Good afternoon, Astoria!
If last week’s wrestling at the 31st Ave Open Street taught us anything, it’s that Astoria truly knows how to kick off the weekend with a BANG! This week keeps that energy going with Beyoncé karaoke, drag king figure drawing, outdoor yoga, sunset jazz, trivia, summer parties and plenty of free ways to get out of the house!
Local Gossip:
- Lights, camera, Astoria! A new comedy-drama called Higher Education is filming its pilot next month, with a big chunk of the story taking place right here. The crew is looking for local restaurants willing to offer meal discounts or sponsorships in exchange for shoutouts/credits. Know anyone willing to help? Here's the GoFundMe
- A local founder is launching AlterMeet, a web-only dating platform designed specifically for Astoria singles. Profiles focus on personality first, with photos revealed only after both people accept a match. They're currently looking for founding members and feedback. altermeet.com
- Want to get your hands dirty for the neighborhood? Big Reuse and 31st Ave Open Street are hosting a street-tree cleanup Saturday, August 29 from 10am–12pm at 31-01 Vernon Blvd. They'll be tackling litter, weeds, soil aeration and composting. Supplies provided!
- Heads up, parents: Athens Square Park's main play area will be closed to the public during school hours while PS17's construction project is underway. No timeline yet on how long the closure will last.
- A little green space news: The mysterious “sitting area” at Hoyt North and 21st St. — you know, the one conspicuously lacking benches — is slated to become a community garden. It'll be fully open to the public, though there's no timeline yet.
- Bring some Queens-grown flowers home. Queens Perennial is a local flower CSA supporting immigrant farmers and organizers of color, with seasonal bouquets available for pickup in Astoria at Honey House and Lockwood. Dahlias, zinnias, celosia and sunflowers are currently in rotation. queensperennial.com
Cheers,
Angelina & Stacey
This week in Astoria
August 24th - August 30th |
Monday, August 24, 2026
Book Talk: FINDING RENEE RICHARDS by Julie Kliegman, w/ Giri Nathan
7:30pm, QED Astoria, @astoriabookshop
Join the Astoria Bookshop at QED Astoria to celebrate local author Julie Kliegman's new book about a pioneering trans athlete (and Queens native), FINDING RENEE RICHARDS. Julie will be in conversation with Giri Nathan, co-founder and writer at Defector.com. $5 cover (in advance or at the door)
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Astoria Walk
6:30pm, Athens Square Park, @walkingqueensastoria
Maybe you didn’t get to go on vacation this summer, but there’s still time to go on a walk with some lovely peeps! Registration is recommended via Clyx
Tarot Tuesday
7pm, Astoria Bookshop, @astoriabookshop
Join us for Tarot Tuesdays, a monthly meetup for local tarot enthusiasts to meet and mingle and pull some cards.
Sunset Meditation with Mindful Astoria
7pm, Socrates Sculpture Park, @socratespark
Unwind with a free guided sunset meditation featuring mindful breathing, gentle movement, and loving-kindness practices. All experience levels are welcome.
Long Live the Lesbian Movie
7:30pm, QED Astoria, @qedastoria
We're keeping the lesbian movie alive and on the big screen with this month's showing of "Not Just Passing Through", hosted by the Astoria Lesbian Book Club.
Trivia Tuesday
8pm, The Bonnie, @zoehoststrivia @thebonniebar @nyctrivialeague
Trivia is every Tuesday at 8pm at The Bonnie! Free to play and tons of fun. Great food and drinks!
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
2026 Food Joy Summer Social
6pm, Focal Point Beer Co, @foodjoyclub
Come in from the summer heat to enjoy a few cold ones with friends! Join Food Joy Club's summer social at Focal Point Beer Co. in LIC. Attendance is free--come one, come all! See you all there!
No Sabo Kid Run Club: Queensbridge Park —> Uncle Louie G’s Italian Ice & Ice Cream
6:30pm, Queensbridge Park, @nosabokidrunclubnyc
FREE 5K run with No Sabo Kid Run Club from Queensbridge Park to Uncle Louie G’s Italian Ice & Ice Cream on Ditmars! All paces welcome and the FIRST 20 ATTENDEES will be provided with a SMALL FREE ICE CREAM OR ITALIAN ICE!
Make Your Mark! Abstract Painting with Alice Lipping Art Studio
7pm, Oliver’s Astoria, @aliceabstract
Spend the evening playing with color, texture and mark-making while creating an abstract painting that’s completely your own. Perfect for date night, friends’ night out, singles, coworkers, creative meetups, Astoria locals, and anyone looking to try something different.
$55 per person — includes 1 drink + all materials
$100 Bring-a-Friend/Date deal
Beyoncé Karaoke Night + Dance Party!
7:30pm, Pig Beach BBQ, @nexus.trivia
Come hear your fellow Astorians belt out Beyoncé's greatest hits! You choose the songs! Good singing is not required! Join us for a night of amazing music and community!
Thursday, August 27, 2026
🎷 Queens Jazz Trail Concert: Lucy Yeghiazaryan
7pm, Astoria Park, @kupferbergcenter
A free community concert in Astoria.
