What to Do in Astoria This Week: Puppy Bowl, Mardi Gras, Galentine’s Day, 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

FEBRUARY 7-13—This week brings us two major celebrations—Lunar New Year (AKA “Chinese New Year” or CNY) on Monday, and the precursor to the Lenten season with Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday/Shrove Tuesday/Carnival Tuesday. Lent actually starts the next day, on Ash Wednesday. And then there’s Superbowl Sunday to start the week.

Asian Jewish Brunch (Chinese New Year)

Chinese New Year is the perfect excuse to bring back our Asian Jewish Brunch for one day.

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

We’ll be serving the dishes a la carte. Also, we’ll be closed for dinner (super bowl schmuper bowl).

See you then!

Sunday, February 7, 9am-5pm
The Queens Kickshaw | 40-17 Broadway

Learn more, here.

Super Puppy Bowl Watch Party

Puppy Bowl in the front! Super Bowl party in the back! Pizza, chicken wings, prizes and beer specials all night long! Derek Humphrey will host games and chances for prizes throughout the night.

Sunday, February 7, 6pm
Q.E.D. | 27-16 23rd Avenue

Learn more, here.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Meet and Greet

Join Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC’s Astoria Meet & Greet after work for complimentary hors d’oeuvres, happy hour, and to talk about the power of mentoring!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC is the nation’s founding and the city’s largest mentoring organization connecting over 4,000 children and youth annually to caring adults that change their lives for the better, forever. This is a great opportunity to eat, drink, and learn about how to get involved! Please RSVP to Mayela, mcalderon@bigsnyc.org. Full disclosure: We Heart Astoria is a media sponsor for this event.

*Happy hour includes $5 wine/ beer and special $3 Queens Lager!

Monday, February 8, 6-8pm
Q.E.D. | 27-16 23rd Avenue
Free. Additionally, if you attend this meet & greet, you’ll get complimentary admission to the Myq Kaplan show at 8:30pm that evening. Spacing is limited, first come first served.

Learn more, here.

Fat Tuesday 2016

Long Island City Local legends Martin Kelley & Affiniey will be playing NOLA style jazz from 7-10pm and Chef Greg will be preparing some Cajun Specials for the night.

Tuesday, February 9, 7-10pm
Alobar | 46-42 Vernon Blvd
No cover charge.

Learn more, here.

February Meeting with Guest Speaker BP Ruben Diaz, Jr.

Join the Powhatan Democratic Club for our next meeting featuring guest speaker Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. He will discuss policy and community issues. We will also hear updates from our District Leaders Costa Constantinides and AnneMarie Anzalone. All are welcome!

Tuesday, February 9, 7pm
Bohemian Hall (enter upstairs) | 29-19 24th Avenue
Free

Learn more, here.

Queens Library Presents… Meet Cecily Wong

Author Cecily Wong will read from and discuss her novel, “Diamond Head.” It is a sweeping debut, crossing from China to Hawaii, that follows three generations of a wealthy dynasty whose rise and decline is riddled with secrets and tragic love. Publisher’s Weekly calls it, ““A sweeping family saga in the tradition of Amy Tan. . . .Wong perceptively captures her cast of characters and their setting.”

“Queens Library presents…” is a series of literary salons and other community-based events designed to bring Queens Library programs out into Queens communities.

Wednesday, February 10, 6:30pm
Manducatis Rustica | 46-35 Vernon Boulevard
$10 (ticketing link)
Ticket includes admission to the program. A cash bar is available. Enjoy dinner or dessert at additional cost.

Learn more, here.

Galentine’s Day!

Join is for a celebration of Galentine’s Day! Pop up shop by Shiny Mix at Lockwood Style. Bubbly and treats while you shop at both shops. Photo booth at Lockwood for all your Instagram needs. Double Lockwood Loyalty points + 15% off anything in-stock while you shop.

Friday, February 12, 5-8pm
Lockwood | 32-15 33rd Street
No cover charge.

Learn more, here.

Realistic Wine Pairings

People love talking about food and wine pairings, but how often are you really searching for the perfect wine at a fancy restaurant? More likely, you just want a glass of vino to go with whatever crap you’re shoveling in your face. What about wine pairings for those everyday situations?

Realistic Wine Pairings is a class taught by food and beverage writer Michael Pomranz developed out of a conversation with renowned winemaker Charles Smith.

Utilizing both Smith’s expertise and his own experience, Pomranz will provide down-to-Earth but informed advice on how to pair wines with everyday foods like leftover Chinese, Oreo cookies and microwave mac & cheese. The answers range from practical to enlightening to humorous — some may even surprise you.

We hope you’ll leave the class having learned something about both wine and wine pairings. But at the very least, you’re guaranteed to drink wine and eat crap. What’s wrong with that?

Food and Wine Included!

Saturday, February 13, 5-6:30pm
Q.E.D. | 27-16 23rd Avenue
$40

Learn more, here.

Jameson’s Revenge in Concert

We are delighted to welcome back to the Center one of New York’s finest Celtic music bands. Not afraid to break the traditional mold, Jameson’s Revenge are best enjoyed live where their feverish energy and enthusiasm for the music will have you tapping your feet and itchin’ to dance. The New York Irish Center is an intimate, warm and inviting venue for live music. Lots of local street parking after 7pm.

Saturday, February 13, 7:30pm
New York Irish Center | 10-40 Jackson Avenue
$22

Learn more, here.