Queens Gazette

It’s In Queens (June 2 to June 9)


A water lantern festival, cheesemaking, and Queens Pride’s triumphant return add spice to an already hot week of carnival rides, outdoor movies, all-you-can-eat challenges, and a normal (normally psychedelic, that is) version of “Alice in Wonderland.”

June 1, Astoria Park Carnival, June 5. Rides, games, and delicious carnival food. Admission is free. Rides are cheap. Astoria Park, Hoyt Avenue North and 19th Street.

June 2, Life Between Buildings, Jan. 16, 2023. Fourteen artists and collectives exhibit drawings, photographs, sculptures, multimedia works, and performances that examine the history of artists working with residents to rethink cityscapes. The show explores such issues as gardening, property rights, gentrification, access to public space, environmental concerns, and community engagement. MoMA PS1, 22-25 Jackson Ave., Long Island City.

June 2, Buggy Baby, June 26. The Astoria Performing Arts Center presents this surreal horror comedy about trying to build a normal life when nothing about life in normal. Shows are Thursdays to Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 6 pm. APAC Stage, 44-02 23rd St., Long Island City.

June 3, Traditions Festival, June 4. Two days of art and festivities featuring Queens artisans and small local businesses representing a variety of cultures from the World’s Borough, as well as costumed historical interpreters. Noon to 5 pm both days. King Manor Museum, 150-03 Jamaica Ave.

June 3, Movie Nights: Moana, 7:30 pm. A lei-making workshop followed by an outdoor screening of the animated film that follows adventurous Moana and demigod Maui as they deal with monsters and impossible odds to restore the island goddess’s heart. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing.

June 3, Seventh Annual Night of Country Music, 7 pm. Cathy Maguire leads a night of country with classics from Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Lorretta Lynn, and others. New York Irish Center, 10-40 Jackson Ave., Long Island City.

June 4, Kaleidoscope, 3 pm. Long Island City Ballet dancers perform a magical kaleidoscopic version of “Alice in Wonderland” to Sir Malcolm Arnold’s score. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

June 3, Three Days of Dance, June 5. The Take Root program opens with the B3W Performance Group at 8 pm on June 3 and June 4. The Fertile Ground New Works Showcase goes next with various artists on June 5 at 7 pm. Green Space, 37-24 24th St., Long Island City.

June 3, New Yorkers: A City and its People in Our Time, 8 pm. Craig Taylor discusses his latest book which brings together a symphony of contemporary NYC voices after interviewing 200 people about life in the Big Apple. Queens College, Kupferberg Center for the Arts, Chorus Room 264, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing.

June 4, Water Lantern Festival, 5:30 pm. This unique event happens around the United States. In Queens, unique water lanterns float as the sun goes down along with food, games, activities, vendors, and music. Vicinity of Fountain of the Planets, between Grand Central Parkway and Van Wyck Expressway, Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

June 4, Queens Rising Opening Show, 5 pm. The wildly popular all-women Brazilian Samba Reggae drum line band Fogo Azul kicks off a night of global music and food. Queens Night Market, New York Hall of Science Grounds, Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

June 4, Queensboro Dance Festival, Oct. 2. Twenty-six Queens-based dance companies offer performances and classes in public spaces around the borough. Expect Hawaiian, West African, Turkish Gypsy, Kathak, and other genres.

June 4, Family Friendly Hike, 2 pm. A group walk along trails with plenty to learn about plants, animals, and insects. Alley Pond Environmental Center, 224-65 76th Ave., Oakland Gardens.

June 4, LIC Waterfront 5K + Kids Dash, 9 am. A friendly (or competitive) run around the Long Island City waterfront. Proceeds benefit the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy. Starting line is Center Boulevard and Borden Avenue.

June 4, Creative Writing Seminar, 10 am. Queens Museum offers an online workshop focusing on different aspects of writing, storytelling, and literary devices.

June 5, Bayside Food & Music Fest, 1 pm to 6 pm. An afternoon of live music, art, games, bouncy houses, volleyball, and a restaurant stroll. Vicinity of Bell Boulevard and 41st Avenue.

June 5, The New Queens Pride Parade, 11 am. An annual tradition and multi-cultural festival returns after a two-year, Covid-provoked hiatus. Expect a fun afternoon of marchers, vendors, performances, and costumes. Vicinity of 37th Road and 75th Street, Jackson Heights.

June 5, Rebirth, 6 pm. The Caribbean vocal ensemble Braata Folk  Singers performs a concert for the ages. Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Ave.

June 5, Queens to Bali: Gamelan Yowana Sari, 6:30 pm. Queens College-based Gamelan Yowana Sari presents Balinese music, joined by traditional Balinese dancers. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd.

June 5, Back to a New World, 3 pm. Queens Symphony Orchestra presents a free matinee program with Tchaikovsky and top-notch musicians. LeFrak Concert Hall, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing.

June 5, Poetry Workshop, 11 am. Poet Bernard Ferguson and educator Naima Dobbs lead a poetry workshop inspired by Noguchi’s 1978 sculpture “Core.” The Noguchi Museum, 9-01 33rd Rd., Long Island City.

June 6, Roosevelt Island: End to End, 7 pm. Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Birdy leads a virtual tour of a community with six landmarks and many secrets.

June 9, Cheesemaking 101, 6 pm. American Cheese Society Certified Cheese Professional Carol Johnson, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, guides this workshop through the history and science behind curds and whey. Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy., Glen Oaks.

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