Astorian Weekend Edition - October 21
By Mackenzi of Joey in Astoria

Photo (c) Cristine Cluff

What a wonderful week! Such great weather to explore Astoria and more this weekend. Start this Thursday evening with local artist Juan Pablo Bohorquez's art at Modern Spaces Reality (47-34 Vernon Blvd. Long Island City). Check out some great paintings, support local art, and have a bite from the not-yet-opened El Ay Si restaurant, which'll be catering the event.

In the mood for even more art? Flux Factory (39-21 29th St, LIC), a fantastic art space and artist incubator, will be talking about the experimental Punk/New Wave Scene in Germany in the 80s. Artist Marin Buesser will be talking about the punk movement and the artists who inspired it, and playing music from the era.

Though not technically in our part of the borough, my inner foodie can't over look the Edibile Queens sponsored Jackson Heights Food & Film Festival this Saturday. Sample appetizers from Jackson Diner, Novo Restaurant and Lounge, Uncle Peter's Bar and Grill, Rajbhog, Espresso 77, and Lety's Pastry and Cafe. Tickets and more info here.

Also Saturday, don't miss the American Songbook show at Frank Sinatra School of the Arts.

The beginning of fall and winter means giving your body a little extra dry weather TLC. Why not stock up on amazing, locally made treatments, balms and soaps at Little Soap Shop ( 22-07 36th St)? Their products are environmentally-friendly, animal cruelty-free, and often organic.

This Sunday, the 25th, Hell Gate Social (12-21 Astoria Blvd, Astoria) and Bistro 33 team up for a Martinis and Maki party! Chef Gary is preparing some special sushi behind the bar from 8 to 11 p.m. Sounds like a fun event, and if you've never been to HGS, you're in for a treat.

*Photo above by Local Artist Cristine Cluff. For more of her Astoria photography, click here.

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