Cuban Art Comes to Queens

I am continually astounded by the connections that Queens has to the rest of the world, whether it's people or business or culture. Here's a prime example: Next week the Queens Library opens an exhibit of contemporary art from eastern Cuba. I would be impressed enough to see art from Cuba, but eastern Cuba? No, you don't get any typical library art at the main branch of one of the largest library systems in the country.

True, I know little about Cuba or art, but this really sounds like a show worth checking out. The preview images I've seen are very cool. Plus several of the artists featured are self-taught, which in Soho means "outsider art," one of the hottest art genres these days.

• Cuba Oriente: Contemporary Paintings from Eastern Cuba
• February 7 through March 19, 2006; regular library hours; free
• Queens Central Library Gallery, 89-11 Merrick Blvd, Jamaica

• After Art, Eat- Try a local Bangladeshi spot, Sagar Sweets & Restaurant (16825 Hillside Ave, 718-657-2855), and (try to) order the popular fish curry

Photo - Gitana de Caribe (Caribbean Gypsy) by Reinaldo Pagán Ávila