News From The Queens Tourism Council
Halloween-inspired fright fests mix with presentations by Johnny Mathis, George Clinton, former NYC Comptroller Alan Hevesi, and Bollywood star Nandita Das. There’s also a plethora of live jazz and pumpkins and a premiere celebration of National Chemistry Day.
Here’s the rundown.
– Tonight (Thursday), Oct. 23, Comedy Groupie Live, 10 p.m. A night of stand-up from some of the funniest comedians in NYC and LA. Free with code LICVIP. Laughing Devil Comedy Club, 47- 38 Vernon Blvd., LIC, www.laughingdevil.com.
– Thursday, Oct. 23, The First World War: A Brief History with Documents, 6 p.m. Through novels, poetry, short stories, relevant documents, and first person accounts with moderator Al Ronzoni, participants get a diverse perspective and deep understanding of “The War to End All Wars.” This session focuses on the Penguin Book of First World War Poetry and The First World War: A Brief History with Documents. Free, but registration is required. Greater Astoria Historical Society, Quinn Building, 35-20 Broadway, Fourth Floor, LIC, www.astorialic.org.
– Friday, Oct. 24, From Spain to New York, 7 p.m. “Cantos de Ida y Vuelta” are songs of wandering, shaped by journeys across foreign lands. This double-bill concert features some of the powerful voices in the NYC Latin jazz scene: Javier Ruibal, one of Spain’s most distinctive singer/songwriters; and Victor Prieto, a virtuoso accordionist and a composer. $15/$10 for students. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., www.flushingtownhall.org.
– Friday, Oct. 24. The Exorcist, 7 p.m. The Museum of the Moving Image (MMI) is screening a dozen horror films, including everything from American classics to Korean psycho-thrillers. The Exorcist is Hollywood’s seminal modern horror film about a possessed young girl. It contains shocking imagery made possible by the pioneering work of makeup master Dick Smith. The film is presented in tribute to Smith, who died in August. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Kaufman Arts District, www.movingimage.us.
– Friday, Oct. 24, George Lamond, 9 p.m. A live performance celebrating Lamond’s 25-year career, which spans Freestyle, Pop and Salsa. Special duet performances by Frankie J and K7. $30-$85. Resorts World New York City, 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., South Jamaica, www.rwnewyork.com.
– Saturday, Oct. 25, Seneca Avenue Stroll, noon to 5 p.m. Ridgewood’s Seneca Avenue between Myrtle and Catalpa avenues is closed to traffic so participants can sample sweet and savory treats by Ridgewood Eats, 903 Seneca Ave.; Rudy’s Bakery, 905 Seneca Ave.; Nepalese Indian Restaurant, 907 Seneca Ave.; Zum Stammtisch, 69-46 Myrtle Ave.; BelGioioso Cheese; Finback Brewery; WilkApiary (Ridgewood Honey Tasting); and Viola Pretzels.
– Saturday, Oct. 25, Nosferatu, 3 p.m. The Museum of the Moving Image is screening a dozen horror films, including everything from American classics to Korean psycho-thrillers. German director F. W. Murnau all but invented the modern horror film with Nosferatu, an unnerving, unofficial adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Kaufman Arts District, www.movingimage.us.
– Saturday, Oct. 25, The Complete History of Comedy, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. (also Sunday, Oct. 26, at 3 p.m.). This bawdy adult comedy takes audiences on a rollicking ride through centuries of laughter, from the high-brow to the low-brow, from the ancient Greeks to Charlie Chaplin to The Daily Show. $25-$35. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, www.queenstheatre.org.
– Saturday, Oct. 25, Nandita Das, 7 p.m. Indian movie star and human rights advocate Das attends a screening of Between the Lines, a movie about married lawyers who argue opposite sides in a criminal trial. Then, Das discusses her starring role, and DJ Rekha creates music during a reception. $20. Museum of the Moving Image, 36- 01 35th Ave., Kaufman Arts District, www.movingimage.us.
– Saturday, Oct. 25, ¡Oye Corona!, 2 to 5:30 p.m. Queens Museum hosts a monthly, off-site celebration of art, music and exercise. This month features painting (with Andean motifs), masks, paper sculptures, dance therapy and live music. Free. Corona Plaza, 103rd Street and Roosevelt Avenue, Corona, www.queensmuseum.org.
– Saturday, Oct. 25, Beyond Diversity, 5 p.m. A conversation among artists, activists, and neighbors about the dreams, divisions and direction of Jackson Heights. With an eye toward future collaborations and grassroots action, the organizers welcome everyone to participate. Free. Queens Pride House, 76-11 37th Ave., Ste. 206, Jackson Heights, www.queenspridehouse.org.
