Calpulli Danza Mexicana
The ‘Live at the Gantries’ summer performance series brought to us by the QCA continues tonight at Gantry Park with Calpulli Mexican Dance ยป
Legal streetart coordinated by Chashama, Vernon & Borden Ave, LIC
5pointz may have been the first legal walls for streetart in Long Island City, but now they’re not the only ones. Simone Development, the developers behind the Hunters Point Condos double whammy, have collaborated with Chashama, an non-profit arts group, to beautify their construction site walls with streetart created by local artists.
Robert Prichard & Michael Waldman of Queensbridge Theatre, LIC
Well folks, say hello to the Queensbridge Theater. LIC’s getting its first rock club this summer. It’s a bit of a hike from the south side of LIC, and not really accessible by subway, but still - it’s more art in the hood. And they have some really cool ideas which actually take into consideration the needs of the surrounding community…which can’t always be said about the new arrivals.
“Adopting the slogan “Downtown Has Moved to Queens,” [Robert Prichard,] the former Lower East Side stalwart is partnering with developer Michael Waldman to open what he called a “rock ‘n’ roll supper club, similar to a Bowery Ballroom or a Mercury Lounge with a restaurant–a first for Long Island City, a first for Queens.
Scheduled to open this summer, the 5,000-square-foot Queensbridge Theater, located at 37-31 10th Street, may be somewhat unique in concept. (After the nighttime entertainment ends at 4 a.m., the proprietors intend to open back up just three hours later for breakfast, with homemade bread baked fresh on the premises.)
“We want to bring in artists and performers on all levels,” added Mr. Prichard, who plans to book the space not only for concerts, but also for Off Broadway plays, art exhibits–even after-school programs: “We want to offer the community the facilities we have during the day,” he said. “Bring in musicians and teach the kids how to play music and then put ‘em up onstage.”"
*Long Island Rock City [Observer]
Subdivsion - 48-41 Vernon Blvd
Subdivision is not new to Vernon, but it’s high time I blogged about them. Brought to us by the owners of City Dog Lounge (the pet store on Vernon) Subdivision is essentially a local designers collective where artists sell their pieces. And people like me buy them.
This is not Kmart. You will not find basic shirts in S,M,L. What you will find, however, is an eclectic collection of unique clothing (gents, ladies and kids), handmade jewelery, supercool bags, and a gallery featuring local artists. Subdivision was really the first place that sold actual clothing on the block, though I’m sure someone will argue with me about that. Maybe other places have come and gone… actually we know they have.
LIC’s been ‘up & coming’ for a lot longer than it actually was. Now people really have arrived, and the chorus of who’s asking ‘Where’s the grocery store?’ is much louder. I would say now we’re up & coming. We haven’t quite arrived yet, but we are graced with a strong community spirit, and the desire to keep our artist colony alive and eating. Thanks in part, to Subdivision.
