Persona Performa - Ming Wong At MOMI

Museum of the Moving Image Steps Out In Astoria

January 21, 2012 / Astoria / Film in Queens / Queens Buzz. People were lined up outside of the Museum of the Moving Image [MOMI] on both Thursday and Friday nights. They were waiting to see Ming Wong’s performance art production entitled Persona Performa. The production title tidily summed up its essence – an art performance based on an Ingmar Bergman film entitled Persona, which was being performed for Performa 11, the fourth biennial visual arts festival in NYC.

Artistic director, Ming Wong, developed the piece during his residency at MOMI in 2011. He told us that the inspiration for the production came from the minimalist architecture of the museum and an Ingmar Bergman film, Persona, which is generally believed to be one of the ten best works of cinematic art.

Click here to read our report of Ming Wong Persona Performa at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria.

Queens Greeks Give Thanks By Sharing

Greek Homeowners Association Feeds Thousands

November 24, 2011 / Queens Buzz. On Thanksgiving Day I was the witness to an event I had wanted to attend for years - the Greek Homeowners Thanksgiving Lunch. Every year, since 1989, the Greek Homeowners Association has been feeding hundreds and then growing to thousands on Thanksgiving Day. I had heard about this event numerous times, and I had been wanting to attend for years.

The Greek Homeowners Association is located along 31st Street just north of 30th Avenue in Astoria. Their quarters are in a modest two story building, which one could normally walk by without noticing, but not on Thanksgiving Day. On Thanksgiving Day, outside the Association, there were people milling about, as well as many coming and going ...

You can see a some of the action in the photo above left. Click here to view our report including a photo slide show of the Greek Homeowners Association Thanksgiving Day lunch in Astoria Queens.

Tony Vaccaro WTC Photos In Astoria

September 30, 2011 / Astoria Neighborhood / Art Galleries In Queens / Queens Buzz. Tony Vaccaro, Life Magazine photographer, has a photography exhibit covering the birth, the life and the death of the twin towers of the World Trade Center on display at the Buzzeo Building in Astoria. I went to the opening and this is what I heard.

Tony got his start photographing the action of World War II as a young lad. His photos landed him a job at Life Magazine, providing him with opportunities to photograph famous people and places out of reach to most photographers. Tony photographed famous artists, such as Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollack, as well as famous architects, such as Frank Lloyd Wright and La Corbusier. His interest and work photographing people, art and architecture lead him more deeply into that world.

Click here to read the rest of our story about the exhibit and story as told by Tony Vaccaro through his photos of the twin towers of the World Trade Center covering the period from 1957 - 2001.

Columbus Day Parade - FIAO

The Federation Of Italian Americans In Queens

October 11, 2011 / Astoria Neighborhood / Ethnic & Religious Culture / Queens Buzz. I attended the Columbus Day Parade in Astoria on Saturday. The parade is organized by the Federation of Italian Americans or FIAO in Queens, an organization that celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

There were about 1,500 people who marched in the parade which is one of the biggest parades in Queens. As I covered the parade, many of the folks watched the pageantry from along Steinway Street and from cafés along 30th Avenue. It was a sunny, spectacular Indian summer day, with temperatures in the low 80’s and little humidity.

Click here to read our account of the Columbus Day Parade in Astoria Queens, including a photographic slide show and an account of two Italians [Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci] contributions to the discovery of the Americas.

Rock Concert Dampened By Weather

… but the music played on …

August 21, 2011 / Astoria / Live Music / Queens Buzz. The Astoria Music Now venue had to be changed early Sunday morning due to weather forecast predicting severe thundershowers similar to what we saw a week ago. To make matters worse, it didn’t rain Sunday until after 4 pm, and even then it was only a quick light shower … but for those who followed the Astoria Music Now musicians into the Astoria performance venues around the neighborhood ... the music played on.

Given that the venues were dispersed around Astoria, we saw far fewer performances than in prior years, so we’ll link back to prior reports to give you a flavor of the concert musicians because there were a number of returning bands this year.

We started at the Quays where we saw two new comers to the festival: The Sorely Missed and Jon Christopher who performed with two new accompanists - Jason playing bass guitar and Ben Nathan percussionist [see photo above]. Click here to read more about the Astoria Music Now - rock concert in Queens.

Astoria Park Fireworks - Photos

4th Of July Fireworks In Queens NY

June 30, 2011 / Astoria Neighborhood / Parks & Sports / Queens Buzz. I just returned from the Astoria Park Fireworks display - easily one of the best fireworks displays you'll find in the country. The Astoria Park fireworks are done by the world famous Grucci Fireworks company, which is a family run business that has been in the fireworks business for over a century. While the highlight of the evening was the fireworks, it's worth mentioning that thousands sat comfortably on the Great Lawn of Astoria Park and were treated to an array of beautiful music performed by the Astoria Symphony.

Click here to read our report and view dozens of photos of the Astoria Park Fireworks 2011.

Astoria’s Greek Radio Station

Astoria Radio Station Adding AM Band In Queens

January 4, 2011 / Astoria / Queens Buzz. I just returned from a visit to a local, primarily Greek speaking, radio station in Astoria. The station is called Nexus Productions Radio, which is broadcast over the internet, as well as through the airwaves on the AM band.

