Flushing Town Hall Brings Two Cultures To One Stage With Its Final Global Mashups Show: Texas Meets Peru

On Friday, June 15, Flushing Town Hall closes out this season's popular Global Mashups series with Global Mashups #5: Texas meets Peru, featuring Brian Clayton and The Green River Band and Corina Bartra Afro Peruvian Band. Each season, musical artists from across the globe present - and then unite - their melodies in one-of-a-kind performances that are emblematic of Flushing Town Hall's mission to provide global music to a global community.

Representing Texas is Brian Clayton and The Green River Band, an original country act that has been recording and touring since 2001. The group has released two CDs and has received extensive nationwide radio play. The band has opened for many country artists including Josh Turner, Jeff Bates and James Otto and has performed with the late great country legend Little Jimmy Dickens.

The band is led by Brian Clayton, who has played in numerous rock bands, but discovered his true passion for performing country music. In 2001, he assembled a group of musicians to form The Green River Band, including lead guitarist Rich Blacker, a veteran musician of the tri-state area country circuit; drummer Bob Masucci, a longtime blues and rockabilly player; bass player Mark Young; and John McDonough, who adds everything from honky-tonk piano, horns, strings and even banjo to the sound of the band.

Corina Bartra is a sophisticated jazz and contemporary world singer from Peru, and the first vocalist to blend Afro Peruvian, criolla music and Jazz. She incorporates subtle and exciting instrumental textures in her compositions and arrangements. Corina's music includes extensive intros, interludes, and solos filled with inventive rhythms and beautiful harmonies.

Mark Fogarty, author, says Corina's "Afro Peruvian Jazz embraces the driving rhythms of South American music-the lando, the festejo, the baiao-and links them with the ballads and standards of American jazz to make a joyous combination of the indigenous music of her native Peru and her adopted New York City."

At each of the five Global Mashup events, audiences of all ages experience musical performances from two different regions, and then watch and listen as the music artists come together on stage for a distinctive third set. Before the start of each performance, audience members participate in dance lessons and are encouraged to jump onto the dance floor again during the performances!

Dance lessons begin at 7:00 PM, followed by the concert at 8:00 PM.

"It's amazing to behold how the traditional music of one region can blend seamlessly with the sounds of another region," said Ellen Kodadek, Executive and Artistic Director of Flushing Town Hall. "Each year, we endeavor to make this a unique experience, one you won't see anywhere else, as artists from across the globe meet for the first time, and then present together."

Tickets are $16, and $10 for members and students. You can access details by visiting http://www.flushingtownhall.org/globalmashup or by calling (718) 463-7700 x222.

This season, Flushing Town Hall is opening its doors to teenagers - for FREE. Under the new "Teen Access Program", all 13- to 19-year-old boys and girls (whether a member or not) will be welcomed to attend any performance for free. The program is designed to appeal to students and help foster a greater love in the arts and culture.

Flushing Town Hall is accessible by car, bus, train and foot - located a short distance from the 7 train - at 137-35 Northern Blvd., in Flushing, Queens. Access for wheelchair users and individuals with limited mobility is available.