What to Do in Astoria This Week: Eyes on the Prize, Beer Snobbery, The Diversity of Romance, 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

JANUARY 17-23—This week brings us Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 18.
He was actually born on January 15, but we recognize him on the 18th.
MLK Day became a national holiday by an act of Congress in 1983.

From Horsecars to Helicopters: A History of NYC Transit

By some estimates, for every New Yorker you see walking around on the streets, there’s one New Yorker underground, riding the train. That’s right – 1/2 of New York’s population is on some form of public transportation at any given moment. This miraculous statistic means that the city we know truly couldn’t exist without its subways, buses, and taxis, but how did all this heavy, stinky, old fashioned infrastructure get built?

This class covers NYC transportation from the early days, when the best you could hope for was a mud-spattered omnibus ride, through the first steam-powered elevated railroads, all the way up to the Pan Am building helicopter shuttle. It also touches on the many ambitious, zany, quixotic efforts to get us from Point A to Point B. Have you ever been sucked through a tunnel?

Sunday, January 17, 3:30-5pm
Q.E.D. | 27-16 23rd Avenue
$10.00

Learn more, here.

Opening of Devotion/Destruction: Craft Inheritance

On view through March 27, this exhibit features artwork created as a result of formal investigations into the materials and methods historically affiliated with craft. Including glass, wood, clay, paper, yarn, cloth, thread, metal, and mirror, the works transcend the form and function of their craft pedigree through a devotion to, and destruction of, inherited techniques.

Sunday, January 17, 2-5pm
Dorsky Gallery | 11-03 5th Avenue
FREE

Learn more, here.

MLK Pre-Party

Coming to NY for the last day of their tour Jack Romanov performs at shillelagh tavern with sweet sounds all the way from Boston.

Special guests: New Age Voodoo, Doziac

Sunday, January 17, 5pm
The Shillelagh Tavern | 47-22 30th Avenue
No cover

Learn more, here.

Eyes on the Prize: Bridge to Freedom

Dirs. Callie Crossley, James DeVinney. 1987, 57 mins. Narrated by Julian Bond. Henry Hampton’s masterful series Eyes on the Prize is the most compelling and comprehensive documentary about the 1960s Civil Rights movement. This key episode offers an inside view of the march from Selma led by Martin Luther King, Jr. that was dramatized in Ava DuVernay’s 2014 film.

Monday, January 18, 1pm
Museum of the Moving Image | 36-01 35th Avenue
Free admission. Tickets will be given out on the day of the screening on a first-come, first-served basis. Members (Film Lover level and above) may reserve tickets by emailing reservations@movingimage.us.

Learn more, here.

Selma

Dir. Ava DuVernay. 2014, 123 mins. DCP. With David Oyelowo, Tom Wilkinson, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Carmen Ojogo. In this stirring and intimate drama that is destined to stand the test of time, director Ava DuVernay moves effortlessly between intimate drama and historical epic to dramatize Martin Luther King, Jr.’s leadership of the marches from Selma to Montgomery and the crescendo of the civil rights movement. At the center of the film is a powerful and complex performance by David Oyelowo as King.

Monday, January 18, 3pm
Museum of the Moving Image | 36-01 35th Avenue
Tickets: $12 ($9 for senior citizens and students / free for members at the Film Lover level and above). Order tickets online. (Members may contact members@movingimage.us with any questions regarding online reservations.)

Learn more, here.

The Diversity of Romance

“Queens Library Presents… The Diversity of Romance.” Meet authors who will talk about why everyone loves “love,” and about romantic fiction that comes in all races, sexual orientations and heat levels, from chaste to spicy. This is a hot ticket, reserve now!

Meet Ursula Renee, author of multicultural romances such as “A Bookie’s Odds.” We’ll welcome LaQuette, whose books such as “Divided Heart,” turn the heat level to sizzling. Hear Kate McMurray, author of gay romantic fiction like “Such A Dance.” Jean C. Joachim will round out the program. She authors the First and Ten series of football-themed romance, such as “Griff Montgomery, Quarterback.”

Feel free to continue the conversation over drinks and/or excellent dining options, before or after. (Food and beverage costs are not included in the ticket price.) What a great way to warm up a January evening!

Tuesday, January 19, 6:30pm
Manducatis Rustica | 46-35 Vernon Boulevard
$10

Learn more, here.

Epic Clearance Sale

It’s back! Our semi-annual clearance sale is here again. Save 50-75% off hundreds of items including greeting cards, store fixtures, clothing, baby gifts/toys, candles, gifts, and home decor.

Save on items at Lockwood, Lockwood Style, and Lockwood Jackson Heights!

Thursday, January 21 – Friday January 29, 11am-8pm
Lockwood | 32-15 33rd Street

Learn more, here.

Shabbat Dinner

You might not be able to tell from their names, but Tovah Silbermann and Eitan Levine are Jewish-very Jewish, and they want to tell you all about it. Join Eitan, Tovah and their comedy friends as they share true stories, comedy and just a little bit of Jewish guilt. This month’s shabbat guests include*:

Marcia Belsky, Myq Kaplan (America’s Got Talent, Letterman, Conan), Benjy Susswein, Dana Friedman

*Lineups subject to change.

Thursday, January 21, 7:30-9pm
Q.E.D. | 27-16 23rd Avenue
$6 in advance / $8 day of show

Learn more, here.

Live Music Series – Cait & the Critters

Our wonderful barista-songstress Caitlin Allen will be performing with her jazz band, Cait and the Critters. Check out their lovely vibe – http://caitandthecritters.com/music/

Friday, January 22, 9-11:30pm
The Queens Kickshaw | 40-17 Broadway

Learn more, here.

