Astorian Weekend Edition, 14.01.10

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday weekend!  I envy you lucky ducks that get Monday off.  This is a great weekend to relax and enjoy your time away from the office, and remember what this man did for our country.

On Monday, the MOMI has a bunch of great stuff going on that appeals to both kids and adults.  Be sure to check out the video games while you're there, one of the coolest parts of the place, IMO.

This weekend is a good opportunity to stop by KrisTEES (24-01 23rd Avenue) to check out their big winter sale. Save from 25-60% off on coats, dresses, blouses, handbags, and lots more. Ethereal Boutique (47-38 Vernon Boulevard, 1L) is also having a sale this weekend, with party dresses, winter merchandise, and furnishings available.

At Parrot Market on Ditmars (31-12 Ditmars Blvd), they receive a delivery of a very delicious Romanian sweet bread every Friday. It's a yeasted bread dough with a swirl of walnuts and chocolate inside. Really delicious, and at $9.99 it's a special treat. It's especially good toasted with butter. If you can stop by for a loaf, I highly recommend it. While you're there, take a peek at the cured meat products in the back refrigerator, the olive bar, and the homemade phyllo pastries.

On Saturday, the weather is supposed to be stellar, temperature-wise. I've been running in Astoria Park this week, and have loved seeing the amazing sunrises we've had. It should be nice enough for a brisk walk with a friend - and bring your dog with you if you'd like to socialize with other dog owners, as Saturday mornings are filled with dogs romping around (supervised by their humans, of course).

Brunch is coming to Sweet Afton (30-09 34th Street)! I was fortunate enough to be invited for a preview of their brunch last weekend, and it was awesome. I'll post more about it later, but for now, take a look at Judith's rundown of a wonderful new brunch menu in the neighborhood.

Astorian Weekend Edition 07.01.10

Happy New Year everyone! Now that the crazy partying is wrapped up, here are some low-key happs to enjoy this weekend.

Attend the Visioneers premiere at the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden this Thursday at 8 p.m.  The event is hosted by the Astoria Indies, a new indie film group in Queens that will bring you a different movie screening each Thursday at this venue.  If you don’t catch this week’s, you can always come back another time. 29-19 24^th Avenue, Astoria.  718.274.4925

Still holding on to your Christmas tree? You can put it to good use by recycling it at this year’s Mulchfest, Saturday and Sunday in Astoria Park from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m..  Just take all ornaments off and you’ll be all set – they’ll even let you indulge in some free mulch! Have fun, meet new people and benefit the environment.  19^th Street and Hoyt Avenue, Astoria.

If you’re like me, you’ve probably indulged a lot this holiday season, and are looking to hit the gym.  A lot of them are holding introductory specials with $0 down.  My personal favorite, New York Sports Clubs is free to join until February 1^st and The Rock is also offering $0 initiation, 2 free personal training sessions and the entire month of January free.  NYSC - 38-11 30^th Avenue, Astoria.  718.932.1400. The Rock – 22-15 31^st Street, Astoria.  718.204.1400

On another healthy note, check out Mackenzi’s 7 great recommendations for veggie eats in Astoria.  From Mundo (carrot dip pictured above) to Vesta to Bare Burger, you’ll find nifty tips on how to eat healthy and meat free. 

The Noguchi Museum is holding an interesting-sounding discussion this Sunday at 3 p.m. about Sculpture in the Landscape.  The talk will focus on land art, specific works and the various issues that come up when exhibiting sculpture in the open air. Sounds like a useful event for an inspiring artist or an aficionado.  9-01 33^rd Road, Long Island City.  718.204.7088

Reminder: Tonight's Movie Premiere in Astoria Park

Image by www.nationalgeographic.com

Last week we mentioned that Nat Geo will be hosting a movie premiere tonight in Astoria Park, called The Human Family Tree. The movie, narrated by Kevin Bacon sounds incredibly interesting and will highlight the Astorian community specifically, talking about retracing our ancestral footsteps.

Monday, August 24th at 8:00p.m.
Astoria Park lawn on Shore Blvd. between Hell Gate Bridge and the pool
No RSVP required - see trailer here

If you'd like to grab a bite to eat before or after the movie, check out this recommendation list of eclectic restaurants close to Astoria Park, which will send your palate on a trip across the world.

