There’s still some time to enjoy the warm weather this summer. See what’s going on around the borough this weekend!
Some things to look forward to this weekend are the orchid display at Queens Botanical Garden starting on Friday, several yoga sessions at Queens locales, a nature exploration of Powell’s Cove Park, a virtual piano showcase by Taiwanese-American pianists Ching-Yun Hu, Natasha Wu and Yao-Wen Chang and a lesson in West African Dance with Fanike at Socrates Sculpture Park.
For these events and more, check out these 24 things to do in Queens from Aug. 13 to 15.
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.
FRIDAY, AUG. 13
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. 13 to Nov. 7, 2021.
Taiwan: A World of Orchids (Queens Botanical Garden): QBG has teamed up with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York to bring this stunning display of orchids, art and culture. Register here. 4350 Main St. Flushing. queensbotanical.org. Tickets are free with garden admission. Free for members. Ticket prices for non-members: $6 for adults and seniors, $4 for students with ID $2 for children ages 4 to 12, free for children 3 and under. Times vary, Aug. 13.
Queensboro Dance Festival (Forest Hills): Join in on this fun lesson on classic Indian dance live from Forest Hills — Head to Toes coordinated movement with Mala Desai from Mala’s Odissi. Register here. Virtual on Instagram Live. queensborodancefestival.com. Free but donations are welcome. 3 to 4 p.m., Aug. 13.
TAKE ROOT Dance Series – Hee Ra Yoo and N/N Dance Collaborative (Green Space): The TAKE ROOT series is now in its 13th season and supports dance makers’ experimentation and growth by allowing them a platform to present their work to audiences. This weekend, the series will feature “거의 다왔는데” (roughly translated as “almost there”) by Hee Ra Yoo and a selection of works crafted in situ by the N/N Dance Collaborative. Virtual. danceentropy.networkforgood.com. Donation-based. Link sent at time of performance. Aug. 13.
Movie Night – “Frozen 2” (Alley Pond Park): Grab a blanket or lawn chair for an outdoor movie screening of “Frozen 2,” the sequel to the hit Disney film starring Elsa, Anna, Olaf and the rest of the gang. The sequel follows Elsa the Snow Queens on an adventure that turns into a journey of self discovery. Rated PG. Parking lot in Alley Pond Park off Springfield Blvd and 76th Avenue. nycparks.gov. Free. 8:10 to 9:55 p.m., Aug. 13.
SATURDAY, AUG. 14
It’s My Park (Forest Park): Be a volunteer with the Kew Kids Forest School, who will work to beautify Forest Park. Register here. Metropolitan Avenue and Forest Park Drive in Forest Park. nycparks.gov. Free. 9:30 to 11 a.m., Aug. 14.
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. 14.
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. 14.
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. 14 to Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nature Exploration (Powell’s Cove Park): The Urban Park Rangers will lead this exploration of the environmental waterfront park that was completed in 1999. The natural features of the park include wetlands and filled, undeveloped uplands. The park was named for the Powell family, who owned the land as late as 1873. 130th Street and 11th Avenue in Powell’s Cove Park. nycparks.gov. Free. 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Aug. 14.
Infinite Synapse: A Showcase of Queens College Dance (Queens Botanical Garden): This showcase features three choreographers from Queens College. Performances include “What Lies Beneath: The Afterlife” by Alisha Anderson, “Cosmic Convergence” by Dana Mongelli and “Don’t Always Believe Demons Answer” by Anna Artinger. 4350 Main St. Flushing. queensbotanical.org. Free for members. Ticket prices for non-members: $6 for adults and seniors, $4 for students with ID $2 for children ages 4 to 12, free for children 3 and under. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Aug. 14.
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. 14.
Queensboro Dance Festival (Travers Park): This live pop-up performance at Travers Park features Queens-based performers like Drye/Marinaro Dance Company, Ramzi World Dance, Trevor Ricardo Spencer Jr., Chieh Hsiung, Flamenco Latino, Gotham Dance Theater, Marlaina Garcia Riegelsberger, Robert Mark Dance, The Kingdom Dance Company and Kinding Sindaw. There will also be a dance lesson with the audience. Register here. 76-9 34th Ave. at Travers Park in Jackson Heights. queensborodancefestival.com. Free but donations are welcome. 2 to 4:30 p.m., Aug. 14.
Rockaway Beach Surf Music Festival Days 1-2 (Rockaway Beach): This all-ages event features live music, gourmet food, ice cream and bars. 9701 Shore Front Pkwy. rockaway-bazaar.com. Free. 5 to 9 p.m., Aug. 14 and Aug. 15.
An Evening with Taiwanese Piano Stars (Flushing Town Hall): This virtual evening of music features Taiwanese-American pianists Ching-Yun Hu, Natasha Wu and Yao-Wen Chang, who will be performing a program of Schubert, Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff and Taiwan’s own Tyzen Hsiao. Register here. Virtual on YouTube. flushingtownhall.org. Free with a “pay what you can” option. 7 p.m., Aug. 14.
Movies Under the Stars – “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (Phil “Scooter” Rizzuto Park): For this edition of Movies Under the Stars, come to the park and enjoy a screening of “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” The story follows Miles Morales, who became Spider-Man after being bit by a radioactive spider. But after a dimensional gateway opens up, Miles realizes that there are other versions of Spider-Man out there. Rated PG. Phil “Scooter” Rizzuto Park. nycparks.gov. Free. 8:15 to 10:30 p.m., Aug. 14.
SUNDAY, AUG. 15
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. 15.
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. 15.
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. 15.
Queensboro Dance Festival’s Summer Sundays: Learn West African Dance with Fanike (Socrates Sculpture Park): The annual Queensboro Dance Festival is back with Summer Sundays at Socrates. This weekend, learn the art of high-energy, uplifting West African dance with teacher Fanike, who will be accompanied by live drumming. 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. 15.
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. 15.
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. 15.
TurnOut Queens – Tango y Mas (Queens Theatre): For this week’s edition of TurnOut Queens, audiences will be treated to a performance by Frank Valiente’s Tango y Mas. No tickets are required. Summer outdoor stage at Corona Plaza. queenstheatre.org. Free. 4 p.m., Aug. 15.
Queensboro Dance Festival (Windmuller Park): This live pop-up performance at Windmuller Park features performers like, Manhatitlan, McManus Irish Dance (guest dance school), Chevalier Ballet, Cole Collective, Amy Marshall Dance Company, Antara Saha, Kinding Sindaw and Robert Mark Dance. There will also be a dance lesson with the audience. Register here. 39th Road at Windmuller Park in Sunnyside. queensborodancefestival.com. Free but donations are welcome. 6 to 7:15 p.m., Aug. 15.
To submit an event for QNS Weekender, email editorial@qns.com.
