Astoria Park announces lineup of free summer programming including fireworks and outdoor movies
Despite the ongoing closure of its iconic Great Lawn, Astoria Park is still ready to bring the summer heat—minus the turf. The Central Astoria Local Development Coalition has announced the return of its free summer programming lineup, with fireworks, concerts and outdoor movies slated to light up the season.
The festivities officially kick off on Thursday, June 26 at 7pm with the 41st Annual Independence Day Celebration, culminating in a dazzling near the Hell Gate Bridge. It's a beloved Queens tradition that draws hundreds each year, picnic baskets and glow sticks in tow.
While the Great Lawn typically hosts the action, it has been off-limits since September 2023 due to a $6.5 million renovation project spearheaded by NYC Parks. The Astoria Park Great Lawn Pathways Reconstruction Project aims to improve accessibility and stormwater drainage, but not before wrapping up later this year.
The initial event listings caused a mild kerfuffle after referencing the still-closed lawn as the location, but Central Astoria has since clarified that all summer programming will now take place on the North Lawn near Ditmars Boulevard. NYC Parks confirmed that they're working with local groups to ensure events can go forward without a hitch.
Next up is the Summer Concert Series, held every Thursday in July from July 10 through July 31. Shows begin at 7 p.m., and the vibe is strictly bring-your-own-blanket. Think Motown, rock tributes and family-friendly jams under the stars.
The always-popular Summer Movie Series follows with screenings on Monday evenings: July 28, August 4, 11, and 18. Films start at 7pm, and moviegoers are invited to stake out a patch of grass early.
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NBC News
2 days ago
- NBC News
Smokey Robinson was accused of sex assault in 2015, but officials had insufficient evidence for charges, DA says
LOS ANGELES — A sexual assault allegation was made against Motown legend Smokey Robinson in 2015, but no charges were filed because of inasufficient evidence, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said. The decade-old allegation, which was presented to the prosecutor's office by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, is not connected to a recent civil suit that accuses Robinson of sexual assault, attorneys for the plaintiffs in that matter said. Robinson, 85, has not been charged with any crime and has denied any misconduct. The celebrity news website TMZ was first to report the 2015 investigation Friday. 'We discovered that our office was presented with a sexual assault allegation against Mr. Robinson in 2015 by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department,' the district attorney's office said in a statement Friday. 'In that matter, a declination of charges was made based on insufficient evidence,' the district attorney's office said. 'We are not able to provide further information at this time because of an ongoing law enforcement investigation.' The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed that it conducted an investigation and that no charges were ever filed. "Due to the confidential nature of the investigation, we cannot provide more information," th sheriff's department said in a statement Friday. Earlier this month, Robinson was sued by four former housekeepers who have accused the "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" singer of sexual assault. The suit, which seeks at least $50 million, also names Robinson's wife and accused her of knowing about the allegations. Robinson has denied the claims, and this week countersued the four women and their attorneys, alleging defamation and seeking at least $500 million. Attorney Christopher Frost, who is representing Robinson and his wife, said his client maintains his innocence. "One unfortunate aspect of celebrity is that it is not uncommon to be the target of spurious and unsubstantiated allegations," Frost said. "Mr. Robinson looks forward to the conclusion of the current investigation, and has no doubt that a similar determination will be reached here." Attorneys for the women suing Robinson said Friday that the declination of the criminal case in 2015 only means there was a lack of evidence. The person who made the allegation in 2015 is not any of the four women who are suing Robinson, according to the attorneys, John Harris and Herbert Hayden. "The statement released by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office confirms that charges were not filed against Mr. Robinson due to insufficient evidence — not because the claims lacked merit," Harris and Hayden said. "This underscores the significant challenges victims face when reporting incidents of sexual assault, particularly when the alleged perpetrator is a powerful and well-known figure," they said. On May 15, , citing a law enforcement source that it did not name. Robinson is an iconic American soul singer who has had a star-studded career spanning more than 70 years. The recording, producing and songwriting legend was a pioneer for Motown Records, founding the vocal group the Miracles in the 1950s and later releasing albums as a solo artist and working as a record executive for the label. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Metro
3 days ago
- Metro
Music icon, 85, sues sexual assault accusers for $500,000,000
