Welcome to the heart (and heat) of summer! Lazy days are here - and here are some ways to spend your free time in Astoria and Long Island City.
Noguchi Museum First Fridays
Friday, July 1, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Noguchi Museum, 9-01 33rd Road (off of Vernon Blvd.), Long Island City
Pay-as-you-wish admission and a cash bar are features on the first Fridays during the summer months at the Noguchi Museum. This is a great, affordable way to see one of the best museums in Queens.
Tree Mapping Party
Saturday, July 2, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Ditmars Station, 22-55 31st Street, Astoria
Help Partnership for Parks, NYC Parks and the NY Restoration Project make a map of existing trees in the neighborhood. This will help them know where to plant new trees. No experience necessary, and on-site training will be provided! Contact Kyle at Kyle.Richard@parks.nyc.gov or 917-613-5724 to sign up.
Second Annual Cheesemonger Invitational
Friday, July 8, 7 - 10 p.m.
Larkin Cold Storage, 47-55 27th Street, Long Island City
All you can eat cheese and an epic cheese battle are just two of the attractions at the second annual Cheesemonger Invitational. Cheese professionals, connoisseurs, and just plain fans of cheese are welcome to attend. Tickets: $25 advance, $35 door
Friends Of Community Board 1 - 30th Ave Festival
Sunday, July 10, noon - 6 p.m.
30 Ave between 29th Street and 41st Street, Astoria
Get your fill of tube socks, fried food, and 30th Ave during this annual street fair.
Astoria Market
Sunday, July 10, noon - 5 p.m.
Main hall of Bohemian Hall, 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria
Stop by the Astoria Market to purchase a selection of artisan wares, including handmade greeting cards, natural bath and body care, handmade jewelry, and more.
Music in the Garden, Featuring So Percussion
Sunday, July 10, 3:00 p.m.
Noguchi Museum, 9-01 33rd Road (off of Vernon Blvd.), Long Island City
"So Percussion (Eric Beach, Josh Quillen, Adam Sliwinski, and Jason Treuting) will join with Grey McMurray on guitar to perform work-in-progress excerpts from their next major theatrical work. A celebration of diversity, community, and collaboration, this project is an exploration of their outermost artistic boundaries, as well as a re-examination of comfort zones." Free with museum admission.
Beginning Sewing Classes
Thursdays, July 14, 21 and 28, 6 - 8 p.m.
Creators Co-op, 26-16 23rd Avenue, Astoria
Learn to make a sundress without a pattern. Space is extemely limited, so register soon on their website. $125.00 for the three classes.
Summah Days With AM&A: Part I of 3
Saturday, July 16, 4 - 11:30 p.m.
Athens Square Park / Astoria Brewhouse, 30th Street and 30th Avenue / 28-50 31st Street, Astoria
Multiple (local) bands will be playing at Athens Square Park with an after party at Astoria Brewhouse. These shows are fundraisers for the 4th Annual Astoria Music Now! festival, scheduled for August. $5 suggested donation goes directly towards funding Astoria Music Now! 2011.
Short Films by Cao Guimarães
Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17, 2 - 6p.m.
MoMA PS 1, 22-25 Jackson Avenue at the intersection of 46th Avenue, Long Island City
MoMA PS 1 presents a program of short films by Brazilian film maker Cao Guimarães (b. 1965) In conjunction with Premiere Brazil!. You'll watch a series of his short films from the last decade that highlight Guimarães' vision. The films will screen continuously throughout the day. Free with museum admission.
9th Annual Musical Saw Festival
Saturday, July 16, 2 p.m.
Hellenic Cultural Center, 27-09 Crescent Street, Astoria
Watch as musical saw players from around the world descend upon Astoria to share their passion for this unusual instrument. You'll hear a world premiere of music written for four musical saws (no one has composed a piece for four saws before) and the 40 musical saw piece, the Chorus of the Saws. $10 admission.
St. Irene's Festival
Thursday, July 28, 5 - 10 p.m.
23 Ave between 35 Street and 37 Street, 36 Street between 23 Avenue and Amtrak Railroad, Astoria
Enjoy a variety of Greek food (savory and sweet), Greek dance performances and live music by the Trojans. Everyone is welcome.
Warm Up
Saturdays in July, 2 - 9 p.m.
MoMA PS 1, 22-25 Jackson Avenue at the intersection of 46th Avenue, Long Island City
Now in its 14th year, Warm Up is an outdoor series showcasing the best in experimental live music, sound, performance, and DJs. $15 admission. LIC residents get in free with proof of applicable residence.
Ongoing: Fitness Programs at Socrates Sculpture Park
Saturdays and Sundays, mid-morning to early afternoon
Socrates Sculpture Park, Broadway at Vernon Boulevard, Astoria/LIC
Throughout the summer, Socrates Sculpture Park holds a series of fitness classes on the weekends - yoga (9:30 - 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. - noon) and capoiera (noon - 1:30 p.m.) on Saturdays, pilates (Sundays 10 - 11 a.m.), and tai chi (11 a.m. - noon) on Sundays. All classes are free.