Well, as of today, the weekend looks warm! A little rainy on Sunday but warm (and probably humid) nonetheless. I encourage you to get out and about when the thunderstorms aren't knocking at our door. As far as being outside, what really excites me these days is the fact that the public pools are open. And that means the pool in Astoria Park is open! It's an amazing pool, super huge and able to accommodate big crowds. Pool hours are 11am-7pm normally, but you can call Astoria Pool at 718-699-4219 for more info.
When it is rainy, though, head to the Museum of the Moving Image for their always interesting and engaging offerings. Of note is the screening of The Forsaken Land by Sri Lankan director Vimukthi Jayasundara. This film was the Camera d'Or winner at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival and has gotten a lot of writeup elsewhere (NYT review here). It's playing throughout the weekend. The weekend also brings us Stanley Kubrik's A Clockwork Orange, an American cinematic classic (though a bit disturbing - and some think, satirical!).
Also, this weekend there is some hot paddling action at the LIC Boathouse! Tonight, consider their Friday Night Chill Paddle, a relaxed skyline tour. Meet at 6:30pm at the Boathouse, launch at 7pm and return by 9pm. Sounds like a great way to see the night skyline and enjoy our local East River waterway. And on Sunday, join the Boathouse for the Hallets Cove Paddle! From 1-5pm, come to Hallets Cove (at the end of 31st Avenue) for free walk-up canoe and kayak trips in protected waters in exchange for some volunteer clean up work. Contact erik at licboathouse dot org if you plan on attending either events. Also, you can call 718-228-9214 for the latest LIC Community Boathouse trip status and for updates on scheduled events, especially weather cancellations.
Other miscellaneous things going on: Friday night, head over to Waltz to hear apparently erstwhile-proggy Aion (acoustic guitar, voice, bass, and percussion). No cover, $5 drink minimum. The Greater Astoria Historical Society has a current exhibit, Laughter, Lager, and Leisure: Long Island City at Play. It's a collection of more than thirty rare images that trace Long Island City’s pursuit of pleasure fifty+ years ago. It's accessible on Saturday from 1-4pm. Saturday also brings us the first "Warm Up" at PS1, the incredibly fun Saturday afternoon dance parties in the museum's courtyard. The Irish Rover (37-18 28th Street) is again having its Pub Quiz Night at 7pm Sunday night. And I'll also be at Freeze Peach Cafe on Sunday from 4-8pm preparing coffee and tea and snacks. Come by and say hi!
More fun, here.
Fiddly thing about the Astoria pool (and I think all other city pools): you must bring a combination lock for a locker, or they won't let you in. Also, the only thing you can take into the pool area with you is your towel and a white t-shirt...and a book, I guess. But basically plan on leaving all your stuff in your locker. Oh, and the pool is only 3 feet deep all the way across! BUT it's free, and it is really beautiful...
ReplyDeleteGood point about the combo lock, Zora. From what I remember, I had to have one. Something else, though...for lap swimming, the combo/locker/leave all your stuff behind, is not enforced. You just walk in, put your stuff down on the steps, check in with your parks ID card (they give you one at the beginning of the season when you first start lap swimming) and you're good to go! Totally hot.
ReplyDelete