Agnanti (Traditional Greek) - 19-06 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria. 718.545.4554
Bistro 33 (French-Japanese fusion) - 19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria. 718.721.1933
Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden (Czech and Slovak) - 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria. 718.274.4925
Corner 26 Taverna (Traditional Greek) - 26-02 23rd Avenue, Astoria. 718.777.5511
Da Franco's (Italian) - 23-92 21st Street, Astoria. 718.267.0010
Fatty's Cafe (Mexican) - 25-01 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria. 718.267.7071
Thai Pavilion (Thai) - 23-92 21st Street, Astoria.

Enjoy the movie!

Astorian Photogs, Head to Astoria Park This Weekend!

Anyone who's spent time in Astoria Park and surroundings knows it's a great setting for photography. I've taken lots and lots of pictures in Astoria Park, just wandering around. This weekend there's a photography event, organized by Parks:

Landscape Photography

Sunday, August 30, 2009
12:00 p.m.

The location of Astoria Park “lens” itself to breathtaking views of Manhattan’s skyscrapers, the East River, the RFK Bridge and much more. Bring your own camera.

Location: Astoria Park: 24 Road & 19 Street

More Information:
(718) 846-2731

Astorian Weekend Edition 20.08.09

With only half of a rainy weekend ahead, enjoy a mix of indoor and outdoor activities--from shopping, an outdoor movie and lots and lots of eating.

What could be better on a hot day than a cold, creamy gelato or a cup of ices? I recently tried some delicious hazelnut gelato and chocolate ices from Terrizzi Pasticceria. Both were awesome and super refreshing. They have a variety of flavors and the place doesn’t get busy, so you’ll get quick service. 35-14 30^th Avenue, Astoria. 718.726.9698

Not far from Terrizzi is Thai Pavilion, which is known for good, consistent Thai food. You can visit the original location on 30^th Avenue (37-10 30^th Avenue, Astoria. 718777.5546) or you can check out the brand, spankin’ new one on 21^st Street and 24^th Avenue (23-92 21^st Street, Astoria). If you’re in the nabe and feel like having Italian food instead, you can pop into DaFranco’s next door (23-92 21^st Street, Astoria. 718.267.0010)—they also serve homemade gelato (pictured above). 22-36 31^th Street, Astoria. 718.545.4100

One last call for eating...Sac’s Place is celebrating their 20^th Anniversary by scaling back their prices to year 1989. This enticing offer is going on between now and Sunday and you must dine in the restaurant to get the discount. Buon compleanno Sac’s! 25-41 Broadway, Astoria. 718.204.5002

Our newest guest blogger, Mackenzi shone a spotlight on a fabulous Astoria boutique, Inside Astoria. Take a walk over there this weekend and check out their cool collection of furniture, books, kid’s items, jewelry and so much more. You can even enjoy a complimentary glass of vino while shopping. 37-20 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria. 718.956.4000

Extend your weekend activities through Monday by attending a fun and informative movie premiere about the history of Astoria. The Human Family Tree, brought to you by National Geographic and narrated by Kevin Bacon “demonstrates how we all share common ancestors who embarked on very different journeys.” Monday, August 24^th at 8p.m. in Astoria Park, no RSVP required (Shore Blvd between Hell Gate Bridge and the pool).

Not For Sale Screening on Friday

This Friday evening in Astoria Park there will be a showing of the documentary Not for Sale, about child trafficking. It is presented by Stop Child Trafficking Now, a loud voice in the modern anti-slavery movement. Their plan is to show the film at sundown (around 8 p.m.), but also have at 6:30 a pre-screening event consisting of live music, art displays, and info booths.

It's a serious and important subject, and worth checking out. The organizers ask for an optional RSVP at either wearenotforsale@gmail.com (with your name) or RSVP to their Facebook page.

If you have more of an interest apart from viewing the film, you can contact the organizers and volunteer before and during the event. Here is more info:

• Thursday 8/13- 6:30 – 8:00pm @ Astoria Park during a live music event – FLYERING
• Friday 8/14 EVENT DAY – noon – 11:00pm – VARIOUS. Please contact us at VolunteerNotForSale@gmail.com for more information.
  

Astorian Weekend Edition 23.07.09

Although the weather might be iffy, you can split your indoor and outdoor activities because there’s lots going on—and much of it includes yoga and eating.

