On Sunday, August 23, at 1 p.m. visit Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Boulevard in Flushing for a free Willie Martinez – Mambo in the Sunshine concert. Order lunch from Chef Ashbell McElveen’s Global Grill before the show. Bring your dancing shoes; dance lessons at 1:15 p.m. Concert begins at 2 p.m. (in case of rain, concert will be in the gallery). Call 718-463-7700 for more information.
WONDERFUL WEEKEND EVENTS
FRIDAY
On Friday, August 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. a Farmers’ Market opens in the parking lot of The Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main Street in Flushing. Enter the parking lot on Crommeling Street, between Blossom and Dahlia Avenues (between College Point Boulevard and Main Street). For more information, call 718-886-3800, Ext. 230 or visit www.queensbotanical.org.
On Friday, August 21, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. have Summer Fun in the Garden. Bring children ages seven to 12 years to the Highland Park Children’s Garden, Jamaica Avenue and Ashford Street, where Urban Park Rangers will show how our local Native Americans lived and farmed. Details at 718-235-4462.
On Friday, August 21 at 6:30 p.m. Queens Museum of Art presents 5th Annual Passport Fridays 2009 in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Dance by Dance in Queens award-winner Malini Srinivasan presents Tejas-Luminous, drawn from the traditional bharatanatyam form. Also, the Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts will perform traditional songs and dance. Film at 8 p.m. “Brick Lane,” by Sarah Gavron (UK/Bangladesh, 2007, 101 minutes in English and Bengali with English subtitles.) In case of rain, performance moves inside of museum.
SATURDAY
On Saturday, August 22, from noon to 4 p.m. Family Day at Detective Keith L. Williams Park, between 106th Avenue, 173rd Street, Liberty Avenue and 172nd Street is a free day of arts & crafts, inflatable rides, face-painting, music and games. Sponsored by Councilmember Leroy Comrie.
On Saturday August 22, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Hot Jazz/Cool Garden at the Louis Armstrong House Museum, 34-56 107th Street in Corona, showcases the festive four-man combo Tin Pan Blues Band in a free concert. The Louis Armstrong House will remain open for tours; tickets are $8; $6 for seniors and students with ID. Visit www.louisarmstronghouse.org for more information.
On Saturday, August 22, at 1 p.m. Community Family Day at Roy Wilkins Recreation Center, inside the park, near the Merrick and Foch Boulevard entrance, is hosted by the Friends of Roy Wilkins Park. Enjoy various musical performances, activities for kids, nature walks by the Urban Park Rangers and much more. Details at 718-846-2731.
On Saturday, August 22 at 2 p.m., Glendale Library will present Cantamerica. Mario Rodriguez & Friends will perform a program of music and songs from Cuba, Puerto Rico and Latin America. The library is located at 78-60 73rd Place. For more information, call 718-821-4980.
On Saturday, August 22 at 2:30 p.m., Forest Hills Library will present Gershwin Jazz with the Paul Joseph Quartet. Composer/pianist Paul Joseph and his quartet perform instrumental jazz renditions of Gershwin classics. Enjoy “I Got Rhythm,” “Summertime,” “Embraceable You” and many others. The library is located at 108-19 71st Avenue. For more information, call 718-268-7934.
On Saturday, August 22 at 2:30 p.m., Broadway Library will present Pablo Mayor Folklore Urbano Afro Colombian Jazz. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, seductive Colombian rhythms take center stage entwined with sophisticated jazz harmonies and form, inciting both dance and intrigue. The library is located at 40-20 Broadway. For more information, call 718-721-2462.
On Saturday, August 22 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and again from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Curious Frog Theatre performs a 90-minute, six-actor contemporary version of Aristophanes; ancient Greek comedy “Plutus” at Astoria Park, on the Astoria Water Walk on Shore Boulevard. Visit www.curiousfrog.org for more information.
On Saturday, August 22 at 3 p.m., Woodhaven Library will present Dances of India: Classical Dance and Folk. Under the guidance of Ms. Roy, Srijands Dance Center will demonstrate different forms of Indian dance. The library is located at 85-41 Forest Parkway. For more information, call 718-849-1010.
