John Yao & His 17-Piece Instrument
Points in Time
Album Preview Concert
Thursday, June 26, 7:30 - 9:30pm
It’s been 20 years since trombonist, composer, arranger, and bandleader John Yao arrived in New York City; 10 years have passed since the release of his first big band album, the exuberant Flip-Flop. He’ll celebrate that tandem anniversary with Points in Time, the long-awaited follow-up by John Yao and His 17-Piece Instrument (JY-17).
While the album arrives as a commemoration of those two significant dates, the music it contains is deeply informed by a number of professional and personal milestones that have marked that two-decade journey.
Set for release on July 11, 2025, via See Tao Recordings, Points in Time is enriched and invigorated by a wealth of experiences that Yao has enjoyed since Flip-Flop heralded the arrival of “a strong compositional voice and effective band-leader able to use his 17-piece band to paint across a wide spectrum and infuse his complex writing with a thoughtful balance of audacity, structure, humor, and sonic might” (All About Jazz)
For the album’s repertoire, Yao culled favorite tunes from throughout his discography, revising small-band compositions in vibrant new big band arrangements and showcasing the new pieces he’s penned over the past ten years.
Culture Lab After Dark presents
Nice One! Comedy
Laughs meet art at Culture Lab LIC, where stand-up comedy takes center stage in a vibrant gallery setting!
Jatty Robinson (@justjatty)
Reggie Kush (@reggie_kush)
JJ Mattise (@jjmattise)
Vannessa Jackson (@veryvannessa)
Mic Ngyugen (@nicepantsbro)
Peter Revello (@peter_revello)
Zahid Dewji (@zahiddewji)
Salma Hindy (@salma.hindy)
Upcoming Shows:
Thursday, June 26, 8pm
Thursday, July 10, 8pm
Thursday, July 24, 8pm
Thursday, August 7, 8pm
Thursday, August 21, 8pm
Thanks to our sponsors:
Plaxall, TF Cornerstone, Steve Madden, Howard Gilman Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts
72's Battle of the Bands Finale
Friday, June 27, 5:30 - 10pm
Event lasts 4 hours 30 minutes
After 5 months of buildup, the Battle of the Bands finale is finally here!
All 6 winners from previous rounds (Vesiath, Holiem, Gwen, Polybius, Rivera and Dayquil Fiends!) will be facing off in the Battle of the Bands finale. Only one can win. The bands will be judged by: Anthony Saint James and John Carlin.
Doors: 5:30pm
Show starts: 6pm
Sunset
JAZZ
Sunset Jazz is a free, indoor jazz music series every Friday at Culture Lab LIC. Come listen to incredible musicians, have a drink and take in the art.
Click Here for June - October schedule.
LIVE in
THE LOT
Live in The Lot is our free summer concert series, featuring live music performed outdoors* every weekend!
Click Here for more info!
*Weather permitting. Schedule subject to change. Be sure to check Culture Lab LIC on Instagram and Facebook for latest schedule and lineup updates.
SpeakEasier Language Exchange
4th Saturday of every month
Are you learning Arabic, Spanish, French, or Farsi? If so, please join us for the monthly SpeakEasier Language Exchange at Culture Lab LIC! This is a fun and interactive event where you can practice your target language(s) with fellow language enthusiasts.
Whether you're a beginner or fluent speaker, everyone is welcome to participate in this exciting exchange.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to meet new people, practice your target language, and discover a beautiful cultural center in the heart of NYC’s Long Island City!
Hope to see you there!
Upcoming Dates:
Saturday, June 28, 3pm
Saturday, July 26, 3pm
Saturday, August 23, 3pm
Saturday, September 27, 3pm
Saturday, October 25, 3pm
Saturday, November 22, 3pm
Saturday, December 27, 3pm
Free; Donations Appreciated
The Let Loose Choir
LIC’s Monthly Singing Party
A joy-driven gathering for all who love to sing – from mini improvised songs in the moment (Circlesinging), to a 4-part harmonized song.
