News From The Queens Tourism Council
Cutting edge comes across classical culture in Queens this week.
A new theater group hits the scene with a Marilyn Monroe-inspired play at its converted chain factory. Meanwhile, a performance artist makes his U.S. premiere with a live television show that includes screenings of 20 30-second animations.
But those with a taste for the Good Old Days can tour historic Fort Totten or put on a pair of polyester bell-bottoms and boogie the night away at a disco revival party.
Here’s the rundown.
– Thursday (today), Jan. 17 through Saturday, Feb. 2, After the Fall, 7 p.m. Veteran production company Variations Theatre Group has found a new home at the former US Chain Factory site, which once housed a photo development facility and a plant for industrial syringes. Variations launches with After the Fall, one of Arthur Miller’s most autobiographical works, intimately exploring his failed marriage to Marilyn Monroe and her subsequent suicide. $18. The Chain Theatre, 21-28 45th Rd., Long Island City, 646-580-6003, www.chain-theatre.org.
– Friday, Jan. 18, Disco Inferno, 9 p.m. The disco phenomenon affected the lifestyles, fashion trends and musical tastes of a generation. Boogie down memory lane with a live concert by The Trammps, the amazing France Joli, Carol Douglas, Disco Unlimited and DJ Nicky G. $20. Resorts World Casino NYC, 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., Jamaica, www.rwnewyork.com.
– Friday, Jan. 18, Special Effect: A Live TV Show from the Future, 7 p.m. The U.S. premiere of performance artist Peter Burr’s live television show from the future features screenings of 20 short animations, all of which are 30-second works made by underground animators. $15. Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, 1-718-777-6800, www.movingimage.us.
– Friday, Jan. 18, Irish Movie Night, 7:30 p.m. This celebration of the comedic work of Brendan Gleeson, one of Ireland’s finest actors, will begin with The Guard. Sgt. Gerry Boyle is a small-town Irish cop with a confrontational personality, a subversive sense of humor, a dying mother, a fondness for prostitutes and absolutely no interest in the cocainesmuggling ring that has brought straight-laced FBI Agent Wendell Everett to his door. Noreen, which won Best Narrative short at the Gold Coast International Film Festival, will also screen. $11. New York Irish Center, 10-40 Jackson Ave., Hunters Point, 1-718-482-0909, www.newyorkirishcenter.org.
– Saturday, Jan. 19, Meet the Artists!: LIC Winter Art Show Saturday Salon, 2 to 5 p.m. Meet artists Ragnar Lagerblad, Oscar Maxera, John Varriano and Costa Vavagiakis in an intimate setting, and get to know the process and inspiration behind the work they presented at the Winter Art Show. Free. Diego Salazar Art Studios & Gallery, 21- 25 44th Ave., Long Island City, 1-718- 937-9077, www.diegosalazar.com.
– Saturday Jan. 19, Civil War New York: Historic Fort Totten, 1 to 2 p.m. Urban park rangers talk about how Ice Age glaciers, Native Americans, Dutch traders, British Redcoats and the Underground Railroad have left their mark on New York City. Their stories can be found in the names of our streets, our architecture and our parks. Free. Fort Totten Park Front Gate, Totten Road and Cross Island Parkway, Bayside, 1-718-352-1769, www.nycgovparks.org.
– Saturday, Jan. 19, Young Artists in Concert: The Legacy Continues, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m; Sunday, Jan. 20 at 3 p.m. Jamel Gaines & Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn perform with Prep, Pre-Prep & Phyl’s Acad- emy. $15. Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Ave., 1-917- 500-8774, www.creativeoutlet.org.
– Wednesday, Jan. 23, Taste of Bayside, 6 p.m. Sample food, craft beer, wine, etc. from Bayside restaurants such as Bourbon Street, Papazzio, Marbella, Tequila Sunrise and Cascarino’s. $30 in advance/$35 at door. Adria Hotel and Conference Center, 220-33 Northern Blvd., 1-917-957-0607, www.tasteofbayside.com.
– Wednesday, Jan. 23, Author Talk: Surviving Mental Illness, 4 p.m. Linda Naomi Katz will discuss her book which was written from the perspective of someone whose life has been challenged by mental illness. She offers help, hope and inspiration for those with psychological disorders and provides information about mental illness-mood disorders in particular. Free. Queens Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica, www.queenslibrary.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.
