News From The Queens Tourism Council
Get your music fix! In the upcoming days, Queens venues will host disco, classical, heavy metal, African drumming, Irish indie pop and Hindu chanting. Heck, event the Mets are getting in on the action with a Foreigner concert right after a game.
There’s also a strawberry festival, as well as puppet theater, gay comedy, a film on Hitler’s last days and the grand opening of a flea market in Long Island City.
Here’s the rundown.
– Friday, June 14, Mets game and Foreigner Concert, 7:10 p.m. The Mets play the Chicago Cubs, followed by a concert by Foreigner, the Grammy-nominated classic rock band that has sold over 70 million albums with hits including “Feels Like the First Time” and “Hot Blooded.” Prices vary. Citi Field, 126th Street and Roosevelt Avenue, Flushing, www.mets.com.
– Friday, June 14, Disco Inferno III, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Back once again, this periodic music/dance extravaganza features Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Rochelle Fleming of First Choice, Double Exposure, Carol Williams, Disco Unlimited, DJ Jenny Costa, Percussionist Peter Gozzi and host Al Magliano. $25. Resorts World Casino New York, 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., Sout Ozone Park, www.rwnewyork.com.
– Saturday, June 15, Annual Strawberry Festival, noon to 4 p.m. Eat strawberry shortcake, tour the historic Onderdonk House, enjoy music by DJ Frank, watch magic by Bobo the Hobo, play old-fashioned games and crafts and compete in the annual pie-eating contest. Co-sponsored by the East Coast Car Association, which will be bringing their vintage cars. $3. Onderdonk House, 1820 Flushing Ave., Ridgewood, www.onderdonkhouse.org, 1-718- 456-1776.
– Saturday, June 15, Forest Park Rock Fest, 1 p.m. Greg Cerar, who was born and raised in Woodhaven, realizes a childhood dream by performing at the Forest Park Bandshell with his rock-n-roll band The Boom Section. Still the Vizitors, a bluesy rock group, will also perform, as will System in Chaos, which claims to specialize in a comedic anti-folk genre. Free. Forest Park Bandshell, Forest Park Drive, Woodhaven, www.theboomsection.com.
– Saturday, June 15, LIC Flea & Food, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A fun and vibrant market with a unique mix of food and drink vendors as well as vendors of antiques, collectibles, art, crafts, furniture, clothing and fashion opens this Saturday and runs on Saturdays and Sundays into the near future. Corner of 5th Street and 46th Avenue, LIC, www.licflea.com, 1- 718-866-8089.
– Saturday, June 15, West African Drum and Dance Circle Event, 2 p.m. Learn the basics of African drumming and then participate in a drum circle. Space is limited; preregistration is required. Light refreshments will be available. Free. Queens Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica, www.jamaicadrumjam.org, 1-917-608-6805.
– Saturday, June 15, The Guggenheim Grotto and Cathy Maguire in Concert, 7:30 p.m. Straight from Ireland’s County Mayo, The Guggenheim Grotto is a folksy indie pop band characterized by piano instrumentals and harmonies. Cathy Maguire, a singer, songwriter, model and TV presenter from County Louth, Ireland, will perform with them. New York Irish Center, 10-40 Jackson Ave., LIC, www.newyorkirishcenter.org, 1-1- 718-482-0909.
– Saturday, June 15, Celebration of Ozone Park Guru’s Life, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Hindu community in Queens recently lost a kindling light that brightened up many homes, lives and hearts: Shree Prakash Gossai also known as “Guruji.” All are invited to a 13-hour celebration of Guruji’s life which will include music, messages and chanting. Free. Storefront at 112- 06 Jamaica Ave., Richmond Hill, bhavan@gmail.com, 1-718-431- 5310.
– Sunday, June 16, Music in the Garden, 2 p.m. Celebrate Father’s Day with the popular and talented Quintet of the Americas playing music by Queens composers (presented in collaboration with the Latin American Cultural Center of Queens.) $4. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing, www.queensbotanical.org, 1-718- 886-3800.
– Sunday, June 16, Marionetas De La Esquina, 1 p.m. (English) & 3 p.m. (Spanish). The Mexican Puppet Theater company performs A Moon Between Two Houses, a story of two boys who become friends on a scary, rainy night. Ages three and up. $14. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, www.queenstheatre.org.
– Sunday, June 16, Queens of Queens Comedy Show, 8 p.m. The hilarious Mel & El (Melanie Kinard and Ellie Dvorkin) have performed at gay venues around the country, including aboard Atlantis cruises and at the Miss Fag Hag Pageant. Adam Sank (NBC’s Last Comic Standing) will be the ringleader. $15 plus twoitem minimum. Laughing Devil Comedy Club, 47-38 Vernon Blvd., LIC, www.laughingdevil.com, 1- 347-913-3845.
– Wednesday, June 19, Screening and Discussion of the Film Downfall, 11:10 a.m. The German movie Downfall (2004, with subtitles) is based on the eyewitness testimony of people who spent the end of World War II in the bunker with Adolf Hitler and his most faithful followers, especially Hitler’s personal secretary, Traudi Junge. The movie gives insight into the chaotic final days of the war and Hitler’s life, as well as a window into the motivations and beliefs of those still defending the Reich and Nazism at this late stage. Come prepared to discuss. Free. Kupferberg Holocaust Resource Center And Archives, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside, www.qcc.cuny.edu/khrca, 1-718- 281-5770.
The “It’s In Queens” column is produced by the Queens Tourism Council with the hope that readers will enjoy the borough’s attractions.