The Let Loose Choir is an open invitation each month to all who love to sing. At the start of each gathering, we take time to get creative as a group, improvising mini a capella songs and grooves in the tradition of circlesinging. All are welcomed to participate at any level of comfort — creating a phrase on the spot, supporting others’ creations, or just enjoying the jam. Then we dive into a beloved song arranged in 4-part harmony — sheet music and rehearsal tracks sent a week in advance to all who RSVP. As we bring the song to life, we strive not for perfection, but for the celebration of collective creation — the uplift, the joy, the release, and the coming together.
Sunday, June 29, 3pm
Sunday, July 20, 3pm
Sunday, August 10, 3pm
Sunday, September 21, 3pm
Sunday, October 19, 3pm
Free Summer Wellness Series With Cintrella
Curated by Sputnik Yoga
May-October at Culture Lab LIC
Join us for a sweet Sunday experience that balances body, mind, and soul in the heart of summer!
Unwind and rejuvenate with our first-ever Culture Lab LIC Summer Wellness Series, designed to bring balance, energy, and relaxation to your weekends. Running from June through October, this monthly event offers a perfect pause between your Sunday brunch and evening concert plans. Each session features a variety of wellness practices such as Yoga, Meditation, Somatic Movement, Mindfulness Exercises, and Music for Healing.
Whether you're looking to stretch, reset your mind, or simply relax, the series provides a peaceful and inviting environment for all levels. It’s the ideal way to create space for self-care, set the tone for the week ahead, and recharge your energy before heading into the evening's concert experience!
Free, Outdoors (Weather Permitting)
Upcoming dates:
Sunday, July 13, 3pm
Sunday, August 3, 3pm
Sunday, September 21, 3pm
Sunday, October 12, 2pm
Pass the Crown
Voices & Memory
On view June 5 - July 27 during gallery hours, Thursday & Friday, 5-9pm, and Saturday & Sunday, 2-9pm.
Opening Reception: June 5, 6-9pm. Beer, wine, food and live music. Free Admission.
Pass the Crown: Voices & Memory is an interactive media installation exploring dementia, memory, and legacy within communities of color. Expanding on the Pass the Crown photo portrait series, the project was inspired by the artist Pri’s late grandmother, who had dementia and wore a crown in the final photo portrait taken of her by the artist. That crown became a symbol of resilience, memory, and dignity. That very same crown is now passed from model to model within the Pass the Crown photo series, with each model impacted by dementia, representing the continuation of their stories. Drawing from over a decade of experience as a dementia caregiver of both her grandmother and aunt, the artist creates an interactive experience that invites audiences to engage with personal histories.
The installation features five large-scale editorial portraits, each framed with symbolic materials reflecting the subject’s life. An interactive timeline highlights key moments, while Augmented Reality (AR) allows visitors to unlock deeper layers of each story through images, audio, and personal artifacts. Pass the Crown: Voices & Memory honors the strength, wisdom, and love that endure beyond memory loss, preserving the legacies of those affected and inspiring conversations about care, connection, and the power of storytelling.
Credit: Qinza Najm
[Un]Framing Gender
From Pakistan and South Asia to America
On View: June 5 - July 27 during gallery hours, Thursday & Friday, 5-9pm, and Saturday & Sunday, 2-9pm.
On Thursday, June 5, 6-9pm, join us for the opening reception, with beverages and light fare. One-night-only performance art and live music will fill the evening. Free Admission.
[Un]Framing Gender invites viewers to traverse the intricate terrains of gender identity, culture, and self-expression through the artistic lens.
This dynamic exhibition brings together a diverse group of artists from South Asia and America, showcasing innovative works that reflect the shifting landscapes of masculinity and femininity in contemporary society.
Through painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media, each piece challenges conventional narratives and stimulates dialogue about the roles and perceptions of gender in both regions.
