgate Farm Kick off the Made at Socrates series by building your own sub-irrigated planter just in time for the garden season! The planter will be built from simple everyday materials. The sub-irrigated design greatly reduces the frequency and challenge of watering container plants. We will plant them with cherry tomatoes and participants will have the option of taking their planter and plant home!

June 4 Indigo Dyeing with Wild Harvest Studio Come play with one of the great master plants! Indigo is one of the oldest natural dyes and one of the very few forms of blue dye in nature. Ancient Indigo textiles can be found from Peru, Asia, India, and Egypt. Explore the different binding styles used by these civilizations and take home a beautifully hand crafted garment!

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une 11 Soap-making with Lather On J Using a method called “cold process soapmaking,” you will create your very own bars of all-natural vegan soap to keep for yourself or give as gifts to friends. Participants will be divided into groups to create their own small batches of soap. We will be working with some mildly hazardous materials, so please bring thick gloves and wear old clothing.

une 25 Upcycled Bookbinding with J The Queens Bookshop Initiative In this skill-building workshop you will learn how to craft your very own books from scratch, using things that can easily be found around the house! In an effort to both reduce waste and explore your creative side, learn how to turn leftover cardboard, wrapping paper and fabric into unique journals, sketchbooks or scrap-


books. Then, fill them up with your thoughts and art or give them away as one of a kind gifts! July 9 Silkscreening with Mobile Print Power Mobile Print Power (MPP) will lead a workshop sharing their unique methodology for creating socially engaged art and participatory design. Participants will closely investigate each of MPP’s eight principles, their meaning, and how to take that out into other socially engaged work. Workshop will include collaborative image creation, silkscreen instruction, and the printing of the MPP image.

uly 16 Essential Oils for Summer with J SacredWaters Use SacredWaters’ custom line of organic and/or wildcrafted essential oils to create your choice of summer necessities in a safe and effective all-natural way. Learn important information about how to properly care for your essential oils and their medicinal properties.

August 6 Plastic Bag Couture with Socrates’ John Hatfield Couture magic happens with everyday plastic bags by turning them into a large fashionable tote bag of your own brilliant design. This simple cut and fuse process using an iron turns throwaways into a colorful, customized tote bag.

ugust 13 Stamped Metal Customizing with A The Wood & Watch Learn how to customize metal accessories and jewelry! Create a personalized metal pendant with words using steel stamps and hammers. The circular pendant, with a phrase of your choosing, will be attached to a keychain. Once you have mastered this versatile and fun technique, you’ll be able to apply it to other accessories in the future: necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, etc.

August 20 Candle-making with Sue Rock Originals Using fragrance, a simple glass container, and soy wax, we will learn the key aspects to safe, beautiful, and unique candlemaking. During this workshop you will make one glass enclosed soy wax candle. The workshop covers understanding types of wax, understanding wicks, health and safety, and using fragrances correctly.

eptember 10 Terrariums with luludi living art S Join luludi living art for a fun terrarium workshop! The class includes a glass, choice of succulents or air plants, mosses and tons of decorative bits. Learn how to create your very own mini living world and go home with it. Each student receives a gift box and care for their terrarium.


Kids Programs Storytime at Socrates Third Saturdays June 17, July 15, August 19, September 16 12–2 PM

Presented in partnership with The Queens Bookshop Initiative There’s nothing like a good story to get the imagination working. Join The Queens Bookshop Inititative every third Saturday from June through September for Storytime in the Park! They will begin with traditional storytime, reading children’s books that explore the joy of art and creativity, with some even written by local Queens authors. Then, everyone gets a chance to be an author or an illustrator by participating in Interactive Storytime, where they’ll get you started, but the adventure is up to you.

Hearts Across Queens Community Voices Mini-Festival Saturday, May 6 1– 4 PM

In partnership with Global Kids, Growing Up Green Charter School, and Five Boro Story Project Come share your story and learn about your neighbors at the Community Voices Mini-Festival! Storytelling circles for all ages will be led by Growing Up Green Charter School and Five Boro Story Project, and Global Kids will perform the original work, Ping Chong’s “Undesirable Elements,” the most recent in an ongoing series of theater works examining issues of culture and identity. Attendees are also invited to create artistic “hearts” featuring messages of love, unity, and solidarity that will be displayed around Astoria.

