15 minute read
It’s in Queens: Dog Days of Summer
IT’S IN QUEENS
By Rob MacKay, Director Public Relations, Marketing & Tourism, Queens Economic Development Corporation
Named after Roman general Julius Caesar, July is the seventh month of the year.
On average, it’s the hottest one in this hemisphere and when the “Dog Days of Summer” hit hard. Just like all the other months, it’s a great time to be in Queens, which hosts tremendous outdoor fun, such as movie nights, free concerts, festivals, and nature-appreciation events.
Indoor options include art exhibitions, community theater, and a zombie apocalypse..
Kiss Me, Kate July 9 - July 24
Maggie’s Little Theatre presents this 1948 Cole Porter musical that was basically a forerunner of the rom-coms. Performances are July 9, 16, and 23 at 8 pm; July 15 at 8 pm; and July 10, 17, and 24 at 2:30 pm.
St. Margaret Parish Hall, 66-05 79th Pl., Middle Village..
King Manor Museum, 150-03 Jamaica Ave..
Live at the Gantries July 12 - Aug. 9
Kupferberg Center for the Arts presents weekly concerts in the Great Outdoors. All shows start at 7 pm.
On July 12, Brass Queens, an eight-piece female brass band; July 19, Mariachi Real de Mexico, one of NYC’s foremost ambassadors of Mariachi music; July 26, Zikrayat, an ensemble dedicated to the classical music and dance traditions of the Arab world; Aug. 2, Slavic Soul Party, which consists of nine musicians who pump out a strong Balkan bass sound; and Aug. 9, Gerardo Contino, who leads several high-energy Cuban, Salsa, and Big Band groups.
Gantry Plaza State Park, 4-09 47th Rd., Long Island City.
Satisfaction July 14 @ 7 p.m.
The International Rolling Stones Show performs for free. The cast offers a colorful, energetic, and authentic show reminiscent of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and the other members (Rain date: July 18, 7 pm).
Juniper Valley Park, vicinity of Juniper Boulevard South and 80th Street, Middle Village.
Bang on a Can July 17 @ 4 p.m.
Now in its twelfth year, this popular series presents live music and dance once a month. On July 17, eddy kwon + Iva Casian Lakos interpret works by Joan La Barbara.
The Noguchi Museum, 9-01 33rd Rd., Long Island City.
Kombilesa Mi July 23 @ 2 p.m.
Based on the musical heritage of Colombia’s San Basilio de Palenque (the first free Black town in the Americas), the group Kombilesa Mí fuses traditional African sounds with urban pop.
Members rap in Spanish and Palenquero, a fusion of Bantu, Portuguese, French and English.
Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd.
Forest Bathing Walk July 23 @ 10:30 a.m.
Certified guide Linda Lombardo leads a meditative forest walk as per the Japanese Shinrin-Yoku bathing tradition.
The goal is to inspire mindful connections with the natural elements of the woods for a range of healthful benefits.
Alley Pond Environmental Center, 224-65 76th Ave., Oakland Gardens.
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Races July 30 - July 31
The oldest and largest dragon boat festival in the United States returns with more than 100 teams in several categories. The on-shore fun includes martial arts demonstrations, music, crafts, giveaways, and the traditional dragon dance (naturally).
Meadow Lake, Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
WINC x King Manor Comic Book Festival July 9 @ 12 p.m.
The Women in Comics Collective hosts a comic book festival with a light saber demonstration, workshops, music, vendors, and a live model drawing session.
Check ou the oldest and largest dragon boat race festival from July 30 - July 31
Celebrate the annual Mexican festival Guelaguetza at Socrates Sculpture Park on July 31 at 2 p.m.
Grace Jamaica Jerk Festival July 31 @ 10 a.m.
A celebration of a West Indian culinary delight along with major West Indian pop acts, dancers, vendors, giveaways, children’s games, and family fun.
Roy Wilkins Park, vicinity of 177th Street and Baisley Boulevard, Jamaica.
Guelaguetza July 31 @ 2 p.m.
Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Nueva York celebrates this annual Mexican festival, which features the Dance of the Pineapple.
Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City.
Living with The Walking Dead Open through Jan. 1, 2023
The AMC series “The Walking Dead” depicts survivors in a postapocalyptic world plagued by flesh-eating zombies.
This exhibition includes production material such as costumes, props, concept art, storyboards, scripts, and prosthetic makeup.
Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District.
