Amy Schumer performing at Astoria Park (NY PopsUp/ Nina Westervelt)
April 1, 2021 By Allie Griffin
Comedian Amy Schumer entertained lucky park-goers with a surprise performance at Astoria Park Tuesday.
Schumer — known for her comedy special “Inside Amy Schumer” and the movie “Trainwreck” — shared jokes during a ten-minute set near the waterfront.
Local residents were thrilled to stumble upon the comedian — who has sold out large arenas in the past — performing at Astoria Park.
Sam Marksheid, who lives near Astoria Park, said he was pleasantly surprised to see her while taking a stroll.
“I was about halfway down the park when I saw a small crowd gathering for a performance,” Marksheid said. “When I got closer, I was excited to see Amy Schumer MCing the event!”
He stopped to watch her stand-up as well as The Missing Element, a beatboxing dance group that performed after her. He shot a video that he shared with the Queens Post.
“Unexpectedly stumbling upon the pop-up was the highlight of my day and I can’t wait to see more of these shows around NYC this summer,” Marksheid said.
.@AmySchumer brings the jokes and The Missing Element brings the moves in Astoria Park. In partnership with @worksandprocess, the performing arts series at the @Guggenheim. #NYPopsUp pic.twitter.com/gyBwgymOt3
— NY PopsUp (@NYPopsUp) April 1, 2021
Schumer and The Missing Element performed at the park as part of a free state-run program known as “NY PopsUp.”
The program, announced in early February, features hundreds of pop-up performances throughout the state, including the five boroughs. It launched on Feb. 20 and will run through Labor Day.
Most events that are a part of NY PopsUp are unannounced and are held in commonplace areas like parks, street corners, museums, transit stations and even fire escapes.
The events are “designed so that New Yorkers happen upon them in their everyday lives,” according to the program website.
The state has confirmed many well-known performers, like Schumer, as participants. Among the familiar names are Hugh Jackman, Alec Baldwin, Chris Rock, Patti Smith, Q-Tip, Billy Porter, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kenan Thompson and Idina Menzel – to name a few.
NY PopsUp was started to lift New Yorkers’ spirits during the pandemic, while also testing how to bring live performances back safely after COVID-19 largely stopped them altogether. It also supports struggling artists who have been unable to perform for nearly a year.
The best way to keep up-to-date — and potentially catch a surprise performance — is to follow @nypopsup on Instagram and Twitter.
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