New York Road Runners Open Run: Run for Life – Astoria Park

Open Run is a new community-based initiative that launched in St. Mary’s Park in the Bronx on National Running Day, June 3, 2015. Through this initiative, New York Road Runners is empowering local volunteers to bring free weekly runs to local neighborhood parks all over NYC.

All runs are directed by volunteers and are free to all participants. The finish line is open until the last person is done. The courses vary based on park, but they are between 2.5-3 miles. Participants are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes before the start of the run and to leave their valuables at home – bag check is not provided. No need to do anything before the run, just show up. Open to all ages, experience levels, walkers, strollers, dogs: All are welcome!

This program is in coordination with NYC Parks’ Community Parks Initiative.

Saturday, January 23, 9-10am
Astoria Park Track in Astoria Park
(Meet in Astoria Park, between running track and comfort station)

Learn more, here.

Beer Snobbery 101

Want to learn how to go from beer slob to beer snob? Beer Snobbery 101 is a unique class taught by beer expert and comedian Mike Pomranz that mixes genuine beer education with a humorous look at how to fit in among America’s growing clique of craft beer snobs. From learning basic knowledge like the difference between lagers and ales, to more complicated techniques like how to justify questioning all of your friends’ beer choices, it won’t be long until you’re hearing compliments like “Wow, when did you become such an asshole?”

(Warning: This class will include alcohol consumption but requires you to pretend like you’re only enjoying it for intellectual reasons.)

Saturday, January 23, 5-6:30pm
Q.E.D. | 27-16 23rd Avenue
$35.00

Learn more, here.

UI: The Blues Brothers – A Benefit to Save the Chain

The Chain Theatre is closing in February, and CUI is throwing a benefit party January 23 with a little help from Jake and Elwood J. Blues.

We’ll be kicking things off at 7 pm with a cocktail hour featuring cold brews from Rockaway Brewing Co. and only the freshest beats from DJ brian_constant.

At 8 pm, we’ll have a raffle of awesome stuff from local businesses like The Astoria Bookshop, New Yuck City, Queen of Astoria, Royal Collectibles, and others.

Immediately after, prepare to laugh your fucking ass off with a reel (edited by CUI pal Gavin Mevius) featuring our favorite Saturday Night Live characters who headlined their own movies, including the Coneheads, Wayne & Garth, the Ladies’ Man, and more.

And then we’re getting the band back together for a screening of THE BLUES BROTHERS (1980, Dir. John Landis.) In a meta twist on events, watch Jake and Elwood put on a show to help save their orphanage while we put on a show to help save the Chain. Dance in the aisles if you want. We get it. We won’t stop you.

Tickets are $15 and include the films, raffle, and beer; 100% of the proceeds will support the Chain in finding a new home. As always, advance purchase of a ticket gets you two chances in the raffle. If you can’t make it to the screening but are down to support the cause, you can contribute to The Chain directly via their Indiegogo campaign: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/save-the-chain-theatre-a-new-place-to-call-home

Help save the Chain and enjoy some quality films and beer at the same time. What’s better than that?

Saturday, January 23, 7pm
Chain Theatre | 21-28 45th Rd
$16.82 (ticket link)

Learn more, here.

The Secret Theatre’s Rent Party

The Secret Theatre is throwing a party to help raise necessary funds to ensure our future. We have beer from LaGunitas, Secret Cocktails and classy wines from Blue Streak with food provided by FoodCellar and lots of great entertainment including live music with Lauren Elder, Richard Mazda with a performance by Scott Von and A Chorus Line – more entertainment to be added.. Open Bar is serving the Trashcan Cocktail of The Month!
50-50 Raffle +

So Free Booze, Free Food, Free Entertainment? Whaddya waiting for Chrissymas? that was two weeks ago!!

Saturday, January 23, 6-11pm
The Secret Theatre | 44-02 23rd Street
$40 general, $10 child (more ticket options here)

Learn more, here.

Opening Reception for The Eccentrics, Rochelle Goldberg: The Plastic Thirsty, and Now Showing: Jessi Reaves

SculptureCenter is pleased to announce the opening of three exhibitions:

The Eccentrics, a group show and performance program featuring Sanya Kantarovsky, Adriana Lara, Ieva Misevičiūtė, Eduardo Navarro, Jeanine Oleson, Georgia Sagri, Zhou Tao, and Tori Wrånes. More information at bit.ly/1TF6EWP

Rochelle Goldberg: The Plastic Thirsty, the artist’s first solo institutional exhibition. More information at bit.ly/1Rt6um2

Now Showing: Jessi Reaves, the latest in a series of programs that highlights a single artwork or project in areas throughout SculptureCenter’s building. More information at bit.ly/1S4Kj7o

Opening reception supported by Stella Artois.

Saturday, January 23, 6-8pm
SculptureCenter | 44-19 Purves Street
Free with museum admission

Learn more, here.

The Fifth Annual Astoria School Symposium

The Fifth Annual Astoria School Symposium is an opportunity for schools and parents to share information about the educational choices available to Astoria children. The symposium will consist of two components: a fair and a forum. The fair will be ongoing from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. School representatives will be staffing booths and answering questions from families about their school.

At the forum, parents who have undergone the admission process will review with families the procedures for Astoria nurseries, preschools (including UPK), and kindergarten. There will also be forums on special topics, including gifted and talented and the private elementary school process.

Saturday, January 23, 9am-1pm
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Gymnasium | 23-25 Newtown Avenue, Astoria
Admission is free but registration is required at www.NYSchool.org