What to Do in Astoria This Week: Happy Thanksgiving, Movies, Live Music, 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 22 to 28—HAPPY THANKSGIVING! We hope you have a wonderful holiday with your friends and/or family.

Now—Friday is either Black Friday or Buy Nothing Day, depending on your persuasion; but Saturday is Small Business Saturday and there are some great small businesses at which to holiday shop.
And did you know that November 24 is the anniversary of the publishing of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species? Yes, we’ve got all the important info here.

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.

Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas

Dir. Jim Henson. 1978, 60 mins. (plus additional clips). Digital projection. One of Jim Henson’s most beloved television specials tells the story of Ma Otter and her son Emmet, who both secretly enter a talent contest to win money for each other’s Christmas presents. This presentation includes the scenes featuring Kermit the Frog as narrator. As an added bonus, Jim Henson Legacy President Craig Shemin, producer of the award-winning documentary Behind the Scenes in Frogtown Hollow, will present outtakes from the special and excerpts from the documentary. (Part of Jim Henson’s World)
Recommended for ages 8+ (or ages 5+ for just the film)

Sunday, November 22, 1pm
MOMI | 36-01 35 Ave
$12 ($9 for senior citizens and students / free for members at the Film Lover level and above)

Learn more, here.

The Crow’s Egg

Dir. M. Manikandan. 2014. 99 min. DCP. In Tamil with English subtitles. With Vignesh Ramesh, Iyshwarya Rajesh. Writer, director, and cinematographer M. Manikandan’s breakout debut feature is an indelible portrait of urban life in southern India. When a pizza parlor opens on the site of their old playground in Chennai, carefree and spirited slum kids Big Crow’s Egg and Little Crow’s Egg develop a newfound obsession to taste their first pie, and embark on a money-making adventure that draws in the entire city. (Part of India’s New Wave)
Recommended for ages 8+ (reading of subtitles required unless viewer understands Tamil)

Sunday, November 22, 2pm and 5pm
MOMI | 36-01 35 Ave
$12 ($9 for senior citizens and students / free for members at the Film Lover level and above)

Learn more, here.

Special Reception for Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer

Join us for a special reception in Long Island City to celebrate and support New York City Council Majority Leader and Cultural Affairs and Libraries Chair, Jimmy Van Bramer.

Monday, November 23, 6:30-8:30pm
Manducatis Rustica | 46-35 Vernon Blvd
$50-$500+

Learn more, here.

New Release Day with Christian Finnegan

Groundbreaking, paradigm-shifting artistry doesn’t appear out of thin air, folks. Join host Christian Finnegan (“Are We There Yet?”, “Chappelle’s Show” & “Best Week Ever”) as he invites a few big time pros to try out new material before it’s unleashed on the general public.

This month features: Bonnie McFarlane (My Wife Hates Me); Charlie Pickering (The Project); Ted Alexandro (Teacher’s Lounge); Aaron Berg (24 Hour Rental)

Monday, November 23, 8:30pm
Q.E.D. | 27-16 23rd Ave
$6

Learn more, here.

Concert for Bernie

Queens For Bernie presents a variety concert featuring local artists to benefit the Bernie Sanders 2016 campaign. Artists performing: Big Baby Ghandi (Queens Hip Hop); Jessica Watkins and Robert Dean (Comedy); Greg Baldwin (Queens Singer Songwriter). Any questions or concerns please email sam@peopleforbernie.com.

Friday, November 27
Q.E.D. | 27-16 23rd Ave
$13 – TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT ARE SOLD ON EVENTBRITE (BUY TICKETS HERE) OR CASH ONLY AT THE DOOR. No coupons or passes allowed.

Learn more, here.

Live Music Series – Shannon Söderlund

Shannon is a Pacific Northwest Minister’s daughter transplanted to New York City (Astoria, specifically). Both her songwriting and performance aesthetic reveal the playful and soulful duality between her wholesome upbringing singing in her family’s band and the visceral, urban energy that comes from the NYC experience. Pop-forward hooks are layered with feel-good bluesy grooves and complex jazz texture. With a voice that harkens to the golden age of the crooner, Shannon sings about life: love and loss, pets and workweeks. Listen here.

Friday, November 27
The Queens Kickshaw | 40-17 Broadway
Free

Learn more, here.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Brunch Special

Come Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving we will be sharing with you our love of the leftover recipes! Join us for a special Brunch featuring some delicious dishes and a free cocktail with every entree!

Menu will feature specials such as:

• stuffing hashbrowns with pan fried sweet potato and two poached eggs with a side salad of fresh greens
• skillet cornbread with shredded slow roasted turkey, aged cheddar, brussel sprouts and baked egg served with gravy and a side salad of fresh greens
• Castagnaccio – a deliciously rich Italian Chestnut Cake

Also to encourage you to support your neighborhood and local small business owners we will give a 10% discount on Small Business Saturday to anyone with a shopping reciet from Lockwood, The Brass Owl, LoveDay 31, The Astoria Bookshop and the Uke Hut.

Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28, 11am
Rest-Au-Rant | 30-01 35th Ave

Learn more, here.

Flamenco Night

Saturday of Thanksgiving Weekend!! It’s FLAMENCO TIME once more at Claret. Also known as “Our Favorite Night Out!” and a great way to get rid of those extra Thanksgiving Dinner lbs! Escape the leftovers and the relatives and come see our resident Flamenco Band – the fabulous Cintron Brothers (check them out here) perform AWESOME FLAMENCO! Right on Skillman Avenue in the heart of Sunnyside. Choose from our extensive Wine Menu, Craft Beers or try one of our signature cocktails. Kitchen is open ’til 1am on Fridays & Saturdays.

Saturday, November 28, 9pm
Claret Wine Bar | 46-02 Skillman Ave
Free

Learn more, here.

Shop Small with Us

Give a gift from the heart of your neighborhood this holiday season and skip the crazy lines and big stores on black Friday. Shop Small at The Little Soap Shop and Nellie Pie Kids Boutique on Small Business Saturday and enjoy 15% off your purchase! We are giving away totes with all purchases of $75 or more. Soap samples and chocolates for all customers.

Shop from our organic bath and body products, handmade jewelry, handmade accessories, gifts for the home, ready made gift sets and gift boxes, children’s clothing, accessories and toys.

Saturday, November 28, 10am-7pm
The Little Soap Shop | 22-07 36th St.

Learn more, here.

New York Road Runners Open Run: Run for Life

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, November 28, 8-9am
Astoria Park Track
Free

Learn more, here.