All Aboard The 7 Train Festival This Weekend

This weekend the Queens Council on the Arts and communities along the IRT 7 train, also known as The International Express, will celebrate the White House-conferred National Millennium Trail designation of the train’s route, with a multi-site festival in venues all along the route of the train from Sunnyside to Flushing.
The Expressions celebration will be comprised of both Queens Council sponsored events and cultural events presented by local community establishments — all free. These will include: Irish music sessions in Irish pubs including one featuring fiddle champions Andy McGann and Brian Conway; a performance of, and lesson in, Argentinean dance in an Argentinean restaurant featuring members of Ballet Los Pamps; a concert of Colombian vallenato music in a Colombian night club featuring Los Macondos; performances of flamenco in a Spanish restaurant; a symposium and exhibit on jazz at Flushing Town Hall focusing on pianist and composer Mary Lou Williams; the Korean Harvest and Folklore Festival in Flushing Meadows-Corona park sponsored by the Korean Produce Association; Harmony Day: a multicultural arts festival in Jackson Heights supported by Assemblyman Ivan Lafayette; presentations of both a school play and a video about the 7 train; and a coffeehouse featuring songs about trains.
The public can also spend the weekend shopping and eating their way around the world. Several local businesses will be offering discounts on items ranging from Filipino barbecue, to mehendi henna "tattoos," to Tejano hats. A MetroCard Fun Pass allows passengers to get on and off the train all day for $4. Festival goers must say the password "International Express" to get their discounts.
The 7 train passes above so many ethnic and immigrant communities on its way through northwest Queens that it was dubbed "The International Express" by the Department of City Planning. Queens Council on the Arts’ Folk Arts (QCA)Program nominated the route for its national status as one of sixteen millennium trails nationwide. The national trail designation recognizes The International Express as representative of the American immigrant experience.
"We want to increase awareness and usage of the train as a heritage trail," explains Ilana Harlow, QCA Folk Arts Program Director who has documented traditional life along the 7 train since 1994. "The train’s route is a festival of culture every day. We happen to be highlighting the communities along The International Express on a single weekend but people could explore the neighborhoods on any given day and find interesting things to do. We hope that people who attend festival events will return on their own in the future."
Harlow’s research resulted in the 1995 QCA publication, "The International Express: A guide to communities along the 7 train," which draws national and international attention to this significant subway line. A recently revised edition is now available to the public. A video produced in 1996 is also available. Following is the schedule for the weekend.
Itinerary Through Queens
SATURDAY NIGHT SAMPLER
These events take place regularly:
Emerald Ceili Irish dance party, 8 p.m. $12 including Irish refreshments such as soda bread, scones and pie.
Cork Lounge 33-01 Greenpoint Ave. (718) 784-9500. 33rd St. Station, Sunnyside. Ceilis are held every 3-4 weeks.
Latino music show, 12:30 am. $5 off admission (Saturday and Sunday) when you say the password "International Express." Chibcha 79-05 Roosevelt Ave. (718) 429-9033. 82nd St. Station, Jackson Heights. Live music 7 nights a week.
Dine to flamenco music and dance in a Spanish restaurant. Flamenco shows at 9:00 and 11:00. 20% off dinner or tapas when you say the password "International Express." Meson Asturias 40-12 83rd St. (718) 446-9154. 82nd St. Station, Jackson Heights. Flamenco and classical guitar every weekend.
Dine to Romanian and international music, belly dancer and magician in a Romanian restaurant. Entertainment begins at 7:30. You must make reservations. Casa Romana 39-20 Queens Blvd. (718) 784-4768. 40th St. Station, Sunnyside. Entertainment every weekend.
INTERNATIONAL EXPRESSIONS
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS – Sunday September 24th
All events are free.
10:00-6:00 Korean Harvest and Folklore Festival (Saturday and Sunday)
Korean religious ceremony, music, dance, and food. Sponsored by the Korean Produce Association. Call City of New York Parks and Recreation Dept. for information on this and other ethnic celebrations (718) 760-6562.
Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Willets Point-Shea Stadium Station.
12:00-6:00 Harmony Day. A multicultural arts festival including performances of Indian dance at 12:30 and Chinese shadow puppet theatre at 1:45. Get full schedule from Jackson Heights Development Corporation (718) 458-3600. Sponsored by Assemblyman Ivan Lafayette. Junction Boulevard. Junction Blvd. Station, Jackson Heights.
12:30 & 4:00 "The International Express: communities along the IRT 7 train," (video produced by the QCA Folk Arts Program). A look at South Asian fashion, Mexican food, Italian recreation and Korean art in Jackson Heights, Corona and Flushing. Flushing Library 41-17 Main St. (718) 661-1200. Main St. Station, Flushing. While you’re at the library check out their photo exhibit "Festivals of Chinese Western Provinces," open 12-5.
1:00-4:00 Train Tribute at a community school.
• 1:00 "Queens Millennium Trail" a student play about the 7 train.
• 2:00-4:00 Coffeehouse – Bring songs about trains. Co-sponsored with the N.Y. Pinewoods Folk Music Club.