Life Between Buildings Open through Jan. 16, 2023
This show mixes drawings, photographs, sculptures, multimedia works, and performances by 14 artists and collectives.
Their pieces examine a phenomenon that began in the 1970s, when artists started working with community residents to rethink the cityscape.
Their products incorporate such issues as gardening, property rights, gentrification, access to public space, environmental concerns, and community engagement.
MoMA PS1, 22-25 Jackson Ave., Long Island City.
For more information, visit www. itsinqueens.com.
NONPROFIT NEWS QCH hosts 10th annual spring event
BY THOMAS CRUZ, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
On June 5, Queens Community House (QCH) marched with tens of thousands of people at the 30th annual Queens Pride Parade in Jackson Heights. QCH was led by Generation Q and the Queens Center for Gay Seniors (QCGS), two QCH LGBTQ programs for youth and older adults respectively.
The Queens Pride Parade returned after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The parade is one of the oldest and largest LGBTQ celebrations in New York City.
QCH has been marching at the parade for years, so plenty of staff, program participants, and supporters of the organization were excited to be able to attend in-person this year.
For several program participants of Generation Q, an LGBTQ after-school youth center, they are new to the program and this was the first Queens Pride Parade they attended.
“Some of our youth never had the opportunity to experience a Pride March, and have never before had a chance to see the support that exists across the borough of Queens,” Lindsey Duel, QCH Director of Generation Q said. “The impact of Queens Pride returning in-person is immeasurable for the youth of our program.”
As for the program participants of QCGS, an LGBTQ older adult center, the pandemic has been especially difficult for them.
Many of the program participants have struggled with losses of loved ones, fear of COVID-19, isolation, and adjusting to remote/online activities.
“I wasn’t sure I would make it through this because I have deeply missed my friends, who are actually my family,” said a QCGS participant. “Thankfully QCGS made sure to keep us all together with classes online, and by checking in with us through phone calls.”
“As nervous as I was to come out in a crowd,” the QCGS participant continued, “I felt as protected as much as I could be, and I needed to see my friends, hug them, and laugh the day away during ride Sunday.”
“After a 2-year hiatus that was filled with uneasiness, loneliness, fear, and isolation; we are so happy to be able to get together again for our in-person parades and marches,” said Chynna Pitlock, QCH Director of QCGS. “Everyone was so excited to come together and celebrate love, life, and continuing the fight for equal rights, and justice.”
The Queens Pride Parade aligns with QCH’s focus on providing intergenerational opportunities for the Queens community.
“There is something uniquely special about seeing the Generation Q youth march alongside the older adults at QCGS, something that we are lucky to experience being a part of QCH,” Duel said.
Queens Community House celebrates at Queens Pride 2022
Celebrating the 2022 Queens Pride Parade in Jackson Heights
QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES
82ND STREET PARTNERSHIP
37-06 82nd Street, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Executive Director: Leslie Ramos 718.335.9421 82ndstreet.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $224,000 with more than 200 businesses under its umbrella. The district is on 82nd Street from 37th Avenue to Baxter Avenue. The board meets quarterly with the annual meeting in June.
ASIAN AMERICAN FEDERATION
120 Wall Street, 9th Fl., New York, NY 10005 aafederation.org QUICK GLANCE: The Asian American Federation’s mission is to raise the influence and well-being of the pan-Asian American community through research, policy advocacy, public awareness and organizational development. Established in 1989, the Federation is a panAsian non-profit organization representing a network of community service agencies in the Northeast. These agencies work in the fields of health & human services, education, economic development, civic participation, and social justice.
BAYSIDE VILLAGE BID
213-33 39th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361 Executive Director: Christine Siletti 718.423.2434 info@baysidevillagebid.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $218,000 and over 350 members. Founded in 2007, the BID includes commercial property owners and residents on Bell Boulevard between 35th Avenue and Northern Boulevard, as well as a block east and west on 41st Avenue.
BAYSIDE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
41-16 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361 President: Ed Probst Vice President: Judith Limpert 718.229.2277 info@baysideba.com baysideba.com QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1997, the Bayside Business Association services all of Bayside business to address issues and concerns those businesses have with regards to running their businesses.
