What to Do in Astoria This Week: Mezcal vs Whiskey, Toy Pianos, Tree Lightings, 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

NOVEMBER 29 to DECEMBER 5—IT’S OFFICIALLY THE HOLIDAY SEASON! We hope you had a great time with friends and family so far this weekend.
Today is the First Sunday of Advent – we wish all our observant readers a season of joyous anticipation!

Monday is “Cyber Monday” but we all know that at this time of year most days are Cyber Monday. Be sure to consider “shopping small” at all the great local businesses (here’s our list of some of our favorites).

Two other days of note: December 1 is World Aids Day and December 5 is Repeal Day. These two days are the opposite ends of the spectrum but worth knowing about regardless.

Holiday Toy, Food, and Coat Drive

Help children and families in need during this holiday season by donating holiday toys, non-perishable food, and winter coats. Donations can be made now through December 11th. Winter coats, also being collected by the offices of State Senator Michael Gianaris and Assemblymember Aravella Simotas, will be donated to New York Cares. Toys will be donated to Urban Upbound and Toys for Tots. Non-perishable food will be donated to a local food pantry.

Until December 11
Office of Costa Constantinides | 31-09 Newtown Ave

Email mcorbett@council.nyc.gov for more information.

Astoria Boulevard Traffic Safety Planning Session

Join us, NYC DOT, and Assemblymember Michael DenDekker for a planning workshop about traffic safety on Astoria Boulevard between 77th St. & 92nd St. Audience members will break into working groups to exchange ideas and collaborate about traffic safety in the area.

Wednesday, December 2, 7pm
Bruno’s On The Boulevard | 88-25 Astoria Blvd, Jackson Heights
FREE

Learn more, here.

18th Queens Tech Meetup/QTM 18

The 18th Queens Tech Meetup, QTM 18 features a special “Women in Queens Tech” theme. This December, we’re excited to host product demos by Nestie and Jewelbots, and an engaging keynote by Nicole Hamilton, founder and CEO of Tactile Finance. Come join us in this celebration of Queens Tech!

Wednesday, December 2, 6-9pm
C4Q Headquarters | 31-00 47th Avenue
$5

Learn more, here.

Tree Lighting at Bohemian Hall

Join us December 4th for our annual tree lighting! This family-friendly event includes cookies, hot chocolate, and holiday cheer!

Friday, December 4, 7pm
Bohemian Hall | 29-19 24th Avenue
FREE

Learn more, here.

Smoke On the Water: A smoky mezcal vs. whiskey cocktail showdown

Join industry legends and experts John Henry, founder of El Buho Mezcal and Robin Robinson, a private consultant to the American craft whiskey industry in an exploration of smoky booze. More explicitly El Buho Mezcal and smoky bourbons, blends, and single malts. This hands on class offers cocktail demonstrations and a history of these fine spirits. These dudes are super fun and we can’t wait to see what they have in store!

Friday, December 4, 7:30-9pm
SquareWine & Spirits | 24-20 Jackson Avenue
$22.76 ($2.24 Eventbrite Fee)

Learn more, here.

Toys and Moving Images

The UnCaged Toy Piano Festival comes to the Museum of the Moving Image! We will be in their state of the art Summer M. Redstone Theater featuring whimsical works with live toy piano performances and video/film. The show includes performances by legendary toy pianist, Margaret Leng Tan as well as Adam Tendler, Tristan McKay and Phyllis Chen. You will also see some rare toy instrument films by Puerto Rico-based puppet company, Y No Habia Luz and Poland-based ensemble, Małe Instrumenty. Also on this evening will the premiere of Phantom Fingerings, a toy piano installation for video and newly-punched player toy piano by Rob Dietz.

Friday, December 4, 7pm
Museum of the Moving Image | 36-01 35th Ave
$15 (purchase tickets here)

Learn more, here.

After-party at Uke Hut!

After our special event at the Museum of the Moving Image, stop by the first ukelele store in New York City, the Uke Hut! Our ‘after-party’ will feature Le Petit Pépinot, a spunky multi-lingual band using various toy instruments like ukelele, toy piano, melodica and more. They’re also known for making fresh vegetable jewelry for their shows. In the middle of winter, wouldn’t it be nice to see some fresh and pretty produce? Come hang with us before heading back to the train. Two shows in one night!

Friday, December 4, 9:30pm
Uke Hut | 36-01 36th Ave
$10 suggested donation

Family Art Workshop

Following the sold-out launch of our new series of Family Art Workshops, First Saturdays in the Loft, last weekend, we are excited to share details of the December 5 program on video and animation, led by artist Meriem Bennani. Participants will create short, playful animated videos using green-screen technology. Suitable for families with kids aged 7–12.

Saturday, December 5, 10am
Sculpture Center | 44-19 Purves St.
Materials fee: $10 per child. Each family should bring along an object or toy of their choice to use in their video and a smartphone. Pre-registration is required: click here to register.

Learn more, here.

Tree Lighting in Astoria Park

Join your fellow Astorians for an afternoon of family fun—train rides, toasting marshmallows, live music, and more!

Saturday, December 5, 1pm
Astoria Park
FREE

Learn more, here.

UnCaged Toy Piano Festival

Come out to our UnCaged Toy Piano Festival’s kid’s event with toy instrumentalists, ¡Acopladitos! This is a fun Spanish & English immersion singalong that is open to young children (under 4).

Saturday, December 5, 10:30-11:15am
Q.E.D. | 27-16 23rd Ave
$10

Learn more, here.

THIRDCUT: SingleCut’s Third Anniversary Party

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No, not Crimmus, our ANNIVERSARY! We’ve gone through so many changes this past year that we’re just itching to sit back and celebrate the fruits of our labor with you. Your ticket includes:

• Admission and 1 free pint.
• Live music: provided by BANDSAW (our fearless leader Rich’s band) and the SECRET SOMEONES (www.secretsomeones.com).
• A photobooth with your favorite Spokesfermenter: Rulpsen.
• Badass BBQ available from Astoria’s own, Butcher Bar.
• A first chance to taste of our anniversary exclusive: NIGEL Pride of Squatney Strong Ale, an 11% Barleywine that was aged for TWO years and then innoculated with multiple Brett wild yeast strains for a secondary fermentation. Only Anniversary guests will be able to purchase these bottles before anyone else.
• A guest tap, courtesy of: CIDER CREEK, Blood Orange Saison Cider, HEAVY BOOTS OF LEAD Imperial Stout, JEAN MICHEL Belgian Dark Lyric Lagrrr!, ERIC Aged in Elijah Craig Whiskey Barrels, ERIC Aged in RUM barrels will all be available to imbibe during the party!

Saturday, December 5, 8-11:30pm
SingleCut Beersmiths | 19-33 37th St
$16.82

Learn more, here.