Astoria Ally Alliance Workshops June 17, July 16, and August 19 12 – 2 PM

Community organization Astoria Ally Alliance will be facilitating all ages workshops at Socrates throughout the summer as a lead-up to their one-day installation of community self portraits on September 2, a day of art-making and performance. Each summer workshop will teach and encourage area residents to express their identities in different media: improvisational dance, creative writing, and spoken word. All are welcome!

Saturday Sculpture Workshops Saturdays, May 6 – September 23 12 – 3 PM

These free workshops are tailored for kids and their families on a drop-in basis. Head to Sticks, the Park’s outdoor education area, where children can work with a different artist each week, exploring innovative art mediums and a variety of subject matter. Note: If arriving in a group of 10 or more, please contact us the week prior to your visit by calling 718.956.1819. May 6 Learning from the Past, Questions for Today – Part 1 with Kim Charles Kay John Ahearn’s 1991 South Bronx sculptures have been a community favorite at Socrates Sculpture Park for more than 20 years. Through direct observation and painted self portraits, participants will contribute to a community-generated temporary artwork addressing the history and legacy of these three sculptures. Please join us to learn, draw, and share.

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May 13 Learning from the Past, Questions for Today – Part 2 with Kim Charles Kay Participants are welcome to start anew or continue their projects from Kim Charles Kay’s previous May 6 workshop, as we engage with the legacy of John Ahearn’s figurative sculptures and invite the public to partake in the creation of a community generated artwork.

ay 20 Wildfest with Trees New York and M SacredWaters Join Cheryl Blaylock from Trees NY to collect pieces of branches and seeds around Socrates, build a mini tree, and decorate it with statements of potential for ourselves and the world we live in. SacredWaters will help you create seed balls with native plants while learning about what plants do for us, our city, and our world.

May 27 Unconventional Figure Drawing with Pam Reyes In a typical figure drawing class, a model holds several poses while artists surround and draw the model’s gestures. At this workshop, participants have the opportunity to be both the artist and the model. Children and parents may volunteer to hold 1-2 minute poses while other participants capture their gestures using various drawing materials. June 3 G.O.A.T. Monuments with Shellyne Rodriguez Celebrating the opening of Nari Ward’s exhibition G.O.A.T., again, which plays with the idea of the monument, participants will build their own unconventional monuments. Utilizing an array of materials, participants will be tasked with deciding on what their monuments want to convey and to create their own acronyms that reflect the underlying message of their creation. June 10 LIC Bike Parade Transform your bicycle, tricycle, or scooter into a mobile work of art and then flaunt it in our annual LIC Bike Parade! Join an array of Socrates artists and Free Style Arts Association for wild bike decorating and parade float making with a variety of fun and colorful materials. June 17 Road to Freedom Paper Quilting with Queens Historical Society The Queens Historical Society is the historical society for the largest borough in NYC and is dedicated to preserving the history of Queens through educational programs, exhibitions, and its role as a local history research center. This workshop focuses on the Underground Railroad, including secret messages that were encoded through patchwork quilts to help guide slaves to freedom. Participants will create paper quilts using authentic symbols and messages.


