M. Wells and Manducatis Rustica are presenting a Courtyard Winter Carnival on Saturday, Dec 17th, at the PS1 MoMA courtyard in Long Island City. It’s an outdoor celebration of food and winter fun. The deets »

NY Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan addresses the attendees of the LICP’s Annual Trade Show Luncheon

The Long Island City Partnership, formerly known as the Long Island City Business Development Corporation, held their annual Trade Show and Luncheon at Flushing Meadow’s Terrace on the Park. The event included 130 exhibitors of LIC and Western Queens’ based entities, and thousands of attendees »

Top female runners in the NYC marathon, including winner Firehiwot Dado, round 48th Ave onto Vernon Blvd, LIC – Photo by Rita Verma

It was a gorgeous weekend Long Island City, and perfect for our usual Fall tradition of cheering the NYC marathon runners as they race through the heart of Hunters Point. The population growth in LIC is certainly visible at events like this, and thank you to the MTA for letting us have our 7 train back for an important Sunday. The LIC streets and restaurants were packed! »

A witch sells hot dogs in Long Island City. – Photo by Jesse Winter

Halloween is here Long Island City, and there are plenty of activities to choose from for adults, kids, and even dogs!

For the Kids »

Anable Basin, 44th Drive, Long Island City. – Photo by Benjamin Peryer

By Benjamin Peryer

With Memorial Day weekend behind us, it’s official: Summer in LIC is here. Don’t get me wrong, I love the corner of the bar at ElAySi when the doors are tossed open, and there’s nothing sweeter than catching the lone sidewalk table at Café Henri, but this summer, dare I say, is all about a backyard. With a cold beer and the musical styling of a ukulele, I give you the five backyard watering holes that have me smitten »

Tickle those ivories, Long Island City. ‘Play Me, I’m Yours’ NYC 2010. –photo

Well it’s not good news about LIC’s senior center, nor is it any word on potential closing of local firehouses, but Mayor Bloomberg has dropped an outdoor interactive art exhibit on us instead. Fair enough.

“Play Me, I’m Yours, by British artist Luke Jerram who has been touring the project globally since 2008, involves leaving pianos all over NYC public spaces so people can just sit down and play them. Long Island City’s Gantry Park is the site of one of the pianos, and also the site of the obligatory press conference held for our politicians to ceremoniously commence the event, which starts today and coincides with performances from Make Music New York, which will only be held today »

River paddling with LICCB – Photo

The all-volunteer nonprofit organization LIC Community Boathouse is looking forward to another season of bringing unforgettable urban paddling experiences to thousands of adults and children, including their free summer paddles from Hallets Cove near Socrates Sculpture Park.

To assist their efforts, LICCB is having a Spring Launch Fundraising Party on March 11th starting at 5pm at The Foundry in LIC. Advance tickets are available online at $20 and include one free drink token and one free raffle ticket; tickets are $25 at the door »

Manducatis Rustica’s cookies & cheesecakes at the Edible Winter Warm-up, LIC

With their RSVP list maxed out and then some, Edible Queens Magazine packed LIC’s L Haus Condo with hungry foodies this past Sunday afternoon for their very first event: an Edible Winter Warm-up. In addition to rounding up a group of local restaurants and food vendors for free tastings, the event also featured a book signing with the Astoria-based authors of “Forking Fantastic!”, a panel discussion about the Queens food scene, live jazz from LIC’s Steve Blanco Trio, and the kickoff of a month-long canned food drive at L Haus for local organization Hour Children »

On the catwalk at Ethereal Boutique’s Holiday Fashion & Trunk Show, LIC

Last night Vernon Blvd boutique Ethereal threw a Holiday Fashion & Trunk Show at SHI Restaurant in Queenswest. Tables of glittering jewelry and fancy accessories were set up, a catwalk was laid out alongside the bar, tables were packed, and Ethereal models worked their designs, all dolled up with lovely hair and makeup courtesy of the ladies over at LIC’s own Primp & Tease Salon on 50th Ave.

It was a mix of classic and edgy »

Oksana Baiul skating at City Ice Pavilion, Long Island City

City Ice Pavilion, the five boroughs’ only rooftop ice skating rink, held a press conference for the grand opening of its first full season last night in Long Island City. The rink, located just two blocks off the 33rd St-Rawson St stop on the 7 line (which is just one stop towards Flushing-Main St after Queensboro Plaza), offers public skating, ice hockey, figure skating, skating lessons, skating parties, and even a summer camp.

