The Weekender

Our neighborhood does not let us down for the summer! So much going on it’s hard to choose. And always such a bummer to find out all this cool stuff, and realize you can’t go, because you have to go to a wedding. Which is what I will be doing tomorrow. Open bar, open bar, open bar...it's my wedding mantra ;-)

Start your Saturday off right with free yoga at Socrates Sculpture Park from 11-12. You can also take Tai Chi on Sunday at the same time. While you are there check out their latest installation, Interstate the American Road Trip.

After that, at 3 pm, you can continue on your artistic escapades by heading over to PS1 for Iron Artist, presented in conjunction with Cabinet magazine. “Inspired by the original Japanese cooking show Iron Chef, Iron Artist is an event that invites the public to witness competitive improvised art making between contemporary artists, critique and commentary of the artwork by local art personalities, and celebrate the final works in the exhibition opening immediately following the competition.” Interactive art, now that’s what I’m talking about. Let the paint fly!
I also recommend John Lurie: Works on Paper “Like pages from a demented children's book in which dark, angry, often sexual adult preoccupations leak through the charmingly juvenile and often richly sensuous surfaces. Many are laugh-out-loud funny” —The New York Times Couldn’t have said it better myself, and so I didn’t try. It is a really neat exhibit. I felt weird laughing out loud in such a quiet space. It’s also large so it kind of echoed!

Saturday the Stanly Kubrick retrospective continues at our favorite neighborhood media museum-AMMI. This weekend’s offerings are: Killer’s Kiss, The Killing and La Ronde. Check the site for the schedule. (also airing Sunday).

Waltz Astoria rounds off the night with a Bluegrass performance by the Klezmer Mountain Duo.

Sunday is just chock full of goodness (and no wedding for me to attend-fingers crossed no hang over to attend to, ha!)

First up, from 11-4 (so you can get your Tai Chi in and not miss this) is a great great event that makes me so sad that my lease prohibits me from really taking advantage. Astoria Park hosts the Mayor’s Alliance/Maddie’s Pet Adoption Festival. Hosted by Animal Haven Shelter, dog and cats, from area shelters and rescue groups, will be up for adoption. There will be a low-cost microchipping clinic ($25 each). A veterinarian, groomer, and trainer will be on hand to answer questions. Awhhhh! I want a dog. I’m quite fond of fuzzy mutts; those, and beagles and basset hounds. I’d get a cat, but that won’t go over well with the roomies.
The event actually takes place in the parking lot at 19th and Hoyt. Go on, rescue one of our furry friends and give him or her a nice loving home. It will do both you and the critter a world of good.

That same afternoon enjoy free Canoe rides in Hallets Cove thanks to our good friends at LIC Community Boathouse. Do the beach some good and help clean up while waiting your turn. Some people don’t care enough to pick up after themselves, but that doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t pitch in and make amends. If you’re not sure where it is, just walk north of Socrates Sculpture park (that would be the opposite direction of Costco, for my directionally challenged readers-who are just like this writer). You’ll know it when you see it. The canoes should give it away. They’ll be there from 1-5.

Ok, so far with good planning you can do Tai Chi, adopt a furbaby and take a canoe ride, and maybe even catch a Kubrick flick, all in one day!

Later Sunday evening, if you aren’t pooped from all the above activities enjoy a sunset bike tour of the proposed Queens East Rive Greenway and learn about the history of the waterfront. Meet at Gantry State Plaza (48th Ave & the river) at 5 PM for the 5 mile tour(…a 5 mile tour…)

Round the night off with a Jazz performance by Susana De and a cup or glass of something lovely at Waltz.
Or go over to the Irish Rover for their pub quiz night. For me though, it’s all about the season premiere of Deadwood.

As if all this wasn’t enough, the World Cup kicks off (pun sorta intended) this weekend-today actually. It breaks my heart that Ireland isn’t in it this time. They know how to throw a football party, that’s for sure. Lots of local joints will be airing the games. Cup and the Beer Garden will be joining in on the fun. And just because Ireland didn’t make it doesn’t mean they won’t be watching it. Try the Rover, Doyle’s Corner or Nua for matches.

Now wasn’t that just fun. Too bad Monday is just around the bend. (but I took the day off, lucky me!)