The Weekender

Spring has finally found it's way to us!!!!!
It's time to bust out the walking shoes and start revisiting the neighborhood we've been hibernating from all winter.
Cafes on 30th already have the tables streetside and residents are taking advantage.
Ultimate Frisbee is back on Saturdays at the Park (by the bridge, at 11:00).
And it's only a matter of time before Astoria residents can't get into the beer garden. RUN before ToNY or the Times run another feature on it.

Friday Night at 9 Waltz-Astoria welcomes Wendy Colonna to their growing list of talented performers.
"Wendy blends poetically relevant lyrics with fun-inspired melodies and raw, magnetic stage presence. Her songs are as catchy as bubblegum pop, lyrics as inspired as classic folk, all delivered by a woman who combines the sensuality of eye candy with can-do strength of girl rock."
($10 cover and $7 drink minimum)

Saturday Waltz does their monthly wine tasting (why oh why do I always already have an engagement when these things come up?!) with host and wine afficionado Kevin Rose. Featuring new wines every month with specially selected meats, cheeses breads etc it's a fun night for those who love wine and are looking to broaden their horizons. 9pm start time with a $25 participation fee.

This weekend and next AMMI is staging an Edie Sedgwick Retrospective.
While there be sure to check out the Star Trek exhibit: 40 years of fandom before it closes April 15th.

This weekend is the last weekend to head over to The Chocolate Factory Theatre to see Richard Garrison's Perimiters exhibit.

Because we have such great art and art spaces you can also head over to the Flux Factory and see Grizzly Proof. It's a documentary by Peter Lynch about Troy Hurtubise, who was attacked by a grizzly bear in the Canadian Rockies. Troy survived and decided that he would one day return to the Rockies, this time fully prepared to win. It focuses on Troy and his quest to create a grizzly-proof suit. It is one man’s obsession to defeat nature.

Also this weekend the Genesis Repertory Theatre presents their modern take on Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. The play will be staged at the Greek Cultural Center at 27-18 Hoyt Ave. South in Astoria, setting this great play in Jerusalem, modern day. Romeo is an American Jew visiting Israel and encounters Juliet, the daughter of a Palestinian businessman. This will be presented in English with sections in Arabic and Hebrew.

Make it a great one folks!

The Weekender

This weekend is ALL about St. Patrick's Day. Have no fear if you don't have the brogue, not a fan of Guinness, or if you can't even find Ireland on the map-everyone is Irish tomorrow.
Unfortunately nature has smoted us and we have to endure cold temps again AND snow. This is just so wrong for St. Pat's. You can brave the cold and watch the parade on 5th ave or sit in a bar and drink. Although in my humble opinion it is too early in the day to start drinking-but the Irish have a natural ability to drink large quantities over extended periods of time (I'm Irish and have witnessed this firsthand). Where can you go in the neighborhood? Here's a handy dandy list:
The Irish Rover
The Quays
Mary McGuires
Cronin & Phelans
Gibney's
McLoughlins
McCanns
Even the Beer Garden is getting in on the action. In this weather you can actually get in.
Before you get your drink on (or after sobering up and then going to refuel) be civic minded and join Astorians for Peace and Justice at Athens Square Park for their candlelight vigil marking the 4th anniversary of the war in Iraq and taking a moment to remember those who have given their lives, limbs and hearts in this war. 5-7pm so if you are a late starter to drink, start here. The main anti war march is on Sunday.

Sunday, unwind and see how many brain cells you have left by going BACK to the Irish Rover for their pub quiz.

Sure there's other stuff goin on, but what can compete with green beer?

Keep warm and Sláinte!

The Weekender

Will I ever feel the sun, without having to wear multiple layers?
Damn! It's cold outside.
I have some photos from last week's parade in Sunnyside that I will post up for you and keep a look out for a post about Irish bars to take advantage of next weekend. I love the St. Patrick's Day season.
But that weekend isn't here yet, and we've got stuff to do this weekend

Saturday night, Astoria's own DJ Lo-Fi is spinning at Hell Gate Social again. Hittin the decks at 9:30 with no cover. Chchcheck it out.

