News From The Queens Tourism Council
It must be Classics Week, as Shakespeare, The Beatles, Godzilla, The Wizard of Oz, Fiddler on the Roof and a multi-day Latin cultural festival come to town.
Residents can also enjoy outdoor movies, concerts and festivals and indoor lectures on such topics as feral cats, the environment, and the Holocaust.
Here’s the rundown.
– Tonight (Thursday), July 24, Two Gentlemen of Verona, 7:30 p.m. Hip-to- Hip Theatre Company performs Shakespeare’s slapstick comedy about love, friendship, betrayal, forgiveness, and a dog. This zany tale of romantic rivals asks the question: Is all really fair in love? Special workshop for children at 7 p.m. Free. Crocheron Park, vicinity of 214th Place, and 33rd Avenue, Bayside, www.hiptohip.org.
– Thursday, July 24, The Devotions, 7:30 p.m. Enjoy a Doo Wop vocal group with Astoria roots as part of the Central Astoria Local Development Coalition’s 2014 Waterfront Concert Series. Free. Astoria Park Great Lawn, Shore Boulevard between the Hell Gate Bridge and Astoria Pool, www.centralastoria.org.
– Thursday through Saturday, July 24-26, Fiddler on the Roof, 8 p.m. The Josephine Foundation hosts this timehonored musical about a Jewish family’s struggles in Russia in 1905. $25/$40 for VIP seating. Immaculate Conception Center, 72-00 Douglaston Pkwy., Douglaston, www.thejosephinefoundation.org.
– Thursday, July 24, Tom Finnegan’s Rainbow, 7 p.m. This Woodside group plays classic rock as part of the Woodside Summer Concert Series presented by the Northwest Woodside Coalition and Goliard Concerts. Free. Sgt. Collins Park, 58th Street and Broadway, Woodside, (718) 205-1030.
– Thursday through Sunday, July 25-27, The World’s Fair Play Festival, Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m, Sundays at 3 p.m. This is Queens Theatre’s 25th season, which coincides with the 50th and 75th anniversaries of the 1939 and 1964 World’s Fairs. In celebration, QT presents 10 original, 10-minute plays inspired by these fairs, which took place in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. $18. QT, 14 United Nations Ave. S., FMCP, www.queenstheatre.org.
– Friday, July 25, Classic Monster Film Fridays: Godzilla, 8:19 p.m. The ocean’s surface boils and a Japanese freighter vanishes in the Pacific Ocean. Odo Island’s superstitious villagers rightly fear the ancient legend Godzilla has come true. The behemoth seeks revenge on the world, turning Tokyo into a wasteland of atomic fire and rubble. Young lovers Emiko and Ogata are trapped in the monster’s path of destruction, forced to choose between betraying a friend and saving the world. Free. Rufus King Park, Jamaica Avenue at 153rd Street, Jamaica, www.abetterjamaica.org.
– Friday, July 25, Beatles Concert at the Beach, 7 p.m. Enjoy an evening of Beatles music with a terrific tribute band. Free. Beach 108th Street Hockey Rink, Rockaway.
– Friday, July 25, Two Gentlemen of Verona, 7:30 p.m. Hip-to-Hip Theatre Company performs Shakespeare’s slapstick comedy about love, friendship, betrayal, forgiveness, and a dog. Special workshop for children at 7 p.m. Free. Lost Battalion Hall Recreation Center, 93-29 Queens Blvd., Rego Park, www.hiptohip.org.
– Saturday, July 26, Fourth Annual FLIC NIC in the Street, dusk. The Queens World Film Festival and the Jackson Heights Green Alliance offer three family friendly films about fathers and their children. Bring a chair, blanket, a picnic and a beverage. Free. 78th Street Play Street at 34th Avenue, Jackson Heights, www.queensworldfilmfestival.com.
– Saturday, July 26, Caïn et les Cadiens: Chez Nous Autres, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Cain-Oscar Bergeron and his ensemble take audiences on a musical journey across Cajun America while exploring change and the human spirit. This musical and visual collaboration tells the story of the French settlers who became known as Acadians, or Cajuns. The flute, viola, piano, guitar, accordion, and more play in classical and Cajun folk styles. Free. Flushing Branch Library, 41-17 Main St., Flushing, www.cainoscarbergeron.com.
– Saturday, July 26, Children’s Arts and Crafts Fair, 1 to 6 p.m. Activities include face painting, water marbling, ballet, Irish step, modern dance, and performances by local musicians. Families learn about the wide array of local arts and enrichment programs and meet the artists and teachers in person. Plus, the new Bliss Plaza under the elevated 7 train on 46th Street hosts a pop-up library. Free. 46th Street between Greenpoint Avenue and Queens Boulevard, under the Sunnyside arch and adjacent to the 46th Street/Bliss Street station on the 7 line, Sunnyside, www.sunnysideshines.org.
– Saturday, July 26, Beach Flix, sundown. Bring a blanket or beach chair and watch the movie Surf’s Up outdoors on the sand. Free. Beach 73rd Street, www.RockawayCivic.com.
– Saturday, July 26, Candy Twisted Balloon Show, 1 p.m. As part of its Children’s Summer Entertainment Series, Rego Center presents interactive performances, including Mad Science Show, Candy Twisted Balloon Show, and Kid’s Singer Dave Jay. Free. Rego Center, 61-35 Junction Blvd., Rego Park, www.regocenter.com.
