Astorian Weekend Edition 02.07.09

Summer is always a great time in Astoria. You can go for a swim, do some yoga, or just sit in a cafe drinking a cold frappe in one of the Greek cafes on 30th Ave. Or grab a beer with some friends.

For something completely different, head over to Two Coves Community Garden for their open gardening session. From 11-2 every Saturday (location), people in the community are welcome to come by and get their hands dirty by sprucing up the community plot. Hellgate Social (12-21 Astoria Blvd) is just down the way from the garden and that same day at 2 p.m. they are hosting a 4th of July pig roast and clambake. Can I hear a YUM??!?? Oh, and Sunday they're doing BBQ, too! All you can eat, 10 bucks, 4-9 p.m.

If pork and clams aren't your style, hit Bareburger (33-21 31st Avenue) for some (albeit mildly pricey) organic meat and veggie burgers. I hear the chocolate peanut butter shake is teh yumz, and the ostrich burger is a treat.

Of course, it's Independence Day on Saturday, and we hope you have fun plans with family and friends. Show some care if you are in Astoria Park on Saturday, as a merry band of community-minded Astorians are planning on doing a cleanup of the park on Sunday morning. It's totally grody to pick up rotten food, so please dispose of properly!

And if you DO end up inside at some point this weekend, consider RSVPing for one of the Flux Factory's Going Places (Doing Stuff) Part II, "Best Summer Ever" Edition. Email rsvp@fluxfactory.org with your name, phone number, and the tour you are interested in (details, check it out). It sounds like some crazy fun!

Flux Factory Returns to LIC

We've blogged about them before... they lost their space in LIC, had to leave, but now they're back!

After our recent eviction in October, Flux Factory is setting up house (again) in our beloved Long Island City, Queens!

We’re excited to report that we’ll be occupying an 8000 square foot, 3 story building just two blocks north of Queens Plaza at 39-31 29th street. We’re working with the wonderful HWKN design team to create a multi-purpose arts center with galleries, studios, and production facilities.

The new Flux Factory will still be devoted to producing collaborative projects and providing affordable work residencies for artists. We have wonderful projects coming up in 2009, including our famous bus tours and a grand science fair!

And, of course, we will hold an inaugural show once we’re done with our renovations. Please check our website for details on how to apply for exhibitions or residencies.

They always did interesting stuff, so I'm glad they're back.

Astorian Weekend Edition 24.04.08

Green is so the new black! Well, for this weekend at least. There are so many Earth Day events going on this week, just check with the Astoria/LIC Waterfront Community group to pick one that suits your taste.

EVERYTHING MUST GO! I'm sure everything is gonna go on Saturday at the last show at the Flux Factory (38-38 43rd St). Starting at 7 p.m. and free, come dance the night away with the "Make It Go Dance Party". There are going to be cool performances and all kinds of surprises, so go say your farewells!

Rain or shine, Sunday is Kite Flight: Plastic Play at Socrates (32-01 Vernon Blvd.). 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. turn your old plastic bags into cool recycled kites; then fly them in the park!

Also on Sunday, enjoy the first party of the season at Water Taxi Beach (2nd St & Borden Ave). Beach. Here. Now. will be packed full of DJs and will cost $20 in advance, more at the door. The party goes from 1 to 10 p.m.

If you find yourself hungry and outside, stop over at Akti and eat while enjoying the hustle and bustle of 30th Ave. The seafood is delish and they have a cool inventive way of using the menu.

Astorian Weekend Edition 17.04.08

Join Bistro 33 for a fabulous wine and food pairing on Thursday (4/17); seatings at 7 and 9 p.m. Call (718-721-1933) or email (LilBistro33@aol.com) for reservations. Bistro 33 is at 19-33 Ditmars.

Flux Factory hosts the Fluxer Reunion Party on Friday (4/18), 9 p.m.
"If you’ve ever lived at Flux, participated as an artist, been a guest, or just want to spy on the reunion magic... All are welcome!" Refreshments will be served. Dress to impress. Flux Factory is at 38-38 43rd Street in LIC; 718-707-3362.

Vine Wine is hosting a "special Saturday afternoon (4/19) tasting of delicious and fun Kosher wines just in time for Passover". 3-5 p.m. Vine Wine is at 12-09 Jackson Avenue; 718-433-2611.

And if you're looking for some fellowship for Passover, Chabad of Long Island City is holding a communal Passover seder at 8 p.m on Saturday. Please reserve early as space is limited! by contacting Rivka at 718-604-0066 or rivzev@aol.com.

Stars For Sydell reports: "I'll be having a trunk show at the wonderful Candy Plum on Saturday (4/19) from 1-4 p.m., featuring brand new designs for spring/summer '08. I've just finished a 3 month intensive jeweler's course, so I'm super proud of my new work. I hope some of you can stop by and say hello!" Candy Plum is at 30-98 36th Street in Astoria.

On Sunday from 12-5 p.m., stop by the Art-O-Mat to view An Unexpected Visitor: Landscape Sculpture & Drawings by Nigel Rollings. According to the site, it "includes drawings of landscape projects built or proposed, a contemporary garden structure, and will feature an installation of a Long Island City waterfront tableaux combining scientific projection and whimsy." Art-O-Mat is located at 46-46 Vernon Blvd.

