Category: culture

Advocates applaud new law for better representation of MENA communities in NY State

Dec. 24, 2024 By Colum Motherway For decades, Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities in New York State have been statistically invisible, lumped into the white category on government documents—a misrepresentation that has hindered their visibility and access to resources. Now, a new law aims to change that. Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, NY State… Read more »

Beloved Astoria venue Q.E.D. finds new owner after plans to close

Dec. 17, 2024 By Shane O’Brien Just when it seemed like the final curtain was about to fall, Q.E.D. Astoria is getting an encore. Q.E.D. Astoria founder and creative director Kambri Crews announced she had found a buyer for the beloved entertainment venue after revealing last month that it would close for good. On Nov…. Read more »

Celebrate the holidays Filipino-style at Paskong Pinoy festival in Long Island City this weekend

Dec. 10, 2024 By sobrien Dec. 10. 2024 By Shane O’Brien A Filipino Christmas festival celebrating the rich holiday traditions of the Philippines will make its Long Island City debut this weekend. Paskong Pinoy 2024, a collaboration between the Philippine Department of Tourism and Philippine Fest, will take place at The Pond, LIC’s newly opened… Read more »

Sunnyside Trad Weekend returns, celebrating legacy of late founder

Dec. 5, 2024 By sobrien Dec. 5, 2024 By Shane O’Brien Sunnyside Trad Weekend, a popular event featuring traditional Irish music, song and dance, will return to the neighborhood Thursday night for a four-night run at Courtyard Ale House. The event, which will take place at 8 p.m. every day from Dec. 5-8, returns to… Read more »

Senator Gianaris partners with local organizations to provide Thanksgiving support in Western Queens

Nov. 26, 2024 By Ethan Marshall Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris partnered with multiple local organizations to provide turkeys to families across western Queens. Gianaris, along with the Carpenters Contractor Alliance of Metropolitan New York, Woodside Houses Tenant Association and Sunnyside Community Services, organized a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway for families in Western Queens. The event,… Read more »

Santathon is back: Bar crawl returns to Sunnyside and Woodside for holiday toy drive

Attendees at a previous Sunnyside Santathon (Photo via Instagram @blvdbars)

Nov. 26, 2024 By sobrien Nov. 26, 2024 By Shane O’Brien Santathon, a popular neighborhood Santa-themed bar crawl, will return to Sunnyside and Woodside next month after a three-year hiatus, raising money to buy toys for children this Christmas. Santathon will return to the neighborhood on Dec. 14, with 14 participating bars offering a variety… Read more »

Q.E.D. Astoria to close in early 2025 after a decade as a community staple

Photo: Q.E.D. Astoria Facebook

Nov. 22, 2024 By Shane O’Brien The curtains are closing on a beloved performance venue after a decade as a neighborhood cornerstone. Q.E.D. Astoria owner and creative director Kambri Crews has announced that the popular arts venue will shutter permanently at the beginning of 2025. Crews opened Q.E.D. at 27-16 23rd Ave. in 2014, and the… Read more »

Meet Santa in his secret workshop: A VIP holiday experience comes to Long Island City

Photo via Santa's Secret Workshop.

Nov. 20, 2024 By sobrien Nov. 20, 2024 By Shane O’Brien A new Santa Claus experience is coming to Long Island City this winter, offering families an opportunity to book personalized VIP experiences with Santa over the holidays. Santa’s Secret Workshop, founded by actor Carl Hendrick Louis and located at 32-00 Skillman Ave., aims to… Read more »