News From The Queens Tourism Council
It’s October, and the battle between apples and pumpkins kicks off with local venues hosting harvest festivals featuring one (or both) of these seed-bearing comestibles.
Continuing the scrumptiousness, Queens residents can stay local and take Turkish cooking lessons or learn about the history of tea with samples provided after the lecture. For nonfood fun, try a mime performance, politically incorrect comedy, Irish music, a Dominican parade or multigenre dance.
Here’s the rundown:
– Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 4-6, 8 p.m., Play By Ear. Mime Rob List combines anti-conceptual movement, dance and song to connect to his audience in a direct, modest and intimate way. Play By Ear strives to create a magical event without trickery and to let the work and the moment speak for themselves. Chocolate Factory Theater, 5-49 49th Ave., Long Island City, 1-718-482- 7069, www.chocolatefactorytheater.org.
– Friday, Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m., A Night of Traditional Irish Music. Performers include John Munnelly, an award-winning songwriter and musician specializing in up-tempo, honest, often raw, uncensored songs, and Michael Brunnock, who is known for clear crispness and clipped tones, arranged melodies and a heart-filled soul. Discounted bar. New York Irish Center, 10-40 Jackson Blvd., Long Island City, 1-718-482-0908, www.newyorkirishcenter.org.
– Friday, Oct. 5, 6 to 9 p.m., Exhibition opening: The Loneliness of the Middle Distance Runner. This group exhibition brings together film, photography and performance works from Wales and New York City. The works in the show tangentially speak about solitude and surveillance, a reflection upon success and failure. The show will exhibit on Oct. 6, 10, 11 and 12, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Flux Factory, 39-31 29th St., Long Island City, 1-718-666-8906, www.fluxfactory.org.
– Saturday, Oct. 6, 8 p.m., 7 [Seven]. This performance explores the influences of the Seven Deadly Sins, carrying the audience on an emotional journey expressed through song, dance and visual effects. Free for those who mention “Discover Queens” at the ticket booth the day of the show. LaGuardia Performing Arts Center MainStage Theater, 31-10 Thomson Ave., Long Island City, 1-718-482-7206, www.lagcc.cuny.edu/lpac.
– Saturday, Oct. 6, noon to dusk (rain date Sunday, Oct. 7), Oktoberfest. Face-painting, live music, arts & crafts, jewelry, homemade food and merchandise, pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins. Sunnyside Gardens Park, 48-21 39th Ave., Sunnyside, 1-718- 672-1555, www.sunnysidegardenspark.org.
– Saturday, Oct. 6, 11 a.m. assembly, noon march, The 34th Annual Queens Columbus Day Parade in Astoria. This year’s parade features NYPD Chief Diana Pizzuti as grand marshal. Parade route: Steinway Street left to 30th Avenue, right to 33rd Street, ends at reviewing stand on Astoria Boulevard and 31st Street. 1-718-204-2444.
– Saturday, Oct. 6 through Friday, Oct. 28, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Pumpkin Patch. Wander through the planting fields to find your favorite pumpkin. Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy., Glen Oaks, 1-718-347-3276, www.queensfarm.org.
– Sunday, Oct. 7, 3 p.m., Pat Cooper Comedy Special. Pat Cooper speaks his mind. Whether sharing his views on kids, politics or pop culture, his no-holds-barred discussion will have you rolling in the aisles. Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside, 1-718-631-6311, www.qcc.cuny.edu/ qpac/.
– Sunday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Apple Festival. A large variety of apples, apple products and freshly pressed cider will be available. The nation’s largest apple cobbler will be baked. Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy., Glen Oaks, 1-718-347-3276, www.queensfarm.org.
– Sunday, Oct. 7, 2 to 5 p.m., Oktoberfest. Enjoy an abbreviated visit to Munich with an oompah band, Bavarian dancers and specialty fare including jagerschnitzel with braised red cabbage, warm German potato salad and kringle. Resorts World Casino New York City, 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., Jamaica, 1-888-888- 8801, www.rwnewyork.com.
– Sunday, Oct. 7, 3 p.m., Shusmo at Sunday Concerts at Central Series. Shusmo is a New York band playing innovative and original music using a wide range of influences with Arabic music at its core. Its rich and versatile repertoire blends different genres and winds past all the barriers dividing Arabic maqam from downand dirty funk, Latin spark, and swinging jazz. Free. Queens Library Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd. between Jamaica Avenue and Hillside Avenue, 1-718-990-0700, www.queenslibrary.org.
– Sunday, Oct. 7, noon, Dominican Day Parade. On Northern Boulevard, 69th Street through 86th Street.
– Sunday, Oct. 7, 3 to 5 p.m., Talking About History Lecture. Author Sarah Rose will discuss her bestseller For All the Tea in China: How England Stole the World’s Favorite Drink and Changed History. Tea tasting following the lecture with Harney & Sons Tea Company. Reservations only, free. King Manor in King Park, near Jamaica Avenue between 150th Street and 153rd Street, Jamaica, 1- 718-206-0545.
– Wednesday, Oct. 10, 7 p.m., Turkish Cooking Classes. Learn to make ali nazik, sekerpare and carrot yogurt salad from experienced, friendly chefs. If there is interest, classes will meet the second Wednesday of each month on an ongoing basis. Registration: $25 per class. RSVP to silaasa75@gmail.com is required. Turkish Cultural Center Queens, 43-49 45th St., Sunnyside, 1-718-482-8263, www.turkishculturalcenter.org.
The “It’s In Queens” column is produced by the Queens Tourism Council with the hope that readers will enjoy the borough’s attractions.
