See a World Premier theatrical production, attend a vintage items and collectibles auction, properly dispose of unwanted tech gadgets, and do more at these events around Queens
Saturday, Jan. 9
The Secret Theatre presents the WORLD PREMIERE run of “City Girls and Desperadoes,” a strictly limited 10-dates-only series of performances from January 7th through January 17th, 2016. Directed by Richard Mazda (Richard III, Hair), the Secret Theatre’s Artistic Director, this play is set in the New York City of 1977 and follows events in the lives of people “willingly lost in the world of drugs and dealing.” The Secret Theater, is located at 44-02 23rd St., Long Island City. Admission is $18. For information on other show times, visit https://citygirls.bpt.me/ or call 718-392-0722.
The Church on the Hill will be hosting its annual auction. Jewelry, antiques, collectibles, artwork, vintage items and more will all be on display for bidding. There’s something for everyone! There will also be door prizes, refreshments and lunch served. The auction will take place at the Church on the Hill, located at 167-07 35th Ave., Flushing. Admission is free. Viewing will begin at 9 a.m. and the auction will begin at 10 a.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 718-358-3671.
The Secret Theatre will be offering free trials of its acting classes for kids ages 6 to 17. Bring in your aspiring actor any Saturday between Jan. 9 and 23 to try out a lesson in drama or musical theater. Lesson times vary. For more information on the free trials or on regular classes, visit https://www.secrettheatre.com/classes or email academy@secrettheatre.com.
The Queens Historical Society, in partnership with Sylvan Learning, is offering a six-week program for students from second to sixth grade called “The Queens Young Scientists Academy.” The program teaches students about the inspiring stories of Queens-native innovators and inventers in various STEM fields. They will also have the chance to build their own robots out of Legos and program them to move and make sounds! The entire six-week program costs $199 per student. Classes will take place on Saturdays, from Jan. 9 till Feb. 13. They will last from noon to 1:15 p.m. and be held at the Queens Historical Society located at 143-35 37th Ave., Flushing. For more information, and to sign up your student, contact Ka-Ling Cheung at 718-939-5815 or email sylvan.flushing@gmail.com.
The Queens Library at Astoria is hosting a theatrical presentation called “The American Dream: Progress without Borders.” This theatre piece focuses on a group of undocumented Latino men who set out to discover whether the American Dream is truly possible. The presentation will be at 3 p.m. The library is located at 14-01 Astoria Blvd., Astoria.
Sunday, Jan. 10
Looking to get rid of your unwanted or broken gadgets? Do so responsibly at the Queens Botanical Garden’s 13th annual “after the holidays” e-waste recycling event. The main event will last from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. Children are welcome to make free crafts out of recycled and repurposed items from 1 p.m. till 3 p.m., or until supplies last. The Queens Botanical Garden is located at 43-50 Main St., Flushing. For more information, visit https://queensbotanical.org/programs/events or call 718-886-3800.
The Anshe Sholom Chabad Jewish Community Center is hosting a shopping bazaar. Come down and browse selections of clothing, accessories, housewares, tools, memorabilia and more. The bazaar will begin at 11 a.m. The Center is located at 82-52 Abingdon Rd., Kew Gardens.
The Queens Central Library is holding its Sunday Concerts at 3 p.m., featuring King Solomon Hicks and His Band of Brothers. The band will perform blues, jazz, R&B, funk and gospel. The library is location at 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica.
Monday, Jan. 11
The Knit and Crochet Club will be meeting at the Douglaston/Little Neck branch of the Queens Library for their weekly club. All ages and skills are welcome. Bring yarn, needles and creativity! Must be preregistered to join. The library is located at 249-01 Northern Blvd., Douglaston.
Are you in need of health insurance for you or your family? Representatives from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will be available at the Central Library starting at 10 a.m. to answer your questions and provide information on low- or no-cost medical insurance options through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. The library is located at 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Queens.
Have a knack for medieval English? Come learn about the Bard’s English in this behind-the-scenes look at the texts of “Much Ado about Nothing,” “Othello,” “The Merchant of Venice” and “Antony and Cleopatra” by artistic director Lenny Banovez. He will discuss the language and modern interpretations of these classic plays. The event will start at 6 p.m. at the Flushing Branch of the Queens Library, located at 41-17 Main St., Flushing.
Watch an award-winning foreign film at the Fresh Meadows branch of Queens Library at 2 p.m. This week’s selection is “Grigris” (2013), a film about a paralyzed man who dreams of dancing, but who struggles when his father falls ill and he must smuggle oil in order to pay for bills. The film is in Arabic and French with English subtitles. The library is located at 193-20 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows.
Tuesday, Jan. 12
Get out of the cold and watch an independent film with us. Queens Central Library will be holding their winter series of films every Tuesday until the end of February. This week’s selection is “Sicario” (2015, R) the story of a FBI agent enlisted in the government’s war on drugs in Mexico. The movie begins at 2 p.m. at 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica.
Dietitian Suzanne Gerdes will be holding a seminar for seniors on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle in old age at 3 p.m. at the Forest Hills branch of Queens Library. The presentation will focus on choosing healthy foods in order to reduce the risk of conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. The library is located at 108-19 71st Ave., Forest Hills.
The Book Discussion Group at Glen Oaks branch of Queens Library will be discussing the 2008 Pulitzer Prize winner for fiction, “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” by Junot Diaz at 2 p.m. The novel is the story of a lovesick and outcast Dominican boy who struggles with his nerd identity in a culture and society that prizes masculinity, while simultaneously hoping to overcome the “fuku” curse that has plagued his family for generations. The library is located at 256-04 Union Turnpike, Glen Oaks.
Wednesday, Jan. 13
The Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning will be hosting the Jamaica Arts Leaders Town Hall, which will be full of conversation on the needs of the community’s artists and on Jamaica’s creative potential. The event will last from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and will be located at 161-04 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica. Admission is free. For more information, visit https://www.queenscouncilarts.org/calendar/ or email ArtService@queenscouncilarts.org.
Get your stress out! The Broad Channel branch of the Queens Library will be holding a Guided Meditation session at 5 p.m. Guided meditation helps you de-stress and find your inner peace. An instructor will be at hand to help you focus and relax, so you can enter the new year with positive mental energy. The library is located at 16-26 Cross Bay Blvd., Queens.
Are you a new immigrant? Citizenship classes could ease the adjustment into a new culture and help you pass the citizenship exam. Learn about American history, government and culture. Participants must hold a Green Card and bring a copy of it in order to register. You must attend the entire 10-week series. Registration will be held at 11 a.m. at the Broadway branch of the Queens Library located at 40-20 Broadway, Queens.
The Rego Park Jewish Center is proud to be part of this great legacy since its founding in 1939. A traditional Conservative Synagogue, the Center understands as its primary purpose, the preservation and fostering of the time-honored traditions and ceremonies of our people in a spirit of authenticity, intelligence and warmth.