Building from the 2022 exhibition, 'Zenana Mardana', curated by Pomme Gohar, [Un]Framing Gender offers a vibrant space for conversation and introspection, encouraging audiences to reconsider the intersections of culture, power, and personal expression transcending geographical boundaries and challenging cultural stereotypes.
The show is a curatorial collaboration by Tess Howsam (Artistic Director, Culture Lab LIC, America) and Pomme Gohar (Creative Director, Phenomena, Pakistan).
Featuring work by:
Meher Afroz
Fariba Alam
Mariette Pathy Allen
Rina Banerjee
Sandra Cavanagh
Tabinda Chinoy
Shirley Cruz
Anindita Dutta
Diovanna Frazie
Siavash Golkar
Orestes Gonzalez
Amin Gulgee
Abdul Jabbar Gull
Sayeda Habib
Jinstar
Elsa Marie Keefe
Umaina Khan
Alexandra Limpert
Firoz Mahmud
Alejandro Meza
Qinza Najm
Xandria Noir
Susan O'Brien
Jamie Owens
Ramya Shenoy
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Tess Howsam
Tess Howsam is the Artistic Director of Culture Lab LIC and an accomplished international curator and director with over a decade of experience contributing to New York City’s artistic landscape. Known for her innovative approach and cross-disciplinary collaborations, Howsam’s work explores themes of gender, audience engagement, and global artistic dialogues. Her theatrical work has earned a New York Times Critic’s Pick and a feature in New Yorker Magazine, and in 2023, she was honored with The League of Professional Theatre Women’s Lucille Lortel Award. As Artistic Director, Howsam has spearheaded numerous exhibitions at Culture Lab LIC that walk the line of performative and visual. Highlights include “Instrumental: A Retrospective on the Life & Work of Ken Butler” (2024), “Luminous: The Art of Neon” (2023) and The Inevitability of Absence (2023), presented alongside “The Incomplete Collection” by Linked Dance Theatre bridging visual and theater arts. Deeply committed to international collaboration, she co-curated The Search for Utopia (2024) with Slovakian art center Malý Berlín, bringing together Slovakian and American artists to reflect on utopian ideals. That same year, she served as a jury member for Artiade: The Olympics of Art in Basel, Switzerland, strengthening her dedication to global artistic dialogue. In 2025, Howsam is thrilled to co-curate two exhibitions that foster creative exchange across borders. Art Exchange: America x Italy celebrates cross-cultural artistic collaboration, while [Un]Framing Gender: From America to Pakistan explores gender identity and representation through a transnational lens.
Pomme Amina Gohar
Pomme Amina Gohar is a distinguished creative director and international art curator, renowned for her innovative contributions to Pakistan's art, design, and fashion landscapes. As the CEO and founder of Phenomena, an event design company established in December 2010, she has been instrumental in crafting bespoke luxury experiences that seamlessly blend art, design, and fashion. With over 25 years of experience, Pomme has curated numerous art exhibitions and events, both domestically and internationally. Notably, she curated the "Zenana Mardana" exhibition at Frere Hall, a groundbreaking show exploring gender dynamics through art. As part of this exhibition, she also presented "A Tribute to the Masters," a lifetime event honoring Pakistani legends Sadequain, Ismail Gulgee, and Jamil Naqsh. She was instrumental in managing the first-ever Karachi Biennale in 2017, leading the lighting direction and creating immersive artistic environments. Pomme is also dedicated to nurturing emerging artists, evident through initiatives like the 'No Filter'—a bold showcase of sculpture, fine art, photography, and performance—celebrating unfiltered expression across diverse mediums. She also curated the Grand Art Festival, "Galliyon ke Rang," held at Port Grand in Karachi, celebrating the city’s vibrant street art culture. She was also the first style editor of SHE Magazine, Pakistan's first and most prestigious women's magazine. She was awarded 'Woman of the Year' in 2022 by the first lady of Pakistan for her contribution in the arts and subsequently in 2025, awarded Exceptional Woman of the Year in Arts by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Pakistan. Pomme's philosophy of "less is more" reflects her commitment to quality over quantity, ensuring that each project is executed with meticulous attention to detail and creative flair. In 2025, she will co-curate [Un]Framing Gender: From America to Pakistan in New York—an international art show exploring gender identity and representation through a transnational lens, further solidifying her global presence in the art world. Building from Pomme's 2022 exhibition, 'Zenana Mardana' in Pakistan, [Un]Framing Gender creates a dynamic space for South Asian and American artists to engage in critical dialogue, inviting audiences to rethink the intersections of gender and identity—transcending borders and challenging cultural stereotypes.