Legendary Motown singer Smokey Robinson has filed legal documents in Los Angeles seeking $500million (£392m) in damages from four former employees who have accused him of sexual assault. The lawsuit, which follows civil allegations brought by the women, was reported by which claims to have reviewed the legal filings submitted by Robinson's legal team. According to the publication Robinson, 85, and his wife Frances assert in the court documents that they consistently treated their household staff with respect and generosity. In the filings, Robinson strongly denies all allegations of sexual misconduct and claims that the plaintiffs were treated as 'extended family.' The documents reportedly outline various acts of kindness and support the couple extended to the women during their employment, including gifts such as concert tickets, vehicles, financial help for dental emergencies, and more. As part of the defense, Robinson submitted evidence intended to demonstrate the friendly nature of his relationship with the plaintiffs. One example cited in the documents is his attendance at the graduation dinner of a plaintiff's child and the gifting of a vacation. The Daily Mail also reports that Robinson's legal team submitted text messages sent by the plaintiffs, including messages such as 'Love you,' 'Happy birthday… God bless you,' and invitations to personal events. The countersuit reportedly includes claims of defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, financial elder abuse, invasion of privacy, and civil conspiracy. Robinson is also asking the court to publicly identify the plaintiffs, arguing that media outlets have already begun reporting on the case, making anonymity impractical and unfair. As of now, no criminal charges have been reported, and the case remains a civil matter. The four former employees alleged repeated sexual assault and harassment at his Los Angeles-area home and other locations, including Las Vegas. The women, identified in the complaint as Jane Doe 1 through 4, also name Robinson's wife, Frances, as a defendant, accusing her of creating a hostile work environment and failing to intervene despite alleged prior knowledge of her husband's behavior. The plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial and at least $50 million in damages (approximately £40 million). In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, the couple's attorney, Christopher Frost, called the claims 'vile' and 'false,' describing the suit as 'an ugly method of trying to extract money.' He added that the defense plans to file a motion to dismiss based on inconsistencies and timeline issues in the complaint. According to the suit, the alleged assaults span from 2007 to 2024 and include claims of rape, sexual battery, false imprisonment, and failure to pay minimum wage. The women allege a pattern of predatory behavior and emotional abuse, claiming Robinson used his position to isolate and exploit them. More Trending The lawsuit also accuses Frances Robinson of verbal abuse and the use of 'ethnically pejorative language,' contributing to what the plaintiffs describe as a toxic work environment. A news conference addressing the lawsuit was scheduled for Tuesday in Los Angeles, according to Variety. Smokey Robinson, a central figure in the rise of Motown, is known for hits like Cruisin' and Tracks of My Tears, and has received numerous honors including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the National Medal of Arts. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Sydney Sweeney is literally selling her dirty bathwater MORE: Sean 'Diddy' Combs made PA 'clean up period blood' after wild freak offs MORE: 'I saw Beyoncé in a downpour and I'd pay more to see it again in the rain'
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- South Wales Guardian
Smokey Robinson sues former housekeepers for defamation over rape allegations
Robinson and his wife Frances Robinson filed the counterclaim on Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court against the women and their lawyers, whose allegations, they say, were 'fabricated in an extortionate scheme'. The filing is a fast and forceful legal and public pushback from the 85-year-old Motown music luminary in response to the women's May 6 lawsuit and a May 15 announcement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department that its Special Victims Bureau is 'actively investigating criminal allegations' against Robinson. The women are seeking at least 50 million dollars, alleging Smokey Robinson repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted them in his home when they worked for him between 2007 and 2024. They said Frances Robinson, a co-defendant, enabled him and created an abusive workplace. The counterclaim opens with friendly text messages from the women to contradict their claims against Robinson, whose songs, including Tears Of A Clown and The Tracks Of My Tears, established him among the biggest hitmakers of the 1960s. The filing says the women 'stayed with the Robinsons year after year', holidayed with them, celebrated holidays with them, exchanged gifts with them, asked for tickets to his concerts, and sought and received help from them including money for dental surgery, financial support for a disabled family member, and 'even a car'. The filing — which includes photos from the holidays and gatherings as exhibits — says that despite the couple's generosity, the women 'secretly harboured resentment for the Robinsons and sought to enrich themselves through the Robinsons' wealth'. 'Unfortunately, the depths of Plaintiffs' avarice and greed know no bounds,' the counterclaim says. 'During the very time that the Robinsons were being extraordinarily generous with Plaintiffs, Plaintiffs were concocting an extortionate plan to take everything from the Robinsons.' John Harris and Herbert Hayden, attorneys for the former housekeepers, said in a statement that the defamation suit 'is nothing more than an attempt to silence and intimidate the survivors of Mr. Robinson's sexual battery and assault. It is a baseless and vindictive legal manoeuvre designed to re-victimise, shift blame and discourage others from coming forward.' The lawyers said they intend to get the Robinsons' lawsuit thrown out by invoking California's laws against using the courts to silence and intimidate people who sue. The four women, whose names are withheld in their lawsuit, each allege that Robinson would wait until they were alone with him in his Los Angeles house and then sexually assault and rape them. One woman said she was assaulted at least 20 times while working for Robinson from 2012 until 2024. Another said she worked for him from 2014 until 2020 and was assaulted at least 23 times. The Sheriff's Department would give no details on its investigation beyond confirming its existence. Robinson, who was a central figure in the Motown Records machine with his group the Miracles and as a solo artist, is a member of both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
