Summer isn’t over yet and the borough’s cultural institutions are still brimming with activity.
Here are some of the highlights coming up this weekend: “Beautiful Vibration” – Colors of African Music performed by Gino Sitson at Flushing Town Hall, Yoga on the beach with Sonia at Rockaway Beach, learning the Filipino folk dance tinikling as part of the Queensboro Dance Festival’s Summer Sundays and the latest edition of TurnOut Queens, featuring a live performance by the Mestizo Art Center.
For these events and more, check out these 23 things to do in Queens from Aug. 20 to 22.
GET TESTED AND VACCINATED
Before doing anything in person, make sure to get tested for COVID-19 and register for any of the three available vaccines.
To slow the spread of COVID-19, the New York City Department of Health suggests getting tested often. Here are several places where you can get tested this weekend:
- Enter your address and find a testing site near you at www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/get-tested/covid-19-testing.page.
- NYC Health + Hospitals offers several testing sites in Queens.
Visit vaccinefinder.nyc.gov to find a vaccination site near you.
As per the city’s executive order, many indoor venues, including night clubs, movie halls and concert theaters, will be requiring that attendees are fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination. Read more about the mandate.
FRIDAY, AUG. 20
Field Guide: Making Bioplastics and Bio-Fashion Show (Socrates Sculpture Park): This event is run by Socrates Director of Education Douglas Paulson and educator Jeannette Rodriguez-Pineda. Participants will learn how to make bioplastics from scratch and then will subsequently make the bioplastics into wearable art and clothing. Registration is required. 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City. socratessculpturepark.org. Free. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Aug. 20.
Fitness Fridays (St. Albans Park): Get some fresh air while also getting in shape at St. Albans Park this weekend. The fitness Mobile Unit will be in the park to offer fitness classes like spin, dance fitness and other shape and tone classes. Participants should dress in exercise clothes and bring a water bottle. Outdoors at the Field House in St. Albans Park. nycparks.gov. Free. 11 a.m to 3 p.m., Aug. 20.
Seasonal Farmstand (Queens County Farm): The season everyone has been waiting for has arrived — farmstand season. From now until the beginning of November, get fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs that grow at Queens County Farm. In August, the stand is selling a whole host of produce including artichoke, cucumber, garlic, melon, okra, tomatoes and zaatar. Members get 10 percent off and EBT and FMNP benefits are accepted. Bring a reusable bag for a zero-waste experience. 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy., Floral Park. queensfarm.org. Free. Open Wednesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 20 to Nov. 7, 2021.
‘Correspondences’ (Socrates Sculpture Park): This sculpture installation and performance was conceived by artist duo Ximena Garnica and Shige Moriya and performed by the LEIMAY Ensemble. Performers wear gas masks and are enclosed inside transparent chambers filled with sand. As they try to stand on top of the piles, machines intermittently blast them with sand, making them sink into the ground. The work explores the questions of being, interdependence and coexistence. 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City. socratessculpturepark.org. Free. Times vary, Aug. 20 to 22.
“Beautiful Vibration” – Colors of African Music (Flushing Town Hall): This in-person concert features award-winning vocal virtuoso Gino Sitson, along with guitarist Marvin Sewell and bassist Lonnie Plaxico. The performance combines jazz, gospel, blues and traditional African polyphanies, polyrhythms and melodies. All attendees must be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination at the door. Get tickets here. 137-35 Northern Blvd. flushingtownhall.org. $12 for non-members and $10 for members. 7 p.m., Aug. 20.
Movie Nights at the Garden – “Abominable” (Queens Botanical Garden): Head to the Garden for a screening of “Abominable,” which follows a young girl who finds and yeti and makes it her mission to reunite him with his family. Attendees can also create Botanical Snowpeople before the screening, get some treats at the Everest Mountain Camp Canteen and even perue the Garden’s plant sale. Get tickets. 43-50 Main St. Flushing. queensbotanical.org. Ticket prices vary for members and non-members. 7:30 to 10:45 p.m., Aug. 20.
Movies Under the Stars – “Aladdin” (Utopia Playground): For this edition of Movies Under the Stars, grab a blanket or chair and enjoy the live-action version of “Aladdin” which brings your Disney favorites to life. Aladdin sets his romantic sights on Jasmine, the princess of Agrabah, and enlists the help of an all powerful genie played by Will Smith. But Aladdin’s foe Jafar, a malevolent sorcerer and grand vizier to the sultan, makes things harder for the film’s hero. Rated PG. Utopia Playground. nycparks.gov. Free. 8:15 to 11 p.m., Aug. 20.
SATURDAY, AUG. 21
Saturday Yoga Sessions 1 and 2 (Socrates Sculpture Park): Instructor Jennifer Batson will be teaching free Vinyasa Yoga classes at Socrates Sculpture Park. Vinyasa is a series of flowing poses linked to awareness of the breath. Those who participate should wear comfortable clothing and bring a mat or towel. All experience levels are welcome. 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City. socratessculpturepark.org. Free. The first session is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and the second session is from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Aug. 21.
Yoga on the Beach with Sonia (Rockaway Beach): Head to the beach for a relaxing yoga session. Led by yoga instructor Sonia, the session combines elements of meditation and movement. Participants are asked to bring sunscreen, a yoga mat, water, towel, yoga blocks and yoga strap. Beach 32 and the Boardwalk in Rockaway Beach. nycparks.gov. Free. 10 to 11 a.m., Aug. 21.