Also on Saturday share your musical stylings at Doyle's Corner (42-02 Broadway). Starlight Karaoke is hosting a $5000 contest. Rules and regs here.

This weekend pop by Candy Plum mention myspace and get a free pair of earrings. If you all haven't heard me rave about this shop you must be deaf. If you haven't gone yet then this is the weekend to pop in. Hopefully I will be a new addition soon. More to come on that later.

Also this weekend Waltz hosts the weekly Mini Arts and Flea Market. Stop by and support local craftiness.

AMMI is blazing this weekend with back to back screenings of Flags of out Fathers and it's counterpart Letters from Iwo Jima.

Sunday night test your knowledge at the Irish Rover's Pub Quiz. I found out it actually came back last week, but found out after the fact. Unfortunately I'll be dining with my mother Sunday (mmmm Puerto Rican food mmmm) so I can't use my vast store of useless knowledge. Trust me, I'd come in handy for this type of thing.

If you're like me and need a quick fix of Spring, then head over to Fatty's Cafe for their Sunday night Social Party. Just another way to stretch out the last remnants of the weekend. This Sunday is Spring Break...flowered shirts, flowers in the hair and crazy times.

Finally: RIP Capt'n

Make it a great one folks!

The Weekender

March is finally here, and boy oh boy has it made an entrance.
There are 2 very important things that happen in March. Hello spring training!
And, St. Patrick’s Day.

Get an early start on the holiday by partaking of the Woodside/Sunnyside St. Pat’s for All Parade this Sunday at 12:30. Just hop on the Q104 on Broadway and you’ll be at Skillman in no time (though I am not sure if the bus will be slightly rerouted or not). This year’s theme is "Cherishing All the Children of the Nation Equally," taken from the 1916 Easter Rebellion Proclamation. In case you don’t know the history-this parade was started as a response to the Roman Catholic Church not allowing gays and lesbians to march in the official parade on the 17th. This year’s honoree is Caroline Duggan, public school teacher and leader of the Keltic Dreams dancers, an after-school group at PS 59 in the Bronx. The festivities begin at 43rd and Skillman Ave, makes it’s way east until Woodside Avenue where it continues to 61st st and the post parade celebration. Check out my post from last year about bars in Sunnyside to check out while you’re hanging around. Although Sidetracks seems to be down for renovations.

Friday Waltz brings us more music this time from singer/songwriter Meredith Blis. $5 cover and $7 drink minimum to enjoy the show, starting at 9.

Chocolate Factory Theatre will be holding an opening reception for it’s newest installation Perimeters - installation by Richard Garrison this Saturday from 5-7pm. A brief description:
“Garrison's work involves collective processes that reflect his observations and interactions with the ordinary elements of urban and suburban spaces. He create abstractions of the familiar, such as department stores, parking lots, housing developments, institutional spaces and daily tasks. For the Chocolate Factory Gallery, Garrison is currently walking and recording the perimeters of numerous strip malls with a GPS (global positioning system) in the Albany area. The collected data will be used to create line drawings positioned on the floor made only of white chalk powder. The installation will cover the majority of the ground, while leaving ample space to navigate around the work with additional drawings on the gallery walls.”

Saturday night Waltz welcomes dutch vocalist Dutch vocalist Aafje van Summeren accompanied by pianist Steve Blanco and bassist Adam Roberts, her music “steeps in acoustic style and tradition, bringing a host of multi-layered rhythmic, harmonic and percussive elements to their music.” 9pm start, $5 cover and $7 drink minimum.

Saturday night, if you don’t want to deal with people just step outside your home and check out the lunar eclipse.
“Here in the United States, you have to be in the eastern half of the country to witness totality. At the end of the day on Saturday, go outside and face east. As the sun sets behind your back, a red Moon will rise before your eyes! Maximum eclipse is at 6:21 p.m. EST.”

Sunday night head over to Fatty’s for their Sunday Night Social from 8-close.

If you haven’t yet pick up your copy of “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints,” it’s out on DVD. Go, run, support a hometown boy’s super good flic.

Here’s some new info on last summer’s blackout. Start stocking up on flashlights, batteries and candles folks. This summer doesn’t look promising.

Make it a good one folks!