The Weekender

Posting this early since I've slacked off a bit. There's plenty to keep you occupied so let's get to it!


I just stumbled on to this really cool multi arts facility in LIC-The Chocolate Factory (5-49 49th ave). They stage various Theatre, Music, Dance and Art shows, for an alright fee of $15. This weekend (May 4 – 13) they feature Old Tricks. It's part freak-show, part dance-hall, and all magic. Witness a death-defying grapple with fins, fire, fetters and other fierce forces in this new piece about old vaudeville and the inherent exploitative nature of performance.
Also in their gallery is Nightfishing, new paintings by LIC-based artist Patrick Neal. Works are self described as, “….a sort of Cubism for Dummies.”

Those crazy kids at Waltz-Astoria have 2 musical delights this weekend. First up on Friday, Mezzo-soprano Melissa Gerstein returns for an evening of classical art songs spiced with occasional jazz interludes at 9pm. Then on Saturday they welcome NYC based singer-songwriter Rachel Zylstra who stops by to entertain with songs from her debut album Most of It is True. I love the description on their website, "Calling on influences from Rufus Wainwright to Patty Griffin to Debussy, her craft bakes wit and yearning into tasty four minute pies."

AMMI continues their Robert Altman retrospective screening episodes of the miniseries, Tanner '88 as well as the movies Theives Like Us, The Long Goodbye and McCabe and Mrs Miller.

If you’re looking for a way to spend your Saturday afternoon, possibly searching for a nice mom’s day present, check out the Art Show, Magic of Astoria at the United Methodist Church (30th Rd & Crescent St) from 10-4pm. For a free admission you can purchase water and oil paintings, photos, sculpture and handmade jewelry, for reasonable prices from local artists. For more info you can call Georgie @ 718-721-4037 and if you are interested in having your own table for a fee of $35 you can email helensoto11106@yahoo.com.

If you find yourself in Manhattan Sunday at noon, and are jonesing for a bit of historical Astoria, the Village East Cinema (181 2nd Avenue @ 12th Street) is screening the documentary The Steinway Mansion, for $12. One of the last standing mansions on the East River, it’s in danger of being sold, and who knows what will happen if it falls into the wrong hands.

Art-o-Mat hosts thier regular first Sunday of the month open Poetrty Mic. Stop in to hear some, or share some of your own. I've only ever read once, and luckily for me they laughed because it was funny. One of these days I'll work up the nerve to dig up some of my old stuff and read it out loud.

Sunday nights, if you can pry yourself away from the Sopranos, the Irish Rover (38th street and 28th ave) has started hosting weekly pub trivia nights starting at 7pm. Stop by, have a pint and see how you fare against other teams of 4 for the prize. Each team contributes $10, winning team takes the pot. I’ve got to make a choice, it’s pry myself away from the Sopranos now, or pull myself away from Deadwood later. Hhhhmmm, I may have to sacrifice the Sopranos. Did I ever mention I watch a lot of TV?
Anyone want to form a team? So far, it’s me…I’ve got three open slots.