BBQ Events: BBQ and Ragtime in Queens

This just in from the Queens Gazette....

‘Ragtime’ Composer Joplin To Be Honored At Annual BBQ

On Saturday, May 22, St. Michael’s Cemetery located at 72-02 Astoria Blvd. in East Elmhurst will hold its fifth annual barbecue and celebration of the music of early 20th century composer Scott Joplin. Edward Horn of St. Michael’s will act as host. The event is open to the general public.

The son of former slaves, Joplin wrote more than 50 piano compositions, most in the form of popular music known as ragtime, during the early years of the 20th century. His popularity faded toward the end of his life and he died in obscurity at age 49 in 1917. He is buried at St. Michael’s, with a simple bronze marker bearing the legend which reads: Scott Joplin/American Composer/Nov. 24, 1868/Apr. 2, 1917.

Joplin’s music was adapted for the soundtrack of the 1973 movie “The Sting” and brought about the resurgence in the popularity of ragtime, the early 20th century music form in which Joplin wrote most of his compositions. “The Sting” would go on to win an Academy Award for its musical score. He was awarded a posthumous Pulitzer Prize in 1976. On Apr. 5, 1985, 68 years after Joplin’s interment, the Brooklyn Opera Society honored his last wish by performing his “Maple Leaf Rag” at his grave. The event was broadcast on PBS radio and reported in the New York Times.

For more information, call Edward Horn at 718-278-3240 or e-mailehorn@stmichaelscemetery.com. —Jason D. Antos