News From The Queens Tourism Council
January and February are normally relatively quiet months in Queens, while activity and hotel prices rise in Florida and other warmer places.
However, this upcoming week is busier than a typical week in the busiest month, August, even though there are no street fairs or parades. Just Tango, puppets, movies, live world music, art, sculpture, theater, comedy, history, dance, cooking, networking, lectures and snow globes.
Here’s the rundown.
– Friday, Jan. 25, afroTANGO, 8 p.m. Discover Tango’s African roots in this world premiere musical with music arranged and directed by Latin Grammy winner Raul Jaurena. Show runs until Mar. 17, Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m, and Sundays, 4 p.m. $35; $32 students/seniors. Thalia Spanish Theatre, 41-17 Greenpoint Ave., Sunnyside. 1-718-729- 3880, www.thaliatheatre.org.
– Friday through Sunday, Jan. 25- 27, Weekend Retrospective on Legendary Songwriter, Singer and Actor Paul Williams, 7 p.m. Tonight show favorite Paul Williams was a cultural icon in the 1970s and 1980s. He will be present for all screenings, including a new digital restoration of Ishtar, Brian De Palma’s Phantom of the Paradise, The Muppet Movie and the acclaimed new documentary Paul Williams: Still Alive. Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, 1-718-777-6888, www.movingimage.us.
– Friday, Jan. 25, Repetition in Design, Queens Botanical Garden’s regular hours. On display is a series of oil paintings on canvas by QBG Supervising Museum Instructor Gennadyi Gurman. Some of these pieces are influenced by the way the 8-bit video games from the 1980s looked, also from cartoons; but all show a bright color contrast. Until Apr. 15 and free with admission. QBG’s Visitor & Administration Building Gallery, 43-50 Main St., Flushing, www.queensbotanical.org.
– Saturday, Jan. 26, World Music: Afro-Ameridian Journey, 6 p.m. Follow Latin music’s journey around the globe with extraordinary musicians and an open dance floor. The night pays homage to the blending of indigenous and African traditions in Mexico, Colombia and Peru. Empanadas and Peruvian Chicha for sale, thanks to Terraza 7 Café. 20/$15 members and students with ID. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., 1-718-463-7700, www.flushingtownhall.org.
– Saturday, Jan. 26, Urvashi, A Love Story, 6 p.m. The Natraj Center for the Performing Arts recalls and promotes Indian culture through classes and workshops in dance, drama and music. Expect this Natraj performance to include Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Odissi folk dances and modern Bollywood film and pop genres. $25/$15 children. York College Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Jamaica, 1-718-468-1604, www.york.cuny.edu.
– Saturday, Jan. 26, Scientifically Speaking: Winter Snow Globes, 1 p.m. Engage in an afternoon of indoor science, crafts and fun. Workshops may include a nature hike (weather permitting) and live animal demonstration. Learn about the concepts of weights, floating and sinking and create a winter snow globe. While this is an adult program, children ages 9 and up are welcome to join as long as they are accompanied by a participating adult. Limited space. Please register first. $24/$18 members. Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston, 1-718-229-4000, www.alleypond.org.
– Saturday, Jan. 26, Nineteenth Century Society: German Theater, 1 p.m. Germans were one of the largest American immigrant groups during the 19th century, second only to the Irish. In this presentation, author/ journalist/performer Trav S.D. will unearth some of the forgotten history, outlining the many ways Germans shaped (and were shaped by) American popular culture in the realms of music, theatre and comedy. Greater Astoria Historical Society, 35-20 Broadway, Long Island City, 1-718- 278-0700, www.astorialic.org.
– Saturday, Jan. 26, Close Embrace: Nimbus Dance Works, 2:30 p.m. Join the choreographer and dance artists for a sneak peak at the creative process behind Huang-Yi’s new work Close Embrace. Dancers rehearse and invent new sequences in this behind-the-scenes look at the new work. Talk-back to follow. $6/$4 children. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., www.flushingtownhall.org.