June 24 Who Am I? Zine-Making with Pam Reyes Create your own 8-page zine (pronounced “zeen,” or a self-published book) in response to the question: Who am I? Participants have the liberty to combine drawing, writing, and collage to produce a book that represents themselves. The possibilities are endless! Make a zine of eight biographical facts, or a picture book of memories, or even write the story of what kind of superhero you would like to be. July 1 Upstander Love Letters with Museum of Impact Upstander Love Letters is an artful intervention shining a light on the bravery and brilliance of unsung changemakers. During this interactive workshop, all are welcome to write, read, and create artistically decorated letters of support to Upstanders: those local leaders, public figures, and future selves advocating for social movements. Express your creativity as we build a community time capsule to document social justice here and now! July 8 Creature Colony with Linda Ganjian We will use clay, clothespins, and other materials to build creatures that represent something about us, but with superpowers. Maybe they can fly, walk through walls, or become invisible. They can be short or tall, social or shy, fancy dressers or minimalists... After making the creatures, we will build a communal home for them out of cardboard and other materials. How will they live together? July 15 City of Water Day During our celebration of NYC waterfronts and waterways, make a splash with Socrates artists and Art House Astoria Conservatory for Music and Art for aquatic art and costume-making, create a giant Magic Waterfalls sculpture with Free Style Arts Association, and more! July 22 Masks for MVMT with Brandon Perdomo With exercises in color theory, 3D sculpting, and general education in the philosophy and history of butoh performance, attendees will learn how to create papier-mâché masks. Participants may have their creations documented via interactive photobooth, where their image can be taken and printed at no charge as a workshop keepsake. They can also donate their masks as contributing elements to the artist’s Living-Sculpture Garden popping up in the Park on July 24 (12– 2PM) and July 26 (7– 9PM). July 29 Kite Making 101 with Juan Hinojosa In 2017 we are surrounded by computer games and apps, so why not take a moment to go old school? Learn how to build and fly your own kite made out of

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recycled materials sourced locally in Queens! In this time of uncertainty positivity is much-needed, so participants are invited to add positive messages to their kites, sharing them with the world as they fly through the sky. August 5 Constellation Poetry with Carolyn Ferrucci Engage your senses and create your own Galaxy at Socrates! Using simple writing and drawing prompts, participants will observe their surroundings and create constellations based on what they see, hear, and remember. Connecting our different constellations to each other using string we will create our own mini-galaxy! August 12 SPAT! POW! Tie-Dyeing Super Heroes with Chakaia Booker Using traditional tie-dyeing techniques and letter and number stencils, participants will create their own Super Hero t-shirt! With unique symbols, words, and abstract colorful designs, participants can wrap, tie, twist, and compost a Super Hero message emblem on helping their community and uniting the world. August 19 Whatever Floats Your Boat with Ian Gerson A Socrates classic! We’ll make miniature toy boats and rafts from a variety of materials and set them to sail. While we learn about the local water quality and history of New York City’s waterfronts, we will experiment with creating our own floatable sculptures equipped with wind-up propellers, sails, and other methods to make them move. We’ll test our boats in a kiddie pool before a group launch at nearby Socrates Sculpture Park Beach at Hallets Cove. August 26 Geological Pets with Aiysha Mayfield Join us as we explore the Park’s geological topography and transform rock samples into awesome Pet Rocks. Did you know that New York City and parts of the East River waterfront are giant rock deposits from a glacier? Did you know you can tell the difference between rocks by identifying what types of minerals they contain? You’ll learn more cool facts like these while gaining a new appreciation for the unique land formation of Socrates. Best of all… you get to design and take home your very own Geological Pet! September 2 Faces of Astoria with Astoria Ally Alliance Astoria Ally Alliance will be facilitating and welcoming the creation of self-portraits and other visual expressions of identity, in order to display them in the Socrates education area as a one-day installation and celebration of community diversity. The afternoon will coincide with pop-up performances in the Park, and


is preceded by 3 free artistic expression workshops throughout the summer (12 – 2PM on June 17, July 16, and August 19). September 9 Clay Sculpture with The Noguchi Museum Isamu Noguchi once wrote about working with clay as “my close embrace with the earth, as seeking after identity with some primal matter beyond personalities and possessions.” Join Noguchi Museum educator Harumi Ori for a clay workshop and consider the possibilities and limitations of sculpting with clay. Find natural materials at Socrates and embrace the earth while creating a entirely organic sculpture. September 16 Meadow Mazes with Free Style Arts Association Collaborate with the artists of the Free Style Arts Association to create artistic pathways over the rolling fields of Socrates, similar to the style of medieval meditation mazes. Using bundles of colored rope, you’ll be able to create your own unique patterns, link to others, and then walk the maze in reflection. September 23 End of Summer Jam with Devin Garcia What better way to celebrate an amazing season of Saturday Sculpture Workshops than with an End of Summer Jam at Socrates? Join longtime Socrates teaching artist and education manager Devin Garcia to create wild and whimsical musical instruments from everyday objects and participate in an improvised concert right inside our education area! Sculpture Camp Weekdays, July 10 - August 18 10 AM - 12 PM & 1 - 3 PM

