Immigrant History Week in Queens

New York City's Immigrant History Week is next week - April 17 - 23 -- and the Queens Library is putting together an array of events to the tell the immigrant story. Coincidentally, also this month, immigrants across the United States have been raising their voices in the national debate over immigrants rights. It's a real pertinent time to consider what immigration has meant to Queens, to NYC, and to the USA, and to celebrate the tastes of our melting -- or not-exactly-melting -- pot. And it is amazing to live in a place with people who represent countries around the world, where no one group dominates, but share neighborhoods, schools, and foods.

However, I have complain that there's no German event at the Queens Library. My own relatives came through Ellis Island from Germany over a hundred years ago and ended up in Ridgewood. Maybe next year?

Events of Immigrant History Week at the Queens Library

• All events are free and held at branches of the Queens Library

• Greek-American Experience in NYC
• April 17, 2006, 6 p.m., Broadway, 40-20 Broadway, Long Island City
• Slide show by The Greek Museum, The Center for Greek-American Heritage

• Korean Storytelling
• April 18, 4 p.m.; Poppenhusen, 121-23 14th Ave, College Point
• April 20, 6:30 p.m.; Auburndale, 25-55 Francis Lewis Blvd, Flushing
• Traditional stores in English and in Korean

• Indian Storytelling
• April 19, 4 p.m.; Lefferts, 103-34 Lefferts Blvd., Richmond Hill
• Folk tales from India by Abha Bhatnagar Roy

• Chinese Musical Storytelling
• April 20, 3 p.m.; McGoldrick, 155-06 Roosevelt Ave, Flushing
• Traditional stories performed through music by New York Ba Ban Chinese Music Society

• Cyber-Yugo
• April 20, 6 p.m.; Broadway, 40-20 Broadway, Long Island City
• Panel discussion on the Balkan immigrant experience sponsored by RACCOON (Reconciliation and Culture Cooperative Network)

• Folk Feet - Traditional Dance
• April 20, 7 p.m.; Central Library Auditorium, 89-11 Merrick Blvd, Jamaica
• Haitian, Egyptian, Sherpa, Panamanian, Native American, urban dance popping and locking, West Indian moko jumbie stiltwalkers - by Brooklyn Arts Council’s Folk Feet dancers

• NYC Sikhs - Americans in Turbans
• April 22, 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Central Library Auditorium/Areas A&B, 89-11 Merrick Blvd, Jamaica
• Photos, films, music, Gatka (Sikh martial arts), and turban fashion show

• Afternoon of Dance
• April 22, 1 - 4 :30 p.m.; Langston Hughes Auditorium, 100-01 Northern Blvd, Corona
• Musica Argentina, the Soul Level, and Latin and Flamenco music and dance.

• A Cultural Bridge
• April 22, 2 p.m.; Flushing Library Auditorium, 41-17 Main St
• Music and poetry by Uncle Yao’s Chorus of the Chinese Culture Promotion Association of America

• Philippines Folktales, Music, and Dance
• April 22, 3 p.m.; Elmhurst, 86-01 Broadway
• Traditional stories woven through music in English and in Tagalog

• Russian Festival
• April 23, 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.; Flushing Library Auditorium, 41-17 Main St
• Literary presentation, Georgian dances, and Russian opera