• 3:30 "The International Express: communities along the IRT 7 train." (video) Renaissance Charter School 35-59 81st. St. (718) 426-8555. 82nd St. Station. Jackson Heights.
1:00 & 3:00 Flamenco music and dance by Romeria Flamenca at Spanish restaurant Meson Asturias 40-12 83rd St. (718) 446-9154. 82nd St Station, Jackson Heights. There is no minimum but if you do decide to order, a lunch special is served from 12-4 and tapas are 20% off, when you say the password, "International Express."
1:30 Concert of Indian music and dance. Classical and folk traditions will be performed by the Shikshayatan Cultural Center. Flushing Library 41-17 Main St. (718) 661-1200 Main St. Station, Flushing. While you’re at the library check out their photo exhibit "Festivals of Chinese Western Provinces," open 12-5.
2:00 Symposium on accomplished woman jazz composer and pianist. Mary Lou Williams: In Her Own Right.
Panel features Dan Morgenstern, Billy Taylor, Linda Dahl and Marc Miller. Flushing Town Hall 137-35 Northern Blvd. (718) 463-7700. Main Street Station,
Flushing. An exhibit Mary Lou Williams: In Her Own Right is on display 10-5.
2:30-4:00 Argentinean dance with members of Ballet Los Pampas at an Argentinean restaurant.
2:30 Learn how to dance gato – a traditional dance.
3:15 Performance of tango, danzas (folk dances), milonga and malambo.
Nancy’s Grill 49-07 43rd Ave. (718) 651-6802 40th St. Station, Sunnyside.
4:00 Colombian vallenato music performed by Los Macondos in a Colombian night club. There is no minimum but if you do decide to order there is a 10% discount when you say the password, "International Express."
Chibcha 79-05 Roosevelt Ave. (718) 429-9033. 82nd St. Station, Jackson Heights.
5:30 Irish music concert with fiddle champions Andy McGann and Brian Conway and pianist Felix Dolan at an Irish bar. The Breffni 43-45 40th St. (718) 729-9803. 40th St. Station, Sunnyside.
7:00 Irish music session at an Irish bar. The Wall 54-20 Roosevelt Ave. (718) 429-9426. 52nd St. Station, Woodside.
PLACES TO VISIT
(15 minute walks from the train station)
Hindu Temple Society of North America Open daily 8 a.m-9 p.m. Inside this building, adorned with carvings of Hindu gods, the air is redolent with incense and the gods are adorned with flower garlands. Offerings to the gods are made throughout the day. Remove your shoes before you enter. You may not take photos inside the temple. 45-37 Bowne St. (718) 460-8484. Main St. Station, Flushing. (You can either walk or transfer to bus Q27).
William E. Moore Park, known by locals as Spaghetti Park. In good weather, men play the Italian game of boccie beginning at around 6 or 7 pm. Watch the fun as you lick ices from the Lemon Ice King of Corona (offering 10% discount when you say the password "International Express"). 108th Street and 51st Ave. 111th St. Station, Corona.
DISCOUNTS AND PROMOTIONS
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
You must say the password International Express to get your discounts
Hemsin Turkish restaurant and bakery. 20% off lunch or dinner. 39-11 Queens Blvd. (718) 482-7998. 40th St. Station, Sunnyside.
Casa Romana Romanian restaurant. $6.99 lunch special and free dessert. 39-20 Queens Blvd. (718) 784-4768. 40th St. Station, Sunnyside.
P.J. Horgans Irish pub and restaurant. Free mimosa or draft beer with traditional Irish breakfast (Irish bacon, Irish sausage, black and white pudding), served 11:30 a.m.-4p.m.; free glass of Guiness with Irish dinner of Irish bacon and cabbage, fish and chips or shepherd’s pie, served 4 p.m.-1:30 a.m. 42-17 Queens Blvd. (718) 729-9584 40th St. Station, Sunnyside. Baruir gourmet coffee shop. Turkish/Armenian style finely ground coffees and Middle Eastern foods. 10% off. 40-07 Queens Blvd. (718) 784-0842. 40th St. Station, Sunnyside.
El Shater grocery. Middle Eastern nuts, sweets, grains, dried fruits, meats, cheeses and prepared foods. 10% off. 43-02 43rd Ave. (718) 392-2702. 46th St. Station, Sunnyside.
Libreria Calima Books & Records Books in Spanish by Latino writers as well as translations into Spanish of classics originally written in other languages. Latino music too. 25% off books, tapes, and CDs. 56-15 Roosevelt Ave. (718) 478-9820. 52nd St. Station, Woodside.
Diamond Diner 30% off dinner for two; free Lucozade or orange soda with traditional Irish breakfast (served all day). 61-12 Roosevelt Ave. (718) 639-8695. 61st St. Station, Woodside.
Shane’s Bakery Irish baked goods including sausage rolls, scones, and soda farls, and full Irish breakfast. Two for one scones 39-61 61st. St. (718) 424-9039. 61st St. Station, Woodside.