– Sunday, Oct. 26, Fall Fest, noon to 4 p.m. Trick-or-treating, photo opportunities with Mr. and Mrs. Met, fall-themed arts and crafts provided by Oriental Trading, costume contests, pumpkin-carving, apple-dipping, and a mini Oktoberfest with music, beer, cider, and bratwurst for sale. Plus, the Mets and City Harvest host a food drive from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fans donating at least 10 items of nonperishable food receive a voucher for a pair of tickets to a select Mets game in April 2015. Donors also receive 15 percent off select merchandise. $10 for adults/$7 for children. Citi Field, www.Mets.com/FallFest.
– Sunday, Oct. 26, Johnny Mathis, 7 p.m. One of the last in a long line of traditional male vocalists who emerged before the 1960s, Mathis’ romantic jazz and pop standards like “Chances Are” and “Misty” continue to delight audiences around the world. Mathis has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame twice and received the 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. $35- $115. Colden Auditorium at Queens College, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, www.kupferbergcenter.org.
– Sunday, Oct. 26, The Phantom of the Opera, 3 p.m. The Museum of the Moving Image is presenting classic horror films on its big screen. Lon Chaney, “The Man of a Thousand Faces,” inhabits one of his greatest and scariest creations in the silent classic The Phantom of the Opera. Adapted from the novel by Gaston Leroux, the film follows an insanely jealous and horribly disfigured composer who haunts an opera house, obsessing over the beauty and talent of an up-andcoming young singer. Live music by Donald Sosin and Joanna Seaton. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Kaufman Arts District, www.movingimage.us.
– Sunday, Oct. 26, Carl Bartlett Jr. Jazz Quintet, 4 p.m. Internationally acclaimed saxophonist and composer Bartlett and his quintet perform everything from classic jazz standards to modern, original tunes, followed by Q&A about jazz. Free. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing, www.queensbotanical.org.
– Sunday, Oct. 26, The Bride of Frankenstein, 5:15 p.m. The Museum of the Moving Image is presenting classic horror films on its big screen. In The Bride of Frankenstein, Boris Karloff reprises his role as the murderous yet melancholy patchwork monster, and Elsa Lanchester strikes a legendary pose as his newly minted mate in the beloved, occasionally outrageous sequel to the 1931 Frankenstein. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Kaufman Arts District, www.movingimage.us.
– Sunday, Oct. 26, National Chemistry Day, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Celebrate chemistry with the New York Section of the American Chemical Society. The event showcases chemistry principles using demonstrations performed by local college students and volunteers from local industries. Free with admission. New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, www.nysci.org.
– Sunday, Oct. 26, Peace Through Understanding: The 1964- 65 New York World’s Fair, 2:30 p.m. Filmmakers Terri Marlowe and Curtis Cates’ documentary, Peace Through Understanding: The 1964/65 New York World’s Fair, interweaves recollections of participants with archival footage, photos and period music for a behind-the-scenes account. The story is told from numerous viewpoints by the men and women who were there and involved at many levels (pavilion owners, operators and employees; representatives of the World’s Fair Corporation; fairgoers; historians; collectors and curators). Queens Historical Society, Weeping Beech Park, 143-35 37th Ave., Flushing, www.queenshistoricalsociety.org.
– Sunday, Oct. 26, Night of the Living Dead, 7 p.m. The Museum of the Moving Image is presenting classic horror films on its big screen. Night of the Living Dead is a black-and-white nightmare in which a group of terrified people hole up in a farmhouse as legions of hungry zombies move ever closer. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Kaufman Arts District, www.movingimage.us.
– Sunday, Oct. 26, Spooktacular 2014 Halloween Party, 2:30 p.m. The Latin American Cultural Center of Queens presents dance and live music under the direction of Francisco Cantilo. The event is part of the Sunday to Remember series, a supportive, cultural and recreational program for individuals and families on the last Sunday of each month. $5 suggested donation. El Paraiso Tropical, 102-11 42nd Ave., Corona, 718.261.7664.
– Monday, Oct. 27, An Evening with George Clinton and Cosmic Slop, 7 p.m. Clinton is one of the foremost innovators of funk and the mastermind behind the bands Parliament and Funkadelic (aka the P-Funk All Stars). On the occasion of his eagerly awaited memoir, Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain’t That Funkin’Kinda Hard on You?: A Memoir (2014, Atria Books), Clinton participates in a conversation with a screening of the groundbreaking cult-favorite TV special Cosmic Slop, which was hosted by Clinton, and a book signing. $20. Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Kaufman Arts District, www.movingimage.us.
– Monday, Oct. 27, Big Money, Congressional Combat & the 2014 Elections, 1:30 p.m. Former Forest Hills Assemblyman, NYS Comptroller and NYC Comptroller Alan Hevesi discusses combative politics and big money in democracy. $8 suggested donation. Central Queens Y, 67-09 108th St., Forest Hills, www.cqy.org.
– Wednesday, Oct. 29, Your Time: Unleashed and Demystified, 6 p.m. The Queens Council for the Arts hosts the ‘Build Your Own Business workshop on time management. Participants take a hard look at their time, schedule, and practice. $10 with RSVP required. Queens Council for the Arts, 37-11 35th Ave., Kaufman Arts District, www.queenscouncilarts.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.
