By Tammy Scileppi
Autumn anxiety. Families are starting to feel it as summer winds down and back to school looms large.
Experts say that gradually easing into fall, should help parents, youngsters and teens feel less stressed.
So, how about winding down with these end-of-summer events? Let the beat move you and experience a full moon drumming circle, or take part in a poetry workshop, and don’t forget to take in some cutting-edge art. The entire family can let loose and have fun at an artsy beach party or a Hogwarts extravaganza.
There are many great ways to ease that angst and this week’s local happenings offer something for everyone.
“Just like the borough, this week is unique,” Queens Tourism Council Director Rob MacKay said. “On one hand, it’s a typical August with outdoor dance performances and block parties. But on another hand, there’s a back-to-school influence with the Harry Potter event and the final performances of a few summer series. Then on yet another hand, it’s a quintessentially Queens time with great ethnic dining and tremendous diversity with influences from Mexico to China to England to Wakanda.”
Full Moon Drumming: Mexico — Friday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m.: Celebrate the full moon with George Saenz from Calpulli Mexican Dance Company. He demonstrates Mexican rhythms on huehuetl drums, ayoyote shakers, bombo, redoblante, and pander. Then, the entire group jams. $25. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd. Visit bit.ly/
Prodigy Adventures — Friday, Aug. 24, at 3 p.m.: The Queens Council on the Arts presents an evening of dance, poetry, art, and music in memory of Prodigy. Liberty Park, vicinity of Liberty Ave. and 172nd St., Jamaica. Visit bit.ly/
Beach Sessions Dance — Saturday, Aug. 25 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 26, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Dozens of artists perform on the beach, boardwalk, and a local architectural marvel this weekend. Free to attend. Located within the vicinity of Beach 110th St. and boardwalk and The Castle, Beach 117th St. and Newport Ave., Rockaway. Visit bit.ly/
Nervous Magic Lantern and Contour Editions: Imaginary 3-D Tour of Rubble Cities — Saturday, Aug. 25, at 2 p.m.: Watch the abstract imagery of avant-garde film pioneer Ken Jacobs and listen to live sound art by six contemporary musicians. $15. Located at the Museum of the Moving Image (36-01 35th Ave., Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District). Visit bit.ly/
Corónate — Saturday, Aug. 25, at 1 p.m.: An annual celebration with dance, art, crafts, a market, music, and even hula hoops. Free to attend. Located at Corona Plaza, 40-04 National St. Visit bit.ly/
Dance at Socrates: Week 3 — Saturday, Aug. 25, at 4 p.m.: Artist-in-residence troupe Norte Maar performs with choreographers-in-residence Thomas/Ortiz Dance & konverjdans, along with young choreographers Gia Taylor and Amelia Sanders. Free to attend. Located at Socrates Sculpture Park (32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City). Visit bit.ly/
Breath/Bread of Life: Creating Treasures with Wordplay — Sunday, Aug. 26, at 2:30 p.m.: Sherese Francis leads a poetry workshop inspired by the on-display art installation “El Dorado,” which pays tribute to New Yorkers who don’t speak English. Free to attend. Located at Lewis H. Latimer House Museum (34-41 137th St., Flushing). Visit bit.ly/
Woodside Worldwide 2018 — Tuesday, Aug. 28, at 12 p.m.: Music, culture, family-friendly fun, live entertainment, giveaways, and games. Free to attend. Located on 61st Street between Woodside and Roosevelt avenues. Visit bit.ly/
Back to Hogwarts — Tuesday, Aug. 28, at 5:30 p.m.: A “Harry Potter”-inspired, end-of-summer event with activities and trivia. Take a potions class. Make a golden snitch. Represent your boarding school house. Located at Astoria Bookshop (31-29 31st St.). Visit bit.ly/
Supermambo — Tuesday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m.: A tribute to Tito Puente is the final concert of the two-month Live at the Gantries series. Free to attend. Located at Gantry Plaza State Park (Center Blvd. and 48th Ave., Long Island City). Visit bit.ly/
Queens Dinner Club: Szechuan — Wednesday, Aug. 29, at 7:30 p.m.: This monthly group explores top-notch Chinese cuisine. Menu includes black fungus with spicy and sour sauce, cumin lamb with red chili, braised whole fish with bok choy and tofu, and dry fried beef threads. $50 to attend. Located at Szechuan House (133-47 Roosevelt Ave., Flushing). Visit bit.ly/
