Thursday, August 31, 2006

Astoria at the movies

I've been meaning to get myself a copy of Dito Montiels A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints in anticipation of the release of the movie, which by the way, picked up two Sundance Awards earlier this year. the dramatic directing award and a special jury prize for best ensemble performance. The author/director grew up on the "mean streets" of Astoria. I love watching movies shot in locations I recognize. Like A Bronx Tale which was filmed on my old street. And, as the should, AMMI will be doing a special screening. Here's the info from their site (thanks to Rosemary for the heads up) :

A Guide to Recognizing Your SaintsPreview screening with Dito Montiel in person Friday, September 15, 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.2006, 104 mins., 35mm. Directed by Dito Montiel. With Robert Downey Jr., Rosario Dawson, Chazz Palminteri. Raised in Astoria, Dito Montiel makes his filmmaking debut with this acclaimed new independent film based on his autobiographical novel and filmed on location in Astoria. Montiel will introduce both screenings. Food from Astoria restaurants will be sold in the courtyard starting at 6:00 p.m. Tickets: $10 public/Free for Museum members, call to RSVP.

And because everyone has them, they have a myspace page as well where you can check out a trailer.

The Weekender

So there’s this dude named Ernesto and he’s heading up here to destroy the last weekend of the summer. As if we haven’t had enough dark and dreary days this past week we need this dude coming to town? Yeesh. As of now if you want to head out to Astoria Park for some picnicking with friends or to toss the ole disk around on Monday, you should be all set. Fingers crossed.

This weekend is also the last weekend you can enjoy the Astoria Park Pool and the Queens Beach in Rockaway as they close up shop on this unofficial end to the summer.

Get your groove on Saturday at PS1, it’s the last of the summer.

Hell Gate Social is kicking the Labor Day fun off early with their BBQ this Sunday. They’re specially opening up at 2pm and from then til 7pm enjoy $4 beers, well drinks and martinis all to wash down the burgers and hot dogs they’ll be grilling up for free. Nice work guys, free food…if you have turkey burgers or turkey dogs, I’m there! If you aren’t stuffed full of booze and meat, stick around til 9 (or go home, digest, take some pepto and come back) and you’ll be able to watch the Sunday night horror movie (don’t know what it is yet) on the big screen in their backyard.

On Labor Day itself head over to the United Methodist Church (30-44 30th RoadCorner of Crescent and 30th Rd) for their Magic of Astoria Arts and Crafts Show from 10-6pm. Many local Astoria artist and craftsmen(& women) will be selling their art, handmade jewelry, candles, glass work, crochet, photos and more. It’s a great way to pick up something unique, meet the person who made it and support our growing community of artists.

The fun seems to be around 30th Ave on Monday since you can also hit up the 30th Avenue BID Street Fair running from 29th street to 42nd street. This is one of your last chances this year to gorge yourself on fried treats on the street. There’s one more next month and then we must patiently wait. Oh how sad. I know I keep saying it but I’ll take pics at this one! I had a few from the last one that weren’t so good. Mental note…photos first, food after.

You can start at one and go right to the other

If you want to go out this weekend but stay dry this is a great chance to take advantage of all the museums and galleries the LIC/Astoria neighborhood has to offer. Here’s a great resource

Monday, August 28, 2006

Astoria has been Road Tasted

Ok, I admit it. As much as I am addicted to Sci Fi (who is not renewing my beloved SG-1 after airing the remainder of season 10?! What's wrong with these people?) I am also heartily addicted to the Food Network. Imagine my surprise when I saw Jamie and Bobby Dean whipping up a batch of Galaktoboureko at Artopolis(Agora Plaza 28-13 31st St.) a Greek bakery that I've actually never heard of until the show!

Here's a quick snippet from the website:

Whoever said you can do New York in a day has obviously never been to New York. Jamie and Bobby Deen head back to the Big Apple to sample some other ethnic fair. First stop, Astoria Queens, home to thousands of Greek Americans. The boys drop in on Artopolis Bakery and home of the Galaktoboureko—say that three times fast! This delicious delicacy is a phyllo dough dessert where, in the process, time is of the essence due to the delicate nature of the 12 layers of phyllo.

