News From The Queens Tourism Council
The world famous Cirque du Soleil rolls into Queens this week to present Amaluna until May 11. This is a tremendous show, full of breathtaking acrobatics, routines, music and costumes.
But the borough offers other, equally exciting activities during this period, too, including “rocking gospel,” film festivals, art openings, theater and even a bear hunt.
Here’s the rundown.
– Tonight (Thursday), Mar. 20, Opening of Cirque du Soleil’s Amaluna, 8 p.m. (runs until May 11 at various times). This circus show takes the audience to a mysterious island governed by goddesses and guided by moon cycles. Citi Field, 123-01 Roosevelt Ave, Flushing, www.cirquedusoleil.com.
– Thursday, Mar. 20, D.B. Rielly, 9 p.m. Award-winning musician D.B. Rielly performs a wide-range of Americana music, including Roots, Zydeco, Blues, and Alt-Country. He promises an “instantaneous cure for all afflictions.” Free. Rèst Âü Ránt, 30-01 35th Ave., LIC, www.rarbarlic.com.
– Thursday, Mar. 20, Samba Lessons, 7 p.m. Dance instruction for all ages and all levels with renowned instructor Paul Ru Bao of Farrington Ballroom Dance School. After an hour lesson there is an hour of open dance. $10 single class/$45 for five classes. Skip the class and join open dance at 8 p.m for $5. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, www.queenstheatre.org.
– Friday, Mar. 21, Nuala Documentary, 7:30 p.m. Nuala O’Faolain’s memoir shocked Ireland with revelations of her sexual history and bizarre upbringing. She was an enthusiastic heterosexual whose most lasting relationship was with a radical lesbian activist and a feminist who adored her neglectful father. She transfixed Ireland again when, ravaged by cancer, she turned to radio to talk frankly about her impending death. Evening includes a Q&A with the movie’s director. $11/$6 students, seniors, unemployed, New York Irish Center, 10-40 Jackson Ave., LIC, www.newyorkirishcenter.org.
– Friday, Mar. 21, In-Between the Lines: A Performance & Writing Workshop, 7 p.m. Queens Council on the Arts’ (QCA) 3rd Space presents a writing workshop hosted by The In- Between People, a local performance collective. $5. QCA, 37-11 35th Ave., Astoria, www.queenscouncilarts.org.
– Friday, Mar. 21, Requiem for a Dream, 7 p.m. The Museum of the Moving Image (MMI) is hosting Indie to Epic: The Films of Darren Aronofsky. Based on the eponymous novel by Hubert Selby Jr., Requiem for a Dream follows a young couple’s downward spiral into heroin abuse amid a search for the key to their dreams. Includes a preview of Aronofsky’s latest film, Noah. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, www.movingimage.us.
– Friday, Mar. 21, Jim Campbell’s Evocative Low-Resolution Work, museum hours (runs until June 15). The Museum of the Moving Image presents the first solo museum exhibition in NYC of the work of Jim Campbell, the San Francisco-based artist best known for his evocative low resolution works. A tech innovator, he integrates and manipulates computers and custom electronics into visually arresting artworks. On Saturday, Mar. 22, at 2 p.m., MMI presents a public conversation with Campbell and curator Steve Dietz. Free with admission. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, www.movingimage.us.
– Friday, Mar. 21, An Evening of Durang: 2 Short Plays by Christopher Durang, 4 p.m. (also Saturday, Mar. 22, 7 p.m.; Sunday, Mar. 23, 3 p.m.; and Tuesday, Mar. 25, noon). The York College Theatre performs two of Durang’s short comedies for an evening of deranged laughter. In Dentity Crisis, Jane collides head-on with her father, brother, grandfather, her mother’s lover and her psychiatrist. In The Actor’s Nightmare, Durang’s hapless characters move in and out of plays by Noel Coward, Beckett, Shakespeare and Robert Bolt’s A Man for All Seasons to keep the actors frantic and the audience in stitches. $10/$7 students. York College PAC, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Jamaica, www.york.cuny.edu.
– Saturday, Mar. 22, Rockin’ Gospel by Vince Anderson & Friends, 7 p.m. Reverend Vince Anderson plays “rocking gospel,” soul and jazz to get audiences grooving in their seats. Free, but donations accepted. Sunnyside Reformed Church, 48-03 Skillman Ave., Sunnyside, 718-426-5997.
– Saturday, Mar. 22, Pi, 4:30 p.m; and The Fountain, 7 p.m. The Museum of the Moving Image is hosting Indie to Epic: The Films of Darren Aronofsky. Pi, Aronofsky’s debut, is a sci-fi thriller, exploring tenets of number theory and spirituality from the perspective of an obsessive and nihilistic mathematical genius. Blending elements of fantasy, romance and science fiction, The Fountain depicts men’s tumultuous quests for eternal love. A conquistador in Mayan country searches for the tree of life to free his captive queen; a medical researcher looks for a botanical cure to save his dying wife; a space traveler moves toward a dying star that is wrapped in a nebula. Includes preview of Aronofsky’s latest film, Noah. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, www.movingimage.us.