I had been invited to participate as a guest on one of the station’s English-speaking programs entitled Innovative Business Discussions. The weekly show has been on the air for just over a month, and it’s dedicated to talking about issues associated with running a small business in Queens.

Click here to read the rest of this report, including numerous photos of the Greek speaking radio station in Astoria.

Astoria Leaf Fest 2010

December 4, 2010 / Astoria / Queens Buzz. Leaf Fest 2010 is the annual harvest of fallen tree leaves in Queens parks along the western shorefront. Thanks to environmental activist and Leaf Fest correspondent, Jules Corkery, we have a full report about the Leaf Fest 2010 effort in Astoria Park, along with a couple of photos she provided.

Click here to read the report and view the second photo about the Leaf Fest 2010 in Astoria Park.

NYC Musical Saw Festival

8th Annual Festival Held At The Hellenic Cultural Center In Astoria

August 7, 2010 / Astoria / Queens Buzz. The 8th annual Musical Saw Festival was held at the Hellenic Cultural Center in Astoria. This fine art dates back to 17th century when woodcutting musicians around the world simultaneously began developing the saw as a musical instrument. In time a number of companies started manufacturing saws to cater to this part of the market.

The art form emerged in places as far away as Sweden, France and Japan; but we understand that America has emerged as the center of the art form. The Musical Saw Festival held in Astoria is the world's largest and the following report captures some of its flavor.

Click here to view a short report on the NYC Musical Saw Festival in Astoria. The photo to the left was taken by Pat Merino.

Queens Rock Concerts

Cool Breeze & Music Attracts Thousands

Bands Beat The Heat @ Astoria Music Now

July 24, 2010 / Astoria / Queens Buzz. Dire predictions of hot & humid were about the only ones who didn't show on Saturday at the Astoria Music Now rock festival in Astoria Park. A cool dry breeze wafted in off the river making it feel more like the low 80's and dry. You can see this for yourself in the photos we took that show few people, if anyone, actually sweating it out.

Twenty-nine bands, mostly local, came out to play and thousands came out to watch and listen. Click here to view a slide show and report with photos of Astoria Music Now 2010.

Photos - 5 Boro Bike Ride In Queens

May 2nd, 2010 / LIC & Astoria / Queens Buzz. It was a sunny, hot, humid morning as I biked my way over to the Queens Boro Bridge to watch 30,000 Five Boro Bike Riders descend into Queens.

None of them seemed to be having any difficulty, as they made their way up 21st Street to Astoria Park. I followed along and shot some photos and it's worth saying that 21st Street is in need of some repair. It's a rumbling road that one would expect to find in a third world nation, not along the East River waterfront of America's largest city.

Click here for a few particulars, a slide show and 5 boro bike ride photos 2010 in Astoria Park and Queens.

Greek Orthodox Church In Astoria

Holy Friday Procession In Astoria

Astoria / April 4, 2010. In the Greek Orthodox tradition, last week was the holiest week of the year. Last Friday, I had the opportunity to photograph the parishoners of St Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church as they made a procession through the streets of Astoria to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ. The procession included a man carrying the cross, followed by altar boys, musicians, clergymen and by men carrying the the epitaphios, which resembles a casket decorated with flowers.

We'll post a full report later today or later this week, but in the meantime there's a slide show of the procession last Friday which numbered in the thousands.

Click here to view our report and  photos of the Greek Orthodox Holy Friday procession in Astoria by St Demetrios parishoners.

"Lights, Action, Camera"

Queens Fashion Week Underway

Models, Designers and Paparazzi

Astoria & LIC / February 18, 2010. Some of the top designers with Queens connections collaborated with many up-and-coming Queens models to strut their stuff at the Queens Fashion Week opening night. The event took place tonight, after a week delay due to snowstorms, at the Standard Lofts, a recently renovated factory building turned residence along Northern Blvd at the foot of Steinway Street.

About twenty eight models participated in the event, walking down the runway with beautiful new clothing, designed to complement their figures and forms. The models consisted of both females and males, nearly all of whom I believe were in their twenties. This is a report of the first day of the event, which took place on a Thursday evening. Friday is the young designers night, which will be followed on Saturday with a day of exhibits with the closing runway show on Saturday evening. Click here to view the rest of our report on the opening night of the Queens Fashion Week.

Queens Fashion Week 2010

Casting Call Gets Good Response

January 18, 2010 / Astoria & LIC. The Queens Fashion Week casting call gathered a lot of attention this past weekend, as we estimate somewhere in the neighborhood of one hundred people responded to the possibility that they could become Queens next super model.

We paid a visit to the event to watch the next Giselle or Marcus strut their stuff. And enjoyed seeing the excitement in the contestants' eyes at their prospects for fame. The show is intended to not only provide Queens residents with an opportunity for publicity, but Queens designers as well. About ten local designers have signed up to publicize their work in the February event.

Click here to view our full report on the casting call for Queens Fashion Week.