Hellgate Farmstand (Socrates Sculpture Park): Get some delicious, seasonal produce at the Hellgate Farmstand, operated by Hellgate Farm, a network of residential and rooftop gardens in Queens. In addition to produce, the stand also offers small batch goods, like their signature hot sauce. On select Saturdays, Wilk Apiaries offers a pop up to sell a variety of local and raw honeys. 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City. socratessculpturepark.org. Free. Saturdays, Aug. 21 to Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Kids in Motion: Tie Dye (Corona Golf Playground): Learn to tie dye shirts in basic designs or take creative liberties with your own style with the Kids in Motion staff. Bring your own new, white t-shirts to dye. There will also be a limited supply of youth sized shirts available. Corona Golf Playground. nycparks.gov. Free. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Aug. 21.
It’s My Park (Harvey Park): Be a volunteer with the Rotary Club of New York Queens, who will work to beautify Harvey Park. Harvey Park Playground in Harvey Park. nycparks.gov. Free. 12 to 3 p.m., Aug. 21.
Family Day (Wayanda Park): This event is hosted by Councilman I. Daneek Miller and Queens Recreation. This family-friendly event features games, obstacle courses, inflatables, crafts, music and giveaways. Wayanda Park. nycparks.gov. Free. 12 to 4 p.m., Aug. 21.
Litter Ambassadors Saturday (Forest Park): As part of the Litter Ambassadors program, volunteers will help keep the picnic and barbecue areas of Forest Park clean in June. Litter Ambassadors will also distribute garbage bags and guide their neighbors in the proper ways of disposing trash. Register here. George Seuffert Bandshell in Forest Park. nycparks.gov. Free. 1 to 3 p.m., Aug. 21.
SUNDAY, AUG. 22
Alley Pond Park Adventure Course – Free Public Sundays (Alley Pond Park): Spend some time outdoors at this Queens adventure course that fosters trust, communication and team building. The two-hour adventure has both high and low elements and is open to individuals or small groups of friends or family. The course is open to people 8 and up and minors must be accompanied by an adult. Valid photo ID and sneakers are required. Register here. Alley Pond Park Adventure Center in Alley Pond Park. nycparks.gov. Free. The course is open from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m., Aug. 22.
Sunday Yoga (Socrates Sculpture Park): Instructor Yojaida Estrella will be teaching free Vinyasa Yoga classes at Socrates Sculpture Park. Vinyasa is a series of flowing poses linked to awareness of the breath. Those who participate should wear comfortable clothing and bring a mat or towel. All experience levels are welcome. 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City. socratessculpturepark.org. Free. 10 to 11 a.m., Aug. 22.
Manor Flow Yoga (King Manor): These free weekly yoga session with I Am Yogi Studios happen every Sunday morning. Participants are asked to wear a mask and bring their own mat. Register here. 150-03 Jamaica Ave. – King Manor Museum in Rufus King Park. nycparks.gov. Free. 10 to 11 a.m., Aug. 22.
It’s My Park (Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk): For this volunteer event, Another Shot Podcast will help to beautify Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk, starting at Beach 90. Volunteers should meet on the boardwalk at Beach 90. nycparks.gov. Free. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Aug. 22.
It’s My Park (Ralph Demarco Park): Join volunteers from the Friends of Ralph Demarco Park for this cleanup event. Participants will help to paint two small benches, pick up litter and pull weeds. Register here. Ralph Demarco Park. nycparks.gov. Free. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Aug. 22.
Queensboro Dance Festival’s Summer Sundays: Learn Tinikling Filipino Folk Dance with Karesia Batan (Socrates Sculpture Park): The annual Queensboro Dance Festival is back with Summer Sundays at Socrates. This weekend, join teacher Karesia Batan, who will teach the class the popular national dance of the Philippines that involves dancers to hop through bamboo poles to mimic the tinikling bird. The class is free and no RSVP or registration is required. 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City. socratessculpturepark.org. Free. 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Aug. 22.
Compost and Farm Site Tour (Queens Botanical Garden): Learn the ins and outs of composting and get a tour of the mid-scale composting facility at the Garden. The staff will talk about the composting process and teach techniques they use. Register here. 4350 Main St., Flushing. queensbotanical.org. Admission included in the price of Garden admission. Tour times vary, Aug. 22.
Litter Ambassadors Sunday (Forest Park): As part of the Litter Ambassadors program, volunteers will help keep the picnic and barbecue areas of Forest Park clean in June. Litter Ambassadors will also distribute garbage bags and guide their neighbors in the proper ways of disposing trash. Register here. George Seuffert Bandshell in Forest Park. nycparks.gov. Free. 1 to 3 p.m., Aug. 22.
TurnOut Queens – Mestizo Art Center (Queens Theatre): For this week’s edition of TurnOut Queens, audiences will be treated to a performance by Mestizo Art Center. For more than 16 years, Mestizo Art Center has been the center for artistic and cultural training in NYC and promotes the study, practice, interest and enjoyment of Colombian and Latin American dance traditions. No tickets are required. Summer outdoor stage at Corona Plaza. queenstheatre.org. Free. 4 p.m., Aug. 22.
To submit an event for QNS Weekender, email editorial@qns.com.