On Saturday, August 22, from 3 to 7 p.m. Messiah Lutheran Church of Flushing, 42-15 165th Street, is hosting a Free Youth Concert and Barbecue. Food and fun; live performers (TBA), hamburgers and hot dogs. For more information call 718-358-6738 or email fotero55@yahoo.com.
On Saturday, August 22, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Hip To Hip Theatre Company presents “Romeo & Juliet,” possibly the greatest love story ever told, at Socrates Sculpture Park, Broadway at Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City. Visit www.hiptohip.org for more information, including additional locations and show times.
On Saturday August 22 at 7 p.m. the Greek Cultural Center’s Annual Free Summer Film Festival, at 27-18 Hoyt Avenue South in Astoria, continues this year’s tribute to the films of Costa-Gavras, with a showing of “Amen” (2002, 132 minutes). Script by Costa-Gavras and Jean-Claude Grumberg, based on the play Der Stellvertreter by Rolf Hochhuth. For more information call 718-726-7329 or email info@greekculturalcenter.org.
FINAL PERFORMANCE: On Saturday, August 22, from 7 to 7:30 p.m. the free Ice Theatre of New York Summer Youth Concert Series is at the World Ice Arena in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Details at www.icetheatre.org.
On Saturday, August 22, at 8 p.m. explore the dark caverns of Fort Totten with the Urban Park Rangers on a Lantern Tour. Meet at the entrance to Fort Totten, 212th Street north of the Cross Island Parkway in Bayside. Call 718-352-1769 for more information.
SUNDAY
Sundays, August 23 and 30, from 10 a.m. to noon, visit the Bay Terrace Jewish Center’s Open House to learn how to become a part of the family. Join them in welcoming a peaceful New Year and learn how first-time members can receive free High Holiday tickets. The Center is located at 13-00 209th Street in Bayside. Visits by appointment are welcome. For more information, call 718-428-6363.
On Sunday, August 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th Street in Flushing Meadows Corona Park is hosting the 3rd Annual Science Farmers’ Market open-air exhibit with produce from local farmers, science handouts and live demonstrations on the benefits of a balanced diet and the importance of supporting community farms. Free; for more information call 718-699-0005.
On Sunday, August 23, at 11 a.m. the Park Rangers say Oh My! It’s a Dragonfly. Meet at the model airplane field, on the east side of Meadow Lake, near the Van Wyck Expressway and learn interesting facts about these often seen, but little understood insects. Call 718-846-2731 for information.
On Sunday, August 23, at 1 p.m. discover The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful at Fort Totten Park. Learn how exotic plants take root away from their home, what makes them succeed, and why their success often comes at the expense of wildlife diversity. Meet the rangers at the entrance to the Fort, 212th Street north of the Cross Island Parkway. Call 718-352-1769 for details.
On Sunday, August 23, from 1 to 5 p.m. go Kayaking in Hallets Cove sponsored by the Long Island City Boathouse (LICB). Meet at Socrates Sculpture Park, Broadway at Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City. Kayak and canoe from the beach just north of the park. An adult must accompany participants under 18. Visit www.licboathouse.org or call 718-228-9214 for cancellation due to inclement weather.
On Sunday, August 23 at 2 p.m. Summer Sundays in the Park presents Theater for the New City: “Tally Ho!, or Navigating the Future,” a topical musical satire, at Travers Park athletic field, 34th Avenue between 77th and 78th Streets in Jackson Heights. Bring a blanket or cushion for seating. Call 212-254-1109 for more information.
On Sunday, August 23 at 5 p.m. Shakespeare in the Park: Romeo & Juliet; Hip to Hip Theatre Company presents Shakespeare’s great love story of young lovers caught in a dangerous and threatening world. Please bring a chair or blanket to the George Seuffert Bandshell in Forest Park, Forest Park Drive and Woodhaven Boulevard.
MONDAY
On Monday, August 10, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. the Kingsland Homestead Summer 2009 Education Programs, 143-35 37th Avenue in Flushing, “Geometry Scavenger Hunt: Math, Art & History” and “Digging Up History: Science, Art & History” in Weeping Beech Park. Programs run Monday to Wednesday, July and August; $4 per child; for more information or to register, call 718-939-0647, Ext. 17 or email QhsEducation@gmail.com.
