ZIKRAYAT, a Long Island City based Arabic Music & Dance Ensemble
The ‘Live at the Gantries’ summer performance series brought to us by the QCA continues tonight at Gantry Park with an Arabic Music and Dance Ensemble, ZIKRAYAT »
Duane Reade manifesting on 47th Rd @ 5th St, Long Island City
Queens West continues with its late summer bloom, as Duane Reade catches up with its neighbor, foodcellar, which has been open since Wednesday and already starting to pick up a decent bustle. The store is still being stocked, and there is a lot of grumble »
OCA/CUNY Dev Site, July 2008
The next BSA hearing for the very controversial OCA/CUNY development site on 5th Street is set for next Tuesday, August 19th. According to Queens Chronicle, the latest issue on the table is whether or not the OCA’s granting of space to the Queens Council on the Arts (QCA) counts as an official community benefit:
Verizon Wireless coming to LIC
Well, maybe some will sing a happy tune for Verizon Wireless in LIC, but at liQcity, we’re always hoping for more independent commerce to serve the needs of the exploding community. A liQcity tipster sent a photo of the Verizon Wireless sign in the right ground floor retail spot of the Echelon condos. (No word on what’s happening to the left retail spot.)
5 Star Banquet, Long Island City
liQcity would like to say welcome to it’s newest sponsor, 5 Star Banquet, though it’s not a newbie to the LIC restaurant scene. The four year old Indian restaurant is more commonly known for the 5 Star Punjabi Diner, the cult and cabbie favorite, which is right next door. 5 Star Banquet is, as the name implies, is a huge banquet hall that can accommodate various events: weddings, private affairs, corporate events, TV/Film productions, and more. Eye (and stomach) candy »
Here’s a real estate video displaying a 5SL 2BR condo unit for sale, reduced to $799K. It’s interesting in the sense of following the video trend in real estate marketing… and if you never got over to 5SL to check out the lofts.
- All Sales Listings 5SL [Streeteasy]
- 5th Street Lofts [website]
Looks like Vernonites are expanding their business empires these days… and why wouldn’t they?
1) The Brasil Coffee house has an offshoot called Fast & Delicious around their corner of 49th Ave. Rather interesting Brazilian menu actually: rotisserie meats, steak, rice & beans, pita sandwiches, salads, and empenadas/croquettes.
2) Last week we spotted this seemingly new sign above the Butcher Deli on Vernon @ 50th Ave. A juice and hookah bar called The Butcher Cafe. Interesting combo. Well…many stranger concepts have succeeded in NYC so it’s fair to say anything has a chance around here. (Or does it?)
The Cangro building destruction in process, Vernon/Jackson, LIC”
The CANGRO building right at the actual corner of Vernon and Jackson is in the process of being torn down. Combined with the now empty lot next door, the site will host a 12 story residential glass condo tower. Hold on to those coffee cups.
- Vernon/Jackson Then & Now [liQcity]
Filming of Gossip Girl on Vernon Blvd, Long Island City
Is your legally parked car missing? Notice the film shoots in the hood? If you haven’t read the pink signs: it’s Gossip Girl. And they’re also looking to shoot scenes inside a LIC townhouse apartment. I received notice on my door this weekend. How cute.
The destruction of What Should Have Been Landmarked continues with the leveling of the Star Building. And here’s what’s to come in its place.
The NY Post article about inland LIC is a must read. It’s a decent chronicle of what’s going on around the Queensboro Bridge, though funny at times. It’s interesting who is considered (and considers themselves) pioneers of a neighborhood.
Looking at Queenswest through Hunters Point South, LIC
“Across from the United Nations in Long Island City, Queens, lies one of the last empty pieces of land on the East River. This 24 acre lot boasts dramatic views of the Empire State building from 30-foot-high cliffs, rolling hills covered in wild trees, and more access to the river’s edge than any other site in Queens. Currently it is an idyllic, private barbeque spot, with homemade swings and benches looking out across the water at Manhattan’s midtown rush.” -Nathan Kesinger
The rain’s coming folks.
Some great photography of Hunters Point South, LIC [Nathan Kesinger Photography]
Made in Queens - Japanese artist Murakami nests in Long Island City [NY Sun]
Nigel Rollins exhibit open at Art-o-mat, Vernon Blvd [liQcity]
Artwork on 5Pointz Studios, Hunters Point, LIC
Ok it’s time for the weekend. Looks like a bit of snow coming our way. If you missed Bjork’s screening of Wanderlust, you’ve got another shot tonight. It starts at 7pm, but get there early!
Bjork’s ‘Wanderlust’ premiered in LIC’s Deitch Studios last night [Gothamist]
Queenswest library set for 2009 [Times Ledger]
Is Long Island City the next big thing? [Gridskipper]
City View Raquet Club is now open in LIC [City View website]
Music Events in LIC this weekend [LICpop]
Site of Long Island City’s first Green Building, 48th Ave between Vernon & 5th.
File this under ‘RUMOR’, though it seems to be confirmed by a few sources. Long Island City’s going green, and no we’re not getting a park though who would complain about that (actually someone probably would) but LIC’s first documented Green building. There’s no direct confirmation from the developers, who supposedly are the brains behind the Galaxy, but word on the street is that the existing building is to be razed, and a new, greener building will sprout in it’s place. They’re going for the Gold, in LEED certification. Maybe setting a standard? Blazing a green pathway? Or just a wise marketing gimmick? Regardless of what it is, it’s a welcome breath of greenness.
Reading this long but interesting article about the shortage of rental housing development in NYC, it feels very pertinent to Long Island City. With the high and rising cost of construction, not to mention the weak dollar, the expiration of the 421-a program, and the crazy credit crunch - developers are even less incentivised to build rental buildings, and that’s what we in LIC need the most of. Or at least, the condo needs in LIC will obviously be adequately met, despite the expiration of 421-a, but what about the rest of us who rent? Will we not be able to live in this neighborhood?
In honor of this question, here are two rental listings in LIC free of charge to all. liQcity knows nothing about the quality of these apartments, nor is benefiting in anyway from distributing the info. So good luck rental seekers in LIC - you will need it.
For those music lovers out there, here’s a Press Release from a local Long Island City business, Amie Street, which provides a great website promoting independent music. Check them out.
Hello:
Today, 2/26/08, Amie Street is releasing the entire catalogs of Beggars Group (XL, Rough Trade, 4AD), Matador Records and Polyvinyl Recording Co. — more than 15,000 songs.
Thom Yorke, Cat Power, Interpol, of Montreal, Devendra Banhart, The New Pornographers, Sigur Rós, Yo La Tengo, Pavement, Belle and Sebastian, and Architecture In Helsinki are just a few of the artists now available on AmieStreet.com.
This is an exciting new development in the digital music world, as more and more artists embrace fan-based pricing as a viable music sales model.
These artists, like all songs on Amie Street, are initially free to download and rise in price based on popularity, up to $0.98.
Check out the [press release] for more information, go to AmieStreet.com for the music, and feel free to call or email me with any questions.
Thanks, Zane
- Amie Street [Official Website]
Open Houses This weekend in LIC: Feb 23rd - 24th
Well well well. The 5th Street Lofts getting pricechopped. Is this a sign of things to come?
But wait, Purves and Badge have flippers in their waters, so what’s up with that? Good luck figuring it out at the Open Houses, and bring your skates - LIC is ICE city this weekend.
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5th Street Lofts (5SL)509 48th Ave, Hunters Point 23 still available HalsteadOpen House: Sat & Sun, 11-2PM |
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