From now through Sunday, May 31, the 31st season tour of the Big Apple Circus: “Play On!” is under the big top in Cunningham Park, Union Turnpike and 196th Street. See jugglers and clowns, acrobats on horseback, wire and trapeze from Europe, Asia and America. No seat more than 50 feet from the ring! Shows on Thursdays and Fridays at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; weekends including Memorial Day Monday, May 25, two shows daily at 12:30 and 4:30 p.m.; no performance on Tuesday, May 26. Tickets from $15 to $45 are available by calling 888-541-3750 at www.bigapplecircus.org or at the Box Office, open Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Big Apple Circus is a not-for-profit performing arts and outreach institution. The Big Top is air-conditioned for all-season comfort. For groups of 15 people or more, for wheelchair accessible seating and for additional information please call the Ticket Info Line at 800-922-3772.
WONDERFUL WEEKEND EVENTS
On Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24 at 10 a.m. get some physical and mental stimulation on the Fort Totten Bike Tour. Meet the Park Rangers at the Visitor Center, at Ordnance and Lee Roads in Fort Totten Park. Call 718-352-1769 for more information.
Saturdays and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Boulevard hosts a Student Art Exhibition in partnership with J.H.S. 231 the Magnetech 2000 School. Opening reception with student artists on Sunday, May 17 at 2 p.m. Suggested donation $5. Call the box office at 718-463-7700, Ext. 222 or visit www.FlushingTownHall.org for more information.
FRIDAY
On Friday, May 22 at 7 p.m. LaGuardia Performance Arts Center presents World Cinema Showcase: Lemon Tree, a 2008 film, in the Little Theatre at 47th Avenue and Van Dam Street in Long Island City. Tickets are $10, $8 for students. Call the box office at 718- 482-5151. For information on other cultural events, go to www.laguardiaperformingarts.com.
SATURDAY
On Saturday, May 23 at 10 a.m., Fresh Meadows Library will present ESOL Class. English for Speakers of Other Languages class, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Preregistration is required. The library is located at 193-20 Horace Harding Expressway. For more information, call 718-454-7272.
On Saturday May 23 from 9:30 to 10:30 a. m. and from 11 a.m. to noon, rain or shine, free Kripalu Yoga taught by Monique Schubert. Suitable for all experience levels; participants should bring a mat or towel. Lessons held at Socrates Sculpture Park, Broadway at Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City. Call 718-956-1819 or visit www.socratessculpturepark.org for more information.
On Saturday May 23 from noon to 1:30 p.m., rain or shine, free Capoeira in the Park, taught by Professor Abar. Classes are designed for all experience levels. Participants should wear comfortable clothing. Lessons held at Socrates Sculpture Park, Broadway at Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City. Call 718-956-1819 or visit www.socratessculpturepark.org for more information.
On Saturday, May 23 at 3 p.m., Ozone Park Library will present Divas of Our Time with Naomi Zeitlin. Hear pop standards that were covered by Garland, Streisand, Minnelli, Midler, Fitzgerald, Vaughan, and by more modern/international artists – Linda Eder, Pat Benatar, Linda Ronstadt, Celia Cruz, Gloria Estefan, La India, and Olga Tañon. The library is located at 92-24 Rockaway Boulevard. For more information, call 718-845-3127.
On Saturday May 23 from 2 to 3 p.m., try Blue Ribbon Garden with Samara Kupferberg. Cultivate a blue ribbon vegetable or flower garden using a multitude of vintage fabrics, ribbons and felt, at Socrates Sculpture Park, Broadway at Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City. Participants work with a new artist each week, exploring diverse and innovative art mediums Call 718-956-1819 or visit www.socratessculpturepark.org for more information.
On Saturday, May 23 at 4:30 p.m., Baisley Park Library will present Hair Concept. Where There is a Need presents creating hair for cancer patients. The library is located at 117-11 Sutphin Boulevard. For more information, call 718-529-1590.
SUNDAY
On Sunday May 24, from 10 to 11 a.m., rain or shine, free Pilates in the Park, taught by Courtnie Vitali. Participants will leave feeling empowered and stress free. Class held at Socrates Sculpture Park, Broadway at Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City. Call 718-956-1819 or visit www.socratessculpturepark.org for more information.
