Arts & Culture

More library branches have reopened with to-go services

Dan Rose
Mitchell-Linden Library. Image courtesy of Google Maps.
Mitchell-Linden Library. Image courtesy of Google Maps.

Since November 30, 12 more library branches have reopened with limited “to-go” service six days a week, Queens Public Library announced.

Those branches include East Flushing, Glen Oaks and Mitchell-Linden.

Throughout the borough, 35 branches are now open to the public for pickups in a designated area of the building.

Each branch will also accept returns at their exterior return machines.

Materials can be requested online, through the QPL app or by phone. All staff and visitors are required to wear masks and practice social distancing. Hand sanitizer will be available as well.

There are still no on-site public programs, browsing, meeting room availability, seating, public computers or in-person reference service due to the pandemic.

These are the hours at each reopened branch:

  • Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with one-hour closure from 1 to 2 p.m. for cleaning
  • Tuesday: 1 to 5 p.m.
  • Thursday: Noon to 7 p.m., with one-hour closure from 3 to 4 p.m. for cleaning.

Seniors go behind the scenes at Queens County Farm

Dan Rose

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A group of 30 local seniors got to enjoy the fresh air and sights of the Queens County Farm on September 24.

Guided by Councilman Barry Grodenchik, the tour of the Queens farm was conducted while all visitors were masked and socially distanced.

The tour of the 47-acre farm in Glen Oaks was part of a month-long schedule of events for Senior Appreciation Month.

Seniors learned about the farm’s planting fields, historic buildings, greenhouse complex, and its livestock, including chickens, goats and steer. The seniors also enjoyed a fun hayride.

“Queens County Farm Museum, the premiere cultural institution in eastern Queens, is truly a gem,” Grodenchik said. “It was my honor to bring a few dozen local seniors for a socially distanced tour of the farm on this beautiful autumn morning.”

Fresh Meadows, Auburndale libraries reopened with limited services

Dan Rose
Fresh Meadows Library. Screen shot via Google Maps.
Fresh Meadows Library. Screen shot via Google Maps.

Queens Public Library reopened seven additional branches across the borough on Monday. Those branches are:

  • Arverne Library
  • Auburndale Library
  • Forest Hills Library
  • Fresh Meadows Library
  • Hillcrest Library
  • Langston Hughes Library
  • Sunnyside Library

The reopened branches offer limited “to-go” service six days a week.

With the seven reopenings, QPL now has 22 locations across Queens open to the public for pickups in a designated area of each building.

The branches will also accept returns at their exterior return machines.

The hours for each reopened branch are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday (closed between 1 to 2 p.m. for cleaning); 1 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday; 12 to 7 p.m. on Thursday (closed between 3 to 4 p.m. for cleaning).

All staff and visitors are required to wear a mask and practical physical distancing. Hand sanitizer is available at all open branches.

At this time, there is no on-site public programs, browsing, meeting room availability, seating, public computers or in-person reference service.

In addition, there will be no fines or fees on any library materials checked out this year until January 4, 2021 at the earliest.

Join Flushing Town Hall’s celebration of the Harvest Moon Festival

Dan Rose

JS9O_FTH_Virtual_4

In celebration of the Harvest Moon Festival, Flushing Town Hall is hosting a virtual program with Korean folk music, shadow theater storytelling and a play reading.

The event will highlight stories of the Asian and Asian American experience.

The festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrates the time when the moon is brightest, and offers an opportunity to gather with family and give thanks for the harvest.

The psychedelic Korean folk group Coreyah will perform virtually on September 29 at 7 p.m.

Spica Wobbe’s “Hand in Hand” storytelling through shadow theater will be from September 30 to October 15.

A play reading of Marcus Yi’s “Lucky 88” will conclude the festival on October 4.

Watch on Flushing Town Hall’s YouTube page here.

Flushing’s Finest virtual guide takes to the neighborhood’s best places

Dan Rose
Image courtesy of Queens Together
Image courtesy of Queens Together

Queens Together, a restaurant advocacy group formed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, has launched a new digital food guide along with Queens foodie and author Joe DiStefano.

Called “Flushing’s Finest,” the guide takes viewers to the 20 best attractions in downtown Flushing, from restaurants to historic institutions.

Some of the places explored are Joe’s Steam Rice Roll, Maxi’s Noodle, Tianjin Dumpling House and the Old Quaker Meeting House.

Flushing’s Finest will be available online on Friday at 10 a.m. starting at $20.

The proceeds will go toward Queens Together’s mission of supporting local restaurants and combating food insecurity.

Read more about the digital guide in this week’s Queens Examiner.

Check out the “Museum Without Doors” outdoor exhibit

Dan Rose
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Photo courtesy of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce

A new pop-up community art project, “Museum Without Doors,” has come to the Flushing Greenmarket at Maple Playground.

The project is a collaboration among local artists, the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, New Inspiration Cares, Crystal Windows and GrowNYC.

The first exhibit showcases the work of artists Joseph Hsu and Shih Pao Lin. Other artists that will be featured include Fred Adell and Eddie Abrams.