Broken Bone Bathtub:
The Documentary
A love letter to independent artists everywhere.
NYC Premiere, Friday, July 11
Screening: 7pm
Post-film talkback: 8:30pm
In this love letter to independent artists everywhere, we follow solo performer Siobhán O’Loughlin in the final stretch of a years-long immersive tour in other people's bathtubs. As the world’s capacity to deeply connect becomes increasingly compromised, Siobhán's journey inspires audiences to seek out live experiences that bring us together.
Friends and Lovers of New York City! Your time has FINALLY come! Broken Bone Bathtub: The Documentary's official premiere party is here, and you're invited.
The dress code is *red carpet* (whatever that means to you), so don your celebratory aesthetic, and join us for this screening and revelry featuring:
- A special talk back Q + A with Siobhán O’Loughlin, producer Joe Schroeder, and Culture Lab's own Tess Howsam following the film
- A step and repeat photo opp
- Adorable Broken Bone Bathtub merch (pins, stickers, and custom soap!)
- A helluva good time with awesome humans!
Seating is limited, and we will sell out – so get your tix and plan your fit!
Xena: Warrior Musical LIVE!
The Lost Scroll
An Immersive Screening of a Live Show Recording
with Guest Performers, An Amazon Dance Party & Free Popcorn
Saturday, July 12, 7 - 10pm
An epic tale of mythological escapades and intense sapphic love, Xena: Warrior Musical was performed at 3 Dollar Bill in September 2022 as a limited preview and captured in this multi-camera edit.
If you missed it the first time, now is your chance to experience this new take on the Xenaverse! If you saw it and loved it, come relive the adventure with friends and make some new ones!
Aphrodite, Goddess of Love (Stephanie Craven) will host. Featuring guest performers, surprises to enhance your viewing pleasure (think Rocky Horror Picture Show), and a wild Amazon Dance Party to follow. Free popcorn. Wine and beer are available for purchase. Dress code: Amazons, warriors, goddesses, sapphic figures of myth… you get the idea.
Master-Plan presents
Shilpa Ray & Skorts
performing live at Culture Lab LIC
Friday, July 18, 7:30 - 11pm
Indoors. 3 hours, 30 minutes.
master-plan is a nonprofit for rock n' roll, providing funding to create pop-up shows, intimate live recordings, studio time and the production of vinyl for the bands we love.
Se fue
A Live Performance of the Cuban Art Song Project’s Debut Album
Friday, October 10, 7:30pm
Join the Cuban Art Song Project for a live performance of their debut album, Se Fue. The Cuban Art Song Project (CASP) is a collection of the best Latin and Classical musicians in New York City. CASP’s mission is to help preserve Cuban art song, zarzuela, and popular music and present it through a modern lens. Its core members include Cuban American soprano, Isabella Lamadriz (founder) and pianist, conductor, and arranger, Pablo Zinger. Latin percussion phenom, Takafumi Nikaido and Latin Grammy winning bassist, Pedro Giraudo join CASP for their debut album. Se Fue features the songs of composer Ernesto Lecuona, affectionately known as the, “Gershwin of Cuba.”
Spooktacular Sounds
A Halloween Musical Adventure
Sunday, October 26 · 4 - 5pm
Join us for a spooktacular musical adventure where you and your little ones can jam, dance, and play!
Come dressed in your favorite costumes and get ready to swing and shiver from head to toe with a thrilling variety of music, including spooky favorites and interactive moments that will delight and entertain.
