Astorian Weekend Edition 04.06.09

Thursday evening, stop by Kristees for their trunk show featuring NYC based designer duo Peter Valcarcel & Arianna Ward. And on the subject of Astoria clothing boutiques, did you know that Mimi's Closet has re-opened as Mimi's Market?

On Saturday, come celebrate 100 years of the Queensboro Bridge at Queensbridge Park (Vernon Blvd & 41st Avenue). From 1-6 p.m. there will be cultural and recreational activities along the waterfront. All events are free!

Also on Saturday, Socrates Sculpture Park presents the 2nd annual LIC Bike Parade. Working in collaboration with a variety of community groups, children and families are invited to celebrate LIC and the 100th birthday of the Queensboro Bridge, with bike decorating workshops, free bike helmet fittings and giveaways with the DOT-Traffic Safety Division, riding safety tips, and bike repairs. The parade begins at 2 p.m. and lasts about an hour, with a special performance by the Sunnyside Drum Corp, cyclists from Circus Amok and City Reliquary's Civic Riders Bicycle Club. Workshops are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Queens Art Express continues on this weekend, with events at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (31-10 Thompson Avenue), Green Space (37-24 24th St. #301), and at the 33rd Street/Rawson 7 train stop. What is the Queens Art Express? It is "a multi-day multi-venue art extravaganza that will take place on three weekends in Spring 2009 (between May 30 - June 14) in the City’s most diverse borough. Emphasizing each venue’s unique show and accessibility by environmentally-friendly transportation, Queens Art Express features exhibitions, performances, and special events clustered around the No. 7 train."

While I was at the recent Dish du Jour food event (meatball battle!), I had a couple of things that I really liked: the meatballs from Vesta, and a passionfruit mousse cake at Artopolis. Both highly recommended!

Photo credit: NYC: Queensboro Bridge by wallyg on flickr, via a Creative Commons license.

Astorian Weekend Edition 26.02.09

This weekend offers several cultural goings-on in Astoria and LIC so get out there and enrich your minds.

PS1 MOMA opened a new exhibition by Florian Slotawa who uses furniture in unexpected ways—and he’s nearly emptied his Berlin apartment to furnish the show. Go and see for yourself! $5 suggested donation. 22-25 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City. 718.784.02084

Do you love candy and especially nostalgic sweets? Visit the Artisan Baking Center this weekend to see a vintage photo exhibit on 100 years of the Joyva halvah and candy company. 36-46 37^th Street, Long Island City. 718.392.0025

This Friday at 8pm, the Greek Cultural Center will be putting on a production of Prime Numbers, an adaptation of Gianni Skaragas’ novel by the same name. The cultural center will also be celebrating their 35^th anniversary so it’s bound to be a party. 27-18 Hoyt Avenue, South, Astoria. 718.726.7329

Want to treat yourself to a nice dinner without spending the big bucks? Don’t forget about Seva Indian restaurant near 30^th Avenue. They offer a three-course dinner prix-fixe for $12 and it’s BYOB. I promise that you won’t walk out hungry. 30-07 34^th Street, Astoria. 718.626.4440

One of my favorite bakeries in Astoria is Artopolis. Every weekend, I go in to pick up one of their beautiful artisanal breads. I use them to entertain on weekends, and the flat rosemary bread (pictured above) is always a hit. For only $3 you could serve your guests something really special. 23-18 31^st Street, Astoria. 718.728.8484

NY Mag: Michael Psilakis Buys Greek in Astoria

Check out the short video from NY Magazine featuring Michael Psilakis giving Josh Ozersky of Grub Street a tour of some of the Greek culinary highlights in Astoria. I admit to loving both Titan Foods and Artopolis, and it reminds me that I need to stop by soon.

They also visit the meat market next to Artopolis, Plaza Meat Market, where they have whole lambs and organ meats, among other things. Offal is not my thing, but it's cool that those that love it have a source.