What to Do in Astoria This Week: Holidays Galore, Asian-Jewish Brunch, Almost, Maine and More

Each week we bring you highlights and ideas for what to do in Astoria for the week through our What to Do This Week Series.  Got suggestions of your own? Share in the comments!

Want your event included? Submit it here: weheartastoria.com/share-a-scoop

DECEMBER 20-26—HOLY HOLIDAY TIME, BATMAN.
To paraphrase Stefon, this week has everything: the Fourth Sunday of Advent on 12/20; the Winter Solstice late in the day on 12/21; Festivus (“for the rest of us”) on 12/23; Christmas Eve and The Prophet’s Birthday on 12/24; (Western) Christmas on 12/25; and the start of Kwanzaa on 12/26. Astoria, you have no excuse not to celebrate something this week.

Almost, Maine by Ophelia Theatre Group

On a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Almost’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend—almost—in this delightful midwinter night’s dream.

Cast includes Brittney Moss, Billie Aken-Tyers, Mollie Craven, Samuel Adams, Brennan Gallagher, and AJ Pacheco.

Sunday, December 20, 3pm and 8pm
Ophelia Theatre | 21-12 30th Road
General Admission: $18. Sunday Matinees: Pay What You Can!
Tickets purchased online receive a free drink at the performance!

Learn more, here.

Make Music New York Winter Concert—Decantations | Ravi Kittappa

Composer Ravi Kittapa and pianist Karl Larson invite the public to perform the New York premiere of Decantations III, Kittapa’s piece featuring the sound of sruti boxes (easily playable Indian drone instruments). Beginning at 3pm on 12/21, performers split into three groups and walk divergent paths around Astoria, playing a variety of sustaining instruments and electronic devices, while interacting with the sounds of the neighborhood. After 30 minutes everyone converges in Athens Square Park to create a large and varying drone resolving to a finish.

To join, please fill out this form and we’ll assign you a starting location. on Dec. 21, bring a sustaining instrument or download the drone files to your phone or playback device.

Monday, December 21, 3-4pm
Start: three locations near Athens Square Park (Astoria, Queens), 3pm. End: Athens Square Park, 4pm

Learn more, here.

Hobo Gerz Holiday Party and Show

Jennifer (Hobo) and Chris (Gerz) bring their popular apartment open mic series to QED for a holiday potluck/open mic extravaganza! Open to comedians, musicians, poets and pretty much anything else, Hobo Gerz attracts a warm, friendly and fun group of performers who want to try their latest material out for each other. This is a FREE event so please do your best to support Q.E.D. with your food, drink & merchandise purchases. Glug glug!

Wednesday, December 23, times:
7-8pm: Bring one potluck food item that can be shared with others. (Outside food acceptable, as long as it’s shareable!)
8-9:30pm: Open mic show. Throw your name in the bucket and get on stage!
9:30pm-??? – DJ Sally Jesse Raphael spins an after-party dance extravaganza.
Q.E.D. | 27-16 23rd Avenue
Free!

Learn more, here.

Asian-Jewish Brunch

Shalom and ni-hao, y’all! It’s time for our annual Asian-Jewish Brunch. The menu:

• Cinnamon Babka French Toast w/ Chinese 5-spice infused syrup
• Scallion Pancake w/ cardamon labne
• “Toad In The Hole” latke w/ sriracha aioli
• Matzo Croquette w/ tonkatsu sauce
• Noodle Kugel w/ sweet red beans and strawberries in condensed milk

In addition to our extensive beer and cider menu, we’ll be serving the following libations:

• -Egg Cream Bubble Tea
• -Szechuan Matza Beer (also known as Jan Olympic White Lagrrr); a collaboration between Woks and Lox, TQK, and Singlecut Beersmiths.

We’ll be serving the dishes a la carte, and won’t be taking reservations. Also, we’ll be closed for dinner.

Thursday, December 24, 9am-4pm
The Queens Kickshaw | 40-17 Broadway

Learn more, here.

Christmas Eve at Vesta

Join us on Christmas Eve as we serve our a la carte menu and seafood specials.

• Fritto Misto 16
  shrimp, calamari, peppers, lemon wheels, spicy aioli
• Charred Octopus 18
  cannelini beans, tomato & kale
• Seafood Risotto 24
  lobster brodo, clams & mussels
• Herb Stuffed Whole Roasted Branzino $26
  meyer lemon garlic sauce, glazed carrots & turnips
• Pan-seared Cod $25
  orange fennel puree, fennel confit & lentils

December 24, 2015, 5-9pm
Vesta | 21-02 30th Avenue

Learn more, here.

Christmas At Bear

Enjoy the Christmas holiday at Bear!

Christmas Eve at Bear
4pm-9pm
3 courses | $45 per person (plus tax & gratuity)

Christmas Day at Bear
12pm-8pm
3 courses | $45 per person (plus tax & gratuity)

Bear | 12-14 31 Avenue
Reservations: 917-396-4939

Learn more, here.