Astorian Weekend Edition - October 18
By Sooz of Joey in Astoria

On Thursday at 7 p.m. join a new pool shark division at Break (32-04 Broadway) and earn yourself a free cue stick! The APA meets up regularly there on Thursdays - but I'd get there today to score the stick :)

Turn out there is more then corporate coffee-klatching happening at the Starbucks on Steinway! Who knew? Coffee Tub Productions presents its monthly musical showcase series there this Friday starting at 7 p.m. The event's organizer Sean Tubridy says "The Showcase has become a hot spot for local talent to hone their chops before moving up to the Manhattan and Brooklyn open mic scene." I think it's funny that a lot of the artists are current/former employees of the joint! Are we looking at a retro beatnik coffee house jam? Not sure, but at least it's something different.

I went to the NY Cares (a day of painting and fixing up schools) back in the spring and found it very "neighborhood-ingly" fulfilling. If you missed out on the fun, you've got another chance this Saturday. Check the site and look for a local group and location and jump right in!

Just an FYI, Il Bambino (34-08 31st Ave) is ripe for the eating :) The menu has changed up a bit since I last visited, so maybe you'll want to stop over and pick out a new favorite or two!

On Sunday, if the "fall" weather stays friendly, go check out the uber-cool installation at Socrates (Broadway @ Vernon). The Emerging Artist Fellowship Exhibition has some of the best work I've ever seen at the park, like this huge metal crow. I'm totally fascinated!

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

Photo (c) Newell the Jewell - The scarecrow is part of Groundswell by Rachel Owens at Socrates Sculpture Park