The End of an Era in Queens Culture

Two of my favorite Queens cultural institutions -- the gloriously family-friendly Museum of the Moving Image and the totally avant-garde Flux Factory -- are both in the midst of temporary closings.

The Flux Factory has gotten an eviction notice from its landlord the MTA, which plans to redevelop the Long Island City (Sunnyside) site. The artist-collective has responded with "Everything Must Go," which will transform the "entirety of Flux Factory into a giant installation of itself" for the month of April (including a Flux garage sale and lotto machine,). The closing Make It Go dance party on April 26 sounds like a fine way to say farewell to 38-38 43rd Street in style. The artists hope to find a new home, and sound entirely cheery, inviting us all to be "a part of the little death!"

On a more optimistic note, the Museum of the Moving Image recently closed its doors in Astoria to prepare for a mass addition and renovation. It aims to be a much grander institution when it reopens in 2009, having doubled in size. I hope its new halls keep that same friendly and manageable vibe that made it my top-pick for best museums in Queens.

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• April Events in Queens

Photo (c) John Roleke - Eye of the Museum of Moving Image