And let me tell you it looked goooooood! And now when someone says Galaktoboureko I know what it is. I may not be able to say it, but I know what it is!

Friday, August 25, 2006

The Weekender

Oh poop, rain all weekend.
That may put a damper on the groovy outdoor events happening this weekend. We all know about PS1's summer WarmUp series, but did you know about CityParks Dance? This weekend you have 2 opportunities to shake your groove thang to different tunes at Queensbridge Park (41st Ave at Vernon Blvd). Saturday starting at 3 you can watch a performance of sinuous grace and joyful energy of Puremovement's hip hop dance, followed by North America’s premier Hispanic-American dance ensemble and school, Ballet Hispanico. Starting it all off is an open dance class: Intro to Spanish Dance lead by Instructor from Ballet Hispanico. Sunday (same bat time, same bat channel) enjoy the drum rhythms and dance traditions of Senegal’s Wolof communities brought to you by Sing Sing Rhythms, followed by a dance performance by Batoto Yetu. Starting it off will be an open dance class: Intro to Senegalese Dance Lead by Sing Sing.
Wow, they certainly like the funky rythms down at Queensbridge eh? For more info check out the City Parks Foundation.

If you would rather stay dry then Waltz has you covered. Friday at 9pm enjoy a (dry) musical performance by Warren Kimmel. This singer songwriter and his band are sure to rock the house.
If you're looking for more mellow, save your trip to Waltz for Saturday to join in their monthly wine tasting series Talk Wine. Kevin Rose will guide you through the 7 selected wines paired with tasty treats and classical music to make you feel all the more refined. $25 gets you in.

AMMI is screening Godzilla at 6:30 Saturday and Sunday.

Should the rain gods not ruin the outdoors there's still the usual suspects of yoga, tai chi and canoe rides.

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Astoria is stylin

Remember how I told you super cute boutique Candy Plum was going to be featured in a New York Times article? Well here it is. It's a spread of the supercute boutiques that are popping up all over the hood. Most I had heard of, one I hadn't, and one that I've passed by but wrote off. Just goes to show me, I should be more adventerous. Looks like I have some browsing to do this weekend.

Friday, August 18, 2006

The Weekender

I'll keep it short this week...

The usual suspects are all set for this weekend. Yoga and Tai Chi at Socrates Saturday & Sunday respectively from 11-12, the canoe & kayak rides in Hallets Cove Sunday from 1-5, Warm Up at PS1. Tonight at the cove is extra cool as it's the Friday Night Chill paddle. If you haven't yet this summer, head over to the Isamu Noguchi Sculpture Museum to spend time in the Sculpture Garden, it is quite cool. Here are some pics I took:


Street Fair madness continues. Today through Sunday Steinway btwn 25th and 28th avenues will be bustling with The Borgetto Cultural Association's annual fair. Saturday head over to southern Astoria, Dutch Kills, for their street fair on 36th Aven between 35th and 29th streets.

And congrats to Candy Plum, formerly known as Vintage Plum, on their appearance in a New York Times article in this Sunday's issue. To celebrate the shop invites customers past, present and future to stop on by between 12 & 5pm for champagne and cookies. If ever I needed a reason to buy new jewelry. Oh, I wonder if they have jewelry boxes...Anyhoo, Mazel Tov!

Good news for N train riders.

Monday, August 14, 2006

Up & Coming

Weekends aren't the only times the neighborhood offers us some activities. Weekdays we can still have fun.
First off, during the week is probably the best time to go to the Beer Garden. Hipsters will make the weekend miserable by lining up for entrance, but during the week they seem to stay in their respective boroughs. Skip the line and enjoy a pitcher with friends pretty much any night this week.

Waltz entertains the masses this week with comedy and open mic. Tuesday at 9 Matt Taylor hosts Tuesday Night Comedy and Wednesday at 8 Bill Everson hosts the weekly open mic.

Wednesday at Socrates they are screening Kikujiro from Japan. I have heard from Helen, that this is a great movie and the one she was most looking forward to seeing. Due to black outs and heat waves I have already missed the 2 movies I was planning on seeing. Bummer.