Treat yourself to a relaxing yoga class or even a massage at the Giving Tree Yoga Studio. They’re offering a “new student” special that includes 3 classes for $25 or a month of unlimited yoga for $80. Get your Zen on! 22-56 31^th Street, Astoria. 718.728.0110

After yoga, walk just a few steps down to Mojave, which features delectable Southwestern cuisine and an intriguing outdoor garden. We recommend taking advantage of their $11.95 prix-fixe lunch special, which comes with a mini margarita. Que bueno! 22-36 31^th Street, Astoria. 718.545.4100

Check out the Astoria Music Now! Festival this Saturday in Astoria Park. An all day event from 12 p.m. – 9 p.m., the festival will feature 50 acts on four stages with plenty of great local musicians of all genres. The day promises to be a boisterous gathering of song, dance and entertainment.

Getting back to yoga, but this time outdoors, enjoy a FREE class this Sunday in LIC's Gantry Park. The event, sponsored by The Yoga Room starts at 9:00 a.m. sharp and will go until 10:15 a.m. Get there early to get a good spot and make sure to bring your yoga mat and wear your comfiest garb. Walk behind 47-20 Center Blvd, LIC. 718.786.7962

If you get hungry after yoga, you can check out the Waterfront Crab House, which is rustic, charming and as its name suggests, right on the water. I enjoyed their baked clams and stuffed filet of sole with crabmeat. The crabs (entree portion - pictured above) are fresh and delicious—and come served on humongous trays. 2-03 Borden Avenue, LIC. 718.729.4862

Movies in Astoria Park

Finally, we have the 411 on the film series in Astoria Park! They are:

July 13th at 8:30 pm
Twilight

July 20th at 8:30 pm
Surfs Up

July 27th at 8:15 pm
Grease

August 3rd at 8:15 pm
Dark Knight

August 17th at 8:00 pm
Wall E

All films are on Monday nights, Astoria Park lawn on Shore Blvd., between Hell Gate Bridge & the pool.

Great selections. Enjoy!

Astoria Music Now!

Astoria Music & Arts is putting together a great event on July 25 at Astoria Park. Here's a preview of things to come:

Astoria Music Now! is Astoria Music & Arts' 2nd Annual Music & Arts festival, an environmentally friendly day of family fun & education to be held on the Great Lawn at Astoria Park on July 25th, 2009.

Building upon last year's main & side stages, Astoria Music Now! is adding a third stage dedicated to world music, dj's, dance & theater arts. There will also be vendors selling crafts, clothing, art & food at the event. We continue our tradition of live music that spans various diverse cultures from the community.

Visitors will watch visual artists create works live, enjoy the sights and sounds of our culturally vibrant neighborhood and participate in this celebration of arts & music! We are still seeking volunteers, vendors, and visual artists. Activity are set to begin at 12 noon.

We are very proud to announce the 2009 gala line-up for the first two stages of our forth coming AMN! Fest.

There is a heavy neighborhood presence with these bands so mark your calenders for the largest FREE Astoria music event of the year!

More details on Facebook.

Hell Gate Stage (main stage 45min sets)

Panonian Wave
Seize Them!
Mainline Gypsy
Hank & Cupcakes
Missing Teens
Stone Robot
The Botz (featuring Bayard Russell)

Shore Stage (Quays Stage)

Gutter & Spine
Little Creatures
Dirty Wings
Illimanjaro
Bliminal
Bob Muir & The Enemy Below
Hops
Digamy
Jesse Pagano Band
Matthew Snow & The Way It Was


3rd (Theater Arts) Triboro Stage and 4th Solo Acoustic TBA

Where and When details:
Saturday, July 25, 2009
12:00pm - 8:00pm
Astoria Park Great Lawn & surrounding park areas
Astoria Park South, 21 Street, Hoyt Avenue, Ditmars Boulevard, East River
Astoria, NY

Post 4th of July Cleanup of Astoria Park

Please join members of the Astoria Park Alliance for a post 4th of July cleanup of Astoria Park!

Cleanup begins at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday the 5th. Meet at the top of the big lawn. Wear good shoes, work gloves and bring strong trash bags with you if possible. There will be some bags and gloves provided, but they could be in short supply.

See you there!

Fireworks Tonight in Astoria Park!

Tonight at sundown are fireworks in Astoria Park (viewable from the big lawn). Bring your friends, a blanket, some snacks, and enjoy the show!

Afterwards, continue the celebration at a number of places nearby - on 24th Ave, the Beer Garden, of course, will be rockin' with the crowds, probably with a long entry line to boot. Across the street is my beloved Sparrow, where where you can get some delicious food and drink. 24 (25-19 24th Ave) up the street is a good bet, too. And up on 31st Street is Balkh Shish Kabab (open til midnight), which is worth trying. No alcohol served but tasty food is. They have interesting wall hangings, too - keep an eye out. 23-10 31st St.