– Saturday, Jan. 26, Free Cooking Class for Children, 3 p.m. The class includes a chef-led lesson making the day’s recipe, a lesson in setting a restaurant-style table and a kitchen tour. Students will also have a chance to enjoy the dish they prepare with their family. For children ages 5-12. Class is free, but registration is required at www.allergictosalad. eventbrite.com. Vesta Trattoria & Wine Bar, 21-02 30th Ave., Astoria, allergictosalad@gmail.com.
– Sunday, Jan. 27, Tomorrow’s Artists Today Face the Music, 5:30 p.m. An “alt-classical” ensemble of more than 70 unusually talented teenagers from in and around NYC. $20/$15 seniors/$10 students. Church-in-the-Gardens, 50 Ascan Ave., Forest Hills, 1-718-894-2178, www.musicareginae.org.
– Sunday, Jan. 27, Rob Schneider Live, 8 p.m. The Emmy-nominated actor and comedian most recently seen in Grown Ups brings his zany comedy to the borough. $40. Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside, 1-718- 631-6311, www.qcc.cuny.edu/qpac.
– Sunday, Jan. 27, Fireside Literary Event: Nature of the Muse, 6:30 p.m. A cozy, indoor, fireside literary event featuring local writers and their traditional/polished poetry and prose work, plus live writing. (Each writer will receive a random prompt and have to write from it on the spot, and present to the audience at the end.) No cover, but one-drink minimum. LIC Bar, 45-58 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City, 1-718-786-5400, www.longislandcitybar.com.
– Monday, Jan. 28, Talk on the Hungarian Jewish Community, 1 p.m. Agnes Veto will discuss the rich history of the Jewish community in Hungary and its fate during the Holocaust. Born in Budapest, Veto is completing a PhD in Jewish Studies at NYU. She has taught as an adjunct professor in Jewish Studies at Vassar College. $6 suggested donation. Central Queens Y, 67-09 108th St., Forest Hills, 1-718-268-5011, www.cqy.org.
– Monday, Jan. 28, Subjective Histories of Sculpture: Martin Kersels, 7 p.m. The program furthers SculptureCenter’s exploration of how contemporary artists think about sculpture, its history, legacies and potential for innovation. Utilizing sculpture as a point of departure and source of inspiration, they explore the material conditions of our lives. $5 suggested donation/$3 for students. SculptureCenter, 44-19 Purves St., Long Island City, 1-718-361-1750, www.sculpture-center.org.
– Tuesday, Jan. 29, The Little Prince, 10:30 a.m. Re-imagined for young audiences, this astonishing tale about a crashed and stranded pilot who befriends the apparition of a little boy enthralls each new generation. Discover the heartwarming story of the Little Prince and his inspiring journey of love, loss and laughter in this multimedia, visually stunning production by a team of award-winning puppet designers. $8. Kupferberg Center, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, 1-718-793-8080, www.kupferbergcenterarts.org.
– Wednesday, Jan. 30, Chinese New Year Celebration with Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, 10:30 a.m. Traditional folk dances such as Lion Dance, Peacock Dance and Coin Stick Dance alternate with pieces inspired by festivals and life in contemporary China. With their dazzling costumes and fantastic props, Nai-Ni Chen’s multiracial troupe helps students contextualize China’s history, geography and culture. $8 per seat. Kupferberg Center, Goldstein Theatre, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, 1-718-793-8080, www.kupferbergcenterarts.org.
– Wednesday, Jan. 30, Power Networking Event, 6 p.m. Panel discussion about succeeding in business with five successful entrepreneurs moderated by Robin Wilson, director of the Queens Women Business Center. Networking event will follow. $10 suggested donation. Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Blvd. Kew Gardens, rwilson@queensny.org, 1-718-263-0546, www.queensny.org.
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The “It’s In Queens” column is produced by the Queens Tourism Council with the hope that readers will enjoy the borough’s attractions.
