Good afternoon, Astoria!
September starts tomorrow and it feels both impossible and mildly threatening. But before we fully surrender to pumpkin-flavored everything, Astoria has a few local highlights this week: a new matcha spot has arrived, Burger Box has undergone a Mediterranean transformation, a roundabout is finally coming to a very cursed intersection, and somewhere in the neighborhood, 212 cars are carrying the city’s newest passive-aggressive accessory.
Plus: free books, stolen bike equipment, mysterious construction, questionable parking signs, and the return of the Stoop Sale. In other words, just another week in Astoria.
Local Gossip:
- Astoria is apparently NYC’s second-most shame-stickered neighborhood. The city’s new alternate-side parking “shame stickers” were slapped on 212 Astoria cars in the first two weeks of August. Move your car, folks.
- Spotted: a new(ish) Little Free Library at 31st Ave & 34th St by Fresh One. We love a neighborhood book exchange.
- Roundabout incoming. The notoriously chaotic intersection at 31st Ave, 43rd St & Newtown Rd is getting a roundabout. May the traffic gods finally hear our prayers.
- Someone stole the compressed air hose from The Bike Stop on 28th Ave & 38th St. Whoever has it: return the hose. We are begging.
- What is that smell? A building near Broadway & 33rd has reportedly been gushing water onto the street all week — and neighbors say it smells rancid.
- Mark your calendars: Astoria Stoop Sale returns November 7 to the 31st Ave Open Street and they’re looking for volunteers.
- What's coming for Popeyes? The old 31st St spot near Ditmars has been getting a serious makeover. Anyone have intel on what’s moving in?
- Burger Box has entered its Mediterranean era. The OG 30th Ave spot has been remodeled and is becoming Boss Mediterranean, reportedly opening in a few days.
- Matcha has officially entered the chat. First Haus is now open at Newtown & 30th St. Welcome to Astoria!
- And finally, a parking-space PSA: Urban Dove Charter School has reportedly been taping “Teacher Parking” and “School Parking” signs to trees and light poles along 31st Ave. These homemade signs (allegedly) have no legal standing, because unfortunately printing something out does not make it law.
Cheers,
Angelina & Stacey
This week in Astoria
August 31st - September 6th |
Monday, August 31, 2026
An Evening with Peter Liu and Peng Dang
7:30pm, QED Astoria, @qedastoria
NYC-based comics Peter Liu and Peng Dang bring sharp observations, family stories, and hilarious takes on culture and life between two worlds. Hosted by Jamie Wang. Lineup subject to change.
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Intro to Portraiture & Oil Painting
6pm, On the Easel, @onthe_easel
A 4-week course covering the foundations of portraiture and oil painting, from proportions and drawing to color mixing and finished portraits. Great for beginners.
Hologram
8pm, 3AM Theatre, @3amtheatre
Kyle Driggs and Jay Gilligan combine juggling, light, and sound to create images that evoke holograms using real objects in motion. Two performances only, Sept. 1 & 2.
Steel Magnolias
8:30pm, The Ditty, @thedittybar
The Ditty’s weekly Tuesday movie series continues with a screening of Steel Magnolias.
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Wednesday Night Karaoke
8pm, OffCity, @offcity_astoria @karaokekingsnyc @matias.shimada
Weekly karaoke kicks off at OffCity from 8pm–12am, hosted by DJ Matias of The Kings of Karaoke. Free to attend and sing.
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Jim Henson Exhibition Guided Tours
4pm, Museum of the Moving Image, @movingimagenyc
Join a Museum educator for a family-friendly guided tour of The Jim Henson Exhibition, including interactive stations. All ages welcome.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
6pm, Astoria Park, @astoriaplayers
Astoria Players return with their 2nd Annual FREE Shakespeare in the Park under the Hell Gate Bridge. Bring a lawn chair or blanket; donations appreciated.
Darin's Gonna Work It Out
7:30pm, QED Astoria, @qedastoria
Queens comedian and SNL Nerds co-host Darin Patterson runs through his new album set, covering NYC, getting older, being a nerd, aliens, and whatever else comes to mind.
Friday, September 4, 2026
Clean Astoria Tennis Courts & Pop The Astoria Bubble
5pm, The Astoria Park tennis courts are located at 21st Street and Hoyt Avenue (near 21 Hoyt Ave N) in Astoria, Queens, NY 11102, @poptheastoriabubble
Help clean the tennis courts or talk with neighbors about the potential privatization of the courts. Hosted by Pop the Astoria Bubble, Astoria Trash Club, and DSA Queens Community Solidarity Committee.
Cannavita Art Gallery Nights
6pm, Cannavita Dispensary, @cannavitadispensary
Every Friday, Cannavita transforms into Astoria’s only weekly art gallery inside a dispensary, featuring a rotating lineup of New York City artists. From paintings and drawings to graffiti-style work, sculpture, and mixed media, each week highlights original pieces from creators across the city.
Saturday, September 5, 2026
FREE Kayaking at Hallets Cove
12pm, Hallets Cove Beach, 31-10 Vernon Blvd, Astoria, NY, @liccboathouse
Free kayaking from 12–3pm. Paddlers of all ages welcome; no registration required. Under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Brasil Fest
2pm, 31st Ave Open Street, @31staveopenstreet
Celebrate Brazilian Independence Day and Astoria’s Brazilian community with food vendors, local artists, dance groups, and Brazilian culture. Astoria’s first ever Brasil Fest!
Pupsicles & Donuts
3pm, Château le Woof, @chateaulewoof
Bring your human and pup for a sweet afternoon of pupsicles, donuts, and fun.
Sunday, September 6, 2026
F1 Italian GP Watch Party
9am, Kitty Sullivan's, @queens.f1racing
Catch the Italian GP at Monza with fellow F1 fans. Lights out at 9am, so get there early — and yes, there will be bagels.
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.
Back to School Block Party with Team AOC!
1pm, 31st Ave Open Streets, @teamaoc
A free back-to-school block party with music, theater games, soccer, instruments, art, local afterschool resources, and school supplies while they last. Geared toward preschool through 5th grade.
Monday, September 7, 2026
Labor Day Block Party at The Wolfhound
11am, The Wolfhound, @thewolfhound
Our 5th Annual Labor Day Block party returns! DJs, bands, street vendors, and a whole lot of fun in the sun! More details on their Instagram.
Labor Day Block Party Château le Woof
12pm, Château le Woof, @chateaulewoof
Join them as they take it to the sidewalk with a DJ, BBQ and frosé starting at 12PM.
Make sure to confirm all event details with the organizers!
Around the Boroughs
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Jackson Heights Insider: Local Events & Community Updates
A weekly roundup of the best events, markets, and happenings in and around Jackson Heights. Perfect for neighbors who want to stay in the loop and support local life. |
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About Astoria Live
My goal is to help Astoria residents connect in real life, support local creators and businesses, and celebrate everything that makes this neighborhood special. Thanks for being here!
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