Plus, a costume parade and treats for all!
Our talented musicians will perform a mix of lively and enchanting tunes, from classical Halloween pieces to jazzy numbers that will get everyone moving.
Enjoy spooky favorites like “Monster Mash,” “Ghostbusters,” and eerie classical compositions that set the perfect Halloween mood.
Interactive moments will include:
• Sing-Alongs: Join in on the fun with spooky sing-alongs that everyone can enjoy.
• Dance-Alongs: Follow along with our musicians and dance to the rhythm of the music.
• Instrument Petting Zoo: Let your little ones explore different instruments and even try playing some themselves.
This program is sure to create unforgettable Halloween memories for the whole family, blending the joy of live music with the excitement of interactive play. Don’t miss out on this festive and fun-filled event complete with treats!
Kids under 13 are free!
Jingle Bell Swing
Sunday, November 30, 4 - 5pm
Interactive concert blending winter classics with jazzy twists and favorite family tunes, creating a festive celebration for all!
Get ready to jingle, jazz, and jam at Jingle Bell Swing! This interactive concert blends beloved winter classics with jazzy twists and favorite family tunes, creating a festive celebration that's fun for all ages.
Join us for singing, dancing, and musical play as our talented musicians bring the season to life with vibrant melodies and toe-tapping rhythms. From swingin’ snowy scenes to delightful surprises, this joyful experience is the perfect way to connect, celebrate, and make magical holiday memories together!
Children under 13 are free!
2025 Emergence Artist
Residency Program
Culture Lab LIC is excited to announce our 2025 Emergence Artists in Residence!
These diverse and exceptional performace based artists will be a part of Culture Lab LIC's New Works Festival coming this Fall!
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Culture Lab LIC's Emergence Artist Residency is a developmental performing arts program geared toward the support and creation of new work.
Started in 2021 by former Director of Performing Arts, Tana Sirois, the Emergence Artist Residence began as a desire to offer free rehearsal and performance space to performing artists. Since its conception the residency has been further developed and led by Artistic Director Tess Howsam expanding the program to include peer review sessions during the artists year and culminating in Culture Lab LIC’s New Works Festival November and December.
Open Call for Art:
Clashing Steel
Curated by Edjo Wheeler and Meron Langsner, PhD
Clashing Steel celebrates the artistry and craftsmanship behind stage combat weaponry. These tools—swords, daggers, spears, shields, and armor—are designed not to harm, but to enhance storytelling through choreographed conflict. From the duels in Romeo and Juliet to the epic battles in Game of Thrones, these weapons transform action into art. We invite submissions of handcrafted stage combat props that have been used in theatrical or film productions.
• Swords, daggers, and rapiers
• Spears and polearms
• Shields and armor
• Practice weapons and training tools
• Photography and Paintings of stage combat in action.
Submission Deadline: June 30, 2025, 11:59pm EST
Exhibition on view: July 31- September 21, 2025
Culture Lab LIC does not take a commission on any art sold. As such, artists should price art to reflect no gallery commission.
Vendor Registration
2025 Outdoor Vendor Market at Culture Lab LIC
Click to read more & register:
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Open Call for Art
Fiber of Being:
TSGNY x Culture Lab LIC
A Fiber Art Exhibition
Submission Deadline: August 11,11:59pm EST
Exhibition on view: September 25 to November 2
“Fiber of Being” invites artists to explore the enduring significance of fiber art in contemporary life. This exhibition explores how textiles, with their rich histories of handcraft and cultural storytelling, continue to be profoundly relevant—bridging the physical and the virtual, the traditional and the contemporary. How does fiber art assert material presence in an increasingly immaterial world? Fiber is not just a medium but a metaphor for the interconnected threads of existence, weaving together the past, present, and the future.
This exhibition seeks artworks asserting the importance of touch, material intelligence, and embodies “making” in an age of hyper-connectivity and digital abstraction.