Dykes Draw: Drag King Figure Drawing, hosted by the Astoria Lesbian Book Club
7pm, Astoria Bookshop, @astoria_lesbian_book_club
In celebration of Tipping the Velvet, we're hosting a drag king figure drawing night at Astoria Bookshop! Feel free to bring your preferred materials (and something to draw on!), but paper, pencils, and pens will be available. Best sketch wins a special signed prize!
Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader Trivia Night!
7pm, Pig Beach BBQ, @nexus.trivia
We know you're smarter than a fifth grader. Come win prizes for your knowledge, sip elementary-school-inspired cocktails, and see how you stack up against your fellow Astorians.
Friday, August 28, 2026
Used book donation and sale
12pm, Bier and Cheese Collective, @Bierandcheesecollective
We are giving out free beer in exchange for used books; we then hope to do pop book sales every other weekend or so.
Oliver's End of Summer Party!
5pm, Oliver's Astoria, @oliversastoria
End of Summer celebration! DIY Tie Dying w/ Crafts and Drafts 5-7pm. Belive in Ghosts! live @ 7pm. ALL NIGHT happy hour.
Summer Concert Series - CrossFade Nights
7pm, Sac's Place, @sacsplace
Join us for live music from CrossFade Nights as part of the Sac's Summer Concert Series in our Pizza Garden! Admission is complimentary.
StandUpTown at QED
7:30pm, Q.E.D. Astoria, @stand_uptown
Every month StandUpTown brings you some of NYCs and the country's hottest comics to QED!Summer days are winding down. Come join us to blow out the Summer & welcome in the Fall!
Sunset Jazz
8pm, Culture Lab LIC, @culturelablic
LIC's favorite local jazz night is back! Enjoy live jazz performances, cool libations, and great vibes in an intimate art gallery space every Friday at 8 PM. Always free and open to the community. Seating is limited, so get here early!
Raising Astoria presents: Mom's Night Out at the Ditty!
8pm, The Ditty, @raisingastorianyc
Join us at The Ditty for a much needed Mom's Night Out!
Divorced Dad Rock Summer w/ Alt Side Parking
10pm, The Irish Rover, @altsideparkingny
Astoria's favorite divorced dad rock cover band, Alt Side Parking, will be back at the Irish Rover for another headliner. They'll be hitting the stage at 10 PM for a 3 hour set of your favorite 90's/00's alternative and top 40 hits. Show is free of charge!
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Yoga in the Courtyard with The Yoga Room
9:45am, Museum of Moving Image, @movingimagenyc
Join local studio The Yoga Room for a free class in the beautiful MoMI Courtyard! Museum doors will open at 9:45 a.m. for check-in, and the class will begin at 10:00 a.m. Stick around after the class to enjoy a treat from the MoMI cafe, or visit the Museum galleries. One RSVP per person, bring your own mat. Note that space is first come, first served. In the event of rain, the event will be cancelled.
Summer Spin Series
12pm, Museum of the Moving Image, @movingimagenyc
Spend the afternoon enjoying DJs, music, and community in the museum courtyard.
31st Ave Open Street
12:30pm, 31st Ave Open Street, @31staveopenstreet
Join us for our weekly street fair! The 31st Avenue Open Street is part of NYC Open Streets, a program coordinated by the Mayor's Office and NYCDOT. Started at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the goal of Open Streets is to bolster the public realm where open space and parks are limited. The program, which is now permanent by city law, helps to offer safe passageways for cycling and walking, outdoor areas for dining and seating, and programming—by, for and of the community.
Summer Reading Program Wrap Party & Raffle
1pm, 31st Ave Open Streets, @31staveopenstreet
Join your friends from Astoria Bookshop to celebrate the end of our first summer reading program! We'll have snacks, crafts, and a RAFFLE -- prizes include bundles, totes, and coupons for free slices from at Reg'z NY Pizza.
Live in the Lot!
5pm, Culture Lab, @culturelablic
Live in the Lot is Culture Lab's free summer concert series, featuring live music every weekend! Enjoy live music, curated pop-up vendor markets, and a variety of drinks and snacks from the concession stand.
Sunday, August 30, 2026
Yoga at Socrates with Astoria Yoga
10am, Socrates Sculpture Park, @socratespark
Socrates is delighted to offer FREE yoga classes of Vinyasa yoga – a series of flowing poses linked to the awareness of breath with instructors from Astoria Yoga (on Sundays). Classes are designed for all experience levels. Please bring a mat or a towel. No RSVP or pre-registration required.
Astoria Walk
10am, The Wolfhound, @walkingqueensastoria
Meet new friends and neighbors during a walk around the neighborhood, beginning at The Wolfhound at 10am!
Make Your Mark! Abstract Painting with Alice Lipping Art Studio
3pm, Bohemian Hall Beer Garden, @aliceabstract
Spend the afternoon getting creative with abstract painting, color, texture and mark-making. Kids and adults can create side-by-side, and everyone gets to make something completely their own. No experience needed—just come ready to have fun and get a little creative. Perfect for families, parents & kids, friends, couples, singles, neighborhood groups, and anyone looking for a creative Sunday in Astoria. $35 pp/ $ 60 for two / $50 Parent and Child
Make sure to confirm all event details with the organizers!
Around the Boroughs
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