On Monday, August 24 at 10:30 a.m., McGoldrick Library will present AARP Defensive Driving Course. Defensive driving techniques, age-related changes, insurance discount. You do not have to take a test. For further information please contact the Library. The library is located at 155-06 Roosevelt Avenue. For more information, call 718-461-1616.
On Monday, August 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. attend the MillionTreesNYC Tree Stewardship Workshop at Two Coves Community Garden, at the intersection of 8th Street and Astoria Boulevard in Astoria, and do your part. You’ll also receive free tools! To register, call the Queens Botanical Garden at 718-539-5296 or email compost@queensbotanical.org.
On Monday, August 24, from 8 to10 p.m. Friends of Cunningham Park present Movies Under the Stars: “To Kill A Mockingbird.” Bring a chair or blanket to the Great Lawn of the park, 196th Street and Union Turnpike. Free popcorn and free Italian ices to the first 200 people, so come early. Email friendsofcunninghampark@yahoo.com or visit www.friendsofcunninghampark.org for more information.
On Monday, August 24 at 8 p.m. Central Astoria’s Movie Night in Astoria Park: National Geographic’s “The Human Family Tree.” Bring the family and a blanket and enjoy a movie under the stars on Astoria Park Lawn, Shore Boulevard between Hell Gate Bride and the Pool. Call 718-728-7820 or email centralastoria@aol.com for details.
TUESDAY
On Tuesday, August 25 at 3 p.m., Central Library will present Proposal Writing Basics. Speaker Susan Shiroma, Senior Librarian at the Foundation Center, NY, will teach novice grant seekers how to write proposals geared to foundations. This workshop will also benefit experienced proposal writers who are initiating a foundation fundraising campaign. Topics include researching funders; the grant makers’ proposal review process; writing cover letters and executive summaries and project planning. The library is located at 89-11 Merrick Boulevard. For more information, call 718-990-0700.
On Tuesday, August 25, and Thursday August 27 at 9 a.m. take a Fitness Walk Along the Water along scenic Joe Michael’s Mile and participate in other fitness activities along the way, sponsored by The Fitness Consultant. Meet at the entrance to Fort Totten Park, 212th Street north of the Cross Island Parkway. Call 718-352-4793 for details.
Rescheduled From July 21: Note Earlier Time. On Tuesday, August 18 at 6 p.m. Live at the Gantries: Afrodita featuring Hector Morales – heavy earthy black Peru style grooves, Rumba, Arabic motifes, floaty rock digressions, all sewn together at Gantry Plaza State Park, 474 48th Avenue in Long Island City. Details at www.liveatthegantries.com or www.hectormorales.net.
On Tuesday, August 25 from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Movies Under the Bridge: “Inkheart.” See this 2008 kids flick starring Brendan Frasier and Helen Mirren overlooking the beautiful Long Island Sound. Bring a chair or blanket to Little Bay Park, 212th Street north of the Cross Island Parkway in Bayside. Sponsored by City Councilmember Tony Avella; call 718-352-4793 for information.
WEDNESDAY
On Wednesday, August 26, Havural Yisrael Singles Summer’s end BBQ will be at Havurat Yisrael House, 108-11 69th Road in Forest Hills. Rabbi David Algaze speaks on dealing with change, new situations, losses and obstacles. Reservations required; call 718-847-3676.
On Wednesday August 26 at 11 a.m. Fishing for Kids at Bayside Marina. Meet Urban Park Rangers who will provide fishing tackle on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the Rangers at 718-352-1769 for more information.
THURSDAY
THROUGH NOVEMBER 12
On Thursday, August 27, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Queens Hospital Center, 82-68 164th Street in Jamaica, has a Farmers’ Market on the south side sidewalk of the Ambulatory Care Pavilion. Produce grown locally on Long Island; WIC and Senior FMNP checks are accepted.
On Thursday, August 27 at 8:30 p.m., a Free Film Series, Beat the Heat: “Snow Dogs.” This 2002 Disney film stars Cuba Gooding, Jr., James Coburn, Sisqó, Nichelle Nichols and Michael Bolton as himself, at Gantry Plaza State Park, 474 48th Avenue in Long Island City. Details at www.liveatthegantries.com.
On Thursday, August 27 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.
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 is available. Call 718-278-3240 to inquire.
