News From The Queens Tourism Council
The city’s big Reggae and beach band festivals come to town this week, as do musicians Melba Moore (Disco, R&B), Patti Smith (Punk), Albita (Salsa), Catherine Russell (Jazz), and the Queens Symphonic Orchestra.
Other entertainment options include whale-and-dolphin watching, fly-fishing, beer-making and a fourday carnival.
Here’s the rundown.
– Today (Thursday), June 26, Whale and Dolphin Watching, noon to roughly 4 p.m. (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday until Aug. 28). Search for these beautiful mammals on an adventurous-yet-relaxing cruise. $45 adults/$35 seniors/$25 children. Rockaway Point Boulevard at Heinzelman Road, Breezy Point, www.americanprincesscruises.com.
– Thursday through Sunday, June 26-29, Astoria Park Festival 2014, times vary. Around 20 rides, games, food, live entertainment and family fun. (June 26, 4 p.m to 10 p.m; June 27, 4 p.m to 11 p.m; June 28, noon to 11 p.m; June 29, noon to 10 p.m.) Free with fees for attractions. Astoria Park Parking Lot, www.centralastoria.org.
– Saturday, June 28, Rockstock And Barrels Festival, 10 a.m. to nighttime. Two stages of musical performances, plus beach games and a surf contest at 8 a.m. Bands include Grim Pickens, Symptom 7, Shipwrecks and Indaculture. Free. Boardwalk at Beach 90th Street, Rockaway Beach, www.rockstocknyc.com.
– Saturday, June 28, Disco Inferno, 9 p.m. Featuring Melba Moore, Ms. Yvonne Elliman, Maxine Nightingale and more. $20-$75. Resorts World Casino New York City, 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., Jamaica, www.rwnewyork.com.
– Saturday, June 28, Forgotten NY Tour: Richmond Hill, noon. Explore the borough’s richest collection of high Victorian homes and much more in this three-hour tour. $20. Meet at Jamaica Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard, Richmond Hill, www.forgotten-ny.com.
– Sunday, June 29, A Jazz Soirée with Catherine Russell, 4 p.m. Concert with Grammy-winning vocalist Catherine Russell and the unveiling of rare photographs of Satchmo at the World’s Fair in 1964. Louis Armstrong House Museum, 34-56 107th St., Corona, www.satchmo.net.
– Sunday, June 29, Rockaway! Opening Day, noon to 8 p.m. A concert by Patti Smith concludes this launch of a large-scale, free public contemporary art festival that runs from June 29 through Labor Day at Gateway National Recreation Area’s Fort Tilden and at Rockaway Beach Surf Club. The event, which involves existing and new, site-specific works by local and internationally acclaimed artists, celebrates the reopening of Fort Tilden and the recovery of the Rockaways. For more information, contact joshua_ laird@nps.gov.
– Sunday, June 29, The Louis Armstrong International Music Festival, 1 to 7 p.m. Multi Grammywinning Cuban salsa singer Albita headlines the show. Other scheduled performers are the Jon Faddis Quartet, led by trumpeter Jon Faddis; Junoon with Salman Ahmad; and David Ostwald’s Louis Armstrong Eternity Band. Free. Parade Grounds near the Unisphere at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, www.kupferbergcenter.org.
– Sunday, June 29, Groovin’ in the Park, noon. Reggae hit machine Beres Hammond joins Australian soft pop duo Air Supply as headline acts. $59.99. Roy Wilkins Park, 177-01 Baisley Blvd., Jamaica, www.groovininthepark.com.
– Sunday, June 29, A Pint of the Past: Beer & Home Brewing in 19th Century New York, 3 p.m. In this 90- minute, interactive program, Mark and Tess Szamatulski explain how to brew and appreciate beer. They also discuss beer styles and local beer history. Learn everything from beer ingredients, such as hops, grain, water and yeast, to the brewing process, including fermentation and sanitization. Free, but reservations required via programs@kingmanor.org or (718) 206-0545 x13. King Manor Museum, 150-03 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica, www.kingmanor.org.
– Sunday, June 29, Flying Fish 101, 10 a.m to noon. Learn the secrets of fly fishing-equipment, casting, knots, and rigging-from a seasoned veteran. Pre-register by calling 1-718-229-4000. $21 adults/$7 children ages 8-12. Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston, www.alleypond.com.
– Sunday, June 29, Sunday to Remember, 2:30 to 5 p.m. Francisco Cantilo plays Latin American music on piano during an afternoon of dance in a welcoming environment. Free. El Paraiso Tropical, 102-11 42nd Ave., Corona, www.laccq.org.
– Monday, June 30, Queens Symphony Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. The orchestra plays popular music and classical favorites before a fireworks show in an annual Independence Day Celebration in Astoria Park. Free. Shore Boulevard between Hell Gate Bridge and the Pool, www.queenssymphony.org.
The “It’s In Queens” column is produced by the Queens Tourism Council with the hope that readers will enjoy the borough’s many attractions. More info available online at www.itsinqueens.com.
