News From The Queens Tourism Council
Lunar New Year celebrations have kicked off in Queens, and the upcoming week offers opportunities to listen to Korean jazz, make Korean masks, and watch Chinese lion dances.
From other parts of the globe, Argentine tango, African percussion, R&B superstar Mario, countless classic musicals and choral singing are also on tap.
Here’s the rundown.
– Tonight (Thursday), Jan. 30, Nature of the Muse, 7:30 p.m. Poet Audrey Dimola hosts a reading-andwriting contest by the fireplace. Local writers share their work and then write live responses to random prompts that the audience creates. No cover, but attendees are encouraged to buy at least one drink. LIC Bar, 45- 58 Vernon Blvd, LIC, www.licbar.com.
– Thursday, Jan. 30, Lunar New Year Celebration, 4 p.m. Listen to stories, make a craft, watch lion dances, and enjoy Lunar New Year celebrations. Free, but space is limited; first come, first served. Queens Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica, www.queenslibrary.org.
– Friday, Jan. 31, Young Joo Song Quartet, 8 p.m. Young Joo Song earned “Best Jazz Album” and “Best Jazz Performance” at the Korea Music Awards. $15. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., www.flushingtownhall.org.
– Friday, Jan. 31, The Best Tango and Milango, 8 p.m. Thalia Spanish Theatre presents the most popular tango and milongo classics in music, song and dance. Show lasts until March 23 with Friday and Saturday shows at 8 p.m. and Sunday performances at 4 p.m. $30 to $35. TSH, 41-17 Greenpoint Ave., Sunnyside, www.thaliatheatre.org.
– Friday, Jan. 31, A Star Is Born, 7 p.m. The Museum of the Moving Image (MMI) presents the See It Big: Musicals series featuring films with singing and dancing extravaganzas. Judy Garland stars in A Star Is Born, a tale of lost love and found fame. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, www.movingimage.us.
– Friday, Jan. 31, Mario, 9 p.m. R&B superstar and Billboard Award winner Mario performs live. $40 (VIP $100), Resorts World Casino New York, 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., Jamaica, www.rwnewyork.com.
– Saturday, Feb. 1, Choreographers’ Spotlight Showcase, 7:30 p.m. The Queens Dance Workshop presents a performance in its new space at the Genesis Society Studio Metro Plaza, 102-02 Metropolitan Ave., Forest Hills, 718-544-5997.
– Saturday, Feb. 1, Massa Gaze, 1 to 8:30 p.m. The Museum of the Moving Image screens Odyssey, holds two panel discussions and screens Burn during a day dedicated to the depictions of slavery in film and television. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, www.movingimage.us.
– Sunday, Feb. 2, Korean Mask Making, 1 p.m. Learn how to make traditional masks that are vital parts of Korean dance dramas. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., www.flushingtownhall.org.
– Sunday, Feb. 2, My Childhood in Bayside vs. What’s There Now, 10:50 a.m. In honor of his 71st birthday, official Queens historian Jack Eichenbaum leads a walk through his hometown, Bayside. Logistics for the tour link to the arrival of a reduced weekend fare LIRR train (leaves Penn Station at 10:18 a.m and arrives in Bayside at 10:47). Register at www.mas.org/tours.
– Sunday, Feb. 2, Meet Me in St. Louis, 2 p.m.; Gold Diggers of 1933, 4:30 p.m.; Pennies from Heaven, 7 p.m. The Museum of the Moving Image presents the See It Big: Musicals series featuring films with singing and dancing extravaganzas. Judy Garland stars in Meet Me in St. Louis, the story of a family contending with life, love and an impending move from St. Louis to NYC. Gold Diggers of 1933 is about four aspiring actresses trying to make it during the Great Depression. In Pennies from Heaven, Steve Martin is a sheet-music salesman during the Great Depression. Music provides his escape from reality. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, www.movingimage.us.
– Sunday, Feb. 2, Sunday Concerts @ Central: Grace Drums, 3 p.m. This percussion-and-vocal ensemble uses time-honored traditional West African percussion instruments, music and vocals from African and Caribbean cultures, infusing traditional sounds with rhythm and blues, Caribbean dance beats and vocal improvisation. Free. Queens Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica, www.queenslibrary.org.
– Sunday, Feb. 2, A Curator/Artist Conversation: Awash, 1 p.m. Curator Jill Conner and artist Blane De St. Croix chat. De St. Croix’s studio was destroyed during Superstorm Sandy. He will address Sandy’s impact on his artistic practice, highlighting his multilayered approach to creating renditions of environmental issues as they relate to individuals, communities, bureaucracies and larger government bodies. Free. Dorsky Art Gallery, 11-03 45th Avenue, LIC, www.dorsky.org.
– Monday, Feb. 3, Moveable Feast Artist Dinner: Hemlines & Waistlines: 6:30 p.m. The Queens Council on the Arts presents an experience where Ready-To-Wear meets Ready-To-Eat featuring local artist Mark Salinas and celebrity chef Dave Martin. Funds raised will support scholarships for participants in the High School to Art School Portfolio Development Program. Manducatis Rustica Restaurant, 46- 33 Vernon Blvd., LIC, www.queenscouncilarts.org.
– Tuesday, Feb. 4, Get The Picture. Alan Richards, a professional audiologist, displays his artistic photo manipulations through May 4. Queens Botanical Garden admission is free until Apr. 1, and the exhibit can be viewed Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. From Apr. 1 through May 4, Tuesdays to Sundays, the exhibit can be seen from 8 a.m. until 5:30 pm. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing, www.queensbotanical.org.
– Wednesday, Feb. 5, Queens College Choral Society Auditions, 6 p.m. Experience the joy of choral singing and perform Felix Mendelssohn’s Elijah on May 17. The society welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds and is open to anyone with singing experience. Auditions consist of basic singing skills-no preparation is necessary. Queens College Music Building, Room 246, Reeves Avenue, Flushing, www.qcchoralsociety.org or James John at 1-718-997-3818.
“It’s In Queens” column is produced by the Queens Tourism Council with the hope that readers will enjoy the borough’s attractions.
