News From The Queens Tourism Council
It’s U.S. Open time, and roughly 800,000 tourists will visit the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park during this internationally renowned, two-week competition. But that’s not the only outdoor fun on the horizon in Queens.
Various concerts, ethnic street festivals, a beach movie, yoga, and a Mets salute to Taiwan mix with indoor activities such as foreign films and jazz jams this upcoming week. Here’s the rundown.
– Today (Thursday), Aug. 28, Little Red’s Hood Puppet Show, 10:30 a.m. Little Red is a smart, young city slicker who is too focused on her smartphone to notice her surroundings. Wulfric is a misunderstood wolf with a sweet tooth. When Little Red travels from New York City to the country to deliver some cupcakes to her grandma, she encounters a colorful cast of characters as Wulfric tries to head her off at the pass. Free. Walter Ward Playground, 89th Street and 160th Avenue, Howard Beach, www.reachforthestarsdaycare.com.
– Friday, Aug. 29, Free Yoga Saturday, 9:30 a.m., second session at 10:30 a.m. These yoga classes are designed for all experience levels. Kripalu Yoga is a system of Hatha Yoga that integrates body postures, breathing techniques, relaxation, and meditation. Participants are encouraged to integrate their yoga practices with this very special waterfront environment of nature and art. Ongoing on Saturdays through Sept. 27. Socrates Sculpture Park, 32- 01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City, www.socratessculpturepark.org.
– Friday, Aug. 29, The Puppetmaster, 2 p.m. This movie illustrates the childhood and early adulthood of Li Tien-lu, an 84-yearold Taiwanese puppet master, using a combination of documentary technique and elegant dramatization. It is shown as part of a retrospective on Taiwanese director Hou Hsiao- Hsien. Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Kaufman Arts District, www.movingimage.us.
– Friday, Aug. 29, Beach Flix, sundown. Bring a blanket or beach chair and watch the movie Monsters University outdoors on the sand. Free. Beach 117th Street, Rockaway, www.RockawayCivic.com.
– Saturday, Aug. 30, Mets Taiwan Heritage Night, 6 p.m. Prior to the Mets-Phillies game, fans will be entertained by Taiwanese dance and singing performances. The first pitch will be by Yen-Hsun (Rendy) Lu, the top ranked tennis professional from Taiwan. $29-$65. Mets Plaza at Citi Field, 123-01 Roosevelt Ave., Corona, www.nymets.com.
– Saturday, Aug. 30, Oye Corona, 1 to 5 p.m. The Queens Museum hosts a cultural celebration with the following activities: Mujeres en Movimiento, an exercise class with energetic dances to a variety of Latin American rhythms; Bangladeshi International Performing Arts Institute, Bangla, music, and dance classes; Mobile Print Power, a cooperative mobile printmaking workshop and print collective that teaches the useful and adaptable skill of silkscreen printmaking using a mobile printmaking cart; BombaYo, a youth project with singing, dancing, and drumming; and Art Making Workshop by Lady K Fever, an inter-disciplinary artist and curator from Canada working with painting, installation, photography, performance and public art projects. Free. Corona Plaza, 103rd Street and Roosevelt Avenue, Corona, www.queensmuseum.org.
– Saturday, Aug. 30, Kids Singer Dave Jay, 1 p.m. Great live music for youngsters as part of Rego Center’s Children’s Summer Entertainment Series. Free. Rego Center’s Galleria, 61-35 Junction Blvd., Rego Park, www.regocenter.com.
– Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 30- 31, Labor Day Caribbean Concert, 9 p.m. Two days of Caribbean rhythms, including performances by Machel Montano, Kerwin DuBois, and others. $40 and $58. Resorts World Casino New York City, 110- 00 Rockaway Blvd., Jamaica, www.rwnewyork.com.
– Sunday, Aug. 31, LIC Concerts: Wishes and Thieves, 5 p.m. This unique group mixes string-section harmonies with electronic drum beats and inspiring lyrics by a vocalist with heavenly talent. They play as part of a third annual live music series staged with the Midtown Manhattan skyline and a sunset as the backdrop. Free. Gantry Park State Plaza, Long Island City, www.licconcerts.com.
– Sunday, Aug. 31, Drop-In Family Workshop, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Children and their adult companions can get involved in hands-on art making activities. Children with special needs are welcome. No fee or advance registration required. Queens Museum’s Studio A, New York City Building, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, www.queensmuseum.org.
– Sunday, Aug. 31, Summer Celebration, 2:30 to 5 p.m. The Latin American Cultural Center of Queens resumes its Sunday to Remember program with a special festivity featuring music interpreted by Francisco Cantilo. This program is a supportive, cultural and recreational program for individuals and families that takes place the last Sunday of each month. Free. El Paraiso Tropical, 102-11 42nd Ave., Corona, 718-261-7664.
– Monday, Sept. 1, 30th Avenue Business Association Street Fair, noon to 6 p.m. 30th Avenue between 29th and 41st streets. Free, Astoria, www.centralastoria.org.
– Wednesday, Sept. 3, Monthly Jazz Jam, 7 p.m. Participants include professional musicians looking to hone their chops or network, graduate students studying the genre, music educators seeking enrichment and those who simply love the scene. At 5 p.m, the Queens Jazz OverGround, directed by local legend Jimmy Heath, offers a clinic during which anybody can play with the band. $10 for spectators, free for performers and students. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing, www.flushingtownhall.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.
