The Weekender

It's been a bit.
Taxes, grad school ap, promotion, wicked weather, it's been quite a March.
April's off to a great start this weekend.

Check out Flux Factory on Saturday and Sunday noon-4 pm. The studio is transformed into a giant music box with the installation of visual and aural sculpture. It's right around the corner from the Pathmark on Northern Boulevard 38-38 43 rd Street.

On Saturday, Waltz Astoria is hosting an In Style Jewelry Party from 1:30-3:30. All materials will be provided and all levels of experience welcome. I used to make jewelry and now I have the chance to learn to make earrings and brush up on bracelets and necklaces. I can't wait!

Over at AMMI
Beastie Boys Music Videos Directed By Nathanial Hornblower
From March 31 through April 16Fridays at 6:00 p.m.,
Saturdays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m.
Coinciding with the release of the new Beastie Boys concert film in theaters, the Museum will show an hour-long compilation of the band's music videos directed by Adam Yauch (a.k.a. MCA, a.k.a. Nathanial Hörnblowér) in the Riklis Theater. Titles include Holy Snappers, Shake Your Rump, Shadrach, Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun, So What Cha Want, Pass the Mic, Intergalactic, Body Movin, 3Mcs and 1 DJ, Alive, Rhyme the Rhyme Well, Ch-Check it Out, Triple Trouble, Right Right Now Now, and An Open Letter to New York. Free with Museum admission.
taken from the site

Barring rain, the park is also a great option if you want a nice relaxing afternoon out.
And for a nice meal in, should the weather be poopy, you can now order from Mundo! That's right folks they have a delivery menu, it even has pictures. While I am disappointed that the Tomato Oat Soup is a winter only item, there are plenty of dishes I can't wait to try. Of course, you could also go to Mundo... It's up to you, but they are definitely worth checking out.

Who wants to be Irish?

If the icky and cold weather as of late has you down, and the greenest day of the year seems too far away, well then, head over to our neighbors to the south: Woodside & Sunnyside for the "St. Pat's for All Parade" on Sunday March 5th starting at 12:30.
Little history lesson: The parade was started as an alternate to the main parade because of the exclusion of the gay and lesbian community. So they mean it when they say "For All"
This year's honorees include the McCourt brothers-Frank(which reminds me to pick up Teacher Man)Malachy, Alfie and Michael. Don't know how well that will go over since most people from Ireland (John included) do not like Frank's portrayal of life in the lanes of Limerick in Angela's Ashes. And Woodside and Sunnyside are teeming with the brogue.
It's a great warm up and alternative to the busy & crowded parade on 5th ave. And you're totally surrounded by the real deal, pubs, shops and restaurants.
I suggest you catch the parade more towards the start and then walk the route to Woodside. That is unless you get caught up in my Sunnyside suggestions.
If you want to get a real Irish breakfast hit up Rose Restaurant on Queens Blvd and 44th street. (I only have questionable service when we get a delivery).
Or, if you are in the mood for brunch at a nice place I highly recommend Sidetracks on Queens Blvd btwn 45th and 46th streets. The place is huge, service wonderful, food is superb. We eat here maybe twice a month. If you check the reviews on citysearch, I've noticed no one reviews the food, just the trashy nightclub it morphs into late at night. If it's dinner your after, then I suggest crabcakes, as a starter, and the grilled salmon with mashed potatoes...yuuuuummmmm. John's partial to the warm bree and procioutto starter and any sort of steak dish with mash. Make sure you have a Magner's Irish Cider too. Gosh, I'm starting to hope we eat here this weekend.
You can stop by the Butcher Block, on 41st street, just off the northern side of Queens Blvd(going towards 43rd ave) if you want to get your own Irish meats and cheeses(I highly recommend the Dubliner cheddar-it's like crack! but in a good way). There's also plenty of sweets not available at our local shops. Sure you've probably seen a Lion Bar or a Twirl, maybe an Aero. But how about a Penguin? Or Hob Nobs? Hula Hoops anyone? But, I'll level with you, the flavors of crisps (chips to us Americans) are kind of nasty sounding. To top that off you can get Irish DVDs for $10. John and I recently picked up a few Billy Connoly specials. They also have Father Ted & Killinaskully episodes. Sweet!
As for pubs in Sunnyside (you were waiting for this part weren't ya, you dipsos):
Paddy Dugans(47 14 Greenpoint Ave)
Maggie Mae's (41 15 Queens Blvd)
Flynns(43 13 Queens Blvd)
McGuinesses (45th [maybe 46th] & Queens Blvd)
The Gaslight (right next to Flynn's)
There are scores more, but those are the ones I've been to. I am sure i am omitting a few and there are some who's exact locations I need to look up.

My Irish is very bad. I can say some things but not spell them. So go to this site http://www.irishgaelictranslator.com/
and leave me a witty comment in the old language.

Cheers!