Recycle Fest In Astoria

Environmental Activism In Astoria Queens

This is a rolling summary of brief reports about green activities in Astoria and along the East River waterfront of Queens NY. To date we have a story about Queens Green Drinks and one about the Recyclefest held in Astoria in Spring 2009. Transportation Alternatives and government agencies will also be covered in this section as well as in separate reports.

We Will Not Forget

911 Memorial Services In Queens

East Elmhurst / September 12, 2009. I attended a memorial service at St Michael's Cemetery in East Elmhurst on Saturday commemorating the deceased of 911. The service was largely attended by the families of the deceased firemen, police officers and EMT's. I was struck by the poignancy of the day, during which family members expressed their ongoing grief and sense of loss, which they have carried with them every day for the past eight years.

This memorial service was very much a personal grieving and expression of loss. The photo to your right was taken of a firetruck standing outside the chapel at St Michael's where the memorial service was held. Click here for a full report about the 911 Memorial Service at St Michaels Cemetery in East Elmhurst.

Astoria Park - Astoria Music & Arts / Astoria Music Now

We Want The World

And We Want It Now

No Fireworks In Queens On July 4th

Queens / Updated July 1, 2011. Queens won't have direct access to any public fireworks displays on Monday, July 4th, 2011 [and didn't Saturday 7/4/2009]. The Macy's 4th Of July Fireworks extravaganza is being lit on the Hudson River between Manhattan and New Jersey between 24th and 50th Streets. This is the third time [first in 2009] in about 25 years that this event will not take place on the East River where 4.5 million Queens residents and Brooklynites can also share in the view, along with the 1.6 million Manhattanites.

To find the reason for this change, get specifics on the 4th of July fireworks event, read about the Independence Day Fireworks Display in Astoria Park Thursday night June 30th [was Monday, June 29th in 2009] and find out more about other options for this 4th of July weekend, click this link to Queens Fireworks - 4th of July Fireworks in Queens NY 2011 / 2009.

Columbus Day Parade In Astoria

FIAO - Federation Of Italian Americans Organization

The Federation of Italian Americans Organization in Astoria organizes the Columbus Day parade that essentially winds its way from Kaufman Studios down along Steinway Street to Columbus Triangle which is at 31st Street and Astoria Blvd.

Queens Green Drinks Event In Astoria 2008

Queens Green Drinks started hosting monthly events in the borough in May of 2008. Helen Ho picked up the mantle after attending one such event sponsored at the Queens Botanical Garden in September of 2007. She schedules six months of events in advance, many of which will be posted on this site each month. The following is the story of one such event, held on October 25th, 2008 at Build It Green in Astoria.

Astoria Street Fair Photos

The Broadway Merchants and Professionals Association sponsored a good old fashioned street fair for Memorial Day weekend in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens NY.

The American Museum Of The Moving Image

Warhol Retrospective

Warhol's World is a month-long series showing the films of Andy Warhol at the American Museum Of The Moving Image in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens NY.  The following is a retro-review of one of his films entitled, 'Inner And Outer Space'.

John Henry - Country & Stand Up

January 24, 2011 / Astoria / Queens Buzz. I attended John Henry's performance at Waltz-Astoria Friday night. During his hour long set, he performed about ten to fifteen tunes, with instrumental accompaniment on several of them.

He strummed the guitar, and sang his sad songs, at times his voice trembling. His songs, like many country & western songwriters, have a personal quality to them. But his songs are also sprinkled with punch lines and written in a sort of caricature about his family, his friends and himself. The audience seemed to enjoy his playful mocking humor, as there was a stand up comedian quality to his performance. There will be more on John Henry's gig at Waltz-Astoria at a later date.

Queens Film Festival 2009 Begins

Astoria / November 10, 2009. The Queens International Film Festival begins this Thursday. This year the festival will show about 300 different films including shorts, documentaries, animation, music videos as well as a complete offering of feature films. The event is scheduled to take place largely in two locations, one of which is the main center of activity – the Frank Sinatra School and the second of which is a nearby screening location, the Holiday Inn on 29th Street. Click here to view our report about the Queens Film Festival 2009.

Astoria Events - Queens

Astoria Events

Astoria / Queens Buzz.  The Astoria Events section contains stories about various musical, theatrical and other events that have or will occur in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens NY. The Astoria neighborhood is home to a number of performing arts groups, art exhibits, historical sites and schools - all of which host events on a continual basis.  Astoria is also home to some of the very best parks in the NYC Metro area, including Astoria Park along the East River.

Click here to enter the Astoria Events section of Queens Buzz.

Astoria Neighborhood

Events, Restaurants & Shopping In The Astoria Neighborhood

The Astoria neighborhood section contains stories about events, attractions, restaurants and shopping in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens. The Astoria neighborhood has numerous restaurants, both authentic ethnic and New York chic. Steinway Street and Ditmars Blvds and streets adjacent to them provide excellent neighborhood shopping venues, so residents can stroll along the boulevards and streets to find the things they're looking for and meet for lunch, drinks or dinner. Lastly, the Astoria neighorhood is teeming with life as it is home to some of the best parks in the NYC Metro area, as well a youthful nightlife. Click here to enter the fun locale called the Astoria neighborhood.