Presented in partnership with ConEdison These free workshops accommodate youth ages 5 –13 from local day camps, summer schools, and community groups for a variety of hands-on art-making workshops. Artists run two sessions of their workshop each weekday, with a new artist and project each week. Pre-registration is required via socratessculpturepark.org/sculpturecamp. Note: Groups can sign up for a single workshop or a combination of weekly workshops. Pre-registration is required and will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis (cancellations within 48 hours of workshop date will be charged). July 10–14 Words and Fabric and Meaning— OH MY! with Kim Charles Kay What is a flag for? Participants will be led through a generative process of creating a flag made of both words and pictures—not for a nation, but for something they love, care about, believe in.

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July 17– 21 Build it Now. Build it Wild. with Kim Charles Kay Let’s all build a space we wish to inhabit – a space constructed by our own work and building on the work of others. Using a material frequently discarded yet widely available, participants will be led in the construction of a full cardboard installation. Throughout the week, this accumulative installation will have students building furniture, objects, and whatever their hearts desire. July 24 – 28 G.O.A.T. Monuments with Shellyne Rodriguez Expanding on Nari Ward’s exhibition G.O.A.T., again which plays with the idea of the monument, participants will build their own unconventional monuments. Utilizing an array of materials, participants will be tasked with deciding on what their monuments want to convey and to create their own acronyms that reflect the underlying message of their creation. July 31– August 4 Robot Takeover! with Juan Hinojosa From Sci-Fi movies to comic books, robots have been a part of our pop culture for decades! Join in the fun and use found objects to artistically build your own robot, while coming together to contribute to a BIG ROBOT group collaboration sculpture! August 7– 11 SPAT! POW! Tie-Dyeing Super Heroes with Chakaia Booker Using traditional tie-dyeing techniques and letter and number stencils, participants will create their own Super Hero t-shirt! With unique symbols, words, and abstract colorful designs, participants can wrap, tie, twist, and compost a Super Hero message emblem on helping their community and uniting the world. August 14 – 18 Binoculars For A Brighter Future with Ian Gerson What do you want the world to look like in 100 years, in 10 years, how about tomorrow? Let’s make our own binoculars to see the future we want to create! First we will discuss environmental and social concerns, including climate change, rising sea levels, and access to clean water, fresh air, and healthy food, then we will brainstorm ways to collectively work towards a future we want to call home. We will draw out our ideas, then construct and decorate our own cardboard binoculars. Sculpture Studio Spring and Fall Sessions

Sculpture Studio cultivates direct partnerships with public schools and community groups to develop a sculpture and art-making practice. Over the course of this yearlong program, participants and educators share an ongoing dialogue and creative process about techniques and current issues in the production of making art.


The program is facilitated by longtime Socrates educator and artist, Kim Charles Kay, and each project ties to an overall theme or artwork situated in the Park. The Fall 2016-Spring 2017 program explores the history, reception, and impact of John Ahearn’s 1991 South Bronx bronze sculptures and invites participants to engage with them anew in today’s climate, through writings, drawings, and sculpture, as well as conversations on race, class, and how context or place shapes the ways an artwork is received. The session, which runs through May, will culminate in a Community Art Exhibition installed in Sticks, the Park’s outdoor education area for the month of June. Participating partners include Long Island City High School, PS 993, IS 126, City Year, Sunnyside Community Services, and Queens Community House. Contact us at 718.956.1819 for more information on registering for Fall 2017 and future sessions of Sculpture Studio. Teen & Young Adult Programs In collaboration with local partners, Socrates implements or hosts the following programs designed to foster and highlight the creative expression and career development of our community’s youth and young adults. Helping Hands Committee at BSGE

