Top Pick of the Weekend

• Colombian Independence Day Festival - Biggest Party at Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Friday

• Karaoke at Forest Park Bandshell

• CityParks Dance: Transports Exceptionnels at Socrates

• Highland Park Youth Basketball Tournament

• Brazil Night at Passport Fridays at QMA - Free Dance and Outdoor Movies at Queens Museum of Art - Fridays Through August 22

• Downtown Jamaica Summer Concert Series at Supreme Court Plaza

• Summer Sports Day at Playground for All Children in Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Saturday

• Warm Up at PS 1 - Saturdays through September 6

• Canoeing at Fort Totten Park and Lemon Creek Park and Kissena Park

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Start the weekend in song. The 2008 Waterfront Concert Series starts up tonight with 1910 Fruitgum Company at 7:30 p.m. Bring a blanket to the Astoria Park lawn (Shore Blvd. between Hell Gate Bridge and the Pool) and enjoy the chill atmosphere.

If you needed reminding, Winegasm (21-86 37th St) is a great place to check out Friday night for themed music nights. Take our word for it: the bacon-wrapped prunes are the bomb!

I was already a fan of Sai Organics (30-21 30th Ave), but now that I found out you can get some classes there, I think I love them even more! Saturday 2 to 5 p.m., catch the CSA/Greenmarket Class (Tickets are $85 each or $150 for two. $10 of every ticket to benefit The Hunger Action Network of New York State and The New York City Coalition Against Hunger). For more info and to rsvp, write to skoullias@gmail.com.

Random but I think a good bit to know -- we still have a tattoo parlor here! I thought they were all closed by now. Fat Cat Tattoos has a semi-new location under the subway line at 31-32 31St St. Stop in and get to know your local artist. Who knows what you could end up with, no need to head into the city!

And just because I love where I live, thought you would also enjoy this cute view of Astoria Park.

• Previously on Joey in Astoria
• Neighborhood Profile - Astoria, Queens

Note - Bistro 33 is closed this Friday, during the filming of an Ugly Betty episode in the Astoria eatery. Look for Bistro 33 on ABC this fall.

• My Kitchen [Eatery Row]
  "Comfort food with class" at My Kitchen (106-17 Metropolitan Ave, Forest Hills, 718-544-5644) wins praise, especially for the roast pork and almost candied chicken.

• Winegasm - A Group Tasting Worth Repeating [Joey in Astoria]
  "Bacon wrapped prunes," excuse me? I'm still not convinced about getting beyond the name of Winegasm (31-86 37th St, Astoria, 718-932-3331). Judith continues her review at Foodista.

• Best Bites for Less: Luna de Juarez [Daily News]
  Mexican food at Luna de Juarez (25-98 Steinway St, Astoria, 718-274-4350) is well-beyond the Tex-Mex, and the place is not a simple taco takeout but a real sit-down restaurant. The Daily News recommends the soups: "rich chicken broth fragrant with lime, cilantro and corn."

• Off the Beaten Path: Serious Ceviche at El Anzuelo Fino [Serious Eats]
  Delicious photo and description of the ceviche -- I'm guessing flounder-esque white fish -- at the new Jackson Heights branch of Peruvian El Anzuelo Fino (86-01 Northern Blvd, Jackson Heights, 718-426-8660; and 98-01 Jamaica Ave, Woodhaven, 718-846-0909).

• Best. Empanada. Ever. and Sacrificing for Fuego [Shauna Eats Sunnyside]
  Shauna eats corn-based empanadas at Antojitos Colombianos Restaurant (54-08 Roosevelt Ave, Woodside).

• More - Restaurants in Queens
• And - Previously on Queens Eats
• Got Tips? - Email recommendations, openings, and closings to queens.guide@about.com

• Keep Up With Queens Eats - Newsletter and RSS

Long Island's own Billy Joel comes to Shea Stadium this Wednesday and Friday to sing farewell. Next year Citi Field will replace Shea as the home of the Mets, and the old stadium will be torn down, surviving in memories of World Series, Jets tailgates, and packed audiences for the pope and the Beatles.

I don't think they could have picked a more Long Island musician than Billy Joel to play the final concerts at Shea. Both evenings sold out almost as fast as they went on sale, and there'll be plenty of folks who grew up with the Mets and the Piano Man taking an emotional walk into Gates A, B, and C.

A NY Times article, "Just the Way He Is," captures the musician's career and special place in the hearts of Long Islanders (and, yes, technically, Queens is on Long Island).

• Directions and Parking - Shea Stadium
• Just the Way He Is [NY Times]