The Weekender

Memorial Day Weekend is upon us. The unofficial start to summer kicks off this weekend with parades, barbeques, street fairs and don’t forget everyone has a Memorial Day sale (Hellloooo perfect timing for furniture shopping for the new apartment!)

This weekend the NYC beaches officially open. While the water may be too cold to take a dip you can still soak up the rays and enjoy a day at the shore at the Queens Beach at Rockaway Park. It’s really easy to get to. Yeah you can take the A train all the way (make sure to switch to the shuttle if you want Rockaway Park, which I prefer) or you can head over to Woodside and catch the Express Q53 which stops right by the Woodside station, makes stops in Jackson Heights and Rego Park before heading straight to the beach. Yeah, Beach 116 can be crowded and all, but that’s because it’s close to the train and shops. Walk up a few blocks…you’ll wonder if you are at the same beach.
Friday it all kicks off at 11 with an opening ceremony. The event will include demonstrations of the many recreation and athletic activities along the beach this summer, including fitness classes, volleyball and hoola-hooping.

Also officially opening this weekend is a beach a little closer to home: The Water Taxi Beach. Yes it has been open this month, but only serving limited items. This weekend the full menu is busted out and the fun is ON!

Friday at 8pm, after you’ve soaked up the sun at either beach, Waltz has the music for us once again, this time bringing us the talents of June Morris. $5 cover and a one drink minimum. Stick around for Brazilian Duo at 10 bringing us some Jazz and Bossa Nova.

Saturday the Beer Garden kicks off their start to summer with the 25th annual Czech and Slovak Festival. Folk dancing, brass bands and tons of food and beer. $10 gets you in the door starting at 12. And patience gets you through the line.

Later that night DJ Moses spins his last NYC gig over at Hell Gate Social.
Or for the more sophisticated Waltz hosts their monthly Talk Wine series with Kevin Rose. 7 wines, tasty treats and a little discussion all for a $25 participation fee. (call ahead, this has gotten popular)

Sunday enjoy a free and relaxing canoe or kayaking ride from 11-5. Walk up and one of our friends from the LIC Community Boathouse will take you out on to the river. (weather permitting). It’s a great way to have fun and learn about keeping our local watering holes (no, not those kinds) spiffy.

Starting at 2 the guys at Hell Gate Social have the BBQ all set and ready. Happy hour from 2-7 and the BBQ? It’s FREE!
Stick around…or sober up and come back for their weekly outdoor movie. This weekend they bring us Top Secret.

And don't forget the yoga, capoeria and tai chi at Socrates.

Then comes the big day. It may not be in our neighborhood but in Douglaston (my aunt’s neighborhood) they are home to the biggest Memorial Day Parade in the country. It’s been around honoring our fallen soldiers of various wars since 1927. Can’t make it there or to a cemetery? Thank a soldier, and be happy they are still with us. Don’t know one? You can thank my brother who made it home from Iraq almost 2 years ago. (knocking wood furiously that he doesn’t have to go back). Or you can go to a GMC dealer and drop of a card of thanks for a soldier, part of the million thanks program they are supporting. You don’t have to support the war to be grateful we have soldiers. My brother doesn’t support the war and he IS a soldier.

On a lighter note Memorial Day really gets the street fair season going. Check out Broadway from 47th to Crescent (usually a little shorter than advertised), for all the sausage and peppers, crepes, choco covered strawberries, lemonade, magnets, jewelry, sheets and kitchen gizmos you can stand. God, I LOVE street fairs.

Also on Monday from 10:30 - 1pm you can enjoy the Ravenswood Walking Tour.
And, if you are in the mood for something new and sparkly Candy Plum, our favorite local boutique, is having a 10% off sale all weekend.

Now, go on....enjoy!