ACCOMPANY CAPITAL (FORMERLY BCNA)
78-27 37 Ave., Ste. 1 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Business Development: Tshering Gurung 347.730.6468 tgurung@accompanycapital.org QUICK GLANCE: Accompany Capital is an award-winning Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Small Business Administration (SBA) micro lender that provides small and micro business owners in New York City with low-cost loans, access to business training & technical assistance, and one-on-one counseling. Accompany Capital has disbursed over $34 million in loans and assisted over 10,000 immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs in New York City since its founding as Business Center for New Americans (BCNA) in 1997, as well as provided workshops and one-on-one advice on business management and marketing to over 10,000 businesses.
BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTER NETWORK (BOC, INC.)
85 S. Oxford Street #2 Brooklyn, NY 11217 718.624.9115 bocnet.org QUICK GLANCE: Business Outreach Center Network’s mission is to improve the economic prospects of traditionally underserved groups, with a focus on low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs and their communities, and thereby create genuinely brighter futures. At the heart of our mission is the belief that whatever their differences, people and communities share a common goal: to achieve economic stability and growth. Working in partnership with culturally diverse individuals and organizations in support of this shared goal is the hallmark of BOC.
CHHAYA CDC
37-43 77th Street, #2 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 718.478.3848 chhayacdc.org QUICK GLANCE: Core to our strategy is organizing and advocating for systemic changes that remove the barriers to well-being, housing stability, and economic mobility for our communities. For over 20 years, Chhaya has served tens of thousands of individuals and led the charge on key policy issues for immigrants, such as basement legalization, language access, tenants’ rights, and more.
217 Park Row, 2nd Floor, Suite 9 New York, NY 10038 chinatownpartnership.org QUICK GLANCE: Chinatown Partnership, led by Wellington Chen, was formed in 2006 as new start-up from grounds up to bring residents, business owners and community groups together to rebuild Chinatown following 9/11, and to preserve the neighborhood’s unique culture while ensuring its vitality in the future through strategic positioning. With the highly popular Weekend Walks street festive series, Mid-Autumn Festival, One Day in NYC, annual Beautification/Earth Day, East West Parade with Little Italy, Double Valentine’s Day to promote the softer side of Chinatown and the Jewelry District and all the cafes, eateries in the area. Explore Chinatown marketing initiative, Lunar Stages outdoor film screenings, and Taste of Chinatown street events, Chinatown Partnership helps promote the area as a special destination to live, work, and visit.
FOREST HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
PO Box 751123, Forest Hills, NY 11375 President: Leslie Brown 718.268.6565 FHChamber11375@gmail.com FHChamber@aol.com QUICK GLANCE: Re-formed in 1995, the group has over 225 members. Chamber meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. at the West Side Tennis Club, 1 Tennis Place, in Forest Hills.
GATEWAY JFK
Executive Director: Scott Grimm-Lyon 516.730.3400 info@GatewayJFK.org GatewayJFK.org QUICK GLANCE: Formerly the Greater JFK Industrial BID and founded in 2016, the group seeks to provide support to the off-airport air cargo and services district through supplemental services and improvements, technical and professional services for its members, and advocacy and administration.
GREATER FLUSHING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
39-01 Main Street, Suite 511, Flushing NY 11354 Executive Director: John Choe john@flushingchamber.nyc 646.783.8985 flushingchamber.nyc QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 2014 and representing over 200 businesses.
GREATER JAMAICA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
90-04 161st Street, Jamaica, NY 11432 President: Hope Knight 718.291.0282 gjdc.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1967, the group has 75 members. GJDC’s work expands economic opportunity and improves quality of life for the ethnically and economically diverse residents of Jamaica and for the region at large, which benefits from rational, well-planned, and sustainable metropolitan growth.
QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES
84-01 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven NY 11421 718.805.0202 gwdcbid@hotmail.com woodhavenbid.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $257,000 with more than 350 businesses under its umbrella on Jamaica Avenue from Dexter Court to 100th Street. They are providing free benches for store owners along Jamaica Avenue. They also provide 2.5 and 5 percent home improvement loans.
JAMAICA CENTER BID
161-10 Jamaica Avenue, Suite 419 Jamaica, NY 11432 Executive Director: Jennifer Furioli 718.526.2422 jamaica.nyc @JamCenterBID (Twitter) @jamcenterbid (Instagram) @Jamaica Center BID (Facebook) QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1979, the Jamaica Center BID serves over 400 businesses on Jamaica Avenue between Sutphin Boulevard and 169th Street. With a budget of over $1 million, the BID’s goal is to promote and maintain Downtown Jamaica as a thriving business hub and an enjoyable destination to shop, work, live and visit.
JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
P.O. Box 300687, Jamaica, NY 11430 Executive Director: Clorinda Antonucci President: Al DePhillips Vice President: Joseph Morra JFKCoCExec@gmail.com jfkairportchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE:Founded in 1978, the group has over 200 members. The chamber was chartered in 1978 by a group of business people in and around JFK Airport. It is the only airport in the nation to have its own Chamber of Commerce. The chamber seeks to create an environment in which members of the business community can work together to enhance the growth, well being and economic development of the airport community and its aviation industry.
LONG ISLAND CITY PARTNERSHIP
718.786.5300 longislandcityqueens.com QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1979, the Long Island City Partnership advocates for economic development that benefits LIC’s industrial, commercial, cultural and residential sectors. The goal is to attract new businesses to the neighborhood, retain those already here, welcome new residents and visitors, and promote a vibrant and authentic mixed-use community. The LIC Partnership operates the LIC Business Improvement District and the LIC Industrial Business Zone.
COMMERCE
P.O. Box 780265, Maspeth, NY 11378 President: David Daraio 718.335.1300 maspethchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1953, they have 120 members and a budget of $115,000.
MASPETH INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (MIBA)
BOC: 96-11 40th Road, Corona, NY 11368 Coordinator: Quincy Ely-Cate 718.205.3773 qelycate@bocnet.org mibanyc.org QUICK GLANCE: Covering roughly 600 businesses with 30 active members, the Maspeth Industrial Business Association provides a collective voice in advocating the needs and interests of industrial and manufacturing businesses in Maspeth. They help companies in the Maspeth Industrial District in developing workforce, accessing tax credits, obtaining financing, navigating government regulations and, in some cases, finding real estate.
MIDDLE VILLAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
79-47 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village, NY 11379 President: Salvatore Crifasi 718.894.8700 Sal@Crifasi.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $8,000 with 35 businesses under its umbrella. Formed in 1929. MVCC meets annually and focuses on the Metropolitan Avenue shopping district between 69 and 80th streets. The mission is to improve the area and assist local businesses if they have any concerns or needs.
MURRAY HILL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NY
P.O. Box 1897 New York, NY 10156 212.886.5867 murrayhillnyc.org QUICK GLANCE: Murray Hill is a unique residential neighborhood in midtown Manhattan. While there is no formal boundary for the neighborhood, the area served by The Murray Hill Neighborhood Association and its sister organization the Manhattan East Community Association (MECA) extends from Fifth Avenue eastward to the East River and from 42nd Street down to 26th Street (encompassing the 10016 postal code).
MYRTLE AVENUE BID
62-14 Myrtle Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385 Executive Director: Ted Renz 718.366.3806 QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $500,000 with over 300 retail and service businesses under its purview. Board meetings are held four times a year with the annual meeting in June. The district includes Myrtle Avenue in Ridgewood between Fresh Pond Road and Wyckoff Avenue. Program support is provided by the Ridgewood LDC.
QUEENS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
12-55 Queens Boulevard, Room 309 Kew Gardens, NY 11424 Executive Director: Seth Bornstein 718.263.0546 queensny.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $1.5 million and a resource for over 2,000 businesses in the borough of Queens. Register online for upcoming virtual events, including:
ROCKAWAY BUSINESS ALLIANCE
info@rockawaybusinessalliance.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $40,000 and a resource for over 200 businesses. The Rockaway Business Alliance was founded in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy. RBA’s vision is to create business corridors that are clean, safe, and welcoming, with shopping, dining, attractions, and engagement for the local community and the visitors drawn to Rockaway’s beaches and open spaces.
ROCKAWAY DEVELOPMENT & REVITALIZATION CORPORATION
1920 Mott Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691 President: Kevin Alexander 718.327.5300 www.rdrc.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) was established to promote the revitalization of the Rockaway’s economic base and neighborhoods by creating long-standing partnerships with city and state agencies.
ROCKAWAY EAST MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION (REMA4US)
1032 Beach 20th Street Far Rockaway, NY 11691 rema4us.org QUICK GLANCE: REMA 4 US, Inc. seeks to engage in economic development and revitalization in the Rockaway Peninsula. To strengthen our community revitalization programs and community development efforts in the Rockaway Peninsula REMA works alongside businesses, civic groups, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. REMA works to inform the public about opportunities that exist to strengthen the community, and to create a welcoming and safe environment to help expand economic opportunity in the Rockaway Peninsula.