Coastal Classroom July 10 – August 3

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Socrates is proud to continue its longstanding relationship with local IB World School, the Baccalaureate School for Global Education (BSGE) on various projects and initiatives throughout the course of the season. The BSGE volunteer group, the Helping Hands Committee, participates in an annual Earth Day clean-up of the Park every April, provides volunteers for our festivals and art-making programs, and will be working with the Public Programs team for leadership meetings to discuss international initiatives as well as service and art programs the students would like to host and promote at the Park. Socrates also partners with BSGE for an in-school hybrid art and writing program with Socrates artist Jory Rabinowitz and educators from Sarah Lawrence College’s Graduate Writing Program, which culminates in multi-disciplinary projects and a presentation at the Park. In partnership with City Parks Foundation Coastal Classroom is a City Parks Foundation program for rising 5th-9th grade students. Coastal Classroom runs during the month of July at our nearby Beach at Hallet’s Cove. Schools and community-based organizations are invited to schedule four in-depth sessions on marine ecology, waterfront recreational activities, and the importance of preserving the waters surrounding our city. Groups meet once a week for 2.5 hours of programming. STEM-based, hands-on activities, coupled with recreational opportunities such as rowing and fishing, allow students to experience our waterways as their own backyard and to learn how to protect them. These outdoor field experiences fully engage students in summer fun and learning and help to raise


awareness about one of NYC’s most important assets: our waterfront. For more info, please visit cityparksfoundation.org/coastal-classroom Community Works Initiative Program

Youth Employment, Internships & Volunteering

Custom Tours and Presentations

Socrates has partnered with local organization Urban Upbound since 2013 to assist with recruitment for the Park’s longstanding Community Works Initiative Program, through which we hire and train unemployed residents from our neighboring public housing complexes for seasonal opportunities at the Park, such as grounds crew and visitor services positions. Socrates is a place of opportunity for local youth looking to gain firsthand exposure to working in the arts and in the community. We partner with Studio in a School for high school and college level internships, the HANAC Program of Summer Youth Employment (SYEP) to employ youth and teens for the summer, as well as offer ongoing hands-on volunteer opportunities to local schools, organizations, and individuals looking to help with art-making and event set-up. Socrates offers guided tours of the Park and current exhibitions, as well as on-site presentations of programs and opportunities, available year-round. For more info, please call 718.956.1819


The free artistic, cultural, and social programming at Socrates Sculpture Park is made possible, in part, by major support from: Milton and Sally Avery Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Charina Endowment Fund, ConEdison, Paula Cooper, Dr. Jonathan T. Deland and Emme Deland, Roberta & Steven Denning, Mark di Suvero, Sidney E. Frank Foundation, Maxine and Stuart Frankel Foundation for Art, Agnes Gund, Jerome Foundation, The Kayden Family, Lambent Foundation Fund of Tides Foundation, Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder, Family of Phyllis and Bill Levin, the Henry Luce Foundation, the Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation, Ronay and Richard Menschel, Mertz Gilmore Foundation, Ivana Mestrovic, Nancy Nasher and David Haemisegger, The New York Community Trust, The Pincus Family Foundation, Joel Shapiro and Ellen Phelan, Plant Specialists, Leonard and Louise Riggio, David and Barbara Roux, the Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation, Silvercup Studios, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Smith, Spacetime C. C., and our generous Board of Directors. Socrates programs are also supported, in part, by public funds from Queens Borough President Melinda R. Katz; the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council; the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency; and the National Endowment for the Arts. Socrates Sculpture Park is a public/private partnership with the City of New York, Department of Parks and Recreation. We are most grateful for the support of Socrates Sculpture Park’s dedicated Board of Directors: Stuart Match Suna, President Robert F. Goldrich, Vice President Ivana Mestrovic, Secretary and Treasurer Maxine Frankel Richard Gluckman, FAIA Deidrea Miller Brooke Kamin Rapaport Ursula von Rydingsvard Joel Shapiro Thomas Smith Kimberly Strong Commissioner Mitchell Silver, Ex-Officio Mark di Suvero, Chair Emeritus