– Saturday, July 26, King Cymbeline, 7:30 p.m. Hip-to-Hip Theater Company presents a fantastical action-adventure Shakespeare play that combines tragedy, comedy, and romance. King Cymbeline’s only daughter, Imogen, secretly marries against his wishes, and he banishes her new husband. With war looming and an evil stepmother plotting, the spunky princess ventures into the wild to reunite with her true love. Special workshop for children at 7 p.m. Free. St. Albans Park, vicinity of 169th Street, Merrick Boulevard, Marne Place and Linden Boulevard, St. Albans, www.hiptohip.org.
– Saturday, July 26, The Wizard of Oz, 1 p.m. This 1939 musical starring Judy Garland is 75 years old. Notable for its use of Technicolor, fantasy storytelling, musical score and unusual characters, over the years it has become one of the best known of all films. Free. Greater Astoria Historical Society, Quinn Building, 35-20 Broadway, Fourth Floor, LIC, www.astorialic.org.
– Saturday, July 26, Feral/Stray/Community Cats & TNR, Class/Workshop/Webinar, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Learn how to care for feral and stray cats. All steps in setting up a managed colony will be covered, including establishing good community relations, feeding, winter shelter, veterinary care, recovery space, safe handling, and trapping. All workshop attendees will become certified TNR caretakers, and NYC residents will gain access to low-cost spay/neuter, free traps and equipment, and expert guidance and assistance. Free, but advance registration is required. Ridgewood Branch Library, 20-12 Madison St., Ridgewood, www.neighborhoodcats.org.
– Sunday, July 27, A Taste of Italy, 2:30 p.m. The music, food and culture of Italy and the chance to view the exhibition Remembering Yesterday: Queens and Its World’s Fairs, which takes a look at the two World’s Fairs in Queens (1939 and 1964). $15/$20 at the door. Queens Historical Society, Kingsland Homestead, 143-35 37th Ave., Flushing, www.queenshistoricalsociety.org.
– Sunday, July 27, Young Dancemakers, 2 p.m. Flushing Town Hall’s free summer concerts series presents a live music and dance performance featuring excerpts of works by master choreographer Paul Taylor. Audience members are invited to join in for a post-concert improvisational workshop with the dancers. Lessons at 1 p.m. FTH, 137-35 Northern Blvd., www.flushingtownhall.org.
– Sunday, July 27, Music in the Garden: Alicia Svigals & Friends, 6:15 p.m. Enjoy a concert featuring the world’s leading Klezmer violinist. Free with admission. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 St., Flushing, www.queensbotanical.org.
– Sunday, July 27, 114th Precinct Civilian Observation Patrol Street Fair, noon to 6 p.m. Broadway between Steinway and 47th streets, Astoria, www.centralastoria.org.
– Monday, July 28, Lecture on Catholicism and the Holocaust, 1:30 p.m. Catholic Holocaust educator Linna McDonald discusses anti-Semitism in church teachings. She talks about Catholic responses to the Holocaust, from the controversy over Pope Pius and the Vatican to the priests and nuns who risked their lives to rescue Jews. She also addresses the revolution in Catholic teachings since the 1960s and anti-Semitism in the church today. $7 suggested donation. Central Queens Y, 67-09 108th St., Forest Hills, www.cqy.org.
– Monday, July 28, The Goonies, 8:30 p.m. Outdoor screening as part of Central Astoria Local Development Coalition’s 2014 Movies on the Waterfront series. Free. Astoria Park Great Lawn, Shore Boulevard between the Hell Gate Bridge and Astoria Pool, www.centralastoria.org.
– Tuesday, July 29, Kevin Batchelor’s Grand Concourse, 7 p.m. Live Reggae and Ska music as part of Live at the Gantries, a series of outdoor performances featuring Queens-based musicians. Free. Gantry Plaza State Park, vicinity of 50th Avenue along the East River, LIC, www.liveatthegantries.com.
– Tuesday, July 29, Latino Cultural Festival: Glamour Tango, 8 p.m. This multi-media show of music and dance was created as a tribute to the women who quietly wrote the pages of Tango from the very beginning. Twelve women make up the entire company, a rarity in the world of Tango. $30. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, www.queenstheatre.org.
– Tuesday, July 29, Summer of ’69 with Generations, 7 p.m. Retro rock as part of 2014 Juniper Valley Park Free Summer Concerts Series. Free. Juniper Valley Park, 80th Street between Juniper Boulevard North and Juniper Boulevard South, Middle Village, www.junipercivic.com.
– Tuesday, July 29, Stewards of the Environment, 6 p.m. Join the Greater Astoria Historical Society for a glass of wine and a community discussion on finding a responsible balance between using and protecting natural resources. Free. GAHS, Quinn Building, 35-20 Broadway, Fourth Floor, LIC, www.astorialic.org.
– Wednesday, July 30, Latino Cultural Festival: Cocomama, 8 p.m. A virtual United Nations of women – from Cuba, Israel, France, Argentina, Mexico, Oregon, and Wisconsin- whose sound draws from the musical traditions of Cuba, Brazil, South and North America. $30. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, www.queenstheatre.org.
– Wednesday, July 30, Beach Flix, sundown. Bring a blanket or beach chair and watch the movie Sixteen Candles outdoors on the sand. Free. Beach 117rd Street, Rockaway, www.RockawayCivic.com.
– Wednesday, July 30, King Cymbeline, 7:30 p.m. Hip-to-Hip Theater Company presents a fantastical action-adventure Shakespeare play that combines tragedy, comedy, and romance. King Cymbeline’s only daughter secretly marries against his wishes, and he banishes her new husband. With war looming and an evil stepmother plotting, the spunky princess ventures into the wild to reunite with her true love. Special workshop for children at 7 p.m. Free. Voelker Orth Museum, 149-19 38th Ave., Flushing, www.hiptohip.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.
