Its In Queens - June 12 to the 18th

Queens challenges Brooklyn to a jazz jam this weekend, and Chubby Checker, whose hit song “The Twist” is now 50 years old, performs in borough. Other fun options include science exploration, a beach party, experimental dance and a flea market where pets can be adopted. Plus, the Astoria outdoor movie festival kicks off. Here’s the rundown:

June 13, Queens & Brooklyn Jazz Party, 8 pm. The Queens Jazz Overground invites the Brooklyn Jazz Underground to a musical jam. Each group will play a set, followed by a third set of inter-borough collaboration. $15. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., www.flushingtownhall.org.Celebrate over 50 years of the hit song “The Twist” with a special performance by the original twister himself, Chubby Checker. $20-$50. Resorts World Casino New York City, 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., Jamaica, www.rwnewyork.com.

June 14, Voice, Jazz, Vespers, 5 pm. Singer Cassandra Hawkins and the Church-in-the-Gardens Jazz Band offer a unique blend of music and a traditional evening vespers service. The Church-in-the-Gardens, 50 Ascan Ave., Forest Hills, www.fhchoir.org

June 14, Kew Gardens Summer Flea Market, 8 am to 5 pm. Expect more than 30 vendors selling books, albums, household items, antiques, clothing, collectables, pottery and much more. The Heavenly Angels Animal Rescue will offer dogs and cats for adoption from 1 pm to 5 pm. All vendor fees benefit the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Pediatric Department. Free. LIRR North Parking Lot, 82-60 Austin St., Kew Gardens

June 14, Local Summer Kickoff Party, 7 pm to late. Stop by for DJ, drinks, food, raffles and more. Free. 302 Beach 87th St., Rockaway Beach, www.therockawaysny.com/locals-summer-kickoff-party

June 14, Sunnyside Flag Day, 11 am. The 45th annual event enjoys the support of elected officials, churches, schools, neighborhood groups, local shops and businesses. Formation at Greenpoint Avenue and 41st Street with step off along Greenpoint Avenue to 48th Street. Celebration at noon inside Sabba Park at the Veterans Monument, www.sunnysideparade.com.

June 15, Science and the Fairs, runs through Oct. 16. Science was a critical topic at the two World’s Fairs in Queens. A mixture of science, technology, education and entertainment were presented in the context of economic depression and imminent war (1939) and economic prosperity and the threat of nuclear war (1964). This exhibition is a collaboration between The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey and the Queens Historical Society. Free with admission. New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, www.nysci.org.

June 15, Quintet of the Americas, 2:30 pm. The Music in the Garden series presents a famous local quintet playing a selection of music celebrating garden colors. Free with admission. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 St., Flushing, www.queensbotanical.org

June 16, Bully, 8 pm. This documentary on bullying kicks off the 2014 Movies on the Waterfront series. Free. Astoria Park Great Lawn, Shore Boulevard between the Hell Gate Bridge and Astoria Pool, www.centralastoria.org

June 17, LIC Summit - LIC is a true city within the City – a mixed use neighborhood unlike any other. The subject of many efforts over the years, it is now experiencing a period of rapid and not always intended change. In LIC, commercial, residential, cultural, and industrial, tech and manufacturing all come together in an area perfectly located to both serve and anchor the region.Join local and citywide elected officials, business and civic leaders to discuss the changing landscape of Long Island City, 

and its impact on Television & Film, Services & Amenities, Commercial & Industrial Real Estate, LIC as a Tech District, Residential Real Estate, and Arts & Culture.

Museum of the Moving Image LIC Partnership

June 18, Morgan Thorson: YOU, 8 pm (runs through June 21). YOU, a new ensemble dance work created by Minneapolis-based choreographer Morgan Thorson, explores the nature of togetherness found within a dance ensemble. It draws upon the ensemble’s shared experiences – the private things they learn about each other as well as the tricks they practice so they can move together. $15. The Chocolate Factory, 5-49 49th Ave., LIC, www.chocolatefactorytheater.org.