Each applicant can submit up to three artworks, completed within the last 5 years. There is no size restriction, but selected artists will be responsible for delivering(hand deliver or via delivery service) artwork to/from the gallery, ready to be displayed. All fiber-based and fiber-inspired works are encouraged to apply.
A juried textile art group show collaboratively organized by Textile Study Group of New York (TSGNY) and Culture Lab LIC.
Open Call - Playwrights
5th Annual Meet the Playwright Program
Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning
Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) is pleased to open its application portal for the 5th Annual Meet the Playwright (MTP2025) program. JCAL seeks four new, unpublished, unproduced plays by grassroots, early-career, and/or emerging playwrights for MTP2025.
MTP2025 spotlights emerging theatre writers identifying as BIIPOC (Black, Immigrant, Indigenous, People of Color), with an emphasis Queens-based playwrights. Each month, from November 2025 to February 2026, each of this year’s playwrights will present at least 25 minutes, and no more than 35 minutes, from their play as a professional staged reading for a live audience. The performance concludes with a moderated Q&A between the audience, playwright, director, and creative team.
MTP2025 spotlights emerging theatre writers identifying as BIIPOC (Black, Immigrant, Indigenous, People of Color), with an emphasis Queens-based playwrights. Each month, from November 2025 to February 2026, each of this year’s playwrights will present at least 25 minutes, and no more than 35 minutes, from their play as a professional staged reading for a live audience. The performance concludes with a moderated Q&A between the audience, playwright, director, and creative team.
Application deadline: Monday, April 28, 2025
The Neon Experience
Weekend Workshops at Krypton Neon
5-26 46th Ave., Fl 2, Long Island City, New York 11101
Saturday & Sunday, June 28 & 29, 10am-5pm
Neon Experience Weekend Workshops are back at Krypton Neon, with Weekend Intensive and One Day Taster Workshops.
You'll work through two days of glass bending in the flames to achieve a simple piece of your own design.
Culture Lab LIC voted Best Art Gallery!
The people have spoken and named Culture Lab LIC Best Art Gallery in the Arts & Entertainment Section!
Queens residents have continued to stand behind their favorite local businesses in the FourLeaf Best of the Boro 2025 competition.
Thanks to all our supporters!
Meet the People
behind Culture Lab LIC...
Without our team, none of our programming would be possible. Catch a glimpse into the lives of the people who make up the Culture Lab team, and all of the beautiful qualities and characteristics they posses to "make art happen!"
And be sure to check out all the ways you can help make 2025 Culture Lab's best year ever!
Become a Member!
Culture Lab LIC is celebrating 5 years & we need you to help us build the next 5!
Thanks to you, in 2024 our mission to bring impactful art to Western Queens has flourished beyond our wildest dreams. Your contributions--whether through donations, volunteer efforts, or simply by spreading the word about our initiatives --have helped us to make a profound difference in the lives of artists and art lovers in our community.
Your generous support not only fueled our programs but also directly impacted the artists we serve, providing them with invaluable opportunities and resources, and a platform to share their stories, visions, and inspirations with the world.
With your continued support in the coming year, we aim to expand our reach, continue to present local and international artists, and further enrich our community through art.
Here are 3 ways you can help...
Donate so we can continue to present the great art & events you love.
Join the Culture Lab LIC Family by Becoming a Member!
Help us keep our doors open by becoming an Official Sponsor!
Our ART GALLERY is open Thursday & Friday, 5-9pm, and Saturday & Sunday, 2-10pm. Keep your eye on our social media for updates on our upcoming theatre, dance and comedy performances!
As a member of Culture Lab LIC, you directly support dozens of arts, cultural and neighborhood organizations enjoyed by the entire community. As a Thank You for your awesomeness, each of our membership levels offer something for everyone: $2 off drinks, early viewings to monthly exhibitions, artists talks, Culture Lab LIC swag, and discounts to theater, dance, music concerts, and special events. We have an exciting season ahead of us and we cannot wait to share it with you!
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