What to Do in Astoria This Week: State of the District Address, Trivia, Bernie Benefit, 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 24-30—This week is pretty mellow compared to the recent holiday season, but our Jewish readers will be celebrating Tu B’Shevat on Sunday night. The holiday is a kind of new year for the trees; dried fruit and nuts are often eaten on this day. Read more about it here.

Queens: Mobsters, Murderers, and Serial Killers

When people think of Queens they think of cemeteries, the Mets and Archie Bunker. But little do they know its home to mobsters, murders and serial killers. Join us on Sunday, January 24th for a very special lecture from NYC Adventure Tour’s own Ike Ilkiw.

About your lecturer:
Ike was born on the Lower East Side of New York City in the early 1960′s…his family moved to Brooklyn in 1963, and he grew up in the Brooklyn Cypress Hills neighborhood. He worked at various jobs, but was appointed to the to the NYC Transit Police in 1982, and was promoted to the rank of Detective in 1986. It is from his experiences of growing up in New York City and being a NYC Police Detective that he decided to start the NYC Adventure Tours web site.

Ike is a licensed New York State Private Investigator, and has worked with every level of law enforcement, from the New York City to the Federal level, including FBI, and The DEA.

Ike has assisted in Television Show development and story ideas from “Amsterdam” (2007) and his first screen credit with “Pelham 123″ in 2009.

Check out Ike in a short online YouTube – Ghosts of Washington Square Park, and his IMDB Resume Page: Ike Ilkiw.

January 24, 3-4pm
Q.E.D. | 27-16 23rd Avenue
$10.00

Learn more, here.

State of the District Address

All are invited to join Costa Constantinides as I deliver my State of the District address and discuss our upcoming priorities. I’ll examine the successes of our neighborhood and my vision for our community. RSVP to Mike Corbett at mcorbett@council.nyc.gov

Monday, January 25, 7-8pm
PS 122 Elementary School | 21-21 Ditmars Blvd
FREE

Learn more, here.

Trivia Tuesdays

Join our host Danielle this Tuesday from @NYC Trivia League. Cash prizes plus 28 craft beers on tap, crazy selection of bourbon, cocktails, local wine on tap & tasty bites! Winners get up to $75 off their tab and 2nd place get $25 off their tab!! Taco Specials ALL Night! #TacoTuesday Play solo or bring/join a team!

Tuesday, January 26, 8pm
Alewife | 5-14 51st Avenue

Learn more, here.

Newtown Literary Journal Launch Reading

Newtown Literary Journal is celebrating the launch of our highly anticipated 7th issue by hosting a night filled with amazing prose and poetry. We’ve gathered an incredible lineup of readers that highlight the talent found in our hometown of Queens. You don’t want to miss out on such an inspirational night!

Thursday, January 28, 7-9pm
Astoria Bookshop | 31-29 31st Street
Free

Learn more, here.

Dating is Hard In NYC

Finding your perfect match is tough. It’s even tougher in NYC! So let comedian, Joe Welkie take some of that trouble off of your hands with his comedy game show that is similar to the classic, “Dating Game,” where 3 comedians will fight for the love of one lucky audience member. So, come on out and you could find the love of your life!

*Lineup:
Pete Mutino
Tyler Rothrock
Dwayne Murphy Jr.
Evan Williams

*Lineups subject to change.

Thursday, January 28, 9-10:30pm
Q.E.D. | 27-16 23rd Avenue
$ 5.00

Learn more, here.

Keeping Hillary Honest: A Benefit for Bernie Sanders

Special event. Passes, coupons, comps and discounts not applicable.
A benefit for current and eventual Hillary Clinton supporters to raise money for Bernie Sanders. The goal is to preserve the integrity of Hillary’s campaign by making sure she commits to important issues, such as income inequality.

Lineup: John Fugelsang (Sirius XM’s Tell Me Everything)
Bonnie McFarlane (Letterman and Co-host of ‘My Wife Hates Me’)
Frank Conniff (Mystery Science Theater 3000)
David Feldman (The Jack and Triumph Show)
Travon Free (The Daily Show)
Hosted by Liam McEneaney (Tell Your Friends! The Concert Film!)
Producer(s): David Feldman and Alex Brizel

*Lineups subject to change.

Friday, January 29, 7-9:30pm
Q.E.D. | 27-16 23rd Avenue
$15.00

Learn more, here.

Live Music Series – Hive

What started off as a Craigslist post titled “Looking to get weird…”, Luke Schwartz and Ben Kraus quickly connected over their love for jazz, affinity for groove, and all things strange and un-categorical. After playing with numerous drummers, Kyle McCarter’s soulful improvising became the final piece to what would become Hive. So it goes, born of eclectic influences that run the gamut from jazz, rock and funk to 20th century chamber music, Hive began creating material that reaches far into the depths of the sonic continuum. Primarily playing the compositions of guitarist Luke Schwartz, the trio’s live repertoire also includes original interpretations of jazz standards, uniquely arranged pop music of various eras, and unpredictable improvisatory experiments.

Members of Hive have played extensively in New York and the states, and have appeared internationally in Germany, France and the Netherlands.

Hive Is: Luke Schwartz – Guitar
Ben Kraus – Bass
Kyle McCarter – Drums

Friday, January 29, 9-11:30pm
The Queens Kickshaw | 40-17 Broadway
No cover

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 30, 9-10am
Astoria Park Track in Astoria Park
(Meet in Astoria Park, between running track and comfort station)

Learn more, here.

A Night in Rhone: Wine Tasting Dinner

Calling all food and wine lovers! It’s an evening of tasting and drinking fun with our friends at R’A’R Bar. Join them Saturday, January 30th for their second wine tasting dinner, featuring and showing off wines from the Rhone region of France. The event will be hosted by a wine connoisseur who will provide information about French bottle labels, picking the best vintages, and great tips to picking out the best values in Rhone wines.

Saturday, January 30, 7-9 pm
Rest-au-rant |30-01 35th Avenue

Learn more, here.

Late Night With Andy Mac

Andy Mac writes pop songs for people who don’t think they like pop music. Although the hooks and harmonies are pleasurably addictive, the lyrical focus skews darker, speaking to an earnest melancholy familiar to fans of artists such as The Swell Season, Ray Lamontagne, and David Gray.

Saturday, January 30, 11pm-2am
The Astor Room | 35-11 35th Avenue

Learn more, here.