On Ditmars, you've got Waltz Astoria (23-14 Ditmars Blvd, open till 11pm) where you can satisfy your sweet tooth, Crescent and Vine (25-01 Ditmars Blvd) for some wine and nibbles, and Fatty's right next door (love their burgers and sweet potato fries).

In any case, enjoy yourselves tonight!

Grab Your Swimsuits!

("and your flippy floppies!")

It has come to my attention that the city's outdoor public pools open on Saturday the 27th. That includes ginormous Astoria Pool at Astoria Park. If you haven't seen it, let me tell you: it's big. Like, 4 Olympic sized pools set next to each other big. From Parks:

All 54 Parks outdoor pools have closed for the season and will reopen on June 27, 2009. Indoor pools remain open year-round. General hours of operation are 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Call individual pools for more specific information.

Astoria Pool's number is (718) 626-8620. Oh, and here are the dimensions: 330' x 165' x 4'. Hugenormous. See:



EDIT: Thanks to GreenShores, this additional info has come to my attention:

General swim hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Adult Lap Swim begins on July 7th and runs on weekdays 7-8:30 a.m. & 7-8:30 p.m. Senior Splash begins on July 7th and runs Monday/Wednesday/Friday 10 a.m. -1 p.m. Registration for Children’s Learn to Swim (ages 18 months to 14 years) is on July 7th. All programs are free. For more information, www.nycparks.org or (718) 760-6969, ext. 0

Photo credit: (cc) Victoria Belanger via a Creative Commons License.

Astorian Weekend Edition 25.06.09

I can hardly believe that it's going to be a hot, sunny weekend. There are tons of fun indoor--and outdoor--goings-on to enjoy:

Shop for some cool art this Friday at Socrates Sculpture Park’s Makers Market Preview from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Unique products such as ceramics, glassware, jewelry, furniture and even motorcycles will be on sale. The price of a ticket is $50, which includes cocktails and hors d’oeuvres—plus it’s tax deductible. 32-01 Vernon Blvd (at Broadway), LIC. 718.956.1819

Visit Bistro 33 on Saturday for dinner when they’ll showcase French Onion Pork Chops, (pictured above) the winning dish of Monday’s Best Dish Battle competition. Mike Szczepanski, the creator of this entree did a great job—now it’s time to check out Chef Gary’s spin on it. 19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria. 718.721.1933

Love to dance? Check out Dancing in the Park this Saturday from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. in Astoria Park. The event, organized by Martinez Dance Studios will feature salsa dancing. RSVP to 718.932.4344 or info@martinezdancestudios.com.

Get involved in a wonderful cause this weekend by attending the Fourth Annual Relay for Life, helping to fight cancer. The event starts on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. in Astoria Park and continues throughout the night with festivities such as live music, karaoke and relay races. A $10 donation per person will get you into the event. For more information, contact Taliah Duchatelier at 718.263.2225 ext 5511, Astoria.relay@cancer.org or www.relayforlife.org/Astoria.

Are you a wine connoisseur? Visit LIC’s wine store, Vine this Saturday for a tasting of wines from Long Island’s North Fork region. The tasting will run from 2:00 p.m. – 8 p.m. with experienced North Fork wine experts on-hand from Bouke wines and from Paumanok Vineyards. 12-09 Jackson Avenue, LIC. 718.433.2611

Much Ado About.... Baseball?!?

Tonight, Friday, and Saturday, catch local theater group Theatersmarts present a unique interpretation of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. This is a free performance of a family-friendly version of the Shakespeare classic, updated with a modern baseball theme.

Performance dates:
Thurs., June 4th, 7 p.m. at Athens Square Park
Fri, June 5th, 6:30 p.m. at Astoria Park
Sat., June 6th, 4:00 p.m. as part of the Queensboro Bridge Centennial Celebration in Queensbridge Park

Astorian Weekend Edition 14.05.09

This weekend hails It's My Park Day around the city, and in Astoria the place to be is Astoria Park. The festivities take place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., rain or shine, but will be canceled in the event of thunderstorms. There will be opportunities to clean up the shoreline, clear weeds and debris from the park’s War Memorial, and plant flowers in order to beautify it in time for Memorial Day. Also, there will be a tour of the Astoria Park Alliance’s Butterfly Garden, family yoga, water safety education for adults and children, drum instruction for children, tennis lessons for all ages.