Providing some sports celebrity candy »

Last Saturday, right here on Vernon Blvd, Long Island City proved that Queens can deliver a fashion show to rival the fancypants at Bryant Park. Produced by Subdivision Boutique and Sumie Tachibana (a participating LIC designer-in-residence), the fashion show featured local Queens and Brooklyn designers, and sexily sizzled the large crowd in attendance »

We’ve launched a video series about Long Island City called liQcity Reel. Our first ‘production’ is about the recent Taste of LIC, the 4th annual fundraiser of the Chocolate Factory Theater. Hosted by Gianna Cerbone-Teoli of Manducatis Rustica. Enjoy »

Well, for those who worry that Long Island City is being invaded by ‘narcissistic enemies of culture’ (thank you liQcity commenter for that), you have this Saturday morning to revel in some good ol’ fashioned Gen X pop culture. Some wacky LIC residents have planned »

Arts Events in Greater LIC from March 19th – 25th:

• Sophocles’ tragic play Antigone, directed by Greg Ciccino and produced by Richard Mazda, is still playing at The Secret Theatre for two more weeks. March 18-22, 25-28, 8:00pm, Matinee Saturday the 21st, 4pm, $15, 44-02 23rd St, LIC, 718.392.0722

• Local Project is having an opening this Friday night called “There, where you are not.” Photography and other works by Sol Aramendi. Opening: Friday, March 20, 6:00-9:00pm, showing March 20 – April 2, 45-10 Davis Street, LIC

• Astoria Artists are Awesome is meeting at Cafe Bar this weekend, Saturday, March 21, 2:00pm, 32-90 36th Street, Astoria, 718.204.5273

• at La Guardia Performing Arts Center, the Astoria Symphony and Long Island City Ballet present Spring Song Dance with special guests The Martha Graham Ensemble and Octavia Cup Dance Theatre. Saturday, March 21, 8:00pm, $20/$15 Students & Seniors, La Guardia Community College, 31-10 Thomson Avenue, LIC, 718.482.5151

• DanceNow‘s Raw Festival is coming to Queens this weekend, to GreenSpace in Long Island City, and Topaz Arts in Woodside. Free afternoon performances featuring up-and-coming dancers and choreographers: Tomomi Imai, Danielle Russo, Katy Myers, Jocelyn McIntosh and dancers, Jahna Bobolia, Leanne Schmidt, Maria Colaco, Sarah Council, Dina Denis, Jessica Danser, Catey Ott, and Robin Rapoport. Saturday, March 21, 4pm @ Topaz Arts, 55-03 39th ave., Woodside, 718.505.0440; Sunday, March 22, 4pm @ GreenSpace, 37-24 24th St., LIC, 718.956.3037

• While you’re at GreenSpace, check out the new Dutch Kills Gallery (we’ve never heard of it before), in the same building. The Gallery is having its Inaugural Group Exhibition, March 7 – April 5, 2009, Saturdays and Sundays 12-5 or by appointment, 37-24 24th St., Suite 402, LIC

In celebration of Irish History Month »

Long Island City Community Boathouse photo, Long Island City

In the hood tonight:

• The Long Island City Community Boathouse’s fundraiser is tonight from 6 to 9 pm at the Foundry. 42-38 Ninth Street, LIC

• Wine tasting tonight from 6-8pm at Hunters Point Wines & Spirits, 47-07 Vernon Boulevard, LIC 718.472.9463

• Manducatis Rustica has some live music tonight from 7:30 – 10pm in the form of Groovefellas, a jazz/funk band recreating classic old Italian songs. 46-33 Vernon Blvd, LIC, 718.937.1312

• Wine Tasting at Court Square Wines from 6-8pm, 47-07 Vernon Blvd between 47th Ave & Rd, LIC.

Aaah, how sad it is that 30 degrees feels like summer? Anyway, this lovely day has delayed tonight’s events posting, so apologies for those who grumble we don’t get things up in time. That being said, we are continuously trying to improve our community events posting, so please email us ahead of time so we can get the word out. Cheerio!

For tonight:

• Bourbon tasting and live Bluegrass tonight from 6-8pm at Hunters Point Wines & Spirits, 47-07 Vernon Boulevard, LIC 718.472.9463

• Manducatis Rustica has some live music tonight from 7:30 – 10pm in the form of Groovefellas, a jazz/funk band recreating classic old Italian songs. 46-33 Vernon Blvd, LIC, 718.937.1312

• Wine Tasting at Court Square Wines from 6-8pm, 47-07 Vernon Blvd between 47th Ave & Rd, LIC.

