For the first time, our four NYTI storytellers participated in this Queens community event about a month before the show. All the participants generated and shared personal stories inspired by the life and music of Astoria legend Tony Bennett from the Greater Astoria Historical Society archives.
Watch these highlights and contact kjfitzsimmons@gmail.com if you want a unique team-building event for your school, company, or organization in 2025.
What an unforgettable No, YOU Tell It! “Hell Gate” show!! Thank you to everyone for such an amazing evening of Hell Gate Bridge history, storytelling, art, poetry, and music.
Special thank you to: ~Our storytellers, Alicia, Jackie, Mia, and Ashley, for sharing such beautiful stories and giving incredible performances. ~Everyone who came out to see the show! ~Grove 34 for the space to have such a special evening. ~Ashley, for creating your Hell Gate-inspired art and music to inspire us all. ~Greater Astoria Historical Society for teaching us so much about the history of Hell Gate and our neighborhoods. ~Bob Singleton for his poetry and insights into the history of Astoria. ~Natalia ‘Saw Lady’ Paruz for her special, beautiful *birthday* performance. ~Brooklyn Book Festival for including us as a Bookend Event once again. ~Flushing Town Hall, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, New York Foundation for the Arts, and New York State Council on the Arts for making this possible. ~Our amazing creative team, Erika, Kelly Jean, Chenda, and Tim, for everything to make this possible.
Stay tuned for more photos and clips from the show and to hear what we’re up to next season.
I’m excited to announce that No, YOU Tell It! is a 2024 Queens Arts Fund recipient!
This project-based grant will enable us to bring NYTI “Left My Heart” in partnership with the Greater Astoria Historical Society to Grove 34 in Astoria on June 5 and a second show in September.
Looking for some summer reading? Check out our 10-year anthology for story swaps from over the years and behind-the-scenes insights from the people involved.
