The Weekender

This is the stuff, everything is coming to life, and so is our hood.
As usual tonight Waltz and Mezzo bring us the tunes and the laughs respectively.

Astoria gets in on Earth Day celebrations this weekend with a bunch of activities all listed on the Astoria Waterfront Group's website. Here's a taste of what's going down:

• Earth Day Celebration at Rainey Park-Saturday Noon-4pm.
• 1st ever Queens is Green Fashion Show-Saturday 4-6pm (Green Space, 37-24 24th St. #301)
• Bike Riding Workshop for the kiddies at Rainey Park-11-3pm
• Walking tour of the Astoria/LIC waterfront parks-Starts at Astoria Park (Ditmars @ Shore drive) at 10am and winds it's way to Rainey park for the Earth Day Celebration

This weekend is it for Flux Factory in thier current LIC home. They're going out with a bang though hosting the Make It Go Dance Party as the finale to Everything Must Go (they're quite literal about that-they've got a bunch of art and stuff for sale). The free party goes down Saturday at 7, with a performance at 8 of Wooden Box-a super secret play. Head over and show your support.

Although the rumor has it that the Beer Garden will be finished with their renovisions by next weekend, The Water Taxi Beach is set to open up on Sunday. Beach. Here. Now. is from 1-10pm, with a $20 in advance, more at the door cover charge. Comes with a boatload of tunage.

Sunday, from 11-2pm Soctates Sculpture Park and the Noguchi Museum team up once again to bring us Kite Flight. This year, children and their families will find an excellent new use for plastic bags by transforming this durable, and light weight material into beautiful recycled kites! Participants will have the opportunity to build and decorate their kites, then fly them in the Park. Don't forget to preregister for this limited space event.

And of course-pub trivia at the Rover Sunday at 7:30.

Check this out. John at about.com pointed something out on his blog that has been bugging me for a while-when you drive into one of the boroughs there's usually some catchy slogan-but not with Queens. We're just Welcome to Queens. So he's opened up his comments for suggestions to ammend that. What slogan would you come up with for Astoria?

That's it for this weekend kiddies. Make it a great one!

The Weekender

So last night I decided that if Friday was supposed to be better than Thursday I would break out a skirt. Well, skirt season must be in full swing because I wasn't the only one bearing my long concealed legs on the ride to work this morning. You know what this means; warm weather for grilling, sidewalk cafes, trips to the park and general neighborhood exploration.

Tonight you have a choice between the music and the funny. Waltz hosts another Songwriters Showcase. This time featuring 3 dudes rockin an acoustic "indie" sound. $10 cover at 8pm.
Mezzo Mezzo bring us Dan Mintz, Matt Bergman and Nate Bargatze to tickle our funny bones. $10 gets you in-8:15 seating and 9:00 showtime.

As part of it's month long bon voyage, also known as Everything Must Go, Flux Factory is hosting a reunion of sorts tonight. If you've ever been a fluxer-and artist or gallery goer or if you just haven't yet been here you're invited. "Dress to impress" Next weekend will be the last stand for Flux Factory as emminent domain has swallowed it whole. It's not a swan song for Flux, just for Flux at it's present location. So this weekend or next stop by and get fluxed.

Saturday, Candy Plum is having a trunk sale featuring the work of Astorian designer-Stars for Sydell. From 1-4pm stop by and support local designers.

And let's not foget what else should be revving up this weekend (no not motorcycles, though that is a possibility) outdoor cafe seating. Hit up some of the Haps favorite spots Time Cafe, Grand Cafe (overdue reviews to come!) Locale and Brick.

I may just hit up the park with a little pic-i-nic (meant to sound like Yogi Bear) basket. It's already my favorite spot but now going to the Hellgate area of the park is even more lovely since John proposed to me under the bridge recently :-)

Whatever you decide to do on this lovely weekend, make it a great one!

The Weekender

Oh spring has finally sprung. What a lovely walk home I had last night. Flowers were blooming in front yards, trees were blossoming...my block in the spring is just so lovely. Add in the stray kitties I keep trying to get to follow me home and it's quite the nice walk. Though I do wish I could convince kitty kitty to follow me home. Unfortunatlely with all this great weather and things springing to life this weekend is going to be a wet one.

Tonight you can stay dry in one of 2 great Ditmars spots.

Our friends at Waltz present another round of the Lady Songwriter Showcase. I checked out the websites of the 3 very talented ladies hitting the stage tonight at 8pm and I must say you will definitely get your $10 and 2 drinks worth.

If you'd rather laugh your ass off head over Astoria's only weekly comedy showcase at Mezzo Mezzo. I've never been to Mezzo Mezzo but I hear they have some pretty good grub that you can order during the funny. Matt Taylor is hosting comedians Eric Andre and Tim Young. I believe it's a $5 cover for the laughs.

Saturday night Waltz hosts their newest resident artist-Connie Brooks and Ryan Olsen. The swinging duo does new spins on classic American standards and old favorites. 9:00 showtime with a $10 cover.
Also-while on about Wlatz-their recent email tells me: Every night is happy hours at Waltz! We offer FREE CHEESE and CRACKERS with every beer/wine purchase. EAT AND DRINK UP!!
If you insist, Song!

Sunday the Seeds of Love team is at it again. This time they are hosting a sidewalk sale to raise money for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Head over to 24-37 Crescent Street from 1-5pm to score all sorts of great merch and help a worthy cause at the same time.

Finally don't forget about pub trivia at the Irish Rover on Sunday. I've missed out the past two weeks, but I'm ready to regroup my team and take the title a third time! Quizzing starts at 7:30 so get there early to register and snag a good spot.

Make it a great one!