Further west, join Two Coves Community Garden on Saturday from 12 - 4 p.m. for their Victory Garden themed event. They'll be holding free workshops on canning, pickling, composting and container gardens. There is also a potluck/picnic planned, so if able, please contribute (you can still share in the meal even if you don't bring a dish). Two Coves Community Garden is located at the triangle where Astoria Blvd, 30th Ave, and 8th St meet.

On Friday from 7 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Transportation Alternatives will be handing out snacks, coffee and schwag at the entrance to the Queensboro Bridge. May is Bike month, so consider enjoying some time away from the subway and on your bike. And celebrate bike FROM work with the T.A. Queens Committee. Join them for an evening snack and some good company at the base of the Queensboro Bridge, Thursday, May 14 and Wednesday, May 20, 5 p.m. Queens side of Queensboro Bridge.

On Sunday, head over to 24, a new wine bar over on 24th Ave and 26th Street. I was over there the other day and I thought it was pretty cool. Try the white ale from Pennsylvania - it's light and creamy at the same time. You also might consider stopping in at the newly opened Manos Papaya for a hot dog and a smoothie.

Happy spring, everyone!

Astorian Mother's Day Weekend Edition - 07.05.09

Pictured above - Lamb Biryani from Seva.

Mother’s Day is this Sunday and as luck has it, it’s supposed to be warm and sunny. Take Mom out for a stroll around the ‘hood or to the park, eat delicious grub and maybe even taste some wine.

Still looking for a gift for Mom? Check out SITE Design for their unique tchotchkies. I especially like the LiLa Vintage Silver necklace, which could be a nice gift for a hip Mom. Also know that every second Saturday of each month (starting this Saturday), SITE offers a local artists showcase, a sidewalk sale and a party with cupcakes. 35-11 34th Ave, Astoria. 718.626.6030.

Treat Mom to a delicious Indian lunch—or dinner. Seva offers a cozy, intimate atmosphere that’s very much a family vibe. They’ve added new scrumptious dishes to their menu such as the Eggplant Chat (fried eggplant, which is out of this world), Soy Mirch Masala (vegan friendly dish), Lamb meatballs and so much more. Prices are super reasonable. 30-07 34^th Street, Astoria. 718.626.4440

Bistro Les Minots is having an all-day Mother’s Day prix-fixe (from 11am – 10pm) for $29.95, featuring classic French dishes. They will also serve their regular brunch (priced as usual) from 11am – 4:30pm if you prefer that instead. I’ve been reminded that their sangria is supposed to be as good as their secret spiced wine. Hmm…47-16 30^th Avenue, Astoria. 718.606.2535

Toast to Mom this weekend and take her to Astoria’s new wine bar, 24. Open in the evenings, I’d suggest coming here after dinner and maybe enjoying a glass of vino and dessert. It’s located on a quiet, residential block and might be a nice way to unwind. Corner of 26^th Street and 24^th Avenue, Astoria.

Since the weather will be nice and sunny on Sunday, take a stroll around Astoria Park or even Socrates Sculpture Park. If you go to the latter, know that their "State Fair" exhibition starts this Sunday--it promises to be a fun, cultural experience. Astoria Park - 19-00 Hoyt Avenue North, Astoria. Socrates Sculpture Park - 32-01 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City. 718.956.1819

Astorian Weekend Edition 16.4.09

This Thursday, join Jimmy van Bramer at The Creek for a fundraising party for his candidacy for the 26th City Council district. Apart from the interesting discussions that will no doubt crop up during, The Creek has some tasty food. The guac and salsa app is good, and I've enjoyed the fish tacos as well.

This is Eastern Orthodox Holy Week, so in Astoria, Greek Easter is just around the corner. But you can see an amazing procession on Friday evening, around 8 p.m. To see the Good Friday procession/epitaphios that involves congregants from three local Greek churches (St. Catherine, St. Markella and St. Irene), stand on the corner of 31st Street and 23rd Avenue. Make sure you have a delicious loaf of tsoureki on hand to celebrate this weekend, too.