La Gaviota Chilean restaurant. Seafood specialties. 10% off. 63-12 Broadway (718) 639-3426. 61st St. Station, Woodside.
Renee’s Kitchenette and Grill Filipino food specializing in the cuisine of the Pampanga province. 10% off. 69-14 Roosevelt Ave. (718) 476-9002. 69th St. Station, Woodside.
Ihawan Filipino restaurant. Barbecue specialties. Buy any meal and receive a sago at gulaman sweet tapioca drink at half price. 40-06 70th St. (718) 205-1480. 69th St. Station, Woodside.
Indo-U.S. Books & Journals Inc. Butala Emporium Books, Indian paintings, musical instruments, music cassettes, shoes, Ayurvedic medicines, Hindu religious items, cricket equipment etc. 15% off. 37-46 74th St. (718) 899-5590. 74th St. Station, Jackson Heights.
Menka Indian beauty salon. 20% off henna decoration on hand – mehendi – the intricate and delicate henna designs which adorn women’s hands and feet at weddings and festivals. 37-56 74th St. (718) 424-6851. 74th St. Station, Jackson Heights
Shaheen Indian and Pakistani food and sweets. 50% off lunch or dinner 72-09 Broadway (718) 639-4791. 74th St. Station, Jackson Heights.
Jackson Diner Indian food. $7.95 all you can eat lunch buffet 11-4. (No password necessary). 37-47 74th St. (718) 672-1232. 74th St. Station, Jackson Heights.
La Poblanita Mexican grocery, deli and restaurant. Buy one meal get one free; buy $10 of groceries get a free can of soda. Mexican food and produce, music, videos, magazines and belt buckles. 37-63 78th Street (718) 672-7114. 82nd St. Station, Jackson Heights.
Chibcha Colombian night club and restaurant. 10% off food (Sunday only). $5 off cover charge Saturday and Sunday night. 79-05 Roosevelt Ave. (718) 429-9033. 82nd St. Station, Jackson Heights.
La Fusta Argentinean restaurant. 20% off lunch and a welcoming glass of Argentinean wine to say "bienvenidos." 80-32 Baxter Ave. (718) 429-8222. 82nd St. Station, Jackson Heights.
La Fama Ecuadorian steakhouse. One free beverage with order of food. 80-04 Roosevelt Ave. (718) 476-8171. 82nd St. Station, Jackson Heights.
Music-Mex Mexican and other Latino music, music books, musical instruments and Mexican boots. $1 off CDs. 80-12 Roosevelt Ave. (718) 533-6900. 82nd St. Station, Jackson Heights.
Meson Asturias Spanish restaurant. 25% off dinner or tapas. $7.95 lunch special served 12-4. 40-12 83rd St. (718) 446-9154. 82nd St. Station, Jackson Heights.
Pio Pio Peruvian restaurant. Free Peruvian Pisco Sour or Inka Cola with purchase of Matador Dinner (feeds 3-4) or Peruvian Combo (feeds 2-3). Marinated chicken specialties. 84-13 Northern Blvd. (718) 426-1010. 82nd St. Station, Jackson Heights.
Inti Raymi. 15% off Peruvian breakfast (10-1:30) lunch or dinner. 86-14 37th Ave. (718) 424-1938. 90th St. Station, Jackson Heights.
Zapateria Mexico Mexican boots, tejano hats, belts, buckles, holsters, saddles, shirts, and mariachi sombreros. 15% off. 88-07 Roosevelt Ave. (718) 899-1742. 90th St. Station, Jackson Heights.
La Nueva Bakery Get an Argentinean or Uruguayan pastry free when you buy our special caf con leche (coffee with milk) for 70. 86-10A 37th Ave. (718) 507-2339 or 639-0909. 82nd St. Station, Jackson Heights.
Plaza Garibaldi Mexican restaurant. 10% off. 89-12 Roosevelt Ave. (718) 651-9722. 90th St. Station, Jackson Heights.
La Espiga Mexican bakery, restaurant and grocery. Tacos Dorado (fried chicken taco with lettuce, cream, and hot sauce) $3.50 (reg. $5); two steak or chicken tacos and can of soda $4.50 (reg. $5.50); Chicken enchilada with red or green salsa or mole $4.75 (reg. $6.00). 42-13 102nd St. (718) 779-7898. Same offer at La Espiga Cafe 103-02 Roosevelt Ave. 103rd St. Station, Corona.
Lemon Ice King of Corona Ices in traditional and innovative flavors. 10% off. 52-02 108th St. (718) 699-5133. 111th St. Station, Corona.
Tai Pan Chinese bakery. Sweet and savory pastries, snacks, and fruit shakes. 30% off. 37-25 Main St. (718) 461-8668. Main St. Station, Flushing.
Rita Indian Beauty Parlor 30% off small henna "tattoo" or mehendi – intricate adornment of women’s hands and feet for weddings and festivals ($10 instead of $15). 25% off eyebrow shaping with thread rather than tweezers ($3 instead of $4). 43-09 Main St. (718) 445-7074. Main St. Station, Flushing.