News From The Queens Tourism Council
The borough offers various opportunities to treat Mom to a great time for her big day and impress her with your ability find top-notch entertainment and no or low cost.
Here’s the rundown.
– Today (Thursday), May 9, The Cinema of Immigration, 2 p.m. Part of a 10-week series exploring the immigrant experience in the U.S., the Queens Museum of Art presents Anna, a 1987 film directed by Yurek Bogayevicz. Sally Kirkland gives an Oscar-nominated performance as a middle-aged Czech actress who was a star in her native country, but struggles to survive in NYC. Mark Ethan, an Actors Studio member who has been presenting this series since 1998, introduces the movie and leads a discussion afterwards. Free. QMA, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, www.queensmuseum.org, 1-718- 592-9700.
– Thursday, May 9, New York Polish Film Festival, 7 p.m. The Museum of the Moving Image (MMI) presents a new digital restoration of master director Andrzej Wajda’s 1975 masterpiece Promised Land and the acclaimed new feature You Are God. $12/$9 children, MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria/LIC, www.nypff.com, 1-718-777-6888.
– Friday, May 10, Queens Symphony Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. QSO pairs Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony with Manuel de Falla’s El Amo Brujo. A Spaniard, de Falla takes a fiery look at love, flamenco style. Free. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing, www.queenssymphony.org, 1-718- 570-0909.
– Friday, May 10, Let’s Get Bizzee: A Carl Clay Film, 6:30 p.m. The original movie about community and politics that launched the careers of Lisa Nicole Carson and Doug E. Fresh. Shot in southeast Queens, this film began the call for youth to get involved in the political process. Afterward, State Sen. James Sanders Jr. and the Black Spectrum Theatre will host a debate: “Attack on Black Leaders, Corruption or Conspiracy?” $5. BST, Roy Wilkins Park, 177th Street and Baisley Boulevard, Jamaica, www.blackspectrum.com.
– Friday, May 10, Dreamgirls, 7 p.m. (also Saturday, May 11 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, May 12 at 3 p.m.). The York College Performing Arts Center presents a musical about a young female singing trio from Chicago that gets their big break at an amateur competition. $20-$10. YCPAC, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Jamaica, www.york.cuny.edu.
– Saturday, May 11, Carol Sudhalter and the Astoria Big Band: A Tribute to Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie and Big Nick Nicholas, 7 p.m. Saxophonist/flautist Carol Sudhalter, founder and director of the Astoria Big Band, has been awarded two grants to produce a concert tribute to three jazz legends from Queens. Free. Sunnyside Reformed Church, 48-03 Skillman Ave., Sunnyside, sudsaxter@gmail.com, 1- 917-667-5331.
– Saturday, May 11, Kite Flight, 11 a.m. Build, decorate, and fly kites, and kick off the annual kite festival. Event includes a free kite-making workshop with artist Miguel Luciano, outdoor yoga and Tai Chi. Free. Socrates Sculpture Garden, 32- 05 Vernon Blvd., LIC, 1-718-956- 1819.
– Saturday, May 11, Jamaica Drum Jam presents Just Jammin’, 2 p.m. Take a musical journey of cultural rhythms from around the world. Join in the fun, play along with small hand-held percussion instruments, or just clap your hands to the rhythms. Free. Queens Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica, www.queenslibrary.org, 1-718-990- 0778.
– Saturday, May 11, Ragtime (1981), 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon at the movies with Greater Astoria Historical Society, popcorn and hot chocolate. GAHS, 35-20 Broadway, Astoria/LIC, www.astorialic.org, 1- 718-278-0700.
– Saturday, May 11, Black Spectrum Book Fair, 2 to 5 p.m. Blackcurrant Press Company and Black Spectrum Theatre present a second annual book fair featuring authors Cheryl Wills (“Die Free”), Tonya Pinkins (“Get Over Yourself”), Cathleen Williams (“Singer Mother The New Father”) and Beverly Burchett (“Queen Kinni”). Free. Roy Wilkins Park, 177th Street & Baisley Boulevard, Jamaica, www.blackspectrum.com.
– Saturday, May 11, Hands-On History: A Garden for Mary, noon. The King family loved agriculture and gardening. Join King Manor staffers as they plant the vegetable garden. Make your own compostable flowerpot and plant seeds in it to take home and grow your own flowers or vegetables. Free. King Manor Museum, Rufus King Park, Jamaica, www.kingmanor.org, 1-718-206- 0545.
– Sunday, May 12, Queens of Queens LGBT Comedy Show, 8 p.m. In the headline spot is straight-but sassy Michelle Buteau. Also springing onto the stage are Chris Doucette, winner of Chicago’s Snubfest Comedy Festival; Sheba Mason, who takes after her famous father, Jackie; Jami Smith, Gaysayer Tweeter for The Advocate magazine; and Tarik Daniels, Gaylarious2 in Washington D.C. As always, host Adam Sank (NBC’s Last Comic Standing) keeps the show moving gaily forward. $15 with two-item minimum, Laughing Devil Comedy Club, 47-38 Vernon Blvd., LIC, www.laughingdevil.com, 1-347-913-3845.
– Sunday, May 12, Growing and Aging Talk and Tea Reading, 1 p.m. The Voelker Orth Museum (VOM) offers a reading-and-discussion series in partnership with the New York Council for the Humanities. VOM provides the tea, the setting, reading materials and an engaging facilitator. Participants contribute to the discussion. The texts include poetry, essays and a novel that explore questions about entering middle age, growing older, caring for aged loved ones, and finding satisfaction in later stages of life. $5 suggested donation. VOM, 149-19 38th Ave., Flushing, www.vomuseum.org, 1-718-359-6227.
– Monday, May 13, Professor Discusses Jews in Post-WWII Germany, 1:30 p.m. Nearly 70 years after the Holocaust, a Jewish community has been re-established in Germany. Professor Roland Dollinger, who grew up in Germany and is now an associate professor of German at Sarah Lawrence College, will discuss the reemergence of Jewish communities in the country. $6 suggested donation. Central Queens Y, 67-09 108th St., Forest Hills, www.cqy.org, 1- 718-268-5011.
– Tuesday, May 14, Queens Taste 2013, 6 p.m. Join roughly 800 others at the borough’s best food/networking event. About 45 food and drink purveyors offer samples of their products for free in a festive atmosphere full of Queens residents and business people. Attendees receive a special ticket offer from the Mets. $125. Caesars Club at Citi Field, 123- 01 Roosevelt Ave., Flushing, www.queensny.org, 1-718-263-0546.
– Tuesday, May 14, Comedy Festival, 8 p.m. The Laughing Devil Comedy Club launches a six-day festival featuring comedians from around the world competing for cash and prizes, along with some hilarious celebrity guests. $20 on day of your choice. Laughing Devil Comedy Club, 47-38 Vernon Blvd., LIC, www.laughingdevil.com, 1-347-913- 3845.
The “It’s In Queens” column is produced by the Queens Tourism Council with the hope that readers will enjoy the borough’s attractions.