The “It’s In Queens” column is produced by the Queens Tourism Council with the hope that readers will enjoy the borough’s wonderful attractions. More info at www.itsinqueens.com

ITS IN QUEENS - From the Queens Tourism Council

It’s In Queens! (Nov. 21 to Nov. 27)

Live music, improvisational theater, politicians making fun of themselves and the season’s first holiday tree lighting are among upcoming activities. Here’s the rundown:

Nov. 22, The Hendrik Meurkens Samba Jazz Quartet, 8 pm. Harmonica and Vibraharp virtuoso Hendrik Meurkens and his jazz quartet play Brazilian jazz by such great composers as Djavan, Gal Costa and Lenny Andrade. $15. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing,
Read about them here
Purchase Tickets Here

Nov. 22, 3rd Space, 7 pm. 3rd Space is a spot where the artistic and cultural communities come together to talk shop, attend workshops, network and share works. The next 3rd Space features a presentation of Neural: Cleave, a work in progress by Queens-based sound artist Michelle Jaffé. A conversation with Jaffé, performance artist Marta Jovanovic and the public will follow. $5. Queens Council on the Arts, 37-11 35th Ave., Astoria
Read About it Here
Get tickets here

Nov. 22, The Conformist, 7 pm. The Museum of the Moving Image’s ongoing series See It Big! presents classic and contemporary films on the big screen. In The Conformist, every scene boasts eye-popping camera movement, angles, colors, and lighting. The plot is about an assassin who is desperate to join the Fascist party as it is rising to power, and who is hired to kill a former teacher. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria
Museum of the Moving Image Website

Nov. 23, Legislative Acts, 7 pm. Borough politicians perform a musical comedy to benefit two Queens College initiatives: Big Buddy, which pairs homeless children with college-student mentors; and Women and Work, which prepares victims of domestic violence, single mothers, immigrants, displaced homemakers, and downsized workers to secure sustainable employment. $100. Queens College, LeFrak Concert Hall, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing
Kupferberg Center's Website

Nov. 23, Book Extravaganza Fundraiser, 10 am to 4 pm. Peruse a large selection of new and used books and Astoria, Long Island City and Sunnyside t-shirts. Free. Greater Astoria Historical Society, 35-20 Broadway, Astoria
Greater Astoria Historical Society's Website

Nov. 23, Scientifically Speaking, 1 pm. Ever wonder what makes a popcorn kernel pop? Join some hands-on experiments and get a brief history of popcorn. $24. Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston
Alley Pond Park's Website

Nov. 23, Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, 5 pm. A live DJ, stilt walkers, carolers, giveaways and Santa Claus arrives around 5:50 pm. Free. The Shops at Atlas Park, 80-00 Cooper Ave., Glendale
The Shops At Atlas Park's Website

Nov. 23, Astoria, 11 am. Official Queens historian Jack Eichenbaum leads a walk through this demographically changing neighborhood. Italians and Greeks are being replaced by Arabs, Bosnians, Brazilians, Mexicans and yuppies. The walk goes through Astoria’s important transportation arteries: Steinway Street (a former trolley route), 31st Street (under the elevated train), the Grand Central Parkway which bisected the neighborhood 70 years ago, and 30th Avenue.
Register at www.mas.org/tours


Nov. 23 & 24, FIDMarseille Carte Blanche: A Weekend with Programmer Jean-Pierre Rehm, times vary. The Museum of the Moving Image presents more than a dozen films from established stars of world cinema such as Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Tsai Ming-liang, as well as emerging talents Mati Diop, Marie Voignier and Salomé Lamas. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria
Museum of the Moving Image Website


Nov. 24, The Little Engine That Could, 1 pm and 3 pm. Adapted from the famous children’s book, this musical follows The Little Blue Engine, who dreams of pulling the Piney Vale Express just like her best friend Rusty. Little Blue seems too small to make it up the big hill, but when the train’s fate suddenly depends on her, she finds out how much she can accomplish with a little self-confidence. $14. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows-Corona Park,
Queens Theatre in the Park's Website

Nov. 24, Broadway’s Next H!t Musical!, 3 pm. In this fully improvised musical comedy, every lyric, melody and “jazz hand” choreography is made up on the spot to create a show that is spot-on, energetic and absolutely hilarious. $25. Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside,
QPAC's Website

Nov. 24, Book Talk, Signing, 2:30 pm. Sabrina Jones, who has illustrated many graphic novels about history and contemporary social justice issues, discusses her new book, Social Justice According to the Gospels. Free, but RSVP to 718.939.0647 as seating is limited. Kingsland Homestead, 143-35 37th Ave., Flushing
Queens Historical Society's Website


Nov. 26, Classical Music Concert, 11 am. The Tuesday Morning Music Club of Douglaston presents a program with live piano, guitar and voice, followed by a sandwich lunch and dessert. Douglaston Community Church, 39-15, Douglaston Pkwy., Douglaston, 516-466-4034.

The “It’s In Queens” column is produced by the Queens Tourism Council with the hope that readers will enjoy the borough’s wonderful attractions.
More info at QEDC's Website