Saturday is chock full of fun! Head over to Astoria Park around noon for the Astoria Park Alliance Earth Day celebration - meet up by the butterfly garden under the Hellgate Bridge. At 2:30 p.m., stop at Soleil Cafe (37-14 Astoria Blvd) and meet up with the Astoria Artists are Awesome group to discuss the future of the arts in town. At 6 p.m., the Queens is Green Fashion Show starts up at Green Space in LIC (37-24 24th Street, #301). And finally, AMandA in Wonderland (38-01 23rd Ave), with its myriad music and arts, goes on for 12 hours (starting at 4 p.m.), into the wee hours of the morning.

The next morning, er, afternoon, you can find tasty grub nearby at Sparrow for brunch.

MulchFest - It's Coming!

Give More, Waste Less....

MulchFest: Recycle Your Tree!

Bring your holiday tree, wreaths, and pine trimmings to the parking lot of Astoria Park to be recycled into mulch that will nourish plantings across the city! Remember to remove all lights and ornaments before bringing your items to be mulched.

Want Mulch?
You are encouraged to bring bags to take advantage of the free mulch provided at the Park.

The Astoria Park Alliance will be there to cheer on the Parks Department Staff, so stop by to say hello!

MulchFest
Saturday, January 10 and Sunday, January 11
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Astoria Park

Astorian Weekend Edition 09.10.08

While we've got cooler weather these days, it means that the Beer Garden is less crowded. My favorite time to be there is a Sunday afternoon, when it's pretty mellow. According to their website, the grill is still operating, so head on over, grab a glass of Pilsner Urquell and a kielbasa, and chill out on a fall afternoon.

The Noguchi Museum (9-01 33rd Road) continues it's Second Sundays program this weekend. Sunday's presentation will be a panel discussion called (re)Generation: Three Artists, Three Cities. The museum lost its Ailanthus tree recently, and are planning to repurpose and reuse it, a practice that is consistent with Noguchi's futurist thinking regarding the natural world. Independent curator and critic Lilly Wei will moderate the discussion. Panelists include Mitch Cope and Ingo Vetter of the Tree of Heaven Woodshop, which milled the Ailanthus, alongside Paul Villinski and Annie Murdock, artists from Waste Not, Want Not, an exhibition at Socrates Sculpture Park focused on the re-purposing of cast off resources.

This Saturday from 12-5 Candy Plum (30-98 36th Street) is having a trunk sale. New dresses, accessories will be available, along with brownies! Help support our local garment industry.

I've noticed that the leaves on the trees are changing - yellows are peeking out, and more are on the ground. One of the best places in town to watch the changing leaves is Astoria Park. If you've got some time, head on over and chill out in our lovely gem of a park.

Last weekend I checked out the new Manducatis Rustica (46-31 Vernon Blvd) in Long Island City. What a great addition to the neighborhood! Probably my favorite thing was an amazing tomato, mozz, and basil sandwich. Everything was incredibly fresh. Pizza was good, too, as well as the gelato. The coconut was particularly good, as was the vanilla. They make it all in store, and it's wonderful. Definitely check it out.

Lastly, warm congratulations to our newest Joey, Judith! She's getting married this weekend and we wish her lots of happiness!

Astorian Weekend Edition 21.08.08

The Astoria Park Concert Series continues with Gary US Bonds. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Astoria Park Lawn, Shore Blvd between Hellgate Bridge and the pool.

On Friday, join Recycle-A-Bicycle’s Summer Ride Club. Learn on-the-bike riding skills and safe maneuvering in city traffic in this family-friendly event. The session lasts from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at RAB's training center (46th Ave and 5th St). Contact rideclub@recycleabicycle.org for more information.

More music on the weekend! LIC Bar (45-58 Vernon Blvd) continues their outdoor music series. On Saturday come listen to Dave Barckow (folk, powerpop) from 5-7 p.m. From 7-8 p.m. Charlotte Cornfield (folk) performs. No cover and BBQ to boot!

Hell Gate Social (12-21 Astoria Blvd) is putting on what they hope to be a yearly event, the Hell Gate Social Music Festival. The event is on Sunday. They have assembled 8 bands from different music genres; hip hop, electronic, and rock for a full day of music enjoyment.

The doors will be opening at 3 p.m., and there will be a $3 cover. Out back on their outdoor patio they will be BBQ'ing hamburgers and hot dogs for $2 each. Happy Hour will also be extended from 3pm-9pm, along with drink specials with every new band.The schedule is (more or less): Lead the Resistance 4p.m.; Luneur 4:45; Speak Onion 5:30; Puppet Show 6:15; Buddy Hollycost 7:00; Dead by Choice 8:30; D Music Productions 9:15; Sweet Magma 10:00
.