What: Free Peruvian outdoor concerts for Live at the Gantries
Where: Gantry Plaza State Park, Queens
When: July 28th, 7:00 p.m. (Pachamama Peruvian Arts), August 25th, 6:00p.m. (Afrodita)
Why: As the city’s second largest borough, Queens also has the largest Peruvian population in New York. So, it’s only fitting that Pachamama Peruvian Arts—the Queens-based organization promoting cultural interchange through music and dance—will grace the Gantries along the East River this evening to commemorate Peru’s Independence Day.
Pachamama began with a desire to keep U.S.-born Peruvian Americans connected to the sounds and movements of Latin America while promoting understanding between local Peruvians and its surrounding non-native community. “Pachamama represents the very best in Peruvian music and dance right here in Queens,” said Chris Henderson, of Live at the Gantries.
Expect to see Pachamama fulfill its cultural mission with an hour-long performance of traditional dances like the tuntuna, marinera nortena, and carnavalito. Enjoy the sounds of Peru’s many regions including huaynos in the Incan language of Kechwa. A cameo from the Cajon, the national instrument of Peru, from the hands of percussionist Hector Morales will be a highlight of the night.
But the South American vibe won’t stop after Tuesday. Hop on the 7 train again on August 25th for Afrodita featuring Hector Morales—music from the black Peru style, Rumba, Arabic motives, and rock, all tied together by spirited lyrics and social consciousness.
“From Bessie-awarded modern dance to internationally-acclaimed African Drumming, Live at the Gantries is a great example of everything Queens has to offer,” said Henderson.
Cost: Free
How to get there: Take the 7 train heading to Queens. Exit at Vernon Boulevard/Jackson Avenue. Walk west on 50th Ave towards 5th street. Turn right on 5th, left onto Hunters Point Ave. Live at the Gantries is a free outdoor concert series—for details and a full list of their summer shows visit liveatthegantries.com
Photo: Courtesy of Nanynany
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram