Flushing Town Hall Presents Toshi Reagon Meets the New York Arabic Chorus: A Sonic Coming Together

On Thursday, October 30 at 7:00 PM, Flushing Town Hall presents Toshi Reagon Meets the New York Arabic Chorus: A Sonic Coming Together, a one-night-only performance by the legendary musician and activist Toshi Reagon, joined by her band, BIGLovely, and the New York Arabic Chorus. Together, these artists will fill the historic Queens stage with beautiful, communal music, extending an invitation to the audience to enjoy and sing together while learning uplifting songs of joy and community.

The concert is one of eleven in a series called Songs of the Living that Toshi Reagon will be performing at venues throughout the five boroughs, each featuring distinct collaborations and genres—from disco to Hip Hop to sacred songs. Through these performances Reagon is bringing audiences together across the city in a community sing, movement-building project by Soho Rep.

“I can think of no greater venue for Songs of the Living than our stage at Flushing Town Hall in the world’s borough of Queens,” says Ellen Kodadek, Executive & Artistic Director of Flushing Town Hall. “We are thrilled to welcome Toshi Reagon and the NY Arabic Chorus for what promises to be a deeply moving and cathartic musical evening that reminds us all of our shared humanity. Join us and lift your spirits—and voices—in song.”

“In these times of trouble: what do you need to know, what needs to be in your pocket in order to survive? We need many things, but one of them is the songs of your people that will hold you close to them,” says Toshi Reagon.

TOSHI REAGON is a singer, composer, musician, curator, and producer engaged in a decades long practice of activating community through song. A notable example of Toshi’s powerful ability to merge art, fellowship, and activism include the congregational opera, Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower, which she created with her mother—activist, scholar, curator, composer, and singer Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon. Alongside the Opera, Toshi created the Parable Path, an enduring community co-creation with organizations, scholars and activists that galvanized intergenerational community and shone a light on local issues in each place the Opera was produced.

Similarly, Toshi started Word*Rock*Sword, an artist-led festival of community events and actions in response to growing attacks on human rights following the 2010 midterm elections.
Always collaborative, Toshi has worked with many musicians, choreographers, film and theater makers, including Nona Hendryx , Lizz Wright, Dorrance Dance, Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Meshell Ndegeocello, and her band BIGLovely. Toshi has received numerous awards and fellowships, including the APAP Award for Merit in the Performing Arts, the United States Artist Fellowship, and an Andrew W. Melon Creative Futures Fellowship Carolina Performing Arts. Toshi received an honorary doctorate from Emerson College in 2022.

More info and music can be found on her website: wisereagonarts.com

THE NEW YORK ARABIC CHORUS showcases the beauty and depth of Arabic music in a harmonious blend of traditional and contemporary sounds. The Chorus is an initiative of Brooklyn Maqam, a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and supporting new community-rooted Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) musical traditions. Under the direction of Mona Miari, the Chorus brings together voices from diverse backgrounds to create an unforgettable experience that bridges cultures and celebrates unity through music.

Miari is an internationally renowned Palestinian-American artist, singer, and songwriter known for her profound artistry and dedication to elevating Arabic music globally. Based in New York City, she seamlessly blends Palestinian and Levantine heritage with diverse influences, captivating audiences worldwide.

This event is presented in partnership with Soho Rep, known for championing bold and adventurous new performance work in New York City. Tickets to the Flushing Town Hall performance range in price from $5 to $50 and be purchased here.