Hsu’s work includes four photographs from his “New York on PAUSE” series, depicting images of New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lin’s three-dimensional works and two paintings fall under the theme of “Bull Up the City.”

Flushing Town Hall’s Virtual Jazz Jam set for September 9

Dan Rose

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On Wednesday, September 9 at 7 p.m., Flushing Town Hall’s monthly Jazz Jam will celebrate “SEPTEMBER: the Season, the Composers, the Artists, Reflections.”

Participating musicians will choose to play “September songs,” or the work of a composer, singer or musician with a September birthday.

The Jazz Jam will be led by Astoria resident Carol Sudhalter, along with FTH’s house band. They will pay tribute to Louis Armstrong, performing songs associated with the legendary trumpeter/vocalist.

The event is open to amateur and professional musicians, and is part of Flushing Town Hall’s online entertainment series, “FTH at Home!”

Audiences can watch this session live for free by tuning in to Flushing Town Hall’s Facebook page or on Zoom here.

Free Wednesday Movie Night Drive-in at NY Hall of Science

Dan Rose

Free Wednesday Movie Nights

Every Wednesday this summer, Queens families can enjoy free drive-in movies on the grounds of the New York Hall of Science at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.

From August 19 to September 30, Acting Queens Borough President’s office is collaborating with Rooftop Films, Museum of the Moving Image, NYC Parks and other groups for “Free Wednesday Movie Nights at the 2020 Queens Drive-In.”

Here’s the full schedule of movies set to screen:

  • August 19: “John Lewis: Good Trouble”
  • August 26: Up
  • September 2: The Lunchbox
  • September 9: WALL-E
  • September 16: The Farewell
  • September 23: Iron Man
  • September 30: Men in Black

The film series will feature a 60-foot screen constructed in the Hall of Science parking lot.

It will open to pre-registered attendees at 7:30 p.m., one hour before the film screenings begin at 8:30 p.m.

Food and beverages will be available for contactless purchase through select food vendors that participate in the Queens Night Market, which is also held at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.

 

Flushing Town Hall to participate in Global Music Month

Dan Rose

JS9O_FTH_Virtual_4

Flushing Town Hall is set to participate in World Music Month in September.

The organization will host a jam-packed schedule of online programming as part of the online festival, which includes 19 different presenters.

The festival will include concerts, presentations and panels from August 29th until October 1st.

Here’s a rundown of events coming up:

TUESDAY AUGUST 25 @ 7:00 PM

2018 Global Mashup #1: Latin Boogaloo meets Afrobeat

Featuring Spanglish Fly, New York City’s only band dedicated to reviving and renewing Latin Boogaloo’s soul and R&B mix, and Chop and Quench, comprised of members of the cast and band of FELA! The Musical

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 1 @ 7:00 PM

2018 Global Mashup #2: Egypt meets Haiti

With Zikrayat playing a wide repertory of Egyptian music, ranging from belly dance numbers to virtuosic improvisations, and the Agoci Band combinging hip hop, roots, and calypso flavors with Haitian compas

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 8 @ 7:00 PM

2018 Global Mashup #3: Mexico meets Guinea

Featuring Banda de los Muertos playing the boisterous Mexican brass/contemporary music known as “banda,” and Mandingo Ambassadors led by guitarist Mamady “Djelike” Kouyaté, a veteran of the golden age of Guinean dance bands

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 15 @ 7:00 PM

2018 Global Mashup #4: The Balkans meet El Barrio

Raya Brass Band thrills with intense, soul-shaking Balkan wedding music and Spanglish Fly returns with irresistible grooves that play 60’s, Latin boogaloo-inspired soul

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 16 @ 7:00PM

Latin American Rhythms Night

A celebration of NYC’s vibrant Brazilian, Mexican, and Argentinian music scene featuring live and pre-recorded performances, stories, and interviews with Martin Vejarano, David Vieira, Sinuhe Padilla, and Pedro Giraudo.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 22 @ 7:00 PM

2018 Global Mashup #5: Texas meets Peru

Featuring Brian Clayton and The Green River Band, comprised of six of the finest country musicians, and Corina Bartra Afro Peruvian Band palying infectious Afro-Peruvian music

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 29 @ 7:00 PM

Coreyah: Psychedelic Korean Folk

Coreyah performing music from their latest album ‘Clap & Applause,” showcasing their long-standing effort to infuse pop into traditional music through bold and youthful style, heartfelt lyrics, and a psychedelic sound

*Please remember that these events are online. Flushing Town Hall’s facilities are temporarily closed to the public.

Queens Botanical Garden has finally reopened

Dan Rose

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Starting on July 21, the Queens Botanical Garden is reopening with limited open hours.

QBG is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Free hours are Wednesday from 3 to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 10 to 11 a.m.

All visitors must wear a mask and maintain six feet of distance from others to remain in the garden.

Hand sanitizer dispensers are available at multiple points throughout the harden. High-touch surfaces will be disinfected throughout the day.

For more information on admission pricing, open hours, and other facts about reopening, go to their website here.