News From The Queens Tourism Council
Met Opera on the west side, the Lincoln Center symphony orchestra on the east. Such is the upcoming week, which also features the best Beatles cover band, two great R&B acts, ballroom dancing, German classics, and live salsa.
Other options include a threehour tea break, e-waste recycling, yoga, sewing, and a photo exhibit on the Whitestone Bridge.
Here’s the rundown.
– Tonight (Thursday), July 10, Metropolitan Opera Recital, 7 p.m. Produced in association with SummerStage and NYC Parks, this concert features three talented young Met singers performing arias and duets from a variety of operas. Free. Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd., LIC, www.socratessculpturepark.org.
– Thursday, July 10, New York Philharmonic in the Park, 8 p.m. The country’s oldest symphony orchestra leaves Lincoln Center to offer an outdoor concert of priceless music. Free. Cunningham Park, 193rd Street near Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows, www.nyphil.org.
– Thursday, July 10, Strawberry Fields, 7:30 p.m. The Central Astoria Local Development Corporation’s 2014 Waterfront Concert Series kicks off with the ultimate Beatles tribute band. Free. Astoria Park Great Lawn, Shore Boulevard between the Hell Gate Bridge and Astoria Pool, www.centralastoria.org.
– Friday, July 11, Finding Samuel Lowe: From Harlem to China, 7 p.m. Screening of movie about three successful siblings who discover their heritage by searching for clues about their long-lost Chinese grandfather, Samuel Lowe. The siblings-including retired NBC Universal executive Paula Williams Madison who will attend the event- were raised in Harlem by their Chinese-Jamaican mother. Their ancestral journey takes them from Toronto to Jamaica to China, and to an emotional and unforgettable family reunion. 36-01 35th Ave., Kaufman Arts District, www.movingimage.us.
– Friday, July 11, Yoga in the Garden, 7 p.m. Bring a mat for a series of poses with Yumcha Yoga Studio during a beautiful sunset, followed by kirtan singing from the Indian bhakti devotional tradition. Suitable for all age and talent levels. $5 suggested admission. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., www.flushingtownhall.org.
– Friday, July 11, An Evening of Ballroom Dancing, 8 p.m. Professionals teach new and classic ballroom dances. $15. Resorts World Casino NYC, 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., Jamaica, www.rwnewyork.com.
– Saturday, July 12, Hands-on History: Cup of Tea, noon to 3 p.m. There’s nothing like an afternoon tea. Check out Eliza Gracie King’s tea set and get inspired to decorate your own cup. Read a story about tea time. Free. King Manor Museum, 150-3 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica, www.kingmanor.org.
– Sunday, July 13, Soul Party: Old School R&B, 2 p.m. Flushing Town Hall’s free summer concerts series kicks off with an R&B concert with a classic hit list that includes the likes of The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Junior Walker & the All Stars, Bill Withers, and Johnnie Taylor performed by groove-heavy Soul Party. Dance lessons at 1 p.m. FTH, 137-35 Northern Blvd., www.flushingtownhall.org.
– Sunday, July 13, Summertime Electronic Waste Event, 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Dispose of unwanted or broken gadgets in an environmentally friendly way. Free. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 St., Flushing, www.queensbotanical.org.
– Sunday, July 13, The Bridge and the Fair. A photo exhibition organized by the Queens Historical Society celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Whitestone Bridge’s opening. This span, as well as the Whitestone Expressway and Flushing Bridge, brought visitors directly and quickly to the 1939 World Fair. Free. Queens Public Library, Whitestone Branch. 151-10 14th Rd.
– Sunday, July 13, Taste of Germany, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Enjoy the music, food and culture of Germany and check out the new exhibition, Remembering Yesterday: Queens and Its World’s Fairs, which takes a look at the 1939 and 1964 World’s Fairs. $15. Queens Historical Society, Kingsland Homestead, Weeping Beech Park, 143-35 37th Ave., Flushing, www.queenshistoricalsociety.org.
– Sunday, July 13, Make It: Sew Cool, 1:30 to 5 p.m. Learn to sew a sunglass case. Attendees learn how to measure and cut fabric, sew a few different hand stitches, and attach buttons, straps, and other trimmings. Workshops are for children ages 6 and older. $5 per parent/child pair, and register on the day of the event in the admissions area. New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, www.nysci.org.
– Tuesday, July 15, Queensbridge Summer Concert Series, 7 p.m. Ismael Miranda and his band, Orquesta Revelación, recorded “Así se compone un son,” which fueled the 1970s salsa craze. Now known as “El Niño Bonito de la Salsa,” Miranda and his band perform the opening act in this series. Free. Queensbridge Park, vicinity of Vernon Boulevard, 41st Avenue and the East River, Long Island City, www.nycgovparks.org.
– Wednesday, July 16, Dishcrawl, 7 p.m. A delicious dining adventure in Long Island City with chefs of three restaurants. $45, drinks may be purchased separately. For more info, contact Greta Rushion at 1-917-975- 2887 or gretar@dishcrawl.com.
– Wednesday, July 16, J. Holiday, 7 p.m. Laid-back vocalist J. Holiday brings an unexpected edge to R&B music. He bears a street sensibility and bravado normally reserved for hip-hop, but remains inspired by groups such as Boyz II Men and Jodeci. Free. Queensbridge Park, vicinity of Vernon Boulevard, 41st Avenue and the East River, Long Island City, www.nycgovparks.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.