Though these gigs are not in Astoria LIC based artist, J Walter Hawkes, and his quartet and quintet, depending on the show, will be playing their old school jazzy tunes this Wednesday from 9-12(ish) at Detour, and later this month (8/29) they will be playing the Juniper Valley Park concert series in Middle Village at 7:30. Both shows are free...but be nice to the tip jar at Detour. Once again, Wednesday is one of those "be in two places at once" nights for me, so hopefully I'll be able to swing (pun sort of intended) down to Detour to catch a few tunes, and hopefully the ukelale.

Congrats & Support an Astorian

The Haps (that would be me, basically) wants to extend an hearty congratulations to Astorian film maker Eric Trenkamp for his short film Extreme Catholicism making it as one of IFC's Media Labs top ranked shorts. You can catch it on IFC's Media Lab on the following dates this month: Thur 8/17 3:45pm & Tues 8/29 1pm and you can catch an exceprt on IFC's Best of Media Lab on: Wed 8/16 10:45am, Thu 8/17 7:30 am & Tue 8/22 5:15am.
It's a really funny short film. Catch it if you can.
And once again, hooray for Eric!

Sunday, August 13, 2006

INTERSTATE @ Socrates Sculpture Park

Just a few shots I took of the exhibit earlier this summer....





Friday, August 11, 2006

The Weekender

Oh how beautiful this weekend will be! I can’t wait to get out and walk the neighborhood. It’s been too hot to take my camera out for a walk. This weekend shall be perfect! So, if you see a kooky chick with a big old fashioned SLR and a dinky little digi cam taking random pics of things, like strangers front yards or you even….that would be me; your somewhat dorky always lovable editor. I have a few neighborhood photos I’ve taken and I will be posting them soon. I’d have more…but it takes me a while to get the ole Tri-X over to B&H. And now I don’t work near there anymore. But I believe I saw someplace near my new location (Flatiron Bldg area).

Anyway, one of the things I actually have photos of is the Interstate Exhibit at Socrates. If you haven’t yet been, move! It ends this Sunday! I’ll post my photos in case you missed it.

Waltz-Astoria reopens tonight after their deserved summer recess with the Richard McGraw Trio. Can’t seem to figure what they’re about, other than singer songwriter. But it’s Waltz, it has to be good.
Tomorrow night join them at 9pm for a screening of Woodstock-3 days of peace and love.

This has got to be one of the best weekends to enjoy WarmUp at PS1. Saturday from 2-9pm get groovy, get down at one of the hottest outdoor parties LIC has to offer.

Sunday is yet another opportunity for you to down a Sausage & Pepper hero, a fresh fruit shake, some choco covered strawberries and gawk at kitchen gadgets, crystals, tee shirts and all sorts of fun kitschy stuff. That’s right Street Fair! This time on Steinway street btwn 28th and 34th ave...but they never really stretch that far. Sadly…I can always use an extra block of street fair. I will so be staking out the PR & DR food stand. John has discovered a love for roast pig. I just want some arroz con gandules. Then again, I could have my mom make that for me whenever I want. Methinks I should take a trip to Jackson Hts soon.

Earlier Sunday morning stroll over to Astoria Park, to my fave spot under the Hell Gate, and toss the ole Frisbee around. 10:30 is catch as you can, and 11:00 brings on the ultimate! Bring a light and dark colored shirt to meet fellow astorians tossin the disk around.

If gory scary funny Brit flics are your thing, Hell Gate Social is screening Evil Aliens this Sunday.

As usual this weekend you can center yourself with yoga and tai chi at Socrates and enjoy canoe rides on the east river at Hallets Cove.

Maybe you just want to take in brunch or dinner at a café or restaurant with outdoor seating. Try Le Sans Souci’s back garden, or Fatty’s Cafe, with it’s great view of my alma mater. For liquid refreshment head over and enjoy the outdoors at the Water Taxi Beach, LIC Bar’s outdoor garden, or the garden at Hell Gate Social. If it’s a café you’re after the gals at Alpha Astoria have you covered.

Me, well I’ve got too many b-day shindigs to attempt to make this weekend. But my threat of wandering around with my camera remains. And me, miss a street fair, never! Maybe this time I will remember to take my cruddy cam out of my bag.
Enjoy!