– Saturday, Mar. 22, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, 2:15 p.m. (workshop at 1 p.m.). Michael Rosen’s awardwinning children’s book comes to life on stage, telling an intrepid tale of a father, his three children and their dog in search of a bear. Admission $12 per person, $10 for members, $8 for non-member children, $6 for member children. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., www.flushingtownhall.org.
– Saturday, Mar. 22, Hands-on History: Weaving History, noon. Weave cloth and paper. Free. King Manor Museum, 150-03 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica, www.kingmanor.org.
– Saturday, Mar. 22, Wildlife Photography, 1 p.m. Learn how to take nature photos with the Queens Botanical Garden as the backdrop. Experienced nature photographer Shari Romar offers examples and advice on light and composition. All are welcome. Participants must bring their own camera. $10/$18 for two workshops. Advance registration and payment required at education@queensbotanical.org or 1- 718-886-3800, Ext. 230. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing, www.queensbotanical.org.
– Saturday, Mar. 22, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, 8 p.m. These double platinum Swing chart toppers celebrate the Rat Pack’s music in a 1960’s era-inspired Las Vegas show. $35. Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside, www.visitqpac.org.
– Saturday, Mar. 22, People+Education+Art+Community +Engagement, 6 p.m. An evening of art, poetry, music, dance and a lecture on murals celebrating the opening of a show by Gabino Abraham Castelán, a socially engaged artist committed to connecting the local community to art, artists, and organizations. Space Art Gallery, 29-09 39th Ave., LIC, www.spacegallerylic.com.
– Saturday, Mar. 22, The World of Tomorrow, 1:30 p.m. Learn about the 1939 World’s Fair, which encouraged visitors to take a look at the future. Free. Greater Astoria Historical Society, Quinn Building, 35-20 Bway., 4th Fl., LIC, www.astorialic.org.
– Sunday, Mar. 23, The Wrestler, 4:30 p.m.; Black Swan, 7 p.m. The Museum of the Moving Image is hosting Indie to Epic: The Films of Darren Aronofsky. The Wrestler is a breathtaking comeback for Mickey Rourke, who plays a washed up 1980s wrestling star. In Black Swan, Natalie Portman plays a dancer who eventually caves to pressure from her retired ballerina mother, demanding artistic director, and the jealousy and deceit from her competition in the company. Includes a preview of Aronofsky’s latest film, Noah. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, www.movingimage.us.
– Sunday, Mar. 23, Toying With Science, 1 and 3 p.m. Combining circus skills, mime, original music, and audience involvement, Garry and his audience delve into the imaginations of scientists. $14 or purchase a Family Series Flex Pass for $100 (10 tickets to use however you want.) Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, www.queenstheatre.org.
– Sunday, Mar. 23, MARCH for the Earth, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. (weather permitting). Celebrate the vernal equinox (historical Earth Day) by joining community groups for a day of volunteering and unity at Queens Botanical Garden, followed by a festive march to the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Unisphere. Free, but registration required at rforlenza@queensbotanical.org. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing, www.queensbotanical.org.
– Sunday, Mar. 23, Sundial Craft Workshop, 1 p.m. (while supplies last). Make your own sundial pendant from recycled materials. Free. Queens Botanical Garden, 43- 50 Main St., Flushing, www.queensbotanical.org.
– Monday, Mar. 24, The Blue Note Sound, 6 p.m. The Epistrophy Ensemble celebrates 75 years of Blue Note Records. York College Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Jamaica, www.york.cuny.edu.
– Monday, Mar. 24, Happy Birthday, Forgotten New York, 7 p.m. The often imitated and never duplicated Forgotten New York (FNY) website is a godsend to those interested in NYC history. Webmaster Kevin Walsh celebrates 15 years with a PowerPoint presentation of some of FNY’s greatest hits and cake. Free. Greater Astoria Historical Society, Quinn Building, 35-20 Bway., 4th Fl., LIC, www.astorialic.org.
– Tuesday, Mar. 25, Tuesday Morning Music Club of Douglaston, 11 a.m. Pianist Reed Tetzloff plays compositions by Debussy and Beethoven. Guitarist Edmund Nicodemi plays James Cohn’s works for guitar. Sopranos Carol Nicodemi and Betina Hershey Russo sing. Douglaston Community Church, 39- 15, Douglaston Pkwy., 1-516-466-4034.
“It’s In Queens” column is produced by the Queens Tourism Council with the hope that readers will enjoy the borough’s attractions.