On Sunday May 24 from 11 a.m. to noon, rain or shine, free Tai Chi in the Park, led by members of the Taoist Tai Chi Society Classes are designed for all experience levels. Participants should wear comfortable clothing. Classes held at Socrates Sculpture Park, Broadway at Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City. Call 718-956-1819 or visit www.socratessculpturepark.org for more information.
PERFORMANCES
On Thursday, May 21 at 6 p.m., Hillcrest Library will present Divas of Our Time with Naomi Zeitlin. Hear pop standards that were covered by Garland, Streisand, Minnelli, Midler, Fitzgerald, Vaughan, and by more modern/international artists – Linda Eder, Pat Benatar, Linda Ronstadt, Celia Cruz, Gloria Estefan, La India, and Olga Tañon. The library is located at 187-05 Union Turnpike. For more information, call 718-454-2786.
ODDS AND ENDS
On Tuesday, May 26 at 10:30 a.m., Central Library will present Keeping Your Mind Sharp. A workshop for older adults – discussion will include the benefits of learning new skills, physical exercise and leisure activities. The presentation will also include an introduction to American Sign Language. The library is located at 89-11 Merrick Boulevard. For more information, call 718-990-0700.
Tuesdays at 6 p.m. (except in July and August,) The Bayview Bridge Club, a not-for-profit organization of bridge players, meets at Church of the Resurrection, 100-17 32nd Avenue in East Elmhurst. For more information, call club president Ted Harvin at 516-209-7864.
Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m., a Woman’s Group will meet in Forest Hills to talk, and in the process improve their relationships. Members will give and receive support and practice direct communication. The group will be led by a licensed clinical social worker. Call Heidi Elias at 718-371-8916 for more information.
Tuesdays, starting at 7:30 p.m., The Free Synagogue of Flushing, 41-60 Kissena Boulevard (between Sanford Avenue and Main Street) in Flushing, is offering a Mindfulness Meditation class, Led by Rabbi Michael Weisser. Open to all; appropriate for beginners or experienced in meditation. Free for members; $10 for non-members. Free on-site parking available. Call 718-961-0030 or visit www.freesynagogue.org for more information.
On Wednesday May 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., The National Art League of Douglaston, 44-21 Douglaston Parkway, hosts Watercolor Classes with Diane Lieberman, instructor. Traditional and contemporary techniques taught; beginners welcome. Full demonstration, individual instruction and critique at each session. Fee: $20 per class. For more information, call 718-969-1128.
On Wednesday, May 27 from 8 to 9:30 p.m. the Samuel Field Y at 58-20 Little Neck Parkway has “High Beginner” Line Dancing Classes with instructor Lynn Martino Open dancing between and after classes; free refreshments, snacks and holiday parties. Entry fee $8 per person; call 347-693-8300 for information. Ten week beginners program (from 6:30 to 8 p.m.) starts soon.
On Thursday, May 28 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., The Center for the Women of New York announces that it is now accepting registration for a new session of their free Women’s Support Group. The group meets in Room 325 at Queensborough Hall, 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens. For information or an interview appointment, call 718-793-0672.
On Thursday, May 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. the Samuel Field Y at 58-20 Little Neck Parkway has Intermediate Line Dancing Classes with instructor Lynn Martino. Open dancing between and after classes. Free refreshments, snacks and holiday parties. Entry fee $8 per person; call 347-693-8300 for information
Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon, the Kew Gardens Community Center, a program of the Queens Community House, located at 80-02 Kew Gardens Road, hosts MindFit, a Brain Power Fitness Program, in their computer center. This special computer-generated program is being made available as a brain fitness program. For more information, call director Bari Goltzman at 718 268-5960, Ext. 223, email bgoltzman@queenscommunityhouse.org or visit their web site at www.queenscommunityhouse.org.
Saint Michael’s Cemetery at 7202 Astoria Boulevard in East Elmhurst is offering pre-need plans for purchase of memorial property, with payment from three to five years and as little as 10 percent down, monthly billing available. Call 718-278-3240 to inquire.