Socrates Sculpture Park is extremely grateful for our partnerships with: Agostino Arts The Architectural League of New York Art House Conservatory for Music and Art Astoria Ally Alliance Baccalaureate School for Global Education Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Nueva York Big Reuse Bike New York Capoeira Nago Queens Château le Woof City Harvest City Parks Foundation Corona Youth Music Project Film Forum Five Boro Story Project Free Style Arts Association Goodwill Industries Greater Astoria Historical Society Hearts Across Queens Hellgate Farm Hip to Hip Theatre Company INSITU Dance Festival Jacob A. Riis Settlement House The Jazz Foundation of America LaGuardia Community College Long Island City Community Boathouse

Long Island City Cultural Alliance Materials for the Arts The Metropolitan Opera Newtown Literary The Noguchi Museum Norte Maar The NYC Compost Project NYC Department of Transportation NYC Department of Parks & Recreation Partnerships for Parks Queens Action Council The Queens Bookshop Initiative Queens Community Board 1 Recycle-A-Bicycle Rooftop Films Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture Spacetime C.C. Studio in a School SummerStage Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA Transportation Alternatives Two Coves Advisory Council Urban Upbound Waterfront Alliance Young Dancemakers Company Zone 126

Special thanks to: The City of New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Queens Borough President Melinda R. Katz, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan, City Council Members Jimmy Van Bramer and Costa Constantinides, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, Commissioner Mitchell Silver, and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Commissioner Tom Finkelpearl.


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Directions Socrates Sculpture Park is located at the intersection of Vernon Boulevard and Broadway in Long Island City, Queens

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By bus: Q103, Q104 to Broadway and Vernon Boulevard Q69 or Q100X to Broadway and 21st Street

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By ferry: Beginning in August 2017 the new NYC Ferry by Hornblower will drop visitors off in Astoria, a short walk north of Socrates Sculpture Park. For more info, visit ferry.nyc

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By subway: N or W train to the Broadway stop in Queens and walk eight blocks west on Broadway (toward the East River) to the intersection of Vernon Boulevard.

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About Socrates Sculpture Park is a community engaged New York City waterfront park dedicated to supporting artists in the production and presentation of public art. Founded in 1986, Socrates has been host to over 1,000 artists facilitating the production and exhibition of outdoor artworks and performances. We would like to thank all our supporters, partners, artists, performers, teachers, and public for making Socrates Sculpture Park such an extraordinary place. We look forward to seeing you in the Park!

32-01 Vernon Boulevard at Broadway Long Island City, NY 11106 mailing address: PO Box 6259, Long Island City, NY 11106 tel: 718.956.1819 • fax: 718.626.1533 email: info@socratessculpturepark.org web: socratessculpturepark.org

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Socrates Sculpture Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that maintains, operates, and programs this special place. There are many different ways you can join our efforts and participate in all that happens here: Make a Gift Individual contributions are critical to help Socrates Sculpture Park provide a dynamic roster of cultural and social programming - free. Your generosity will go directly toward supporting our free public programs, artists, and exhibitions, as well as improving and maintaining our five waterfront acres. socratessculpturepark.org/donate Adopt a Chair Last season’s memorable ratchet strap chairs are back by popular demand, offering visitors a place to lean back and relax by the waterfront. Now you can adopt your own, whether in your name or in honor of a loved one, and we will place a personalized plaque on your chair for the 2017 season. socratessculpturepark.org/adopt-a-chair Become a CinemaStar! The perfect way to support your favorite summer film series. Become a CinemaStar! and your name will be displayed on the big screen throughout the pre-screening performances, and we’ll reserve a VIP lounge chair during the film of your choice. socratessculpturepark.org/cinemastars Join as a Corporate Member Your company is invited to join one of the most unique public spaces in New York City. Corporate Members are offered a range of potential benefits, from brand visibility to employment engagement opportunities. socratessculpturepark.org/corporate Volunteer From staffing special events to working alongside our teaching artists, Socrates volunteers are crucial to our programming success. If you are interested in volunteer opportunities, sign up today. socratessculpturepark.org/volunteer By participating in these ways you are supporting Socrates Sculpture Park and ensuring it remains a vibrant cultural anchor in Queens. Thank you for your support!


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Socrates Sculpture Park PO Box 6259, 32–01 Vernon Boulevard Long Island City, NY 11106


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