Astorian Weekend Edition 10.04.08

Need a distraction from doing your taxes? Or some fun suggestions on how to spend your tax return? Check out what's happening in Astoria this weekend.

Tonight at 8 p.m., Flux Factory presents "The Best Flux Thursday Ever" (38-38 43rd St, LIC, 718-707-3362). This event is an extension of their weekly salon dinners where artists get together to talk about their various works. FREE and open to the public.

Friday night is Ladies Night at Lift Hair Studio (27-07 24th Ave, 718-728-5438). This trendy salon stays open later on Fridays in time to get your hair "did." Asia, Lift's gracious owner, offers complimentary wine and cheese with every visit. Appointments needed.

The Tour de Queens takes place on June 8 and we're giving you the chance to preregister now. This 20-mile bike tour goes through central and western Queens and begins and ends at the Queens Museum of Art in Flushing Meadows. Click here for the registration form.

Hitting up H&R Block for your taxes? It just so happens that the 30th Avenue and 36th Street location is only a block away from the new Greek seafood restaurant Akti (34-19 30th Ave, 718-721-3530). Treat yourself to some delicious saganaki after you settle your bottom line.

And finally, don't miss the "Ultimate Shoulder Openers" class with Danielle Lee at the Yoga Room (32-32 Steinway, 718-274-0255). Increase your flexibility, improve your posture, and meet fellow yogis. This Sunday, April 13, 3:30-5:30, $35.

Astorian Weekend Edition 10.01.08

On your way home tonight you should stop in at A Town Hall Meeting - To Address Community Concerns at The Museum of the Moving Image (36-01 35th Ave) from 7:00 to 10:00pm. Along with Michael Gianaris, you'll find over a dozen New York City agencies in attendance ready to "try" to answer your questions and concerns.

Shop your way into the weekend at SITE (35-11 34th Ave) before its sale ends on the 21st. They are trying to make room for spring things already by marking down all furniture and lighting 20%!

Saturday at 4pm, join the gang from Transportation Alternatives Queens Committee in celebrating their 1 Year Anniversary at Sunswick (35th & 35th). They've done a lot with their freshman appearance on the scene. Definitely check them out for some greener transportation options!

Later on Saturday, Flux Factory (38-38 43rd St) is having a Closing Party & Catalogue Launch.
The NY NY NY event is described as "new and old treasures from the heart of the most loopy city - New York City." Sounds like a good time to me!

Sunday at noon at The Chocolate Factory (5-49 49th Ave) check out Tere O'Connor Dance - Rammed Earth. Buy your tickets ASAP; apparently this is a hot one and seats are extremely limited. For $15 each, you get to observe dance derived from architecture?! Fitting for an area where new structures pop up seemingly overnight.

Astorian Weekend Edition 13.09.07

One of my favorite events is happening this weekend, the Shoreline Cleanup. The big one will be in Astoria Park, starting around 9am, going until around 1pm or so. Check-in is on Shore Blvd across from the war memorial, and you'll most likely see me helping out there. It's a terrific event and a great way to contribute to the community. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes (that means no sandals or flipflops). And if Astoria Park is too far from you, from 11am-2pm that day there's a shoreline cleanup at Gantry Park. Gantry Park is located at at 48th Avenue and the East River. For more info, contact GantryParkFriends@aol.com.

Later that day is the re(Cycle) Plays at Socrates Sculpture Park. This is a free event with a bunch of local theater groups participating. From the press release:

THE (re)CYCLE PLAYS is a free outdoor festival of live performances in theatre, dance, and music with green themes. A dynamic mix of artists will recycle titles from the medieval Cycle Plays and pair them with today's leading ecological issues. This series of short performances will cycle throughout the day on multiple stages.

Also on Sunday, Flux Factory (38-38 43rd Street) is starting a new project, DeluxeFactory. There's a capitalist element to it, which I'm sure will be twisted by FF in their own inimitable way. Saturday at 7pm is the opening party, plus the gallery is open during the weekend.

The Astoria Symphony has a performance this weekend, too. They'll be performing the music of Wagner, Huff, and Brahms. On Sunday at 5pm they'll be playing in Astoria at St. Joseph's Catholic Church (43-19 30th Avenue). Tickets are $12 apiece.

Thursday night the Creek and the Cave in LIC (10-93 Jackson Ave) they're showing Kill Bill 2. I was there last Thursday and had a great time. The food is tasty, the beer is great, and it's fun to be outside in the back watching a movie. Kill Bill was terrifically violent but such a well-crafted film. I'm really curious to see how things happen in the second installation.

If you want to do some shopping this weekend, we've got great boutiques here in town: Kristees (24-01 23rd Avenue), Candy Plum (30-98 36th Street), Loveday 31 (33-06 31st Ave), The Blooming Company (22-75 31st Street), and Mimi's Closet (21-10 31st Street) come to mind. Such cute stuff!

And maybe a trip to Dolce Italia will be in your plans? I understand that apart from the delicious pastries they also sell bread. Pair that with some great feta and olives from Angelo's Food Emporium ( 31-27 Ditmars Blvd) up the street, and a bottle of Greek wine from Omega Wines over on 23rd Ave (29-15 23rd Street), and you're set. Don't forget some gelato later at La Guli (29-15 Ditmars Blvd)!