Astoria Weekend Edition 01.09.06

Well, it's looking like a rainy weekend, with some cooler weather. It feels more like October than August! Cooler weather makes me want to just stay home with a book or watch a movie with someone special. But there are plenty of things to do this weekend, it being Labor Day weekend and all, so I'm here to tell you what's going on!

Friday night, stop in around 10pm at Cafe Bar to have a drink and hear their DJs. As you saw from flooz's post, it's a nice place for brunch, too, and Saturday at 1pm there's live jazz there by Andy Guthrie (piano) and Apostolos Sideris (bass).

Also on Saturday, the Beer Garden continues their Pilsner Promotion. They say: "Stop by for one of the most traditional and popular beers imported from the Czech Republic. Enjoy the give-aways and relax-in in the garden." 2pm-5pm.

Sunday night, stop over at Cafe Rendezvous (Broadway and 35th Street) and hear the Martin Urbach Quartet with local Astorian Tim Collins on vibraphone. 8pm, free.

On Monday the 4th, we greet Astoria's penultimate street fair. To me, this says summer is almost over. Boo hoo. But anyway, enjoy what the 30th Avenue Business Association has to offer in their street fair. Check it out on 30th Avenue between 29th & 42nd Streets. 11-6pm. That same day, also check out the Magic of Astoria Arts and Crafts Show from 10am-6pm at the United Methodist Church (30-44 30th Road). All items are designed and crafted by local artists: paintings, sculpture, jewelry, just to name a few things. For more information call Georgie at 718-721-4037.

The biggest Labor Day bash I've seen so far is that by the Water Taxi Beach, their "Malibu Labor Day Weekend Beach Bash." Saturday through Monday, 7:50pm to 1am each night. Free entertainment and free Carribean food. Free Water Taxi Rides, too! Definitely worth checking out. [Great pic from StreetsBlog, which has high praise for the Water Taxi Beach.]

One last note: check out the Hellgate CSA blog for all sorts of interesting info regarding Astoria's wonderful CSA, as well as related discussion on organic food and sustainable agriculture issues.


Late addition! On Saturday night at Hell Gate Social, there's M-BODY, a collabaration of expression, movement, music, and libation with Anthony Velarde, Deosil & the Rev spinning techno with laser lights. Also, Invasion of the Body Painters (Body Painting). No cover. And on Sunday they'll be hosting a Labor Day BBQ! From 2pm-7pm they'll have $4 beers, well drinks, and martinis to go with the hot dogs and burgers they'll be serving, gratis. And later at 9pm, they'll be showing another fabulously bad classic outside in the garden on their big screen.

More fun, here.