And for tomorrow »

Last minute happenings in Long Island City tonight:

1) Art-O-Mat is hosting an opening party tonight from 6-9pm for the exhibition “Faces of a Village: Photographs of a Universal Principle” featuring photographs of faces from Long Island City captured by Jackie Weisberg and Alexander Richter. There will also be a special presentation at 7pm tonight for LIC’s very own centurian, Rose Fazio, who celebrated her 100th birthday this Valentine’s Day. 46-46 Vernon Blvd (NW corner 47th Ave), LIC

2) Manducatis Rustica has some live music tonight from 7:30 – 10pm in the form of Groovefellas, a jazz/funk band recreating classic old Italian songs. 46-33 Vernon Blvd, LIC, 718.937.1312

Friday and in to the weekend »

Pulaski Bridge, Long Island City

Some stuff going on around Vernon/Jackson tonight…

1) The Creek is hosting a community meeting tonight @ 7pm about creating a separate bike lane on the Pulaski Bridge, which runs between Long Island City & Greenpoint, Brooklyn:

“As long-time cyclists, TA members, and commuters in NYC, we are researching and advocating for the creation of a protected bike lane on the Pulaski bridge between Greenpoint, Brooklyn and Long Island City, Queens Separate pedestrian and bike paths are critically needed on the bridge to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike. In addition, our goal is to facilitate efficient multi-nodal access between North Brooklyn, Long Island City, eastern Queens, and important public transit hubs to and from Manhattan and other parts of the City.” 7pm, 10-90 Jackson Ave, just west of 11th St, Hunters Point

2) Live Spanish pop tonight at the LIC Bar »

Idiotarod raced over the Queensboro bridge this weekend, LIC – photo

Did you see any heavily costumed people running around Long Island City with elaborately decorated shopping carts this weekend? If you didn’t catch the Idiotarod, which ran from the Upper East Side over the Queensboro and through LIC to Greenpoint, Brooklyn Vegan has a zillion great shots, and an explanation courtesy of Wikipedia »

There’s lots of Halloween activity going on tonight in Long Island City:

2:00 – 6:00pm Subdivision Boutique is hosting games and a trunk show. 48-18 Vernon Blvd

5:00 p Kids Parade down Vernon Blvd starting at Tournesol 50-12 Vernon Blvd

6:30 p (sharp) A Scary Witch tells a story at Manducatis Rustica, with apple cider and treats 46-35 Vernon Blvd

8:00 pm Lounge 47 is hosting a pumpkin carving party 47-10 Vernon Blvd

Radiant Movement Yoga and Pilates Studio at the Arris Lofts is hosting a Halloween Movement Feast tonight from 6-9pm, RSVP required.

If there are any other happenings tonight or this weekend for Halloween, feel free to post in the comments.

Hunters Point Greenmarket, LIC

The Hunters Point Community Development Corporation is hosting a Eco-friendly Crafts Fair tomorrow at the LIC Greenmarket.

“Local crafts people will blend with the farmers who sell locally grown produce to create an Eco-friendly shopping and buying environment. Eco-friendly crafts are not just goods made with sustainable material like help or bamboo, but also include items that are handmade or refashioned from recycled or reusable products.”

Happening tomorrow »

The view from SHI, new Asian fusion restaurant at Queens West, LIC

The long awaited SHI restaurant opens tonight in QueensWest, featuring a full bar & lounge, sushi bar, dining room, and outdoor terrace seating with LIC’s famous Manhattan skyline view. With of course, LIC’s signature signage, the soon to be migrating again Pepsi Cola sign.

Anyway, it’s a good week to be in this particular hood, because there are many ways to get your drink, art, and theatre on in LIC, and some of it for FREE. Check it out »

If you’ve never been to a PS1 Warm Up party, here’s a little taste of the vibe, shot straight from the dance floor on Saturday. The people shown in the video -dancing in costume- are actually on an LIC neighbor’s rooftop terrace overlooking the courtyard. More evidence that LIC has a heartbeat. And one you can shake your booty to.

• PS1 Warm Up Parties return under PF1 [liQcity]

Queens is Green tomorrow

The Queens is Green Fashion Show hits Dutch Kills this weekend, offering a “free fashion competition that highlights clothing and accessories from local designers that not only look good, but are good for the planet.

The catwalk begins at 4:00PM.

Location: Greenspace, 37-24 24th St

Subway: NW train to 36th Ave.

“Green Fashion isn’t just clothing made with sustainable fabrics like hemp or bamboo silk, but also includes items that are handmade or refashioned from recycled or reusable products.”

Flux Factory, April 4 – 27, 2008

Well, we’ve arrived at the end of this yellow brick road: the Flux Factory is singing the fat lady’s song this weekend. And the swan’s. Will definitely be an interesting tune for sure. You can check it out the EVERYTHING MUST GO installation and the final party this Saturday, April 26th, 8pm.

• EVERYTHING MUST GO info [Flux Factory website]