Long Island City weekly event round up; it’s an artsy summer in LIC!

I went last year and it was mostly the dregs of all the restaurants in LIC. They don’t get paid to be at the event so they don’t necessarily put out their best stuff. If you think of it as a charity event for the theater, then it’s a bit more palatable. Even though they get our taxpayers money anyway from the state.

I didn’t realize it was a charity thing. That makes me more willing to spend the $50

It’s a charity event for an experimental theater that gets state funding and charges $15+ per person to see their shows. It’s not a charity event that helps hungry or needy people. Last year the most memorable thing was figs and goat cheese on a plastic spoon. Sorry, I think this event is kind of a sham. If it donated the money to a real local charity then I’m all for it and would even happily pay the $50.

What’s wrong with supporting the arts?

It annoys me that they close off the park for a private event that costs $50. It’s a public space. They shouldn’t be allowed to do that. Bryant Park just closed fashion week there for the same exact reason. It’s exclusionary. Not a fair use for public space. They have a huge theater why don’t they do their own fundraising there? Or in a private space?

forget it, I found it

It’s too bad that Taste of LIC couldn’t benefit truly needy people in our neighborhood. I think it’s a missed opportunity.

For instance, at the same time that hundreds of people are forking over $50 to benefit a successful theater company, the senior center in LIC will be closing down, and many needy seniors in our neighborhood are going to have to figure out how they will pay for a the very modest meals they were able to get at the center. They won’t be downing figs and goat cheese, I can assure you.

#14 you have an excellent point. I couldn’t agree more. When is the center closing down? Is it a money thing? If there was a fundraiser would it make a difference in keeping it open?

Growing old in this country is honestly a disgrace. I understand why so many people dread getting older. You become obsolete, and totally ignored as a human being. This is not always true in other cultures, where sometimes old people are actually taken care of (by the family not a nursing home) and revered for their wisdom. Here they are thrown away like trash, and no one gives a damn. (generalizing there, but not far off) There is a huge elderly population in LIC, which is an amazing thing and it’s terrible the senior center is closing. Especially since we’re getting all these playgrounds and doggie day spas. It’s kind of gross actually. What kind of neighborhood are we?

17, don’t believe for a second that there will be “shared sacrifices.” That slogan sounds good and appeals to our notion of fair play in this country. But rest assured that the cuts — in the city, state and at the federal level — will inevitably affect the poor, the young and the old the greatest. We’ll always find money to give a backhander to a political supporter, the military, connected corporate and union interests. But the powers that be will always to the easy thing and shaft the most vulnerable people who get crumbs to begin with or eliminate the most essential services that keep our city safe and humane.

I agree that cuts should be made all over (and that not enough are being made). I wonder for instance what we are still doing in Iraq and Afganistan for example. I agree that cuts should be even handed and agree that it probably won’t happen that way, but if you look at what is going on in Europe and don’t see parallels in the US you are blind. Its from that reference point that i say any cut is a good cut. These are tough decisions. Is it better to have a senior center or a new grade school for children? A fire house or more police. Welfare or Medicare? Anti-terrorist or Missle defense?

Having said that let organize a fund raiser for the center. I’d donate towards it.

#21 this is hardly nasty. In fact, it’s downright civil. Great conversation actually. I also support the idea of a fundraiser for the senior center. If anyone should do it, I nominate liqcity. Haha! But seriously.

I like the chocolate factory. They do do good work. That being said, I also vote for a discount for LIC residents at the Taste. Maybe that’s something they could implement in the future. I think it would be a good charitable gesture.

Glad to hear that finally people are getting upset about the senior center closing. Here I was thinking this neighborhood has no soul.

#25, your comment is a full bulls-eye. The Taste of LIC is a great event and if someone doesn’t like it then they don’t have to buy a ticket. I believe some people are compelled to find fault in everything. Their lives must be very miserable.

I have to agree with 27. I’m an art lover (or, as George Castanza once said, “art adorer”) and enjoy theater. But there’s something about this event that smacks of exclusivity and elitist — and seems to run counter to the supposed purpose of this theater organization.

They managed to use a public space for their own use (something other nonprofits or private groups would likely have a very difficult time doing), they are charging a shitload of money, and they don’t cut any slack for residents who can’t afford to rub elbows with their well-heeled benefactors.

These smart people deserve credit for pulling this off, especially when so many other arts organizations are dying right now. For sheer chutzpah, they get an A+. But to criticize people who just think this thing doesn’t feel completely kosher is really unfair too.

29, fair enough. I think everyone agrees they should be allowed to do what they can to raise money. But why couldn’t they hold the event at, say, P.S. 1 and make it more explicit that people are attending to give them money? By naming the event “Taste of LIC” and holding it in Gantry Park, a public space that is our neighborhood’s main gathering space, it makes it appear that it is a community-wide event to support the food establishments of the area. That really isn’t the point of the event, which you yourself admit.

There’s no reasoning with you folks. What difference does it make where it held or what its called? Do you go into a store and demand to know how the owner uses it profits? If you have $50 and chose to spend it to sample the food of the area, what difference does it make what being done with the money? If you think its too much stay at home. If you feel duped or don’t want to support them stay home. Why must everything turn into the great debate?

Clearly there are one or two people who have an axe to grind with the Chocolate Factory and apparently our local restaurants who support the eventl. Of all the cultural fund raisers I have been invited to, this is the ONLY one I can afford. It is the ONLY one that brings so many community members and businesses together.

I think there the whiners are not intellectually honest. On the one hand they want to attack and say it’s a sucky event that doesn’t deserve to be or at least be where it is. In the same breath they are complaining that they are deprived because the cost is too high for them to attend. Which is it? Ya wanna be at the party or are you cry because you can’t go?

Also if you are so sure about what you can or can’t do in a State park, instead of anonymously spreading false ideas, register a legitimate challenge . Otherwise, it’s hot air.

I’m not a promoter or any way connected, btw.

#34 you are just dodging the good points by saying there is an axe to grind. There’s no axe to grind with a local theater. This event is not a taste of lic, but a fundraiser for a theater. It’s not charity, and in the face of many other needy groups in LIC, it’s kind of an affront to them. And I agree with #32 in that it’s wrong to use public space for an exclusive event that costs $50 and benefits only a few people. If you don’t agree, that’s fine, but don’t accuse people of having illicit motives just because you don’t like their opinion. Just call it a CF fundraiser and hold it in a private space. That’s all. It’s not an open community event. It’s an EXCLUSIVE event. If it was free and open to the public it would help the restaurants even more. Suggested donation, anyone??

The Taste of LIC started with a small group of restaurants in the Chocolate Theatre Space. The charge was only $20. Over the years, it has grown into an event that is a great promotion for LIC and the increasing number of restaurants and bars in the area. As a result, the cost has increased. If you were to attend the event, you would be impressed with how professionally this is run.

The amount of profit that remains for the Chocolate Factory wouldn’t be enough to the pay hourly wages for all of the people who are volunteerting their time to make this work.

It seems that there will be people who will complain about anything. If we could get this kind of dedication for other charities, the world would be a much better place.

Awesome event tonight!