Friday, August 04, 2006

The Weekender

Never have I been happier to see the words “Isolated Thunderstorms” in the forecast, on a Friday. It will bring some much needed relief. I have barely been outdoors all week. If I didn’t have to go to work, I wouldn’t leave the house. Even the Beer Garden wasn’t worth a trip outside. But now that the heat wave is subsiding hopefully we can all take full advantage of what’s happening around town. And if it’s too hot, it’s always nice to know that there are a few museums and galleries close by that have A/C.

First up, if you haven’t yet done so, check out Opolis at Flux Factory. It closes tomorrow! Your last chances are tonight from 4-7pm and tomorrow from noon-5pm. After that, the city comes tumbling down.

Hell Gate Social has a treat for us tonight M=BODY- a collabaration of expression, movement, music and libation. There’s no shingle hanging outside so look for the red doors.
Bonus? Sunday, outdoor garden, they’re screening Goonies at 9.
yo, this place smells like phys ed.” I love that movie!

Another multi day street fair is upon us. From August 3rd-6th St Markella’s Hellenic Orthodox Traditionalist Church (say it 3 times fast, I DARE you) hosts the street fair happening on 26th st from 23rd ave to the Amtrak trestles.

Enjoy some Jazz at Waltz-Astoria tonight, should you find yourself in the northern neck of the woods around 9pm.

Saturday noon-4pm the Greater Astoria Historical Society offers residents the exhibit Laughter, Lager and Leisure. More than thirty rare images trace Long Island City’s pursuit of pleasure fifty, or more, years ago.

It may be too hot to partake in the Warm Up party at PS1. Get your groove on in the museums outdoor space while DJ’s spin some hot tunes. If it gets too hot, head indoors for some art appreciation.

AMMI offers up Roman Polanski’s first English language movie, Repulsion this weekend (Sat & Sun @ 6:30) as part of their Repertory Nights series. During the days there are a few other choices. Check the website for the schedule.

Sunday enjoy a nice leisurely paddle in Hallets Cove, thanks to the LIC Community Boathouse. Up your karma points and help clean up the cove while you wait.

Or darn it all to heck and stay home with the AC on (but be reasonable we still have to conserve power) and do nothing.
That sounds tempting....

Thursday, August 03, 2006

MMM MMM Goooooood!

So this past weekend I managed to throw my annual Summer Fiesta (v 3.0) without the power failing me. Whoo hoo!!
It was good times. Of course, I am the hostess with the mostess (someone back me up here!)
But I’m not here to dish about the party. I want to share a little some thing.
Now, despite the fact that I made TONS of food...see below…



There was only 1 thing that was raved about and everyone asked me about. No, it wasn’t my now famous dip (see thanksgiving for the recipe) no it wasn’t my kabobs (or K-bobs as my brother learned to call them in the army...and he was in the Middle East!), although Anthony totally dug the marinade, no it wasn’t my apple coleslaw. It was something that was totally store bought, totally a last minute, saw it at Pathmark and decided what the heck kind of purchase. The tasty treat…Sabra Hummus



Now I have only recently discovered that I actually like hummus, and falafel for that matter, because of an intense dislike for chick peas. I am no hummus connoisseur, but this was the tastiest yet. Even better than my buddies at Mengal in Sunnyside(you have to visit them if you are in Sunnyside 47th and Queens Blvd-south side). It had a great smooth consistency and comes in a variety of flavors although I stuck with original.
Please note that I did not clean the container. It was wiped clean. OK, well since John was with me on clean up patrol, he wiped it clean with pita. Which, oh totally have to tell you about. It’s ASTORIA pita, made right here in our own back yards.



And Sabra is local also! The pita itself is more traditionally greek in that it is better for gyros, and has no pocket for falafel. ( and despite the bag, I won't be using it to make a taco anytime soon) But you have to dig the fact that both products go so well together and they are both Astoria/LIC based.
So if you are in the mood for some GREAT hummus and tasty pita, look no further than your own backyard folks.
(fyi I found the Astoria pita at C-Town on B-way…Pathmark had a surprising lack of pita choices…but they have the Sabra, across from the deli counter in the random little cooler dealy thingy)

Enjoy!